Comox Valley Echo - September 19, 2014 by Comox Valley Echo

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Friday September 19, 2014

Volume 20, No. 75

Coulson calls for ‘change and certainty’ in handling development permits By Michael Briones Echo Staff

Jake Hughson fishing for salmon.

BC Hydro moving to ‘extreme conservation’ for Puntledge River There hasn’t been a major rain storm event since October 2013 By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff It’s time to shift into extreme conservation mode. That’s the word from BC Hydro as water levels in their reservoir and the Puntledge River keep dropping. “At the current rate of discharge we would essentially be at the bottom of the reservoir and basically running out of water by early October,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Stephen Watson, of the decision to drop water flows from the 12 m3/s rate Wednesday. “We took action to go down to 8.5 cubic meters of water per second. So that will last us to about Oct. 21 or so. Basically we need a rain event in about the next month or so, otherwise it’s going to get quite severe.” It looked like the Comox Valley might see rain for a bit. “That storm system shifted north to miss this area completely and a high pressure system is going to come back in,” he said. “Obviously we’re hoping for a storm event and we’re good to go, but if it remains dry through October we could be in a situation where what is naturally coming into the reservoir is what is released downstream, which is about 2 m3/s,” he said. “We have not had a storm of any significance since October 2013. Considering on Vancouver Island and the West Coast we think of rain, to go through an entire year without a storm event, that’s pretty remarkable - yet that’s what’s happened.” Jake Hughson, 28, a civic planner from Fort St. John who works alongside environmental consultants saw salmon swimming up the Puntledge River Wednesday morning and decided to grab his rod and head down to Condensory Bridge. “Most people are enjoying the sun,” he said. “But the rivers, the salmon and the environment need the rain.” As he cast his rod about he noted the Puntledge River seemed in much better shape than many of the others in the area, such as the Oyster, Trent, Sable and Little Qualicum rivers. “I think the biggest thing is the temperature of the water,” noting lower water levels mean warmer waves. (Continued on page 2)

Expires Oct.30/14

Ron Coulson wants to see “change and certainty” in the development permit application process before he continues to develop projects in Courtenay. Last week, the CEO of Silverado Group of Companies after failing to get approval from the City of Courtenay’s engineering department in time for the spring real estate market, withdrew the development of its 31-lot subdivision project north of Ryan Road. It is Phase One of a 15 to 20 year plan that Coulson said would have created a minimum of $15 million in economic development for the city. Coulson said the project was initiated last year. He had indicated to city’s Chief Administrative Officer David Allen their desire to see construction start n April this year. But despite several meetings with city engineers and planners, the development permit met with unnecessary delays, which Coulson said was frustrating. “The culture with the bureaucrats as specifically engineering in the City of Courtenay is a culture of putting hurdles in front of developers and not declaring that we’re open for business,” said Coulson. “We have invested tens of millions into our project. We’re only 30 per cent into our overall development and for them to stonewall us is just not acceptable and we will not put up with it.” (Continued on page 2)

Teachers have mixed feelings over deal By Michael Briones Echo Staff

Consultants were dispatched to the Puntledge River by BC Hydro to save any fish trapped by dropping water levels.

Feelings are mixed over the tentative deal reached by the teachers with the provincial government. At press time, Comox Valley teachers, and also those from across the province, were going to vote on whether to ratify the agreement that would end the strike and open the schools on Monday. “Teachers are happy but it’s not an extreme happiness,” said Comox Valley District Teachers Association president Nick Moore. “We’re still concerned there’s still a big underfunding of education and that there’s going to be some students, despite all our hard work and efforts, that are still going to be falling in the cracks because there’s no adults in the building to take care of them. If teachers agree to ratify this, then we do so with a heavy heart.” After months of embittered dispute, the BC Teachers Federation and the BC Public Schools Employers Association reached a tentative deal that was brokered by well-respected mediator Vince Ready just before 4 a.m. on Tuesday. It’s a six-year deal that contains a 7.25-per-cent raise, a $108 million grievance fund to address the government’s illegal stripping of class-size limits from the teachers’ contract back in 2002, and $480 million throughout the course of the deal to hire new teachers. The contentious E80 clause, which outlined the government’s class-size and composition language was also taken off the bargaining table. The BCTF objected to the clause, fearing the language would take away class size and composition rights the union had won through two court rulings. While there’s money set aside to help deal with some of the issues concerning class size and composition, Moore said, “it’s not enough in our opinion but it’s the best we could get from government right now.” Some of the other highlights of the deal are the moderate improvements to their extended health package, which Moore said they’re happy about. As well, there’s increased prep time for elementary teachers which will allow them enough time to get things ready in their classes.

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A2 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

News

Comox Valley Weather

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Friday, 19 September Cloudy with 40% chance of showers. High 20°C.

Saturday, 20 September Sunny. Low 12°C. High 22°C.

Sunday, 21 September Sunny. Low 13°C. High 25°C.

Monday, 22 September A mix of sun and cloud. Low 12°C. High 21°C.

Tuesday, 23 September Cloudy. Low 12°C. High 19°C.

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

Coulson wants ‘change and certainty’ (Continued from page 1) Silverado wants to continue developing more projects but Coulson said he wants to see significant changes to the process and would like the politicians to be involved. “We believe we have suggestions that if the bureaucrats won’t listen to then the politicians better because all we want is change and certainty,” said Coulson. “We’ve been into our project for 26 years and we plan to be here another 26 years. I need certainty to move forward in the City of Courtenay. Capital is very fluid. It only goes where it’s wanted. If the politicians declare they don’t want more development, then we will take our bat and our ball and we’ll go home.” Coulson indicated they have always had a good relationship with the city but that has dramatically changed in recent years. “We had 24 years of trust, respected relationship with the politicians and the engineering and planning staff with the City of Courtenay,” said Coulson. “The last 18 months have been pure hell. “Prior to that we had a city engineer by the name of Mr. Kevin Lagan who always found a solution for any of the problems we had or the city had. They were solution-based. The people running the engineering now are one hundred per cent obstacle based. They can only talk about obstacles.” Mayor Larry Jangula agrees that the delays can be frustrating. He says council supports developments but their knowledge in engineering is limited and relies on city staff to do the necessary work that would allow them to get a project approved. “There’s no doubt I have had a number of developers and builders complain to me about the length of time that it takes to get approval from the engineering department,” said Jangula. “The problem with that is we’re not engineers. We don’t know how the process works and what has to be done because we’re not trained in that department. But as far as the politicians, we’re very much in favour of growth and certainly in favour of Crown Isle’s growth.” Jangula would also like to see improvements to the process to make it more efficient and have a quicker turnaround. “There’s no doubt in my mind we could do better,” said Jangula. “There’s no doubt in my mind we will do better. It’s just a matter of getting there.” Coulson is not the only developer who has been critical of the city’s engineering department. There are others who are also unhappy and some have indicated that they would never develop again in the city. The annual property taxes paid by the Crown Isle development approached 25 per cent of the total property tax

revenue collected by the city since 2007. Property taxes have increased 32.74 per cent since then and the total city wages went up by 51.9 percent. In the last seven years, developers have contributed $14,039,873 to the city for infrastructure, land and parks. Allen said they believe the Crown Isle project’s development permit application was not far from getting approved. He feels there was a communication issue that led Coulson to his decision. “I know they are frustrated but we thought we were very close,” said Allen. “We thought we had consensus the day before the application was pulled on three outstanding issues. And we believed it would take a matter of three to five working days to get those things sorted out on the part of their engineers and get them to us for review and then maybe another two weeks after that.” Coulson’s frustration stemmed from the constant changes the engineering department has placed on the application. He feels personal preferences come to play when making the decisions. He cited, as one example, the traffic study they conducted at the north side of the project. “We paid for the traffic study that said, a T-intersection would be acceptable,” said Coulson. “The city engineer decided that she liked a roundabout rather than a T-intersection. We paid for the study, we submitted it to the city and they don’t accept it ... a personal preference. The difference in cost was in excess of $250,000.” Allen is confident with the work his engineering staff is doing and said, “Under my watch and in my experience, there are no favourites. We treat everybody equally and we will continue to do so.” Bringing this issue out to the public has motivated the city to seriously work on implementing changes to make Courtenay developer friendly. Allen said they’ve hired new engineers and are meeting with developers and contractors to find ways to streamline the way they handle applications. A review of the city’s specs and standards is already being conducted. “That includes improving development process and putting together a package when a developer show up that has information in it, check list, estimated timelines, those sort of things,” said Allen. “We also initiated a DART process, a development application review team. And what that does, instead of sending out the applications all over to many departments individually, we bring everybody together to look at the one application at the same time. That allows us to deal with problems that come up collectively and to focus on problem solving.” Allen said he hopes Coulson would reconsider his position and resume his project. “We’re still here, we’re still willing to listen to process his application,” he said.

BC Hydro dealing with super-dry conditions (Continued from page 1) “When the water’s higher there’s nice deep cool pools.” These river features are ideal for baby salmon, and the warmer temperatures can be lethal. “It’s just killer for them,” he said. “A lot of them die.” Lower water levels can shift the ecosystem balance to allow predators to grab a tasty meal more easily in some cases. When BC Hydro reduces flows it dispatches fish salvage crews go to certain key sections of the river to observe any potential fish stranding, for example fish in isolated pools. Using specially designed electrical current system they are able to coax the fish into netting and release them back into the river. The

ramp-down procedure takes place over several hours, giving the consultants time to complete this lifesaving work. Campbell River system faces a similar situation, but it’s a larger watershed, and the dam impounds the entire reservoir, Watson noted. “Comox is quite unique within an already unique situation in the region,” he said. BC Hydro is working with the Comox Valley Regional District on water withdrawal rates. “The amount of water is small compared with what we’re trying to deal with upstream,” he said, referring to the regional intake points. “It all helps.”

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Sep. 19th – 25th TOONIE MATINEES – Monday to Thursday! Cinema #4: “The Equalizer” ": Coarse language; violence. Pass restricted until October 9th Sneak Peek: Thursday September 25th: 7:05 (9:30) & 10:00 (12:25) Cinema #1: “The Maze Runner” PG: Violence; frightening scenes; coarse language. Pass restricted until October 2nd Nightly: 6:50 (8:55) & 9:30 (11:35). Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 12:40 (2:45) & 3:15 (5:20) Cinema #2: “Guardians of the Galaxy 3D” PG: Violence; Friday to Wednesday: 6:40 (8:55) & 9:25 (11:40) Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 3D 12:30 (2:45) & 2D 3:25 (5:40) Cinema #3: “Dolphin Tale 2 G: No advisory. Nightly: 7:00 (9:00) & 9:35 (11:35). Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 12:55 (2:55) & 3:40 (5:40) Cinema #4: “This Is Where I Leave You” 14A: Coarse & sexual language; sexually suggestive scenes. Nightly: 7:10 (9:05) & 9:40 (11:35). Saturday & Sunday Matinees: 12:50 (2:45) & 3:30 (5:25) Box Office Hours for September 19th – 25th Nightly: 6:15 pm – 9:45 pm. (10:05 pm Thurs.) Friday to Sunday Matinees: 12:15 - 3:45 pm.

Show Times Sept 19 - 25, 2014 | Campbell River, Showcase Walk Among the Tombstones (14A) Nightly 7:15 & 9:45. Sat & Sun Matinees 1:15 & 3:45 The Maze Runner (PG) (No Passes Accepted) Nightly 7:10 & 9:40. Sat & Sun Matinees 1:10 & 3:30 Guardians of the Galaxy 3D (PG) (Ends Wednesday) Fri to Wed 6:50 & 9:30. Sat & Sun Matinees 12:50 Guardians of the Galaxy (PG) Sat & Sun Matinees 3:30 This is Where I Leave You (14A) Nightly 7:00 & 9:20. Sat & Sun Matinees 1:00 & 3:20 Dolphin Tale 2 (G) Nightly 7:05 & 9:25. Sat & Sun Matinees 1:05 & 3:25 The Equalizer (14A) (No Passes Accepted) Special Advance Screening. Thursday Sept. 25th 7:05 & 9:50

Water Park at Lewis Park closing for the season: Get some final splashes at the Rotary Water Park at Lewis Park this weekend from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. After a great sunny season the last day to enjoy the Water Park is Sunday, September 21 as it will be closed for the season effective Monday, September 22. The Water Park is free and open to everyone.

COMOX LEGION CELEBRATES 75 YEARS The Comox Legion Ladies Auxiliary invites all members to celebrate the branch’s 75th Anniversary in the upper hall on Sept. 27. Dinner is free for all Br. 160 members, and $10 for spouses/guests. Dress is jacket and tie for men and equivalent for women. Doors open at 5 pm, dine at 6 pm. Pick up your tickets at the bar by Sept. 25. In 1939 a group of 11 veterans formalized their meetings by applying for a Legion Charter which was granted on 10 September 1939 - the day the Canadian Parliament declared war on Germany. The original charter hangs on the wall in the office, slightly damaged by fire, and has the names of some of the first members of Br. 160 listes (LBW d’Esterre, WA Edwards, GW Evans,

HW Hawkins, VG Love, LD Piket, WJ Pollock, HTG Rossiter, J Stephenson, AM Stewart, J Yates). The original building started construction in 1940 with one paid worker and many volunteers including six sailors from Goose Spit who arrived daily to assist. The building was completed in 1941 and the cornerstone laid. The branch needs more members and volunteers to keep the services provided by the Legion going. “Our mission is to serve veterans, which includes serving military and RCMP members and their families, to promote Remembance, and to serve our communities and our country.” Keep our Legions thriving, come join us and volunteer where you can like the men 75 years ago.

Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014 A3

News in September each year, raises awareness of literacy as well as raises money for literacy programs, resources, and services in the Comox Valley. Every penny raised goes to local literacy programs. The campaign culminates on Raise-aReader Day - September 24th, 2014. Volunteers wearing bright orange shirts will be out between 11:30 and 1pm throughout the Comox Valley handing out a special literacy edition of the Comox Valley Echo in exchange for a donation. The FLO program exemplifies our ability, as community providers, to provide accessible, learner-centered, collaborative programming to meet the needs and realities of families. The Raise-a-Reader fundraising campaign exemplifies our capacity as a community to ensure that literacy programs continue to be offered. Together we can raise many readers. To donate to Raise-a-Reader, go online to: www.raiseareader.com/donate, and click on ‘Comox Valley’ under Fund/ Designation. To donate by phone, call 1-866-637-READ (7323) or call the Comox Valley Echo at 250-334-4722. You can also mail in or drop off your donation at the Comox Valley Echo (cheques payable to “The Comox Valley Echo”). For more information contact the Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association by email at dhoogland@ shaw.ca or by phone at 250-897-2623.

Go with the FLO ... support Raise-a-Reader Day Did you know? · Right now, over 150,000 British Columbians aged 25 to 54 haven’t graduated from high school (BC Stats 2011) · Approximately 600,000 adults do not have the literacy and essential skills they need to achieve success in their career goals (Skills for Growth: British Columbia’s Labour Market Strategy by 2020) · By 2020, B.C. will have 1.3 million new job openings; there are 650,000 children in the school system now. The impacts of low literacy rates for families and communities are far reaching. Multiple studies show that literacy rates are linked to crime, health, employability, and overall quality of life. Consider the following: · On average, offenders have significantly lower literacy skills than the general population. Investing in literacy, especially for families and youth at risk, is an effective crime prevention strategy. · People with low literacy skills have poorer overall health. Low literacy skills lead to misuse of medication or misunderstanding of health information. Reading practices in daily life are strongly related to health literacy (Canadian Council on Learning, 2008). · People with low proficiency in literacy tend to have lower rates of

Family Literacy Outreach program participants Sarah and her son Aiden, 2014. Photo credit: Michael Leland, Decoda Literacy Solutions employment, and they tend to work in occupations with lower skill requirements. Adult wage rates are also highly related to literacy skill. Adults with strong literacy skills earn roughly 68% more than those with weak literacy skills (Canadian Literacy and Learning Network, 2012). · Parents who have strong literacy skills and who have pursued further education increase the probability of their children’s success in school and lifelong learning. Investing in a parent’s learning is a direct investment in their children’s literacy abilities.

Not surprisingly, increasing literacy skills increases social and economic opportunities for families and our community. As Dr. Seuss so eloquently says: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Currently in the Comox Valley, literacy and essential skills training is offered through various formal and non-formal providers. North Island College, the School District, the Adult Learning Centre, and Comox Valley Lifelong Learning

Association (CVLLA) are examples of providers who offer training using a variety of delivery models that include workshops, one-to-one tutoring, classroom instruction, learning circles, mentoring and embedding literacy into other forms of learning (such as cooking). One example of a community-based Literacy and Essential Skills program is the Comox Valley Family Literacy Outreach Program (FLO) program. FLO is a six-week program that addresses three areas: food/health literacy, support for early years learning, and adult literacy and essential skills. Through the program partners (which include CVLLA, North Island College Upgrading, Adult Learning Centre, Creative Employment Access Society, Comox Valley Family Services, School District 71 Strong Start, and LUSH Valley), adults and families connect to community social and literacy supports, services and resources. Participants of this program have achieved considerable success. Children have learned songs and rhymes while moms and dads have been supported in registering for college programs, applying for work, volunteering in community and starting their own business. The FLO program is supported by funds raised through the Raise-aReader campaign. The Raise-a-Reader campaign, held

Courtenay supports opinion vote on homelessness on its ballots Comox wants CVRD to provide informational materials and staffing during election By Michael Briones Echo Staff Courtenay council has agreed to endorse the Comox Valley Regional District’s request to include a non-binding public opinion vote on homelessness in the upcoming municipal elections on Nov. 15. The regional district has been asking the three levels of government in the valley if they could include on their ballots a question to voters if they would support the use of property taxes to reduce homelessness in the region. The question will ask: “How much annual property tax would you be willing to pay to reduce homelessness?” with “$0,” “Up to $5 per year (for a home that is assessed at $300,000),” and “Up to $10 per year (for a home that is assessed at $300,000)” as the choices. Courtenay council deliberated on the issue at length before voting to

support the CVRD’s plan. Mayor Larry Jangula was the only one to oppose it. He said that while he understands the importance of addressing homelessness in the region, he has concerns about the CVRD’s plan and is leery about the process. Comox council also debated the CVRD requests. Councillor Ken Grant didn’t agree with the way the regional district has approached this issue. “It’s completely backwards in the way they’re trying to do this,” said Grant. He added he’s been getting a lot of questions from residents regarding the administration of the plan, the specifics and when it’s going to start. “If we’re going to do this and get a fair representation from the public, I think we have to get those questions answered first and then take it to the public,” said Grant. “If you go this way, it’s pretty easy to check off

no because you don’t know where you’re going with all of this.” Majority of the councillors from both municipalities consider the question to be simple and like the fact it has a clause stating that it is non-binding. Comox council agreed the opinion vote should be added to the election ballots but would do it provided the CVRD produce the necessary informational material and advertising, as well as staffing at the town’s voting place during advance and general election days. “In the past the town has conducted referendums for borrowing for the library, rec centre things like that,” said Mayor Paul Ives. “It’s been very clear where the money is going, how much it’s going to cost. In this case, it’s not as clear. Some of the council

members made that point. And I think they’re going to hear those questions leading up to Nov. 15. But we want to be able to direct those questions back to the regional district for them to engage in a public awareness program.” Homelessness is a big concern in the valley. “I suppose this issue will probably never go away and here’s an opportunity perhaps to gauge the public’s appetite for taxpayer support at the local level,” said Ives. “We of course know the provincial and federal governments have a huge role in that but there’s a role for local governance whether land use planning or perhaps affordable housing and many other ventures that may have to be determined. We can all play our part.”

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A4 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

News

Man who abused 3-month-old daughter admitted to trying to reshape her head Motive for pattern of abuse remains unclear as sentencing of private continues

tion he acknowledged was a philosophical one. “How can a person be excused for his mistakes?” he asked the RCMP sergeant, suggesting accountability doesn’t just dissolve. The officer replied by noting that in the case of some of the effects, such as when blood collects on the brain, knowing exactly what happened might help to improve the outlook for the victim. “Subdural hematomas are often life-threatening when acute,” the investigator read to the suspect from Wikipedia, before placing special emphasis on the next part. “Chronic subdural hematomas, however, have better prognosis if properly managed.” The father barely moved from his spot in the prisoner’s box as the digital file showed his admission of consistent cruel behavior before his eyes, the explanation flowing at first drop by drop, but soon in a raging torrent. At first he had been terrified of having a child, he said. After all, he was still so young and didn’t know much about parenting. Plus, he had wanted a boy. But those misgivings evaporated in an instant when his daughter arrived. “They just disappeared like that,” he said. “I fell in love with her the moment I saw her.” He was good with the kid, a calm and playful influence, a fact not disputed by his ex-common law wife. The baby smiled more and played better with him, he said. “I don’t know how it started as far as me being so violent,” he said, adding to the best of his recollection the extremely tight embraces he would give his daughter was where he first really crossed the line. “I would hug her so hard that you would hear a pretty nasty crack.” He made a loud noise imitating the sound.

By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff From the prisoner’s box a 24-year-year-old Comox man who pleaded guilty to aggravated assault listened to his own sobbing coming from the video playing back in BC Supreme Court Sept. 16. The sounds of his confession to a pattern of physical abuse against his infant daughter intermingled in the Nanaimo courtroom with the noon chimes of St. Paul’s Anglican Church and the intermittent buzz of power tools at a nearby construction site. Justice Robin Baird sat in the large Romanesque-style chamber below stained glass windows and skylights considering the evidence. The confession was the key element of the first day of sentencing for the young Canadian Forces avionic systems technician. It is not a matter of whether he’s going to jail, just a matter of how long. Defence attorney Robert Yeo asked for two years of jail followed by three years of probation. Crown prosecutor John Boccabella said a sentence in the range of 4.5 - 6 years would be appropriate. The video began with an RCMP sergeant making sure the private knew he could leave at any time since he wasn’t under arrest and reminding the man his words very well could end up where they did - as a court exhibit. He got advice not to speak up, but in the end he was swayed by the police officer’s assertion that his daughter would get better care if the doctors knew exactly what happened. In the video the suspect began with a ques-

Next he progressed to hitting her on the head and began squeezing it with his own hands, softly at first but increasing with intensity over time. “I could shape her head with my hands,” he described. “I never could have imagined...the force that I applied would be so serious that I could actually fracture something.” The first really big bump on the baby’s head came from the palm of his hand striking the infant, he said. “I like knocked her on the head,” he said. “I was very upset that she had a huge lump on her head.” He would also pick up his daughter and smash her head with his knees. When he was hitting the baby she would move her hands to try to grab at something, so he moved them behind her back to get them out of the way. He saw the flat shape of his baby’s head as a problem and said he felt the urge to try to reshape it using his hands over time until it was round. This culminated in one final series of brutal actions March 24, 2013. “On the night in question, on Sunday night, it was pretty much what I did again,” he said, noting he hit his baby’s head on his knee quite forcefully and used his legs to make his daugh-

ter’s arms point straight backwards, fracturing her clavicle. And this time the signs of medical distress were unavoidable, although that’s exactly what he attempted to do. “I saw her face change completely,” he said. “Her eyes rolled in different directions.” He paused to sob before continuing. “I was so scared and ashamed of what I’d done,” he said, adding to avoid the problem is exactly what he attempted to do by just putting the child straight to bed. “I pretended in my mind that it never happened.” It took an hour before his common law wife woke up and noticed something serious had happened. The baby had a fever and was rushed to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver by air ambulance. The confession was filmed a couple of days later at police headquarters in Vancouver. Justice Baird said the psychological reports don’t completely explain the reasons why the accused did this to his own child. “He said he engaged with her violently,” he said. “I don’t mind saying it’s not entirely clear why.” During the second portion of sentencing the defence will have a chance to set out any mitigating factors involved.

The CorpoƌĂƟon of the Village of Cumberland

2014 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTION

NOTICE OF NOMINATION Public NoƟce is given to the electors of the Village of Cumberland that a general local elecƟon will be held on Saturday November 15, 2014 to elect one Mayor, four Councillors and one School Trustee. Completed nominaƟŽn packages for these posiƟons will be received by the Cumberland Chief ElecƟon Oĸcer, or designate, at the Village Oĸce from: •

9:00am on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 to 4:00pm on Friday, October 10, 2014, excluding weekends and statutory holidays.

NominaƟon documents are available at the Village oĸce. Completed nominaƟŽn documents will be available for viewing as they are received, at the Village oĸce during normal business hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE A person is qualiĮed to be nominated, elected, and to hold oĸce as a member of local government if they meet the following qualiĮcaƟons: • 18 years of age or older; and • Canadian ciƟzen; and • resident of BriƟsh Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nominaƟon papers are Įled; and • not disqualiĮĞd by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voƟng in an elecƟon in BriƟƐh Columbia or from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding oĸce. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION please check out the Village website at cumberland.ca or contact: Rachel Parker, Chief ElecƟon Oĸcer: rparker@cumberland.ca Sundance Topham, Deputy Chief ElecƟon Oĸcer: stopham@cumberland.ca PO Box 340, 2673 Dunsmuir Avenue, Cumberland, BC V0R 1S0 Telephone: 250 336-2291 • Fax: 250 336-2321

COMOX VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT 2014 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS NOTICE OF NOMINATION Public notice is given to the electors of the Comox Valley Regional District that nominations for the offices of: Area Office Electoral Area ‘A’, Baynes Sound – Denman/Hornby Islands Director Electoral Area ‘B’, Lazo North Director Electoral Area ‘C’, Puntledge-Black Creek Director will be received by the chief election officer or a designated person, as follows:

SCHOOL TRUSTEE – SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 71 2014 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS NOTICE OF NOMINATION Public notice is given to the electors of School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) that nominations for the offices of: Area

Office

Electoral Area ‘A’, Baynes Sound – Denman/Hornby Islands

School Trustee

Electoral Area ‘C’, Puntledge-Black Creek

School Trustee

will be received by the chief election officer or a designated person, as follows: By hand, mail or other delivery service: Comox Valley Regional District 600 Comox Road Courtenay, B.C. V9N 3P6

From 9:00 am, September 30, 2014 To 4:00 pm, October 10, 2014 Excluding statutory holidays and weekends

By fax to: 250-334-4358 By email to: administration@ comoxvalleyrd.ca

From 9:00 am, September 30, 2014. To 4:00 pm, October 10, 2014. Originals of faxed or emailed nomination documents must be received by the chief election officer by 4:30 pm on October 17, 2014

Nomination forms are available during regular office hours at the Comox Valley Regional District office at 600 Comox Road, Courtenay, B.C. from August 25, 2014 to the close of the nomination period.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria: t Canadian citizen; t 18 years of age or older on general voting day, November 15, 2014; t resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; t not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law. FURTHER INFORMATION on the foregoing may be obtained by visiting the Comox Valley Regional District elections website at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/vote or by contacting James Warren, chief election officer at 250-334-6000.

TOWN OF COMOX 2014 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTION NOTICE OF NOMINATION PERIOD Public Notice is given to the electors of the Town of Comox that a General Local Election will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014 to elect one Mayor, six Councillors and one School Trustee. Nominations for qualified candidates will be received as follows: By hand, mail or other delivery service to: Comox Town Hall 1809 Beaufort Avenue Comox BC V9M 1R9 By fax to: 250 339-7110 or

From 9:00 a.m., September 30, 2014 To 4:00 p.m., October 10, 2014 Excluding statutory holidays and weekends From 9:00 a.m., September 30, 2014 To 4:00 p.m., October 10, 2014

By email to: town@comox.ca

Originals of faxed or emailed nomination documents must be received by the Chief Election Officer by 4:30 p.m. on Friday October 17, 2014 Nomination documents are available at Comox Town Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Documents may also be downloaded from the Town of Comox website, at http://comox.ca. NO NOMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 4:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 10, 2014 Originals of faxed or emailed nomination documents must be received by the Chief Election Officer by 4:30 p.m. on Friday October 17, 2014. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE A person is qualified to be nominated, elected and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria: • • •

they are a Canadian citizen; they are 18 years of age or older on November 15, 2014; they have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before they file nomination papers; and • they are not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law. ____________________________________ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, please contact the Chief or Deputy Chief Election Officer at phone 250 339-2202 or email town@comox.ca. Shelly Russwurm, Chief Election Officer

By hand, mail or other delivery service: Comox Valley Regional District 600 Comox Road Courtenay, B.C. V9N 3P6 By fax to: 250-334-4358

From 9:00 am, September 30, 2014 To 4:00 pm, October 10, 2014 Excluding statutory holidays and weekends From 9:00 am, September 30, 2014 To 4:00 pm, October 10, 2014

By email to: administration@ comoxvalleyrd.ca

Originals of faxed or emailed nomination documents must be received by the chief election officer by 4:30 pm on October 17, 2014

Nomination forms are available during regular office hours at the Comox Valley Regional District office at 600 Comox Road, Courtenay, B.C. from August 25, 2014 to the close of the nomination period. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria: x Canadian citizen; x 18 years of age or older on general voting day, November 15, 2014; x resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; x not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law. FURTHER INFORMATION on the foregoing may be obtained by visiting the Comox Valley Regional District elections website at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/vote or by contacting James Warren, chief election officer at 250-334-6000. LOCAL TRUSTEE – ISLANDS TRUST 2014 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS NOTICE OF NOMINATION Public notice is given to the electors of Denman Island and Hornby Island Local Trust Areas that nominations for the offices of: Area Office Denman Island Local Trust Area includes: Local Trustee Denman Island, Chrome and Sandy Islands, (Two to be elected) Seal Islets and Lot 127 Lambert Channel Hornby Island Local Trust Area includes: Local Trustee Hornby Island and Toby Island, Flora Islet and Norris Rocks (Two to be elected) will be received by the chief election officer or a designated person, as follows: By hand, mail or other delivery service: Comox Valley Regional District 600 Comox Road Courtenay, B.C. V9N 3P6 By fax to: 250-334-4358

From 9:00 am, September 30, 2014 To 4:00 pm, October 10, 2014 Excluding statutory holidays and weekends From 9:00 am, September 30, 2014 To 4:00 pm, October 10, 2014

By email to: administration@ comoxvalleyrd.ca

Originals of faxed or emailed nomination documents must be received by the chief election officer by 4:30 pm on October 17, 2014

News

Local United Way launches fundraising campaign By Michael Briones Echo Staff The Comox Valley United Way campaign for 2014 is underway. Local advocates of the popular charity launched the annual fundraising efforts for the Community Fund at the official kick off held at the Air Force Museum at 19 Wing. Last year, the local campaign had a successful conclusion raising $220,000 that funded 17 programs in the Comox Valley. 19 Wing contributed a huge portion of the final total, having raised $48,290.92. This year, the local fundraising effort has set an ambitious goal that they hope will surpass last year’s amount. “We want to raise $230,000 this year,” said Signy Madden, executive director of United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island. “The campaign is from September to December and we have a lot of organizations, businesses and individuals that raise funds for us to invest on those 17 programs.” Madden said each year they are inundated by many request for funding but because of the slow economy, they want to make sure the money goes towards a cause that addresses the root causes of social issues. United Way funds life-changing programs in three main impact areas: Health people, strong community; All that kids can be: and From Poverty to Possibility. “Our goal is to prevent the health care management system spend huge dollars, we don’t want people in prisons, we want tot do the preventative work, and prevent all our tax dollars having to go to all that intervention stuff,” said Madden. Inorder to bolster their fundraising campaign, Madden said, they aim to encourage newcomers to the region to support United Way. Some, she said, may already be supporters but has not been involved with the local effort yet. “We want to tell them that this is your community now,” said Madden. “We are a great local charity that can help you help your friends, neighbours and community.” Anyone wishing to donate or be involved with the fundraising effort can visit www.uwcnvi.ca.

DO YOU HAVE ONE HOUR A WEEK TO SPEND WITH A LONELY, VULNERABLE SENIOR? Would you like to be a part of a dynamic group of seniors who are committed to helping and supporting other seniors? If so, COMOX VALLEY SENIOR PEER COUNSELLING wants you as a PEER COUNSELLOR. A 4-session, free training (Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16) will get you ready to be a good helper. For more information, or to register, call: 250-871-5940 CV Senior Peer Counselling is located at 491-B 4th Street, Courtenay.

Find us on Facebook facebook.com/ComoxValleyEcho

Supporters of the Comox Valley United Way help launch the 2014 fundraising campaign.

Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014 A5

A6 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

Make a difference today. Help raise a reader. Providing the tools to help children and families improve their reading skills is an investment in our community and our future.

DONATE TODAY! ONLINE:

PHONE:

MAIL IN:

www.raiseareader.com and choose ‘Comox Valley’ under Fund/Designation

250-334-4722 or 1-800-637-READ (7323)

Raise-a-Reader, 407-E Fifth St. Courtenay BC V9N 1J7 (cheques payable to “The Comox Valley Echo Raise-a-Reader”)

Proceeds support family and children’s literacy programs so DONATE TODAY!

RAISE-A-READER DAY IS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014. For more information, visit www.raiseareader.com Strathcona Sunrise

Club of Comox

Club

Club of Courtenay

Adult Learning Centre

www.islandhonda.ca

Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association

Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014 A7

News

Eriksson running for city council Erik Eriksson announced today he is running for Courtenay City Council in this year’s Nov. 15 Municipal Election. “I continue to believe I will make a positive contribution on City Council if I am elected,” said Eriksson. “I am retired and able to devote the time and energy required to properly fulfil the responsibilities of office.” “I believe my experience in serving the community in a number of areas will be a valuable asset,” he said. Erik is currently the President of the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre, a director of the Walk of Achievement committee and Treasurer of the Celebration Singers Community Choir. He has served the community as Vice-President of the Comox Valley Food Bank Society, board member of the Economic Development Society

Erik Eriksson and the Comox Valley Community Foundation, Chair of the Sandwick

Transition Advisory Committee and he has previously served a term as Courtenay City Councillor. His interests include umpiring for the BC Premier Baseball League, music, sports and fitness and RVing with his wife Beverley. “We have lived in Courtenay for 34 years and in that time, with all my community involvement, I believe I have developed a strong sense of where our citizens want our City to go,” said Erik. “Maple Pool, housing, traffic, fire service and governance are some of the issues that have recently come to the fore.” “I know I can make a positive contribution, working cooperatively with the City Council, in resolving those issues and I am asking the people of Courtenay for the opportunity,” he said.

Election news pages added to website We’ve added a special municipal election section to our website at www. comoxvalleyecho.com. Check here for the latest news on candidates seeking election in Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, regional district, school board and Islands Trust. There is also a section for your thoughts (letters to the editor). Check back often to see the latest news leading up to the elections in November.

Don Island Honda is pleased to introduce Don Root from our Sales department.

Don is originally from San Diego, California. He was self-employed since 1993 and moved to the Island in 2006 after selling his business and marrying his lovely bride, Lori. He owned Diego’s Mexican Restaurant in Courtney and after 4 years chose to leave the challenges of entrepreneurship and join Island Honda. He is now the proud owner of a new Honda “Fit”. He is an excellent cook, loves fishing, camping and drag racing. He makes his own salsa and offers a free sample with every vehicle purchase. Don Root will definitely cook up a great deal for anyone considering a new Honda or any pre-owned car, truck, SUV or van.

www.islandhonda.ca 1025 Comox Road. Courtenay 250-338-7761

THE MATINÉE & GOOD FOR GRAPES

SEPTEMBER 19 | TICKETS $18 - $28

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STARRING THE BICYCL E AS MUSE, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, & AGENT OF SOCIAL CHANGE

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A8 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

News

Maasai choir asks â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why Such Fear?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; A message of faith and fearlessness is coming from the continent of Africa and it is spreading right here in North America. This fall, the En-kata choir from Tanzania, East Africa, is sharing songs and stories about the awesome power of God at work in their community. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why Such Fear?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tour 2014 will be in Comox, at Comox Pentecostal Church on September 21st with their moving performance. Choir member Naitapuaki Lengina explains the title of the tour: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In our lives, we have challenges, but since our God is with us, Why Such Fear?â&#x20AC;? Her own story is an example of the hope and good news coming from a continent that in the West is more often known for having to battle challenges of poverty and disease. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was a Maasai girl who was married off young, the fourth wife of an old man,â&#x20AC;? Naitapuaki recalls. Left widowed and alone to care for her children, she saw the miraculous change. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My children needed an education and God helped us build a school.â&#x20AC;? This is the fourth tour of the En-kata choir through North America; their nine week journey will take the Maasai from Washington State to Virginia with stops in several US States and Canadian Provinces in between. The choir tours are the main fundraiser for the construction of a Maasai-led elementary school in Obili, Tanzania. Money collected on previ-

ous tours has enabled the Maasai to build classrooms and bathrooms as well as teacher housing. A grand opening celebration for the school was held in June 2011 and kindergarten classes started in March 2012. The number of children wishing to enroll in the school, however, far exceeds the room available in the three classrooms built so far. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why Such Fear?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; tour will help the school to expand its capacity, and provide the graduating kindergarten and Grade 1 students with classrooms to move into,â&#x20AC;? explains En-kata tour coordinator Jeremy Feser. The musical presentation will fea-

ture songs written by the Maasai and performed in both their native language of Maa and the official language of Swahili, interspersed with testimonies by the performers. The testimonies will be translated live on stage, and the songs will have on-screen translations. The performance is family-friendly and anyone is invited to attend. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be no charge, but offerings are encouraged as one of the goals of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why Such Fear?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tour is to raise money to continue with the construction of the school in Orbili,â&#x20AC;? Feser explains. The En-kata choir is a project in partnership between Pamoja Ministries and MAPED, an indige-

nous Maasai organization in Tanzania that combines the salvation message with issues of social justice. Together, the two groups have created several CDs of the choirâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music as well as music videos and a stunning picture book showcasing one community of the Maasai. These items will also be available at the event. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why Such Fear?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tour 2014 will be at Comox Pentecostal Church on Sunday, September 21st at 6:30 pm with their celebration of hope and faith, inviting the audience to learn more about the fascinating culture of the Maasai and to become a part of an African success story.

RALLYING FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE FOR PALESTINIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST From Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Denman Island, the Comox Valley and beyond, demonstrators peacefully gathered in downtown Courtenay this past Saturday to bring attention to the dire living conditions imposed by Israel on Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Although an uncertain cease fire in Gaza was recently agreed on between Hamas and Israel, many Palestinians civilians, mostly children, died and survivors continue to suffer from the brutal occupation and military control of their lands. The demonstrations, called by Mid-Islanders for Justice and Peace

in the Middle East, the CV Peace Group, and Unsettled Goods, call for an end to the Occupation, a halt to Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s settlement building on Palestinian lands, a boycott of Israeli products, and an end to the violence. We will be out on the streets of the Comox Valley every Saturday this fall to create greater awareness and share educational information. On Saturday, September 20, from noon - 1 pm, participants will again demonstrate at the corners of 5th Street and Cliffe Avenue. All are invited to participate or just stop by to ask questions. FMI: 250-3319391.

Time to register if you want to be part of the last Speech Reading class of 2014 What is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;speech readingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;? Speech reading (also known as lip reading) is understanding a spoken message, utilizing your skills of observation and interpreting facial expressions, gestures and body language. These are skills most of us have developed over time, but if you find it increasingly hard to understand what others are saying, this is the chance to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hone in onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;upgradeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; those skills that will assist you most in communicating effectively with others.. Your CV Hard of Hearing Support Group is able to offer these FREE classes, thanks to the financial assistance of the Provincial Chapter of our National organization. Our instructor (Linda Scarlett- Hauck from Salt Spring Island) is an adult educator, experienced in working with those of all ages, who are deaf or hard of hearing . Classes will be held on two consecutive weekends (Saturday, Oct 18/Sunday, Oct 19; PLUS the following weekend Friday, Oct 24/, Saturday, Oct 25/Sunday Oct 26) at the Nursing Center in Courtenay. Actual time schedule available when registration is confirmed Act now to avoid disappointment. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be discouraged if you learn your name has had to go on a waitlist. Classes are kept small to ensure that each person can benefit most from the opportunities offered. Cancellations can occur - with names possibly moving up on the list until the cut off date (Oct 10). To register please contact Glenda Gentleman (sheltiewink@shaw.ca) or contact Mary McLennan phone 250 339 4706.

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Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014 A9

News

Rotary clubs looking for exchange students for 2015 The Rotary International Youth Exchange program is a tremendous adventure and is an excellent tool to further “world peace and understanding among the nations around the globe”. The Courtenay and Strathcona Sunrise Rotary clubs have been proud participants in this program. The program is designed for High School students to travel and study in a different environment in over 25 countries. Although travel for next year’s program will start in August, 2015, Rotary will be accepting applications starting next week. There is a one year period of planning and orientation needed. The age requirements for eligi-

bility are: participants must turn 16 prior to Aug 16, 2015 and cannot turn 18 before August 15, 2015. Currently local students sponsored by Rotary that are abroad are: Maia Bradfield - Thailand, Sushmita Sinclair - France and Faith Buckley - Colombia. Rotary also offers a short term exchange program ( 1 month away, 1 month hosting an international student) over the summer months. For further information contact Randy Wiwchar - Courtenay Rotary 250-338-4418 (Vanier and Isfeld students) or Bob Wells - Sunrise Rotary 250-898-8967 (Highland students)

The Comox Valley Classic Cruisers present a bursary cheque to Logan Ayers from Highland Secondary School to attend North Island College for Heavy duty mechanics.

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KNOW THE NEW RULES 2014 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS THIRD PARTY ADVERTISING

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Third party advertising is any election advertising not sponsored by a candidate or elector organization. If you advertise as a third party from September 30 to November 15 in the 2014 Local Elections, you have new rules to follow under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.

■ You must register with Elections BC as a third party sponsor before conducting any advertising.

■ You must include your name and contact information on all advertising. ■ You must not sponsor advertising by, or on behalf of, a candidate or elector organization. More information on the new rules is available at elections.bc.ca/lecfa. Registration forms and the Third Party Sponsor Guide to Local Elections in B.C. can be downloaded at the Third Party Sponsors page. Media outlets cannot publish or transmit election advertising on General Voting Day, Saturday, November 15, 2014.

elections.bc.ca/lecfa 1- 8 5 5 - 9 52- 0 2 8 0 S LE L A I H S W L IE PP U S

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A10 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

News

Audition for the fall fair Variety Show The audition call is out for talents and tricks of all types for the first annual Fall Fair Follies - Variety Show to be held Friday October 3rd as part of Cumberland’s Foggy Mountain Fall Fair. Both experienced and amateur thespians, musicians, dancers and unique performers are all welcome to bring forward a short performance of your choosing to be part of this exciting first annual event! Songs, dance, sword fighting, monologues, unicycles, hula hoops, skits, juggling, comedy, poetry, burlesque, contortions - you name it - the Fall Fair Follies welcomes it! Be risky, be adventurous, be cheeky, the event is PG 13. Follies are a rich theatrical tradition featuring short performances of diverse talent threaded together with a back stage/side stage story line (think Muppet Show). All you need to do is show up for the auditions with your talent in tow and the magic happens with the support of Director Kevin Flesher! Be prepared for a jam packed, fun filled show on Friday the 3rd! Auditions will be held: Cumberland United Church Monday September 22nd from 6 till 9 pm Rehearsal (only 1!) will be held: Cumberland United Church Wednesday October 1 from 6-9 Performance to be held: Cumberland United Church Friday October 3rd (as part of Foggy Mountain Fall Fair) Doors at 7, Show at 7:30 The Foggy Mountain Fall Fair is a colourful commu-

Get your friends together, put on an act, and audition for the fall fair variety show nity collaboration to celebrate the Harvest, Heritage,Trees and Trails in the Village of Cumberland. This 3-day event includes “Local Colours” arts and culture programming and myriad community events including a community dance, vaudeville theater show, live music, kids games, forest mural projects, apple pressing, a giant plant sale, craft vendors, bear awareness activities, “Pie of the Year” contest, cake auction, walk-

ing tours, hands on workshops and much more. The Foggy Mountain Fall Fair is a co-presentation of the Cumberland Museum, Cumberland Community Forest Society and Comox Valley Community Arts Council with countless other supporters and friends! “Local Colours” programming, including Fall Fair Follies is presented in part through the generous support of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Earth spirituality topic for Unitarians On Sunday September 21, Mike Bell, a member of the Comox Valley Unitarian Fellowship, will give a talk on Facing the Anthropocene with the New Cosmology and an Earth Spirituality. Geologists tell us that Earth has entered a new stage in its development. It is called The Anthropocene and its primary manifestation is climate change. Unlike previous development stages that were natural occurrences, the Anthropocene is man-made. We are changing the chemistry of Earth and destroying the ecosystems that we and other life forms depend upon for our existence. As we move forward our survival as a species depends upon our ability to adopt a mutually enhancing relationship between our human species and Earth. To deal with this challenge we must change the way we think about Earth and our relationship to it. Adopting the New Cosmology will help us gain a new perspective. We then must internalize this new awareness. An Earth Spirituality can sustain us and motivate us to accept and address the new challenges. Drawing upon his experience as a former monk and student of Thomas Berry and as a community organizer in the Arctic, Mike will discuss how the radical transformations introduced by the Anthropocene will require all religious organizations, faith groups, and individuals to change the way they see the world and give it meaning. The Unitarian Service will take place at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20 at the Comox United Church 250 Beach Street in Comox. All are welcome. Childcare is provided.

Join CV Nature in cleaning up litter at the Airpark shoreline Year-round solutions to defend against unwanted pests Litter along shorelines is an eyesore. It can also be dangerous to the creatures which live in and around the edges of streams and oceans if they swallow it, or get caught in it. Litter originates with us humans, and it is right that we should pick it up. The shoreline clean-up is a day to clean what litter there is, and is also a chance to renew our resolve not to litter. Comox Valley Nature (CVNS), founded in 1966, has historically conducted independent estuary shoreline clean-up concentrated at the Airpark site, where CVN has carried out various environmental projects. CVN will again be cleaning up the Air Park, along the Courtenay River. On Sunday September 21st, work will take place between 10 AM and 12 Noon - the group will assemble by the Park Café, (20th street, Courtenay) at 10.00 am. Everyone is welcome! Please bring gloves, appropriate footwear, a garbage bag and your enthusiasm to create a cleaner, healthier environment. This year we have teamed up with Project Watershed, who has again undertaken to groom the Simms Park waterways. Their work party will take place on September 28th, BC Rivers Day, from 10 AM until noon, so that we can have members taking part on two cleanups, on two weekends.

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD)’s Nature Works education program will be highlighting some fall season lawn care maintenance that will support a strong, healthy lawn without the use of harsh chemicals at some special events this month. “Nature Works” is an education and awareness program that encourages the use of pesticide alternatives by people in municipalities with pesticide bylaws, and by others who simply want to know more about creating pesticide-free lawns and gardens. For the next three Saturdays, the CVRD’s Nature Works program will provide some educational sessions at the following locations: • Saturday, September 20th at Art Knapp Plants and Gifts – 2855 Wentworth Road,

Courtenay 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. • Saturday, September 27th at the Apple Press Party, Filberg Park, Comox 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Saturday, October 4th, Dephine Flowers and Garden, 2781 Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. A healthy lawn and garden is your best defense against many types of pests. In the fall, monitor insect damage when the lawn greens up from the fall rain - the damaged areas will remain brown. A good solution is to aerate and add a top dress of finely screened compost; this will allow for proper drainage and root development. Over-seeding can also be done in late summer or early fall, though it is generally done in the spring, our warm and generally wet fall weather gives grass the ideal start it

needs. In your gardens, mulching leaves and grass clippings can also protect your plants over the winter and provide habitat for beneficial insects and help retain moisture and nutrients in the soil. “If you’re bringing your plants inside this fall and are worried about bringing unwanted pests into the house as well, consider simple natural and cost effective alternatives, like Neem Oil, rather than chemical sprays and store-bought pesticides,” said Shannon Pickering, CVRD’s Nature Works educator. For more information on pesticide alternatives, municipal bylaws and helpful tips, including a downloadable natural lawn care seasonal guide, visit www.comoxvalleyrd. ca/pesticidealternatives .

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News

Pacific Salmon Foundation grants $27,000 to Oyster River group The Pacific Salmon Foundation announced that the Oyster River Enhancement Society is the recipient of Community Salmon Program grants totaling almost $27,000. The announcement was made at Black Creek, part of Bear Creek Nature Park in the Comox Valley, on Thursday, August 28 with Minister John Duncan (MP-Vancouver Island North) and visiting Manitoba MP Bob Sopuck, who is a member of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and chair of the Conservative Hunting and Angling Caucus. The grants are two of 18 distributed by the Foundation in Vancouver Island North that total more than $165,000 this year. The first project involves construction of an aluminum “salmon box” to hold adult chinook, Coho, pink and chum salmon until they are ready to spawn. The second will go towards creating a pool that will provide improved habitat for adult and juvenile salmonids. “The grants from the Pacific Salmon Foundation will directly support our hatchery, which now has the capacity to support over 2.5 million Coho, pink, chinook and chum salmon eggs,” said Bernard Lecerf , president of the Oyster River Enhancement Society. “The holding and habitat improvements we will implement as a result of this funding will mean even more salmon in our river.” This year, the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Community Salmon Program will provide $1.5 million in grants to 121 projects in 72 communities across British Columbia. The total value of the projects, including volunteer time and community fundraising, is $9.1 million, with the Oyster River projects alone totaling $55,000, and all those on northern Vancouver Island valued at more than $380,000. “Our granting model is designed to maximize community engagement and shared resources,” said Dr. Brian Riddell, president and CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. “The Oyster River Enhancement Society and its projects fit perfectly with these strategic goals. The society has hundreds of members from the local area who give thousands of hours of dedicated effort to help sustain healthy salmon and trout populations.” Funding for the Community Salmon Program is generated in part through sales of the federal Recreational Fisheries Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Salmon Conservation Stamp. This is the decal that must be purchased annually through Fisheries and Oceans Canada by anglers if they wish to keep Pacific salmon caught in saltwater off of Canada’s West Coast. Revenues from the Salmon Conservation Stamp have totaled $7.75 million since 1989. In 2013, the Pacific Salmon Foundation worked with B.C. MP’s to return 100 per cent of Salmon Conservation Stamp income to British Columbia through the federal budgeting process, which will generate an additional $1 million for community grants annually. “The work done by the Oyster River Enhancement Society and other such groups in our communities is critical to the future of wild Pacific salmon,” said Minister John Duncan (MP-Vancouver Island North). “You can see it here in Black Creek, as these projects will help a number of different kinds of Pacific

Identity of Oyster River body still a mystery The skeletal remains found in the Oyster River in early August have not been identified. Coroner Matt Brown said that despite information released to the public three weeks ago, it yielded no results. Preliminary anthropological examination has determined the remains to be those of a male between 21 and 35 years of age, most likely in his 20s. He was between 163 cm and 171 cm tall (5 feet, 4 inches to 5 feet, 7 inches). He died within the past six months, most probably within the past two months. In the past, he had fractured both clavicles (collarbones), probably in separate incidents, and his nose had also been broken at some time in the past. Clothing found with the remains included a green T-shirt with the emblem “SPLIT” on the front. Anyone with information which may help identify this man is asked to call the Campbell River RCMP at 250 286-6221 Photos of the clothing recovered at the scene may be seen at: http:// www.pssg.gov. bc.ca/coroners/ unidentifiedcases/2014-1012-0057. htm.

salmon at all stages of their lives. I want to personally congratulate the Society for their efforts, and also thank the Pacific Salmon Foundation for its continued support for salmon.” The Community Salmon Program supports thousands of volunteers who give countless hours each year to monitor watersheds, develop and implement habitat rehabilitation projects, and educate communities about the conservation and protection of salmon. Since its inception in 1987, the Foundation has provided $41.3 million in project awards and grants to a total of 2,262 projects that have involved more than 35,000 community volunteers. Funds to support projects like those in the Oyster River watershed are enhanced by an annual Fundraising dinner that will be held this year on Saturday, September 27th at the Florence Filberg Center in Courtenay. The fundraiser is organized by a volunteer dinner committee and will feature live and silent auctions as well as several exciting raffles. Limited tickets remain and are may be purchased for $60.00 each by calling Judy Ackinclose at 250.335.0010.

From left: Jim Loring, Oyster River Enhancement Society, shows the impact of Salmon Conservation Stamp funds to Minister John Duncan (MP, Vancouver Island North) and MP Robert Sopuck (MP, Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette) at the Oyster River Enhancement Society hatchery grounds.

A12 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

News

Daring pilots of Cold War gather for Victoria reunion awarded the Air Force Cross for managing to land safely under extreme conditions. He was grounded for 12 years but managed to regain flying status as a co-pilot. “They call me Cyclops now,” he joked. The average age of the Sabre pilots is 83, and there are 21 older than 90. “These reunions are probably the high spot of our retired lives,” said John England, 82, of Qualicum Beach, chairman of the organizing committee. “We were the most formidable aircraft to fight the Russian MIG 15s.” His son, Christopher, born on a military base in Germany, and wife, Arlene, also attended the reunion. “Flying was in my blood,” said Christopher England, now commanding officer of the Snowbirds aerobatic demonstration team. Arlene England and a girlhood friend both married RCAF pilots training near their tiny hometown of Nelson, N.B., and ended up in Europe. “In the Cold War, the wife had to be organized,” she said. “If there was an emergency and all the men had to fly, we had to look after ourselves. You became very strong. They told us we should always have $100 in travellers cheques and we laughed at that - nobody had $100.” If a pilot died, his widow had to be ready to pack the babies and belongings and drive herself to Le Havre on the Normandy coast to be on the next ship back to Canada, vacating the house for the next NATO pilot and his family. “We had a good time but we knew there was a dangerous side,” Arlene England said. The wives overlooked a lot of the hardship because they knew their husbands were “completely happy,” she said. - Victoria Times Colonist

By Katherine Dedyna Special to the Echo Sixty years ago, daring young NATO pilots were protecting the skies over Cold War Europe from the Soviet menace. “We were a formidable force,” said Syd Burrows, 84, of Comox. “The Russians were threatening all the time - like they are today.” Burrows helped bring more than 400 former Royal Canadian Air Force jet fighter pilots and their family members to Victoria for a reunion this weekend. The Canadian pilots were the protective forces for the West German populace, he recalled. “We weren’t there as occupiers. The French, English and Americans were occupation forces. We were there to protect them from the Russians,” said Burrows, who was stationed in Zweibrucken, West Germany, from 1953 to 1955. “We were only a couple of minutes from the Iron Curtain.” Canada boasted 300 Sabres in 12 squadrons - four wings each with three squadrons of 25 aircraft. There is still one Sabre in flying condition, based in Gatineau, Que. One hundred of the band of brothers died in accidents, although none in combat. Burrows lost an eye on Sept. 13, 1954, when his aircraft struck a hawk during training exercises, causing the plane’s Plexiglas canopy to explode into his face. He was

Syd Burrows, left, and John England stand together in front of a model of the 1950s Canadair Sabre jet fighter during a pilots’ reunion in Victoria this weekend. Photograph By Adrian Lam, Times Colonist

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News

Judge tells youth to stay out of the ‘midnight league’

POLICE BLOTTER WANTED

By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff A 14-year-old aboriginal boy with a history of disappearing for days at a time has had his curfew relaxed by a court order Sept. 11 because of recent good behaviour. In doing so, Judge Rod Sutton told the youth the story of coach Peter Martin, who led a group of players from Haida Gwaii to win the All Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert. “There’s two leagues in the Skidegate village,” the coach told the players who had gathered together. “There’s the midnight league and the Peter Martin league. Make your decision which one you want to play for.” Defence lawyer Dennis Evans had argued his client, who faces challenges brought on by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), shouldn’t face a curfew at all, for fear of making a criminal out of someone with legitimate mental health challenges. The boy, who is currently on probation, has already breached his curfew on multiple occasions and could face jail time if he slips up again. “He’s being held to a standard he cannot possible achieve,” Evans said. “We’re criminalizing social behavior.” But the judge disagreed, noting after looking at the reports he felt the boy was making a conscious choice to disobey his curfew, adding the youth has been succeeding in school since he switched to an alternative learning environment. “Sure he’s breached his curfew a few times,” he said. “He may be FASD, but that doesn’t appear to have impeded his ability to do well.” Youth worker Josh Lundine said a lot of resources have gone into supervising the youth. “It’s taking time, but progress is being made,” he said, noting the youth will go AWOL for days at a time when he doesn’t come back to his foster home. “There’s no stopping him. If he’s going to be out, he’s going to be out.” Crown prosecutor John Boccabella said it’s understandable that a youth would want freedom from nighttime restrictions.

Free employer road safety workshop CLearn how to develop a best-practice based road safety program for your workplace, or to improve an existing program. This hands-on workshop is designed to help participants begin or improve a road safety program within their organization. Participants will learn how to implement work-related road safety best practices using the tools, resources and content on RoadSafetyAtWork.ca to work through a structured methodology similar to standard occupational health and safety models. The workshop emphasizes practical time and cost-effective solutions for all types of organizations. Courtenay, October 7 - 1:00 pm to 4:00pm, Courtenay Fire Hall, 650 Cumberland Road, Courtenay, Cost: Complimentary To register Contact: Angelina Robinson (604) 770-2500 angelina. robinson@roadsafetyatwork.ca Road Safety At Work is an initiative managed by the Justice Institute of BC and funded by WorkSafeBC to help employers improve the safety of workers who drive for work or work at the roadside by delivering programs and resources to help reduce the number of work-related motor vehicle crashes, deaths and injuries in BC. FMI: www.RoadSafetyAt Work.ca

Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014 A13

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.

Jason Jeffrey ROSS

Clayton Alan WILLIAMS

DOB:1971-09-08 163 cms, 68 kgs, Brown hair, Brown eyes Warrants: Theft under $5000 Warrants in other jurisdictions Comox Valley file # 2014-9846

DOB:1991-03-11 193 cms, 145 kgs, Brown hair, Brown eyes Warrants: Theft under $5000 Warrants in other jurisdictions Comox Valley file # 20145265

Comox Valley RCMP responded to the following incidents between Sept. 9 and 15: On September 9th the Comox Valley RCMP attended a residence on the 2000 block of Lake Trail Road in Courtenay for a reported break and enter. The investigation revealed the culprit entered through a bedroom window that had been left ajar. This investigation is continuing. (2014-11431) Police are involved in a break, enter and theft complaint from a residence on the 2100 block of Towhee Court in Comox that was reported on September 9th. Electronics and computer equipment were taken but later recovered from an underage youth. This investigation is continuing. (2014-11444) On September 9th a complaint of mischief was reported by the owner of an oyster farmer in the Denman Island area. It is reported that sometime over the last 24 hours someone has deliberately cut the ropes holding the oyster farm together in the water. This investigation is continuing. (2014 - 11433) On the evening of September 9th police stopped a cyclist for riding without the required helmet, riding on a sidewalk and crossing a road at other than an intersection. Once stopped it was found that the man was to be served with a Motor Vehicle act driving prohibition for three months. (2014 11457) On September 12th police were called to a report of a break, enter and theft from a garage on the 2400 block of Piercy Avenue in Courtenay. Several

power tools and assorted hand tools were taken. (2014-11590) On September 12th a report of a motor vehicle collision was called in. The collision took place at the intersection of Rennison Road and Island Highway North. The investigation revealed that a north-bound pickup truck turned left in front of a southbound motorcycle. The motorcycle driver was taken to St. Joseph’s hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the offending vehicle was charged under the motor vehicle act. (2014 - 11593) On the evening of September 13th an operator of a motor vehicle was seen to be speeding, tail gating and driving without reasonable consideration for other drivers on Ryan Road going east-bound. The vehicle was stopped by the unmarked police car that it was tailgating and the driver was found to have been consuming alcohol. The driver refused to provide breath samples and was issued a 90 day Immediate Roadside Prohibition. Just a reminder to the public, the police are out and about and could be anywhere at any time, as this motorist found out. (2014-11620) Police arrest a young man for obstruction after failing to stop and speak to a police officer on September 15th at the intersection of Ryan and Sandwick roads in Courtenay. The male in question was seen to walk into traffic causing motorists to break sharply. He ran from the officer trying and was eventually taken into custody after a short foot chase. The man is now facing a Criminal Code Obstruction charge. (2014-11720)

www.comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca “He wants to stay out all night,” he said. “‘Not on,’ says the Crown.” Sutton spoke directly to the boy and empathized with his position, telling him to persevere until Jan. 6, when the probation order will come to an end. “I understand as a 14-year-old none of this moves quickly,” he said, adding he hopes a new curfew of 9:30 p.m. - 6 a.m. on weeknights and 10:30 - 6 a.m. on weekdays will help. “This is to help you.” Sutton also told the youth to look to his First Nations heritage for answers. “I would also be proud of who you are,” he said, adding elders can be a powerful source of support, even if it can be tough to ask. “Stay out of the midnight league.”

:HOFRPĠ 1LFROĠ

Considering running for local government? Mike, Sue, Wayne and all the staff are proud to welcome Nicole Holland to the Finneron Hyundai family! Nicole has plenty of automotive sales experience to set you up with a great car for years to come! Come by Finneron Hyundai today to say

Have you been thinking about running for local government in the civic elections this November? Then this informative workshop is for you. Dr. Gordon McIntosh, president of the Local Government Leadership (LGL) Institute, has conducted over 900 sessions involving more than 110,000 elected and appointed civic leaders throughout Canada and overseas. Comox Valley local governments are bringing him to our community to help you learn some of the basics, so you can make an informed decision about running for public office. The workshop is free but pre-registration is required, so if you’d like to attend please email Bonnie Kozlowski at the Comox Valley Regional District: bkozlowski@comoxvalleyrd.ca. Deadline for registration is Thursday September 25th. Date: Monday September 29th, 2014 at 7:00pm - 8:30pm Location: CVRD Boardroom, 600 Comox Road, Courtenay BC

Hi to Nicole! TO

OF C O MO

A14 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 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

BC Ferries reviews route schedules I am writing to update your readers about the new sailing schedules that were implemented in April of this year. After six weeks of community consultation by BC Ferries this past spring, the schedules originally proposed by the provincial government were refined on all of the affected routes to try to introduce the best timetables that still met the service reductions outlined by the Province. Any change to ferry service takes some time to get used to, however on several routes, including the Powell River - Comox and Powell River Texada Island routes, issues arose. We saw berth conflicts at Westview and dangerous cargo sailing issues on the Texada Island route. Over the summer we’ve been working with the Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) as well as hearing suggestions from other customers about some schedule refinements to mitigate these issues. We’ve already implemented a change for the dangerous goods sailing for Texada Island we will implement minor schedule adjustments to the Powell River - Comox route on October 1, 2014 to improve on-time performance for both routes. FACs are comprised of local community representatives who volunteer their time to consult on operational issues relevant to their community. They act as liaisons, relaying information to the community and providing BC Ferries with constructive advice and insights into the concerns and opinions of local ferry users. We certainly understand the vital role we play in maintaining the quality of life for people who live, work and travel in and around coastal British Columbia. We will continue to work with the FAC this fall to get a sense of community preference about possible schedule tweaks that can be made to meet the needs of the majority of ferry users while still achieving the net savings set out by the provincial government. Corrine Storey Vice President Customer Services BC Ferries

Power to the people or waste will continue After pondering several recent political decisions and outcomes I have come to the conclusion that whatever happens, we have no one to blame but ourselves. You see in today’s politics,y ou must be engaged in order to effect any change or put forth an agenda. The liberals and socialists have known this for years and that’s why they seek to sway any or all special interest groups. The power is in the vote no matter how small. It’s simply because we the silent majority

are apathetic, listless and lazy. If we perceive injustice, waste, pointlessness, or sheer folly, we just criticize it, remain skeptical, cynical and do nothing. Well, there is a very good reason for this short treatise on people’s foibles - there is a municipal election coming this fall and if we the silent majority do our normal thing, the wooden bridges, curling rinks, soccer fields, homeless shelters and whatever else will go ahead with a very small percentage of the tax paying public having approved of

such projects without due deliberation and thought. So I remind everyone be it liberal, socialist or conservative that we all pay taxes and thus we all should vote with true conviction that we will have had our opportunity to send a message to our elected officials. If not then the status quo will remain and all the nonsense and waste one can imagine will continue. Power to the People! JF Logan

More Beefs and Bouquets BOUQUETS TO A VISIONARY: CBC radio played Stan Rogers sea shanty the other day about the “Northwest Passage to the Beaufort sea”. The song is about the Franklin expedition and the news story was the discovery of Sir Franklin’s ship on the sea bottom. The expedition to discover the northwest passage left England in 1845. The hope was that the travel distance between Europe and China could be shortened. This was all part of a world trade network sparked by the west coast sea otter fur trade. The sea otter disappeared but British Columbia formed in 1858 and the call went out for pioneers. Settlement followed and Comox became an opportunity, not for furs or gold but to build a better life. One successful family was that of James Robb. When offered a buyout on his farm by those planning to build a coal port, Robb stood firm on his price and the port was shifted to Royston. I expect there would be more industry now if he’d sold out. As one thing leads to another, the lack of development kept Comox wild and attracted another settler, Mack Laing. When he passed away he left the town of Comox his property and a couple of houses. There is one house left now and an opportunity to honour his legacy before the current level of mismanagement erases his ship, a house named Baybrook. For many of us this is a new land and the reasons our forebears left the old were often a case of no opportunity, no room at the table. If you haven’t stood on Mack Laing’s porch then there is no time like the present. His legacy and vision are one of opportunity, where there is and always will be room at the table in the land of plenty. Preserving the view from this porch preserves that vision and allows a glimpse of the possible. For this reason I support the Mack Laing Heritage Society and its plan to get a roof over the sound wood structure. TEACHERS, shame on you! If you were educated in BC your education was SUBSIDIZED by the long overburdened BC taxpayer! You did not bear the actual cost of that degree. Just ask any international student what the true cost is. And now you want more? You are already well paid, with a hefty benefit package I can’t begin to imagine at what cost to, guess who, the BC taxpayer. You have pleasant working conditions; inside with heated/AC rooms, long coffee breaks etc. I have been told by several young students that some teachers merely hand out assignment sheets, then play around on their computers/ phones etc during class time. Pity the poor commercial fisherman, oil rig worker etc, who toil in all kinds of weather, some in dangerous situations. You are a bunch of spoiled brats, with an attitude of entitlement. Shame on you! BEEF to the inconsiderate and clueless drivers. When I have my blinker on ... it means I have to get into your lane ... it’s not just for SHOW. So when you give me no choice but to cut in front of you because you seem to be either sleeping/ stoned at the wheel, don’t go all road rage on me, giving me the finger and all. Please just learn how to drive and share the road. Thank you. I and many others appreciate your new-found awareness of the use of the BLINKER. IT COULD BE A BOUQUET to the CVRD on their communication initiative on the South Sewer projects. “Geoverifcation” is a fancy term for limiting input to those financially impacted directly by the project. No doubt the project will have positive impact on failed septics, in Union Bay, but is this the best sewerage project for the Comox Valley? Are there not other more cost effective alternatives, such as identifying properties with failed septics and ordering a fix? The consultant’s report identified the highest number of test hole failures in Union Bay. YEARS OF LECTURES from their mommas to

all the cowardly men of the valley who seem to think it is socially acceptable to use foul language, or worse yet, vulgar gestures of the most appalling kind while driving by groups of striking female teachers. A special message to the octogenarian fellow who thought it would be charming to spit at two teachers at the corner of Pritchard and Guthrie - you should be appalled by and ashamed of your behaviour. Whatever your political opinion, there is never a need to degrade two women like that! I used to bring my three children to the line with me. I will not any more. I have been threatened and harassed too many times. I am a good person - would you do this to me in the grocery store? Would you all tell me to “F off” or call me an “a$$hole” at a neighbourhood garage sale? No. You would not. We can see you in your car. Your automobile does not offer a cloak of invisibility. You are not f urthering some sort of righteous cause. You are, quite frankly, simply being ignorant jerks. Stop it. A simple thumbs down will do. YET ANOTHER WATER CRISIS at Comox Lake. Despite the same drought conditions , the Capital Regional District has lots of water in their reservoir. What’s different? The Capital Regional District have invested in their reservoir capacity and the Regional District manages the reservoir. They don’t have BC Hydro draining the reservoir. The CVRD needs to be more involved in managing the Comox Lake reservoir. WE WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND and thank Home Depot for their generous and consistent support. We were in need of cloth hamper bags for our client Thursday hampers and Home Deport was kind enough to donate 50 of these reusable bags. Our sincere thank you to Home Depot, again - Comox Valley Food Bank Society A FINE ARTICLE on Comox Lake by Drew A. Penner. Climate change lower inflows have been predicted in CVRD studies - no surprises here. BC Hydro controls outflows, and they missed the boat this year. The BC Government relies on BC Hydro profits. The manager of BC Hydro’s power sales, “Powerex “was paid $1 Million in salary and bonuses last year. Comox Valley Politicians need to have a voice in managing Comox Lake water outflows and stop harping and surcharging drinking water customers who use less than 1% of the lake water. In November, elect politicians who get the big picture. I HAVE A BEEF with SD 71 opening Lake Trail School to International Students. Yes their parents may pay $13,000 or so a year for the right to go to school in BC, but our tax dollars also pay for all students to have an education. I agree with Comox Valley District Teachers Association that this is very disrespectful. It is disrespectful to the people who live, work, and call British Columbia our home not just somewhere to send our kids for a year or two. If SD 71 is so concerned about International Students then maybe they should also show the same level of concern for kids who should be graduating this year. Grade 12 students aren’t able to access distance education, course outlines, or helpful pre-reading recommendations in order to try and stay focused on their last year before heading to post-secondary. What about our own students, what special circumstances are being made available for them. Do you think Canadian Grade 12 students w ould be allowed to cross the picket line for right to their own education! Maybe parents and students should be setting up our own picket lines and picketing Lake Trail School and behalf of our own kids not a select few. If BC students can’t go to school than neither should International students! JUST HAD MY VEHICLE serviced at a drive-thru lube place. Friendly, efficient service

but their warranty is only 7 days. What products are they using? A HUGE BOUQUET to all those who are out supporting public education. A huge thank you to those who have informed themselves of the issues, who know that teachers are not receiving strike pay and are putting their salaries and the well being of their families on the line in support of a well-funding public education system. Many thanks to those who are going to the sources, both BCTF website and BCPSEA website, and drawing their own conclusions instead of believing the propaganda. Class size and composition are being dealt with in the courts (two courts have already ruled that it needs to be reinstated), but our government continues to use our taxpayers’ money to appeal it instead of investing it in public services. Have your say. Please take the time to be informed. THANK YOU to Dr. DeJager, Dr. Holmes, OR nurse Jane and the rest of the OR team, for taking such good care of my son during his adenoid surgery (Sept.8 2014). Knowing that he was in such good hands made it a whole lot easier to deal with. Thank you to the nurse in recovery and Tracey in the pediatric ward for all your TLC. MANY STANDING OVATIONS for the two young students who performed the song “We’re Not Going To Take It” at the Simms Park Labor organized rally in support of teachers and public education. Stand strong and rock on! IT WILL BE A BOUQUET for local politicians who recognize that 2 terms are enough. Six years - they have done their part. It’s time for change. New people, with new ideas will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our Comox Valley Governance. The 30-40% of Comox Valley residents who can’t afford their money to be investment in local government reserve funds, need to vote for change in November. Most of the $130 million needs to be in consumers pockets and the local economy. Co-operation and coordination between local governments will benefit all in the Comox Valley. On November 15th, vote for candidates who will work to make change. WHEW, BEEF GALORE. I and everybody around here knows the house where the three dogs bark all day. They moved here recently. when I had a chat about it with the person in question, no idea at all, not a clue, surprise! Then it’s, What is MY problem, I kinda thought I made it clear before what the problem was? Nope, degenerated into the same, only louder, the dogs are not barking and what is my problem, I give up, totally, as a spoke person for a lot of distressed folks around here. Let your dogs go lady, bark all day, I give up. You win. ON BEHALF of all teachers in SD#71, I would like to say a big thank you to the BC Retired Teachers Association for their generous donation of sandwiches to teachers and support staff. The food was purchased through donations collected at local rallies outside Don McRae’s office. Thank you Comox Valley. The sandwiches were appreciated by all. ON BEHALF of all teachers in SD#71, I would like to say a big thank you to Yiamas Greek Taverna on 8th street for their half price special on Tuesday for teachers. We feel the support! A HUGE THANKS and some genuine appreciation for the team at the Comox Bottle Depot! As fundraising in youth sports is often a requirement for participation in tournaments and purchasing equipment, bottle drives are a solid ‘go to’ activity. Recently our U12 Select Boys soccer team held a bottle drive on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Not

only were the gentlemen working on site that day a great help in terms of assisting with set-up, but their professionalism and overall positive attitudes helped to make our event a great success. A big thumbs-up and thanks to these guys for helping to support our future soccer stars! The U12 Select Boys soccer team would also like to thank the Town of Comox for it’s continued support...be on the look out for our boys collecting bottles for our next drive on Saturday, Oct 18th. I HAVE THE SAME DOG and cat problem as the previous reader spoke. Even as I write this, the dog is barking and has been doing so for over two hours. The cats constantly look at at my garden as a litter box. The city needs to have a bylaw that can be enforced. As for me I am going to take a picture of the dog and every time it barks, I will record it on my smartphone. Then I will take it to city hall. Obviously this lack of respect for the neighbours is only indicative of what the owners are like. There are definitely some people who should not be allowed pets. By the way, when I suggested she put a muzzle on the dog, she told me I should have a muzzle on so you know who you are. So much for good neighbours. SHUT THAT DOG UP! ON BEHALF OF ALL TEACHERS in SD#71, I would like to say a big thank you to Kean Auto Services for their donation of doughnuts to teachers and support staff on the picket line on Tuesday. They were much appreciated! WE’VE ALL HEARD the statistics indicating the death rating goes down when the doctors go on strike. We have to ask - when teachers go on strike, do the kids get smarter? BEEF to the close-minded people in the valley who believe it’s okay to judge a complete stranger by stereotypes and how the stranger chooses to present themselves. Just because someone has brightly coloured hair and wears spiked plaid clothing does not mean they are going to steal your children and convert them to satanists. Having a body that is heavily modified and pierced doesn’t make someone more likely to litter or leave a big mess after a rave. Those alternative styled people that valley residents love to judge are actually human beings and deserve to be treated as such. As someone who dresses in many ways that are not considered “normal”, I have faced my fair share of street harrasment, people whispering as I walk by and parents telling their children I am a bad person and should not be trusted. Don’t think it doesn’t hurt me when that happens. Why should I, and many others who do not fit the societal form be treated lesser simply for the way we choose to express ourselves? RESPONSE TO THE BIG BEEF to bicycle riders: 95% of bicyclists do wear helmets. If you correctly understand the signage on the 5th street bridge it is legal to cross the bridge riding a bicycle in the center of the lane, or walk the bicycle on the sidewalk. I am sorry you feel inconvenienced (for a few seconds) by bicyclists crossing the 5th street bridge riding in this safe manner. There are less than 3 km of bicycle lanes in Courtenay, so I am unclear as to where you would like bicyclists to ride. Please also consider some bicyclists are of a disadvantaged class of society, cannot afford motorized vehicles, may suffer from mental illness and/or substance abuse, and are not cognizant of many rules of society in general, so maybe give them a bit of a break. Please do get on a bike. Consume less fossil fuel, create less air pollution, occupy less space, make less noise pollution, lose some weight, get healthy, and enjoy the ride.

Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014 A15

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BEEF to the driver of the white pick-up truck that firstly illegally turned left onto Ryan Road from the straight through lane rather than the left turn lane and nearly drove into me as I legally changed lanes to head north on the highway on morning of Sept. 17th. You further proved you are badly in need of driving lessons or having your license revoked when at 80 km/hr driving north on Island Highway you veered into the opposite lane at full speed, no signals, to pull a u-turn. Your driving is a dangerous menace. FOUND: one pair of childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye glasses near CIBC in Crown Isle Shopping Lot. Black frame with pretty flowers on legs. Check with CIBC to claim. THIS BEEF is directed to the idiot drivers in our city who do not know what the pedestrian-activated flashing lights at crosswalks are for. On more than one occasion I have had to jump back to avoid being struck by a vehicle that had no intention of slowing down or stopping. Wake up stupid! A HUGE BOUQUET of flowers to those responsible for painting the murals on the building at Woodcote Park. They are absolutely beautiful and you are to be congratulated. Sure brightens up an otherwise very dull corner of the park. Thank you. BIG BEEF to whoever is responsible for cleaning (maintaining) the road leading into Quality Foods off Aspen in Comox. Years of accumulated cigarette butts and debris are a real eyesore. Not a very inviting entrance into Aspen Grove and Quality Foods. â&#x20AC;&#x153;THANK-YOU CUMBERLANDâ&#x20AC;? response to last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beef about â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Angelsâ&#x20AC;?. I can only guess you are new to the valley with a closed mind. To begin with Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard worse language at the mall or in the park! I was there this year as well as the two prior to that and enjoyed every event. I myself donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t own a motorcycle but many of my friends do and last time I checked they were still dentists, business owners and, god forbid, daycare providers. People like you need to think before you speak or in this case write! As for saying owning a motor-

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when it resumes, and ask to â&#x20AC;&#x153;shadowâ&#x20AC;? a teacher for a day or two. A societal problem of today is that everyone is an â&#x20AC;&#x153;expertâ&#x20AC;? at everything, whether it be a teacher, doctor, nurse, police officer etc. Unless you are thoroughly educated and trained in these fields you need to re-think your positions with regard your comments. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m afraid you have behaved exactly as the governments of today want you to. No matter what the issue, their media propaganda has successfully divided and conquered the public. We are exactly where they want us to be; at each othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; throats, so that they can carry on with their own agenda behind the scenes without any public interference.

Beefs

Bouquets &

The Comox Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First and Best Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Forum Email to: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com cycle leads to drug dealing or stripping, really? You need to take a minute and come back to reality. When the â&#x20AC;&#x153;bikersâ&#x20AC;? do their Teddy Bear Run or other charitable rides raising money for sick children, are you still opposed or are they the â&#x20AC;&#x153;good bikersâ&#x20AC;?. I will be back in Cumberland at next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biker rally and I hope for many after. Maybe you should book a quiet weekend in Berwick! A BIG BOUQUET to the Comox Valley Echo for publishing Beefs. How else would those taxpayer-funded folks know of public opinion? In the case of the poisonous relationship between BCTF and BC Governments, we can only hope that this is over and that the BC Government will work towards the 200 days of classroom time that all baby boomers enjoyed. Well, maybe not enjoyed, but needed to prepare for the years ahead. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to the man driving a white van who dropped off my wallet that I had lost on Saturday night. I am very grateful that you found my wallet and went out of your way to drop it off at my house. I regret not answering the door in time as I would prefer to have thanked you in person. SERIOUS BEEF to the pushy group squabbling and resigning among themselves behind the scenes yet who write snarky, ill-advised emails, letters to the papers, deceptive press releases, and coax gullible cheerleaders for their calamity-in-the-making. Serious Beef - our community is infected with negativity and hostility all in the good name of Mack Laingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Will. I READ THE WRITE-UP by Ian Farquharson Sept. 9th. in the Echo, a more intelligent suggestion I have never read. Wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it be wonderful if the folks [trying] to make a decision on another bridge in Courtenay, would just listen to what people are telling them, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need more pollution or road abuse in Courtenay. I doubt if this will get through to any of them, also it would be wonderful if we had someone running this City that could use a bit of thought and make an intelligent decision. A HUGE BEEF to S.D.#71 for keeping a school open for foreign students while local students languish at home. Is this not creating divisiveness, amongst other things? The premise is that foreign students have paid good money to be educated here and that we need their money. Well, believe it or not, local taxpayers, parents and grandparents, have also paid good money to have our students educated here. Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t we pay to purchase the school property, have the schools built and maintained and for all the resources within, not to mention for teacher training. Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t this good money? Supt. Elwood expresses concerns about the long term impact of the strike on the IEP and the money it

generates. Arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you playing into the hands of the government? If you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t open the schools and the foreign students left, wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that put more pressure on the two sides to settle to â&#x20AC;&#x153;protect our International reputationâ&#x20AC;? and regain this foreign income? I think principals, who are still getting paid through this strike, are not supporting public education by crossing the picket line to teach. I look forward to a speedy resolution of this strike so that we can welcome all students, both local and foreign, back into our schools on an equal footing. Not to be misunderstood, I fully support the IEP and the opportunities it presents. A BEEF to the woman in the black SUV with Alberta plates ... you have driven by the Brooklyn teaching staff for two weeks now, giving us the finger, yelling out of your car window that we are lazy and to get back to work and today, in your screaming voice, accusing teachers of all living in waterfront homes and along with that, who did we expect to pay for our raises. Imagine being so angry, everyday, that you feel the need to stop and berate teachers like that. Perhaps the next time that you drive by, stop your car in a parking space and let us inform you about the state of BC Education and what it is like for us in the classroom. You can still have a differing opinion but it should be an informed one. Stop being so rude! In Kindergarten in BC we teach our students to be kind and respect others. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say anything nice, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say anything at all! BOMBARDIER EMPLOYEES just signed an agreement, after 2 months with no income. On strike to save their defined benefit pension plan. Good for them - short term pain for long term gain. Reality in the private sector. A HUGE BOUQUET of Harley Davidsons to Richard at Island Link Express Bus. We arrived off the ferry in Nanaimo to find out that our ride could not make it to pick us up so we found the Island Link bus for a ride to Cumberland. Richard was very friendly, informative and courteous. We really appreciated his conscientious driving and professionalism. Thank you very much for your kind service, Richard. We hope to see you again! PROBABILITIES - You are probably male, probably old, probably wear a hat, probably a dangerous driver. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand basic road signage and interpret the one on 5th street bridge to mean that bicycles are not allowed to ride in the traffic lane, it may be time to turn in your license, old fella. INTERESTING that the BC Liberals are delaying the Audit reports on local governments, until next year. The CVRD audit was conducted last December. The BC Government is concerned about municipal wages and salaries exceeding other sectors. It seems that effec-

tive audits of local government would help to identify and correct such issues. The Provincial Attorney General audits of local government are supposed to ensure value for taxpayers dollars. CVRD directors approve all budgets - are CVRD taxpayers getting good value? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s see the CVRD audit results before November 15th elections. MANY THANKS to the wonderful lady who rescued me after I had a fall off my bike near Union Bay on Sept 10th. She witnessed the crash from her car and pulled over right away to offer assistance. With my twisted bike and broken helmet in the back of her car she drove me home to Courtenay and all the while her lighthearted conversation kept my mind off my increasingly uncomfortable shoulder. An x-ray and consultation with the caring and compassionate staff at St. Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s showed a sprained AC joint. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m on the mend and very grateful for the generosity of a very kind stranger who stopped to help me! HUGE THANK YOU and bouquets going out to Taylor at the Telus outlet over by the old Safeway location. I walked in on a whim to ask a question about my dying Samsung battery, and she replaced it without charging me! Thanks to such a generous, polite, friendly and helpful young lady! Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a great gal there Telus!! I WOULD LIKE TO SEND Annette and the ladies at Cut â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Curl with a lovely huge bouquet of Pink Roses. For making my battle with Cancer last year a whole lot easier. Annette cut and washed my hair for free and made me feel beautiful. Thank-you so much Annette for sharing your beautiful gift. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a great hairdresser! I will always appreciate what you did for me. THE BC GOVERNMENT is responsible for the quantity and quality of public education. Quality is the subject of continuing debate, but quantity is clearly declining and has been for decades. In the 60â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, students and teachers were in the classroom 200 days a year. There were few special need students and the curriculum was full. Now BC teacherS are expected to cover the curriculum In 181 days. After losing another 20 strike days, this year, BC students will not catch up. Public education in BC is clearly in decline in terms of classroom instruction days. This issue is more than an inconvenience for parents. BC students are falling behind in quantity and likely quality of education. The buck stops in the Premierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office. The number of classroom days can be mandated by the Province. Get it done. A BEEF to all the Beefs last week with regard to the current education dispute. To these people I have just one question. When was the last time you visited a functioning K-12 public school? Also, I invite you to visit your nearest public school

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Connor Quinn of Courtenay, 2 Classic Cheese Basket Meals from Dairy Queen. 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 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;em coming!

HEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not intended to hurt people or make unsubstantiated and libelous comments. Names wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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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THE MORE WEIRD BEHAVIOUR I see, the less I understand people. This message is to the two middle-aged dark-haired men and one woman, with the shopping cart and large plastic bags filled with bottles, who ran down 5th Street around 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 13th. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to know why you dumped sexual lubricant all over the handle bars of my bike, which was chained to the fence outside Shipwrecked Beads. Obviously it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t because you were jealous, because my 25-year old transportation is covered in rust and held together with electrical tape. It probably wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a personal vendetta either, since I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recognize any of you and it is unlikely any of you three have ever met me. While I heard the â&#x20AC;&#x153;clangâ&#x20AC;? when you hit the chain link fence with your projectiles, I had no idea what you had done until I leaned over to unlock my bike and got your stinky red goo all over my hands, shirt, and the beautiful necklace Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d just finished making for myself. So please write in and enlighten the rest of us as to what motivated you to ruin my day. A THOUSAND BOUQUETS of forget-me-nots to the woman who found my large, very heavy bag of groceries in the downtown Thriftyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parking lot and took them into the store. I was loading my groceries into the trunk of my car when five wasps started dive-bombing my head. I quickly got the groceries in the car and took off not realizing Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d left one bag on the ground. Thanks to you, my food was safely stored until I returned to look for it.

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A16 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

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Comox Valley, BC

The COMOX VALLEY ECHO ❑ Friday, September 19, 2014

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Weekly meditation resumes downtown

Each Wednesday, a meditation session is held in downtown Courtenay, from 12:15 to 12:45 at the Church of St. John the Divine. Led by Ted Hicks, a commissioned centering prayer teacher and group facilitator, the group is open to anyone who wishes to come any or every Wednesday and welcomes people who practice any form of meditation or who simply wish a quiet break in their day. The church is located at the corner of Fifth and Harmston, with access from the Harmston Avenue door. More information is available by contacting Ted Hicks at 250-218-5857 or tedhicks. cv@gmail.com.

Clowns get together after summer break Comox Valley Clown Club meets Monday Sept. 22nd, 1 pm, at the Lewis Centre, in the meeting room.

Kiwanis Junktique on Friday and Saturday The Fall Kiwanis Junktique will be held on Friday September 19th from 6.00 p.m. until 8.00 pm. and Saturday September 20th from 8.00 a.m until 11.00 a.m in the Church Hall at St. Georges United Church on Fitzgerald in Courtenay. There will be a lot of stuff new to the Junktique. Some fixed price collectibles. All the proceeds go straight back into the community so you help yourself and others by coming and buying. Kiwanis is known for tremendous value, come and check us out. We almost give it away!

Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness AGM Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness Society Annual General Meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 7 pm. in the Comox Pentecostal Church, 1919 Guthrie, Comox. Everyone welcome

Through the years, clockwise from top left: K-9 team members 1987; Rappelling practise - 2004; Winter training 1981 (Mike Fournier far left)

Celebrating 40 years of service CV Ground Search and Rescue invite you to open house Saturday, Sept. 20 “Every good operation begins with it’s a dark and stormy night.” - CVGSAR past president Paul Berry

Osteofit instructor at next support meeting Osteofit Instructor Kim Hamilton will present information about exercise and osteoporosis at the September 24th meeting of the Comox Valley Osteoporosis Support Group. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become thin and porous, decreasing bone strength and leading to increased risk of breaking a bone. It is estimated that one in three women and one in five men will suffer with osteoporosis in their lifetime. The Osteofit program has been developed in consultation with BC Women’s Osteoporosis Program. The presentation will be interactive and is open to anyone who is living with osteoporosis and who would like to learn more about the role of exercise in Osteoporosis. When: Wednesday, September 24, 2 pm, Comox Valley Nursing Centre, 615 10th Street, Courtenay. FMI: 250-331-8504 ext. 68425 (Michele)

40 Year members: L-R: Scott Larsen, Jim Cochrane, Mike Fournier

Regular pricing applies from month 13, currently $84 per month.

Looking back on 40 years of search and rescue service, Mike Fournier certainly remembers the stormy nights. And how the volunteers had no special training but were “just hikers who wanted to help”. Now, Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue puts its volunteers through provincially-mandated training and supplies them with the latest they can afford in equipment and technology. But, the mission is still the same: Search for those who are lost, get people out of tough situations, assist the police and other authorities when required. You can help the volunteer group celebrate its 40 years of service - and find out more about what they do - at a special public open house tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 20) at the CVGSAR headquarters building, 3001 Moray Avenue, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. The public is invited to drop by to view vehicle and equipment displays, and to participate in SAR activities designed for the whole family. Kids can participate in a wilderness survival program, try out the climbing wall or try their hand at a tug of war with one of the rope systems. Their state of the art command post will be set up to showcase current SAR technology and team members, K-9 and human, will be on the ground to welcome you. (Continued on page 2)

B2 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

What’s On

Go rockin’ with XLR8 Murray (Brendan Gleeson) arranges for the doctor’s (Taylor Kitsch) phone line to be tapped into so that they could learn as much about him as possible, thus creating the kind of life he wouldn’t want to walk away from.

XLR8 BACK TO ROCK THE MEX!... Yes! The boys of XLR8 return to The Mex Pub with their Rock ‘n Roll Extravaganza! this Friday and Saturday, Sept 19 & 20. XLR8, a 5-man powerhouse celebrating a 16-year history featuring classic tunes from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s in an entertaining stage show with humorous antics. XLR8 light up the stage at 9:30. Come early for best seats. No cover. For more info Roy at The Mex 250 703-9573

‘THE GRAND SEDUCTION’ KICKS OFF FILM SERIES The Comox Valley Art Gallery/TIFF Fall Film Series begins this Sunday, September 21 at 5pm with ‘The Grand Seduction’ - a charming crowd-pleaser and a rare remake that exceeds the original. A favourite among Film Circuit audiences, Jean-François Pouliot’s 2003 La grande séduction was a box-office smash in Quebec and wowed critics at that year’s Cannes Film Festival. Now, a decade later, the classic Canadian tale returns to the screen as an English-language remake directed by the brilliant Don McKellar (Childstar, Last Night) and adapted by Michael Dowse (The F Word, It’s All Gone Pete Tong) and Ken Scott

(Starbuck), who wrote the original. Substituting the quaint charm of a fishing village in rural Quebec with the rugged beauty of a tiny coastal community in Newfoundland, The Grand Seduction charts the lengths to which the community will go to enchant a visitor from the city. Gentle, whimsical and poignantly funny, The Grand Seduction is brought to life through tremendous performances from Ireland’s Brendan Gleeson (Albert Nobbs, Gangs of New York) and Newfoundland-born Canadian icon Gordon Pinsent (Away From Her, Saint Ralph). Shot on location in Trinity Bay, the film marvelously captures the colour and vibrancy of Newfoundland’s coastal

landscape, and is certain to delight even the saltiest cynic. Tickets are $13, $12 for CVAG members, film passes (5 films) are $60, $55 for CVAG members and are available at the CVAG Gift Shop, 580 Duncan Ave, Downtown Courtenay (6th and Duncan) and at the door if available (Door: cash only, exact change appreciated). To purchase tickets over the phone call CVAG at (250) 338-6211. All screenings are at the Rialto Theatre on Sundays at 5:00pm (Driftwood Mall 2665 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay). For complete Film Series information visit our website at www.comoxvalleyartgallery.com or follow us on Twitter @ CVAGFilm for updates and news.

Celtic Csrgo Cult left to right: David Somers; Bob Henderson; David Hext.

Come join the Cult! THE RANGERS are rockin’ the rafters at THE GRIFFIN PUB this Friday night, September 19th. Come on out for some great dance music, fabulous food, and fun service, and don’t for-

get...the TGIF jackpot is up over $2200! Get on down for your chance to win! The Griffin Pub...The place to be this Friday night!

Come and join David Somers and Celtic Cargo Cult for an evening of Irish music at Zocalo Cafe this Saturday. August 20th, 7-9 p.m. Located on the corner of Cliffe Avenue and 5th street in Courtenay, Zocalo provides an ideal intimate setting in which to enjoy a “pub night”, in a family friendly venue. Zocalo has a licensed dining menu with beer, wine and liqueurs, as well as mouth-watering desserts and coffees,

The band plays original music and unique arrangements of traditional and contemporary Irish songs, ranging from as far back as the 17th century to the Pogues. They can even be talked into some Scottish and Maritimes numbers as well. This Saturday, David Somers (Guitar/ vocals) will be joined by two other Cult members: David Hext, (Bass/ vocals) and “Bootless” Bob Henderson. (Drums).

Mattina Musica returns with cellist Rebecca Wenham Mattina Musica returns to the Comox Valley for an exciting fifth season, beginning Monday, September 22. Italian for “Morning Music”, Mattina Musica is a 5 concert series of classical music taking place on select Monday mornings. Each event begins with a pre-concert reception in the Sid lobby. Co-presented by the Sid Williams Theatre Society and pianist Sarah Hagen, the series includes performances by cellist Rebecca Wenham (Sept 22), flautist Krzysztof Kaczka (Oct 27), soprano Anne Grimm (Nov

24), a solo recital by Hagen (Feb 2), and the Bergmann Piano Duo (March 9). Described as “a musical force of nature,” Wenham launches the season in a duo recital with Hagen. Their virtuosic programme includes a Gamba sonata of J.S. Bach, the scintillating second sonata of Mendelssohn, and finishing with Piazzolla’s passionate Le Grand Tango. Wenham has performed across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe, Japan and Australia. She was, as member of the Cecilia String

Quartet from 2004 to 2010, silver medalist at the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition, winner of first prize and the Melpomene prize at the Rutenberg Chamber Music Competition, winner of the commissioned prize at the Bordeaux International Quartet Competition, and winner of first prize and the Canadian commissioned prize at the 10th Banff International String Quartet Competition. Wenham has performed with pianists Robert Silverman, Anton Kuerti, James Tocco and Menahem Pressler, and jazz musicians John Stetch, Hugh

Public welcome at CVGSAR Open House (Continued from page B1) CVGSAR has a long history of selfless community service; in fact, over the past forty years the volunteers of Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue have been involved in over 600 SAR operations, the vast majority of these being ground search operations with rope rescue, water rescue and support of civil emergencies rounding out the total. Officially formed in 1974 under the umbrella of Civil Defence, then the Provincial Emergency Program, the team’s mandate was to train search leaders and local volunteer to respond to and to assist the RCMP with search and rescue operations and civil emergencies. That first year CVGSAR’s thirty members responded to just 3 operational taskings, all ground searches. Forty years later, the team has grown to 60 team members and that total of operational taskings hovers at close to 40 each year. Ground searches remain a constant even with today’s accessible and affordable GPS technology. However CVGSAR volunteers are involved in a wide variety of operations, including medical rescues in the backcountry, responses to personal emergency beacons, swift water rescues, rope rescues, evidence searches and recovery operations. Now the team operates under the mandate of Emergency Management B.C. CVGSAR volunteers, like all SAR volunteers across British Columbia, undergo a rigorous initial training to provide them the foundational skills to participate safely and effectively in SAR operations locally and throughout the province. Once certified as a Ground Search Technician, members can choose to specialize in any of a number of SAR disciplines (avalanche rescue, swift water, rescue, high angle rope rescue, tracking, K-9 search, light urban search and rescue. Leadership as well, grows from within the ranks of the ground searchers with specialist training in team leadership and Search Command. Training occurs weekly for all members, with specialist teams averaging up to 15 hours each month on top of the demands of operations and public events.

Fund-raising is always an ongoing issue for teams around the province - predictable funding on a yearly basis doesn’t exist. Even with the greater demands today for qualification and training, to keep members at the levels they need to be at, there’s a waiting list to join the local GSAR team. Paul Berry says people want to join for many reasons - most to serve their community. “Sometimes they’re looking for an adventure ... Sometimes it’s more adventure than they’re looking for. “There’s long periods of boredom, too, between operations. The work is hard, emotionally and physically. Operations tend to run in weather

and conditions and times of day when most people would be staying indoors and in bed - and that’s when we tend to be deployed.” From very humble beginnings and meager resources, CVGSAR has grown substantially over the past forty years to be one of the premier GSAR teams in the Province, respected for their professionalism and high standards as well as for the leadership provided both locally and Provincially. CVGSAR would like to thank the community for the outstanding support over the past forty years and hope that the public will come visit them on September 20th.

Rebecca Wenham Fraser and Dave Douglas. Her interest in different styles of music has prompted her to perform music from classical to jazz to Persian, as well as the music of Elvis Costello. She was a CBC Galaxie Rising Star in 2007. She holds degrees from the HARID Conservatory of Music, the Shepherd School at Rice University, San Diego State University and McGill University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the University of British Columbia.

Wenham is currently a member of Trio Accord and Microcosmos Quartet. From the Comox Valley, Hagen enjoys a busy and varied concert schedule that will take her this season from Campbell River to Goose Bay, Labrador and beyond. A March 2014 review in the Charlottetown Guardian reported, “...the level of passion that Hagen possesses - when it comes to experiencing, interpreting and expressing art - is something quite extraordinary.” An avid collaborator, Sarah has performed with cellist Ariel Barnes, violinist Martin Chalifour, tenor Benjamin Butterfield, Trio Accord, Ballet Victoria, the Emily Carr String Quartet, among many others, and has appeared as soloist with the Victoria Symphony under the baton of Mei-Ann Chen, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony conducted by Mark Skazinetsky, and the Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific with conductor Arthur Arnold. Individual tickets are $22(SWTS members) and $27(regular). Subscribe to the whole series: $100(members) and $125(regular). Coffee and tea is served at 9:45 am and music begins at 10:30. For more information on the Mattina Musica series and other upcoming performances, visit www.sidwilliamstheatre.com or call 250 338 2430.

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Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014 B3

What’s On One- to two-day course offerings include Food for the Gods and Hollywood in the Fifties, as well as learning how to use an iPad, and much more. Full details about courses, events and registration can be found at www.nic.bc.ca/eldercollege, or by calling 250-334-5000 ext. 4602. An information session will be held on Saturday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Stan Hagen Theatre. Classes fill up quickly so don’t be disappointed. Fall registration begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, September 22 at NIC’s Comox Valley campus, or online at www. nic.bc.ca/ec. About ElderCollege ElderCollege at North Island College’s Comox Valley campus began in 2000 and is proud to be supporting lifelong learning for residents in the Comox Valley region. ElderCollege is committed to providing learning and personal growth experiences for seniors who want to remain active and socially-engaged. There are no exams, no grades and no pressure. Affordable programs are designed for students 55 and over who are looking for unique educational opportunities in a participatory and fun environment.

The fun continues at NIC’s Comox Valley ElderCollege

SUNDAY LECTURE ON BC PARKS With recent mining accidents affecting BC’s wilderness and nature reserves, and Kinder Morgan proosing to re-set the boundaries of four provincial parks in order to expaqnd its pipeline system BC Parks are increasingly the subject of public interest and scrutiny. Although most British Columbians take pride in and use their parks, few know their history and fewer still know the development of the policies that have guided the establishment of over 1,000 parks and reserves throughout the province. One of the few individuals who can claim to know and understand our parks is James D. Anderson. As part of its educational mandate Comox Valley Nature will host a one-hour illustrated lecture on BC Park history and policy by James D. Anderson. He is a retired planner and member of the Council of BC Parks Elders. At a time when BC Parks are increasingly the subject of public debate and concern, as a park planner and author of two histories of BC Parks, James Anderson brings a wealth of experience in the development of BC parks and the policies that have guided their development. James Anderson is the author of British Columbia’s Magnificent Parks: The First 100 Years (Harbour Publishing, 2011) and a more comprehensive and detailed BC Parks 1911 to 2011: A Centennial, Provincial Parks as Reflective of the Times (2010). Anyone wanting to understand the changes that BC Parks are experiencing today will find this lecture of

interest. This lecture will take place at the Florence Filberg Seniors Centre at 7 pm Sunday, September 21. Lecture is free, though a $4 contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed. Anyone interested in this lecture or participating in CVNS activities can also contact us at the website http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc. ca/ or Loys Maingon (CVN President) at 250331-0143. Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated to BC Nature consisting only of unpaid volunteers. CVN fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly lectures, organizing free weekly guided hikes for members, and a free monthly walk open to the public. The society also undertakes a variety of environmental projects.

For people 55 and over who suffer from boundless curiosity and an insatiable appetite for new discoveries and experiences, Comox Valley ElderCollege is the place to be. This is the 15th year that CVEC has offered its unique programs, courses and events to adult learners in the region. CVEC is also one of the largest ElderCollege programs in Canada with more than 900 members taking advantage of a wide variety of learning opportunities annually. “ElderCollege is led by more than 140 volunteers and supported by NIC staff who share their passion, experiences and learning with others,” said Cheryl O’Connell, NIC’s Dean of Continuing Education and Training. “We look forward to celebrating our 15-year anniversary by welcoming new and returning members this fall to our vibrant, diverse and captivating programs here in the Comox Valley.” An annual membership to ElderCollege is only $10.50 and enables people to register for courses and workshops that range in price from $10.50 for short courses to $21 for a four-week course to $36.75 for a lecture series or regular eight-week course. “At ElderCollege, we foster an environment where it’s easy to share ideas, make new friends and - above all - learn for the sheer enjoyment of it,” O’Connell added. “There are no exams, no deadlines and no pressure, and each term we offer a mix of courses that are as eclectic as your interests.” Making a comeback this fall is the wildly popular eight-week Saturday Lecture Series that kicks off on October 4 with Indigenous Peoples: From Allies in War to “Indians” in Law with Dr. Jean Barman. Regular courses run the gamut from bridge to books to mammals to Mars and also include knitting, walking, wellness and history, among others.

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Welcome Ryan! Management and staff is pleased to welcome Ryan Sykes to their team of Product Specialists. Ryan is well know in the community and has a close relative within the business as well. Ryan will bring energy and enthusiasm to the team and will be a welcome addition. "Proud and excited to put my tall and handsome self to work for Brian McLean Chevrolet in vehicle sales. My previous managing experience with Enterprise Rent-a-Car in Courtenay and Comox Airport gives me a step ahead with industry experience. I am personally committed to advising you on the correct new or pre-owned vehicle. Come down to Brian McLean this week and let me RYAN SYKES welcome you the family. “Remember with each Ryan Sykes vehicle sale I will personally be donating $25.00 to the charity of our choice” – Putting Dreams in DriveWays, Your General Motors Man.

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B4 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

Sports and Recreation

Provincial medals for Blue Devils club Under the guidance of coaches Kyle Brush, Tristan Steven and Megan Rousseau, Blue Devils swimmers ended the season with a very successful showing at the Provincial Championships. With ten swimmers representing the Blue Devils, spirits were high and the swimmers did not disappoint. Top eight individual finishes were had by: Jaden Fath (OCat 1 - 6th 50 Fly, 6th 50 Free and 7th 100 IM) Kyle Brush (Div 7 - 6th 50 Fly with a new club record) Megan Wilson (OCat 2 - 6th 200 IM, 6th 100 Breast) Megan Rousseau (Div 6 - 2nd 100 Back, 6th 200 IM, 7th 100 Free, 8th 50 Free) Adele Bibault (Div 7 - 8th 50 Fly and 8th 100 Free) and Zoe McDougall (Div 4 - 8th 200 IM and 3rd 100 Breast with a new club record). Megan Rousseau’s regional relay team also won the gold medal for Vancouver Island in the Div 6 girls’ race. The most exciting event of the meet for the Blue Devils was the Div 7 Girls 4x50 Freestyle Relay, where the team comprised of Adele Bibault, Megan Rousseau, Emma Rudolph and Zoe McDougall, swam their hearts out, all with sub 30-second swims, and took home the bronze medal. Jace McDowell, Abby McDowell, and Tristan Steven rounded out the team and also put in very strong swims. One of BC’s oldest swim clubs, the Blue Devils Swim Club has provided thousands of Comox Valley youth with fitness, friendship, competition and enjoyment since 1948. The Blue Devils caters to all swimmers, providing excellent coaching and enabling every swimmer to develop to the full potential of their individual interest. Winter maintenance gets underway in September. For more information, visit www.bluedevilsswimclub.com.

Above: Bronze Medal Div 7 Girls 4x50 Freestyle Relay team - from left, Coach Tristan Steven, Adele Bibault, Megan Rousseau, Zoe McDougall, Emma Rudolph, Coach Kyle Brush Left: Representing the Blue Devils at the Provincials from left: Emma Rudolph, Abby McDowell, Zoe McDougall, Megan Rousseau, Jace McDowell, Jaden Fath, Adele Bibault. Missing: Megan Wilson, Coaches Kyle Brush and Tristan Stevens.

Happy’s makes it 4 out of 5 This past Sunday, Happy’s Source for Sports Indians/Islanders took on the soaring Investors Group Expos, winners of eight straight games, for the league championship. The game, built up to be an epic struggle, turned into that and more! With crowds lining both sides of the field, with the sun shining high and strong, the boys of baseball battled for 10 innings before deciding a winner! Back and forth the score changed hands - 2-0 Expos, 2-2, 4-2 Indians, 6-4 Expos, 8-7 Indians, 8-8 after 9 complete! And in the bottom of the 10th, with 2 out, an Ostgard double to the wall, then a Caton single down the left field line, and the game was over - Happy’s had their fourth title in five years. A wonderful finish to a very good ball season. Thanks go out to all the players for their efforts, many of them returning to the game of their youth after 20 or 30 years. Thanks to the umpires for their important contribution to the game and their very thick skin. Thanks to Prez Jake Plante and vicePrez Dale Greene for their continuing leadership (and their thick skin). And thanks to Plante and Greene and yours truly for maintaining the field and ensuring it was a wonderful place to play each week. So another season is in the books. Everyone has a few months to recover, repair, and renew, and then to get ready for spring training! See you in March!

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BRIDGE NEWS FRIDAY NIGHT BRIDGE Results for Sept.12th (9 tables): N/S - 1. Harvey Piercy and Judy Morrison; 2. Gary and Fran Priestman; 3. Bernice Blonarwitz and Lorraine Ramsbottom. E/W - 1. Roy Hagg and Keith Ware; 2. Daphne Welsh and Karin Franzen; 3. Denise Holst and Betty Fountain.

CODES COUNTRY LANES Bowling highlights from Codes Country Lanes: Monday Golden Age AM - George Railian 187, Barb Lane 205, Micki MacDonald 216, Pat King 223, Bob VanNes 205, John Kendall 254, Dave Stacey 211, Heather Abraham 201, Joyce Slater 171. Monday Golden Age PM - Rick Kroeker 264, Lucille Smith 200, Ruth Johnson 170, Ben Braun 282, Ivan Ally 207, Shirley M. 181, Lyle Torrie 241, Erma Wilson 235. Tuesday Ladies - Fran Patton 184, Mina Putnam 175, Barb Potruff 175, Brenda Searl 184, Laurie McWillis 179, Sylvia Vandervliet 229, Shirley Mangano 235. Tuesday Night Adult - Laurie McWillis 196, Eric McWillis 255, Cindy Eckstein 206, Ed Carefoot 214, Bill Brundige 202, Steve Royer 263, Steve Robson 247, Brenda Frizzell 184, Jill Comeau 217. Wednesday Golden Age - Pat Ailles 202, Yvonne Melancon 188, Andre Melancon 211, Bert Brown 192, Paul Riley 160, Nick Tjart 211, Heather Abraham 198, Joyce Slater 174. Wednesday Mixed - Eric McWillis 232, Brian Booth 165, Dave Pond 220, John West 267, Matt Casavant 276, Bruno Bagdan 232, Louise Bundschuh 212, Gord Potruff 214, Travis Webber 192. Thursday Golden Age - Mina Putnam 188, Pat Chambers 208, Sharon Shepherd 182, Vicki Bailie 167, Vera Winter 199. Thursday Mixed - Ed Carefoot 226, Dawn Hill 211, Aggie Aucoin 201, Jessica Giroux 249, Chad Kelly 207, Scott Van Achte 231, Rick Kroeker 205, Andrew Stubbing 216, Anne Bodnar 202, Chris Roberge 245, Jen Robege 206, Lorne King 220, Aprile Brekke-Reidl 205. Friday Golden Age - Bert Brown 203, Ickle Brown 186, Jim Bennett 252, Arnie Auerbach 224, George Andrews 247, Joyce Unsworth 214, Marj Arnold 178.

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Sports and Recreation

Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014 B5

Silver is the name of the game for local curlers The Langley 2014 BC Seniors Games had a motto “Everyone Wins” referring to all the participants, volunteers, spectators, sponsors, businesses and local residents who benefited from the staging of this year’s competition. The most significant “win” was the motivation and admiration everyone experienced watching over 3,800 physically active and socially engaged seniors in action making these the “best years of their life.” The Comox Valley Curling Club had three teams participating at the games this year with representation in the Women 55+, Men’s 65+ and Mixed 55+. We also had local curler, Don Nickason picked up by the Dawson Creek team due to a family emergency and his team went on to capture the silver medal for the Mixed 65+. Way to go Don! The Jonsson team, representing Vancouver Island North in the Women’s 55+, had Kim skipping; Mary Holden, 3rd; Sharon Walker, 2nd and Mickey Colburn, lead. The team finished the round robin with a 4-1 record leading up to the final gold medal round where the Gwen Clark team from Langley was waiting. The Jonsson team had beaten the Clark team last year in Kamloops and the repeat match was gearing up to be a dandy. The curling gods did not favour the Jonsson team who came up against a red hot foursome that were out for blood. They sent the Jonsson team home with silver and a challenge for 2015. In the 64+ Men’s division, the Comox Valley team of Jack Holden, Richard Lewis, Daryl Wright and Reg Tressel played four games in the round robin, losing their first game to the Zone 1 Victoria team. The Victoria team was the defending gold medal winners and silver medalists at the recent Canadian Senior games in Sherwood Park, Alberta. The Comox boys then rattled off three straight wins to qualify for the gold medal game. In the final game, they came up against the Victoria team again and, although it was a close game, the team came up just short of winning it all. The Mixed 55+ team consisted of

Brian Baltis, skip; Kathy Meunier, third; Ron Shymko, second and Elaine Starchuk, lead. The Baltis rink finished with a record of 4 and 0 in the round robin which also put them into the gold medal game. Their opponent, the Blashko rink from Summerland, finished with a similar 4 and 0 record. The Baltis rink entered the final eighth end, down by 2 points, and things were looking bleak. With 3 rocks remaining, a perfect freeze was made which led to a tie game forcing an extra end. The two teams traded rocks in the extra end and Baltis drew to the eight foot behind cover with his last rock. Blashko, with his last, drew to the four foot and seized the gold! The Baltis team came home with the silver medal but the final was the most exciting finish to watch. A wonderful time was had at the games. The entertainment, the food and the hospitality in Langley all made it a fun and enjoyable experience. Many volunteers made the games possible and the Valley teams gratitude goes out to them. The games in 2015, which will be hosted by North Vancouver, will sport a new name for the games and will officially be ‘55+ BC Games’. More information on the games can be found at www.bcseniorsgames.org

The silver medal curlers: Back Row: Reg Tressel, Daryl Wright, Richard Lewis, Jack Holden. Middle Row: Elaine Starchuk, Ron Shymko, Kathy Meunier, Brian Baltis. Front Row: Mickey Colburn, Sharon Walker, Mary Holden, Kim Jonsson. Lying Down: Don Nickason

BLACK CREEK SWIMMER WINS 9 GOLD MEDALS Swimmer Brian Staton, 67, of Black Creek, participated in the BC Senior Games (55 plus) which were held in Langley, September 10th to 13th. He had excilent swims coming home with 9 gold medals: six indiviual and three relay wins. He was first overall in four of his swims (50m and 100m frees, 50m and 100m backs) out touching swimmers from younger age groupings. He was part of Zone 2 - Vancouver Island North , which includes Ladysmith to

the north end of Vancouver Island. Zone 2 placed third out of 12 zones with 262 Medals. Fraser Valley(Zone 3) and Lower Mainland(Zone 4) were first and second respectively with 619 and 444 medal counts. The BC Senior Games (55 plus) is held each year in different locations throughout B.C., with over 3500 participants in 26 different sports/events. Next year, the games will be held in North Vancouver from August 25th to 29th .

:HOFRPĠ . & Swimmer Brian Stato won 9 gold medals

Mike, Sue, Wayne and all the staff are proud to welcome K.C Charlton to the Finneron Hyundai family! K.C. will WOW you with her knowledge of car sales and her fine sense of humour! Come by Finneron Hyundai today to say

Hi to K.C.!

B-2611 1ST ST - COURTENAY Great location close to walking trails and Puntledge Park. Why pay strata fee's when you can have this great rancher style duplex home that comes with an open floor plan and 9 foot ceilings, gas fireplace, two full baths and a double garage. $

249,900 2848 GATEHOUSE

#10 – 2625 MUIR ROAD

175,900

Beautiful 2 bedroom 1-1/2 bathroom townhome centrally located in East Courtenay. This end unit comes with a lovely rear patio to enjoy those nice summer days. The home also features upstairs washer and dryer close to all the bedrooms for your laundry needs.

#206 1045 Cumberland Road New Listing

104,900

Centrally located and very close to shopping and dining. Well maintained condo complex. Appliances included and is ready for you to move in. Master bedroom has a two piece ensuite for you to use. Well kept complex; pets, children and rentals welcome. Wheelchair accessible and vacant for quick possession. Good investment instead of renting.

One of the best building lots in "Gatehouse" subdivision with the bonus of no GST. This larger average lot is the perfect lot on which to build your dream home. $

194,900

MAY TAKE HOUSE ON TRADE

#304-178 Back Road First Time Buyer? unit has been painted and is ready for you to move in. Two bedroom condo located centrally -great floor plan. $

109,900

If each day is a gift, I’d like to know where I can return Mondays Ocean Pacific Realty (e) waynemcloughlin@remax.net 282 Anderton Road, Comox

250-897-9189 (c) 250-339-2021 (o)

Wayne’s

quote of the week

CA$H REWARDS

www.comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca 1-800-222-TIPS

ON NOW AT YOUR BC GMC DEALERS. BCGMCDEALERS.CA 1-800-GM-DRIVE. GMC is a brand of General Motors of Canada.*Offer available to qualified retail customers in Canada for vehicles delivered between September 3 and September 30, 2014. 0% purchase financing offered on approved credit by TD Auto Finance Services, Scotiabank® or RBC Royal Bank for 84 months on all new or demonstrator 2014 GMC vehicles; special finance rate not compatible with certain cash credits on Sierra. Participating lenders are subject to change. 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: $20,000 at 0% APR, the monthly payment is $238.10 for 84 months. Cost of borrowing is $0, total obligation is $20,000. Offer is unconditionally interest-free. Freight and air tax ($100, if applicable) included. License, insurance, registration, PPSA, applicable taxes and dealer fees not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Dealer trade may be required. Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers, and are subject to change without notice. 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. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. <>$3,000 is a manufacturer to dealer cash credit (tax exclusive) on all 2014 Terrain which is available for cash purchases only and cannot be combined with special lease and finance rates. By selecting lease or finance offers, consumers are foregoing this $3,000 credit which will result in higher effective interest rates. ‡Offer available to retail customers in Canada only; $500 Customer bonus cash applies to new 2014 GMC Terrain and Sierra Double Cab 2WD 1SA delivered between September 19 and September 29, 2014. The $500 customer bonus cash includes HST/GST/PST as applicable by province. Price includes freight and PDI but excludes license, insurance, registration, fees associated with filing at movable property registry/PPSA fees, duties, and taxes. Dealer may sell for less. Dealer trade may be required. Limited time offers, which may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. 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. †Offer applies to eligible current owners or lessees of any model year 1999 or newer vehicle that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six (6) months. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2013/2014 model year car, SUV, or crossover and 2015 MY GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, Yukon XL, Acadia models delivered in Canada between September 3 and September 30, 2014. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $750 credit available on all eligible GMC vehicles. Offer applies to eligible current owners or lessees of any Pontiac/Saturn/SAAB/Hummer/Oldsmobile model year 1999 or newer vehicle or Chevrolet Cobalt or HHR that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six (6) months. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2013/2014 MY GMC vehicle and 2015MY GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, Yukon XL, Acadia models delivered in Canada between September 3 and September 30, 2014. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $1,500 credit available on eligible GMC vehicles. Offer that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six (6) months. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive): $1,000 credit available towards the retail purchase, cash purchase or lease of one eligible 2013/2014 or 2015 MY GMC light or heavy duty pickup delivered in Canada between September 3 and September 30, 2014. Offer is transferable to a family member living within the same household (proof of address required). As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Limited (GMCL) to verify eligibility. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Certain limitations or conditions apply. Void where prohibited by law. See your GMCL dealer for details. GMCL reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. †¥$8,000 is a combined credit consisting of a $4,000 manufacturer to dealer delivery credit (tax exclusive), $1,000 September bonus, and a $3,000 manufacturer to dealer cash credit (tax exclusive) for 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab, which is available for cash purchases only and cannot be combined with special lease and finance rates. By selecting lease or finance offers, consumers are foregoing this $3,000 credit which will result in higher effective interest rates. Discounts vary by model and cash credit excludes 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab 2WD 1SA. †*The Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) comprises professional journalists, writers and photographers specializing in cars and trucks. They provide unbiased opinions of new vehicles to help consumers make better purchases that are right for them. For more information visit www.ajac.ca. ^2014 Sierra 1500 with the available 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission has a fuel-consumption rating of 13.0L/100km city and 8.7L/100 km hwy 2WD and 13.3L/100 km city and 9.0L/100 km hwy 4WD. Fuel consumption based on GM testing in accordance with approved Transport Canada test methods. Your actual fuel consumption may vary. Competitive fuel consumption ratings based on Natural Resources Canada’s 2013 Fuel Consumption Guide for WardsAuto.com 2013 Large Pickup segment and latest available information at the time of posting. **When equipped with available 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine. Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2013 Large Light-Duty Pickup segment and latest competitive data available. Excludes other GM vehicles. >Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2013 Large Pickup segment and latest competitive data available. Excludes other GM vehicles. ††Whichever comes first. See dealer for conditions and limited warranty details. ¥The GMC Terrain received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact SUVs in the proprietary J.D. Power 2014 Initial Quality Study. Study based on responses from 86,118 new-vehicle owners, measuring 239 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed in February-May 2014. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. ^*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded all Terrain models the 2014 Top Safety Pick Award. Terrain models with Optional Forward Collision Alert was awarded the 2014 Top Safety Pick Plus Award. ¥¥The 2-Year Scheduled Lube-Oil-Filter Maintenance Program provides eligible customers in Canada, who purchase, lease or finance a new eligible 2014 Model Year vehicle with an ACDelco oil and filter change, in accordance with the oil life monitoring system and the Owner’s Manual, for 2 years or 40,000 KMs, whichever occurs first, with a limit of four (4) Lube-Oil-Filter services in total, performed at participating GM Dealers. Fluid top offs, inspections, tire rotations, wheel alignments and balancing, etc. are not covered. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives available on GM vehicles. General Motors of Canada Limited reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Additional conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details.

B6 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

The Comox Valley Breakers Women’s Hockey Team wants you to come out and play! This well-established team of 15 years offers ice hockey for women of all ages, and also for girls over 17. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners who have never played to retired rep players. Everyone plays equal time. It’s a great way to keep in shape and have fun at the same time. Full-time or drop-in players all welcome, and payment plans are available.

2WD ISA MODEL

FINANCING

0 84 $8,000

FOR

SEPTEMBER

BEST

NEW PICKUP OF 2014

SEPTEMBER

PLUS 2014 MODELS GET

YEARS/40,000 KM

COMPLIMENTARY

OIL CHANGES ¥¥

†*

Sports and Recreation

Helen Ryley and Tom Higgins, Scotch Pairs Club Champs

Lawn bowlers winding it all up

The Breakers were out selling hot dogs and baked goodies Saturday at Canadian Tire to raise money for the upcoming season

The Breakers want you

Women’s hockey team welcomes all players, of any skill level

The season runs from September to March with weekly practices on Wednesdays at 8:30 and games on Saturday at 9:15 (base arena - Glacier Gardens), plus occasional tournaments. The season’s first game is Sept. 27. The coaching and team administration is all volunteer, although game officials are paid. Fund-raising activities are a focus for the team - full season ice rental fees alone are over $10,000. The group holds a series of hot dog sales

FINANCING

MONTHS*

BONUS RECEIVE UP TO $1,000

ELIGIBLE OWNERS

BEST

EFFICIENCY

$26,995

SLE-1 FWD MODEL

“HIGHEST RANKED COMPACT SUV IN INITIAL QUALITY IN THE U.S.”

CASH PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $3,000 CASH CREDIT<>, FREIGHT & PDI.

BONUS RECEIVE UP TO $1,500

ELIGIBLE OWNERS

MOST FUEL-EFFICIENT V8 IN A PICKUP

FINANCING

ALL TERRAIN MODELS.

and car washes over the summer. They’re available as a team to provide services in return for donations; for example, setting up for your event, running a bar at your wedding, you name it, they’ll do it (as long as it’s legal). Fore more information about joining the program, call registrar Teresa Fisher 7021614. For more information about fund-raising, call Barb Callender 218-2212. Or join the team’s facebook page at CV Breakers Hockey

FOR

CANADAWIDECLEARANCE 10DAYS ONLY $500 BONUS

0% 84

BEST

POWER

AVAILABLE 420 HP, 460 LB FT OF TORQUE

BEST UP TO

MONTHS*

ON VIRTUALLY ALL 2014 MODELS Club activities have reached the finals at the Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club. What a season and what a finish!! Senior Games saw our Down Under Boys, Ross Younger and Michael Lynch take the Silver medal in Men’s Pairs as they showed no losses in the games they played. There was some confusion with the schedule so they missed one game. Pat Cutt and Melie Ursulom brought home the Bronze medal in the Ladies pairs. At home, Dean Penny, Helen Ryley and Rosemary Montreuil won the Wednesday Mixed Triples, Second Half with 7 wins and one loss. Bill Whitehouse, Bev Hambley and Ernie Kassian were in second with 6 wins and 2 losses. The Scotch Pairs Club event had twelve teams participating and the winners were Helen Ryley and Tom Higgins, with Bill and Irene Whitehouse in second and Archie and Linda Harri, third and Pat Cutt and Dan Bereza, 4th. All of these teams had three wins and one loss for a truly great tournament. We have the Zone Mixed Pairs Championship yet to be played in Nanaimo September 20/21, with Carolyn and Ernie Kassian and one team representing our club while April Gilchrist and Vern Greenhill will defend their title from 2013. Awards night will be Satuday, October 4 at the clubhouse with more information to follow. - Submitted by Pat Cutt

IN CASH CREDITS ON OTHER MODELS

$8,000

10 DAY BONUS ENDS SEPTEMBER 29TH ‡

ON SELECT MODELS

ENDS SEPT. 29TH

2014SIERRA 1500DOUBLECAB

ALL OTHER MODELS

IN CREDITS ON CASH PURCHASES†¥ INCLUDES $1000 SEPTEMBER BONUS†.

†

PLUS $500 BONUS‡

ALL-TERRAIN DOUBLE CAB MODEL SHOWN

COVERAGE

5 YEAR/160,000 KM POWERTRAIN WARRANTY††

2014TERRAIN

ALL OTHER MODELS

0 84

FOR

MONTHS*

†

PLUS $500 BONUS‡

DENALI MODEL SHOWN

WITH OPTIONAL FORWARD COLLISION ALERT AVAILABLE ON THE SLE-2 AND SLT-1. STANDARD ON SLT-2 AND DENALI MODELS.

BCGMCDEALERS.CA

Call Brian McLean Chevrolet Buick GMC at 250-334-2425, or visit us at 2145 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay. [License #8379]

Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014 B7

GOLF NEWS WHO IS THE CROWN ISLE LADIES’ ACE? If you guessed our illustrious lady captain, Katy Macaulay, you would be wrong! She was second. The winner of the 2014 Ace of Aces is LINDA STICKNEY! Well done, Linda! So how did she get to play in the Aces of Aces you ask? Well, there are 6 PIN DAYS during the season and the low net player from each day is eligible to compete in this final competition. While the ACE ladies’ were playing for the beautiful glass trophy, the rest of us played our regular golf game. AND THE WINNERS ARE: 1st low gross- Dee Horie 82 and 2nd low gross-Val Dingwall-83 1st low net-Pat Johnson 63 and 2nd low netDonna Cunliffe 66 The birdie pot was emptied by May Mitchell, Selma DeHaas, Shirley Podovsky, Helen Flynn, Rosemary Smith, Pat Johnson, Donna Cunliffe and Dee Horie KPs- Judy Aldcroft on #7 and May Mitchell on #12 PAR 5s (handicap of 25+) Judy Aldcroft, Marlene Horvath, Jean Wharton, and Pam Stevens. Only 2 more Tuesdays so get singed up ladies. Don’t forget to sign up for the Milestones’ luncheon after golf of Sept 30th and the AGM and dinner on October 9th. If you missed the CROWN ISLE LADIES’ NINE AND WINE FINALE shame on you! Wasn’t it a party? Yes yes, yes. Kudos to all the ladies who came out in their bling golf attire for the SWING WITH BLING themed event and also to Evan Webber our MC and joke teller for the evening. This very successful event is thankful for all the dedicated and generous sponsors. The two Comox teams headed by Sue Leakey and Laurie Appleyard won the EAGLE RADIO ,title sponsor, prizes. AND THE OTHER WINNERS ARE: Hole #4-Sponsored by THE FINANCIAL TEAM OF NICOLE DETERS INVESTOR’S GROUP- Sandy Slovak- in the water! Hole #6-Sponsored by PRIME CHOPHOUSE RESTAURANT- Val Jesky- longest putt. By the way, congratulations to Kory and Anna, who own and manage PRIME, on the arrival of their new baby daughter. Hole #7- PHARMASAVE (COMOX)- Jan Dafoe- in the bunker Hole #8-Sponsored by CROWN ISLE RESORTSandra Morton- closest to the Target tree. Hole#9-Sponsored by CASCADIA LIQUOR STORE IN CROWN ISLE MALL-Brianna Morgan from EAGLE RADIO- longest drive. After lessons with Rod Prieto, our director of golf!!! Hole #11-MACKENZIE GARTSIDE MORTGAGE CONSULTANTS-Sharon Witheyclosest to the fairway line Hole#14-CASCADIA LIQUOR STORES- Linda Callendar-longest drive Hole #16-ASSANTE FINANCIAL-Judy Aldcroft- in the water Hole#17-THE FINANCIAL TEAM OF NICOLE DETERS INVESTOR’S GROUP-Cheryl MacDonald- closest to the hoola hoop Hole #18-WHITE SPOT RESTAURANT-Sandy Linhart- closest to the White Spot ADELE DEEGAN donated her anti-aging beauty products for the lady with the most bling- Dorothy Lambourne. Dorothy also donated 2 knitted caps that she makes-really classy! Thanks as well to SUBLIME LADIES” FASHIONS (OLD SAFEWAY MALL)who gave every lady that attended the event a $25. gift certificate for all the clothes and accessories in the store. Diedre is an amazing buyer and has very unique pieces of clothing, jewelry and scarves. Chris Flynn from REMAX donated a bottle of bubbly! As well thanks to HEART AND HOME GIFT SHOP ( BLACK CREEK STORE) for all the bling prizes. The pink Blingy flask for birdie juice was a huge hit! A very exciting finale to a very successful NINE AND WINE season was a game of heads and tails for a SAMSUNG TABLET donated by THE FINANCIAL TEAM OF NICOLE DETERS INVESTOR’S GROUP and won by Laurie Appleyard. Thank you so much Nicole for your generosity! - Submitted by Donna Cunliffe

A CRAZY DAY FOR SCORES AT COMOX GOLF CLUB Forty-seven golfers played on a sunny Sunday morning with phenomenal results. 0-16 low gross Nick Usher 66, Dan Bailey 70, 17 + low gross Jack Burgess 76, Don Gates 81, Low Nets Mark Smith 60, Vern (Man Utd ) Dean 65, Len Kuchynski 65, Rick Adams 66, Mike Simmons 66, Fred Tomlinson 66. KP Prizes 10 2nd shot 0-16 Nick Usher, (Bowlzy Brkfst Comox Pacific Express) 11 3rd shot 0-16 Rick Siddall (Men’s Club) 12 Long Drive 17+ Vernon Dean, (Westview Ford Sales) 13 2nd shot 17+ George Starkell (Men’s

Sports and Recreation Online registration open for 2015 Island Race Series Club) 14 All Mark Smith, (Men’s Club) 15 2nd shot 17+ Fred Tomlinson, (Bowlzy Brkfst Comox Pacific Express) 16 Long Drive 0-16 Dan Bailey. (Westview Ford sales) 17 2nd shot All Nick Usher (Men’s Club) 18 All Rick Siddall, (Men’s Club) 15 Deuces recorded, 15 Snips and too many birdies to mention. Dan Bailey and Mike Simmons each shot 3 consecutive birdies. Greens and fairways in good condition EH ! Men’s wrap up on Sunday 28th. See you 21st 8 for 8.30 - Submitted by Vic Crisp

CLUB CAPTAIN WINS TWO KP’S Forty-five golfers played Stableford Wednesday night at Comox with the following results: Dave “Woody” Wood 25 pts, Andy Dean 23, Len Kuchynski 21, “Captain” Terry Christie 20, Scott McLeod 20, Gordo Harris 20 pts. KP Prizes 1 2nd shot 0-16 Bob Irvine, Men’s Club 2 3rd shot 17+ Ken Simmons, (Thrifty’s) 3 Long Drive 0-16 Billy Wheeldon, Men’s Club 4 2nd shot 0-16 Captain, (Little Caesars Pizza) 5 All Vic Crisp, Men’s Club 6 2nd shot 17+ Vernon Dean, Men’s Club 9 All Captain, (Shilo Painting/ Glacier Gutters ) One deuce recorded by Ian Smith. Skins for Scott McLeod, Marty Petersen, Rick Adams, Ron Pratt, Ian Smith and Raz Rasmussen - Submitted by Vic Crisp

RED TEES DON’T AFFECT SCORES MUCH AT G.G. Saturday, Sept. 13th under sunny warm skies, 91 golfers came out to Glacier Greens to play the red tees and as you will see the scores were much the same no matter what tees that we play. Next 2 weeks it will be white tees and then after the fall wrap-up it will be winter tees, up to the maintenance staff. The course was in its good condition, thanks to our greens crew. Now here are the results: HCP 0-10 1st Low Gross Jeff Edwards 70 c/b, 2nd Chris Kalnay 70 c/b, 3rd Doug McArthur 70 1st Low Net Darrell Fieber 65 c/b, 2nd Fabian McCarty 65, 3rd Rob Borland 68 c/b Snips Hole #5 Doug McArthur, #7 Dave Osborne, #14 (EAGLE) Darrell Febier, #16 Chris Kalnay HCP 11-15 1st Low Gross Gilles Raiche 75, 2nd Karl Cameron 78 c/b, 3rd Roger Guinan 79 c/b 1st Low Net Al Basinger 65, 2nd Ferg Webster 66, 3rd Bruce Henderson 67 Snips Hole #3, #6, #13 Karl Cameron, #4 Blll Girard, #7 Al Basinger, #8, #12 Wayne Wood, #16 Wally Berger, #18 Ferg Webster HCP 16+ 1st Low Gross John Trimmer 78, 2nd Art Trto 80, 3rd Jim Clark 82 c/b 1st Low Net Henry Bonde 65 c/b, 2nd Ron Peacock 65, 3rd Hank Fortin 66 Snips Hole #1 Stan Kirkland, #2 Claude Dufault, #5 John Trimmer, #11 Gary Wood, #17 (POG) Art Trto Remember get your entry in for the Devils Scramble that’s on Oct. 4th, cut-off Oct. 2nd at noon. Next week it will be tee times and a 9:30 am reverse shotgun (white tees). Till next week see ya. - Submitted by Ron Carter

WINDING DOWN FOR SUNNYDALE LADIES Well, it was a small turn out on Sept. 9th for the ladies. It must be because we are winding down our season even though the weather is FANTASTIC for a round. Teri Sleigh and Pat Peden tied for the low gross at 86. Lys McCrone can in with an 89 and Sharon Littler with a 93. Lois Westbrook won the low net with a 70, Lorna Fowler with a 73, and tied with a 74 was Rona Lawson and Vicki Bombini Lowest number of putts was Lois Westbrook with 29 Longest Putt on #9 Marg Poje KP on 10 sponsored by Rob Speer Pro shop was Vicki Bombini KP on 15 Kathie Reid KP on 5, 2nd shot 0-24 hdcp was Teri Sleigh KP on 17 2nd shot 25 and over hdcp Lorna Fowler Birdies of the day were captured by Teri Sleigh, Doris Squire, Lois Westbrook and Pat Peden. The 9 hole ladies had some results too: It was their turkey shoot today and was won by Lois Smiley and Trudi Garratt. Gertie Westley was best putter for the day. Thanks everyone, see you next week and the week after is our turkey shoot. - Submitted by Pat Costello

Online registration for the 2015 Frontrunners Island Race Series is now live. The 34th running of the series will run from January until April 2015 with eight races ranging from 5-kilometres to a half marathon. The early registration fee for the series is $120.00 until December 1st. Late registration until January 11th will be $150.00. The eight races comprise the Harriers Pioneer 8K on January 11, Cobble Hill 10K on January 25, Cedar 12K on February 8, Hatley Castle 8K on February 22, Synergy Health Management Bazan Bay 5K on March 9, Comox Valley RV Half Marathon on March 22, Merville 15K on April 12, and Sooke River 10K on April 19. “The running community continues to grow on Vancouver Island with a variety of races and runs to suit all abilities whether you are a competitive or non-competitive runner,” says Cathy Noel, President of the Vancouver Island Runners’ Association (VIRA). “The Frontrunners Island Race Series provides participants with consistently professionally run events for all levels of runners and walkers.”

New this year is Charity Partner - Victoria Hospitals Foundation. When registering participants will have the opportunity to top up their registration and support the many rehabilitative services at Victoria General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital. Continuing will be the 100m sprint and miler club awards, first introduced in 2012. A Green Jersey will be awarded to the fastest male and female sprinter over the last 100m for both the under-40 and over-40 age categories. The Milers Club rewards runners with an exclusive custom designed shirt as they reach 500km, 1000km and 1500km milestones during the series. In 2014 Claire Morgan (Prairie Inn Harriers) won the overall series award with 827 points followed by Derek Vinge (824) and Nicholas Walker (817). Prairie Inn Harriers won the club standings with 3408 points, with Comox Valley Road Runners second (2739) and Bastion Running Club third (2107). To register online for the series go to: www. vira.bc.ca.

B8 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014

Comox Valley Echo September 19, 2014 B9

B10 Comox Valley Echo Friday, September 19, 2014