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Volume 20, No. 62
Regional district digs in heels over 3L’s Stotan Falls development plan By Philip Round Echo Staff
There was non-stop entertainment by a roster of great performers (Photos by Michael Briones; more at www.comoxvalleyecho.com)
Filberg Festival a big draw over the weekend The 2014 edition of the Filberg Festival was another one to remember. The four-day event showcased the best of arts, crafts and music, as well as food, during the B.C. Day long weekend. It was blessed with good sunny weather that made it more enjoyable for the droves of people coming not only from the Comox Valley but also from out of town and internationally. Siiri Nikkinen was thrilled to attend the festival for the first time, just a couple of days before she goes back to her homeland of Finland. “It’s great to experience this,” said Nikkinen, who got a henna tattoo done on her arm. She was impressed with the finished art work and was all smiles. She said “I can show this off when I return home to Finland.” Henna tattoos typically fade in one to three weeks depending on the skin and how often the spot where henna is applied is washed. Nikkinen is leaving the valley on Wednesday. The festival this year featured over 130 artisans and makers of fine art in a variety of media ranging from metalwork, pottery, toys, woodcrafts, jewellery, paintings, glass, textiles and specialty foods. It also had an array of live entertainment that performed on the inaugural “Comox Rotary Stage” which was formerly known as the Main Stage. There was a mix of genres that catered to a wider audience. This year’s featured performers include Tiller’s Folly, Royal Wood, Jesse Peters, and Ken Lavigne. As well, local favourites Sue Medley & The Back Road Band, Helen Austin, Brodie Dawson, David Gogo and Phil Dwyer brightened up the festival with their resonant and lively tunes throughout the weekend.
Comox Valley Regional District is digging in its heels over its decision not to consider changes to the Regional Growth Strategy that could open the door to a major residential development on land alongside Stotan Falls. On Tuesday, the board held a 30-minute ‘in camera’ meeting with the press and public excluded to consider further legal advice on the process it had adopted in dealing with the application by 3L Developments Inc. The move followed a further letter on the issue from 3L’s lawyers. The company wants to see the RGS amended to allow its major residential and commercial project, which could include more than 700 properties, built on land that is currently only zoned for large-lot residential use. In return, it has offered to donate some of the property, particularly along the river and its banks, as parkland. But the regional district has voted 7-3 not to start the process of considering changes to the plan - a decision it argues is not only in line with approved bylaws, but keeps faith with the core intent of the RGS to manage urban sprawl and protect rural areas from intensive development The RGS set the southern bank of the Puntledge River as the limit for denser development, and 3L’s proposed project is on the other side. 3L’s lawyers have, however, said they will take the matter to the courts unless there is a change of heart by the CVRD board. (Continued on page 2)
Valley runner comes close to gold at Commonwealth Games By Cleve Dheensaw Special to the Echo Town of Comox councillor Barbara Price, donning a striking hat adorned with a beautiful flower design, checks some of the arts for sale at the Filberg Festival.
Siiri Nikkinen of Finland proudly displays the Henna tattoo that was done on her arm. She’s thrilled with the design and says she can show it off when she returns home to Finland this Wednesday.
This unique water fountain designed by Douglas Walker has been a blast at the Filberg Festival impressing a lot of people.
Cameron Levins, from the tiny Comox Valley community of Black Creek, made a sweeping statement about his future Friday night at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. With the roar of the packed Hampden Park crowd bellowing in his ears, Levins led down the stretch in the 10,000 metres before being overtaken at the wire by Moses Kipsiro of Uganda (27:56.11 for gold) and Josphat Bett of Kenya (27:56.14 for silver). The Islander took a career breakthrough bronze medal in 27:56.23. Levins said he thought he had the gold. “It was really, really close. But I’m still so happy to be on the podium,” he said. He is the first Canadian to win a medal in the men’s 10,000 metres at the Commonwealth Games since the event’s inclusion in 1970. “I never believed I’d be in a position to do that,” Levins said. “This is validation for what I’ve been doing. This sets me up so well. After this, I’ll be looking to win the Pan Am Games next year [in Toronto] and get on the medal stand at Rio [2016 Summer Olympics]. I don’t think that’s saying too much.” No Canadian male has ever won a 10,000 metres medal at the Olympics. Friday’s race was missing England’s Mo Farah, the 2012 London Olympics champion, who is out with an injury. Levins trains with Farah at the Oregon Track Project in Eugene under running great Alberto Salazar. “Mo is going to be pleased for me,” said Levins, who had to go searching on the Internet for an NCAA athletic scholarship after graduating largely overlooked from G.P. Vanier Secondary in Courtenay, about 20 kilometres south of Black Creek. (Continued on page 2)
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