January 1, 2014 by Cowichan Valley Citizen

T.W. Paterson Chronicles: Not all Nanaimo pioneers were coal miners Arts year in review: Showroom closure tops list of A&E news in 2013

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Cowichan Valley Citizen | Wednesday, January 1, 2014

SLIDING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

Development process takes big step forward SARAH SIMPSON CITIZEN

Bal and Abigeyle Bhopal enjoy the toboggan slide at the Cowichan Arena at the Island Savings Centre during the popular Winter Wonderland event Sunday, Dec. 22. For video and more photos from the event, scan this image with the Layar app on your smart phone or go to www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com [LEXI BAINAS/CITIZEN]

Opponents angered by SIA’s request to dump in spite of stay SARAH SIMPSON CITIZEN

A “Christmas Eve present” from South Island Aggregates has put Shawnigan residents concerned about contaminated soil in their area on high alert. Area Director Bruce Fraser told the Citizen on Christmas Day that the night before, SIA’s lawyers filed an application to dump dirty dirt immediately, despite a stay already being in place. “They have applied to vary the stay to allow them to bring in barge loads of dredgate from Esquimalt and Prince Rupert,” Fraser said in an email. “Their true colours are flying and the New Year is going to erupt!” Specifically, SIA has asked the Environmental Appeal Board to allow them to receive 40,000 tonnes of contaminated soil at their Stebbings Road property ahead of the March hearing of their soil treatment permit. If the permit is allowed to stand, would grant the dumping of about five million more tones over the next 50 years. “It is not just a dump for the convenience of Victoria developers, it is a full blown plan to make

Shawnigan their dumping ground for whatever can be profitably imported by truck or barge from anywhere,” Fraser said on his website. “This is about money and only money. It is about taking profit into private hands and offloading risk to the public commons. At any time and by any decent standard it would be seen as an unconscionable enterprise. But, delivered so boldly on Christmas Eve, it expresses an especially deep contempt for our community.” The nine-page variance application states heavy toxic contents including fuel, lead and arsenic would be within the soil. The Shawnigan Residents Asso-

ciation, unwavering in its defence of the Shawnigan watershed, has once again vowed to fight back. “The SRA will vigorously oppose this application,” said spokesman Jason Walker. “The SRA’s position is that the property is unsuitable for the deposit of contaminated soils. Moreover, the SRA believes that this latest application by CHH simply asks the board to revisit a matter that has already been determined in the earlier ruling that prevents dumping of contaminated soil by SIA until the appeals are decided.” For more on the history of the contaminated soil fight, see our year in review on page 14.

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A new Official Community Plan adopted in July 2011 established a 25-year vision for North Cowichan. One of the only things getting in the way of that forward progress was the municipality’s notoriously poor development approval process that, for a variety of reasons, including insufficient staffing, at times kept builders waiting for painfully long periods of time — even killing a few would-be projects completely. That’s quietly been changing, however. Over the last two years staff have been attempting to get back on track and become one of the most sought-after places on the Island — and in the province — to build. “The results are dramatic,” North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure said. “In some cases it looks like we’ve reduced our timelines by a factor of seven. It’s a whole list of factors, being staffed up, having the OCP finished and out of the way — a bunch of things coming together, like some of those really tricky files that went on for a long time, they’ve finally been resolved.” Some of the changes include setting firm targets for paperwork processing and decision-making. The goal is to determine 80 per cent of development permits, within six weeks, 80 per cent of development permits with variances within 12 weeks, and 80 per cent of rezoning applications within six months, to name a few. While the intentions are good, a report by Brian Green, deputy director of planning and development, acknowledges it’s not that simple sometimes. “That there will always be situations where more time

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is needed to review unique or unusual applications, or where additional time is required on the part of the applicant to submit additional information,” he wrote. In a linked move, North Cowichan has raised development fees slightly to recover some of the costs associated with handling permits. “We were at a 17 to 25 per cent recovery of handing development applications. Staff recommended we raise that to the 45 per cent level because now we can show we are doing a much better job at handling applications,” Lefebure said. A builder by trade, the mayor explained developers would often rather pay the higher fee to get a better idea of timelines. “The time is far more valuable than the extra $500 on the development application fee,” he said. Lefebure pointed to Langford, which has comparatively high fees but very strict timelines to get applications processed. “The developers don’t even think twice,” he said. “They just want to have the certainty and be able to move along.” Green’s report suggested more changes are in the works. “Staff believe that significant improvements have been made (and will continue to be implemented) in support of improving the development approvals process over the past 24 months, both in terms of processing times as well as clarity/certainty related to application expectations and requirements.” What’s left to determine is if developers are feeling the same way.

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Crofton Art Group Kiosk endorsed It’ll be 60 years for the Crofton Art Group come 2014 and to celebrate the group would like an art kiosk in the seaside village. The kiosk would display original pieces depicting “various highlights form the local community.” A donation from the Crofton Community Centre Society has the materials covered and, as of Wednesday, North Cowichan council has approved the kiosk’s location on municipal land south of the Crofton ferry terminal. North Cowichan’s public works department will install the kiosk. North Cowichan recently worked with the Maple Bay Community Association to replace a kiosk in Maple Bay that provides space for community notices. Sarah Simpson, Citizen

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A happy day indeed, as, from left, Capt. Terry Stuart hands over the cheque to Chris Banner, and Bob Weinberg. [SUBMITTED]

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Maritime Centre gets Super-sized cheque LEXI BAINAS CITIZEN

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“This is fantastic.” Chris Banner, the newly elected president of the Cowichan Maritime Centre, said. “I’m gobsmacked!” He had cause for his excitement. On Nov. 28, Capt. Terry Stuart, president of BC Supercargoes Association, presented a cheque for $20,000 to the Cowichan Maritime Centre. The donation is timely. “We were concerned that your valuable artefacts in the pods and pavilion

might be jeopardized, so this donation is towards your roofing fund,” Stuart said in handing over the cheque. The “pods” are the enclosed exhibit areas of the pier, which extends behind the Cowichan Maritime Centre and ends in the two-storey pavilion that houses the library and a model ship collection. The dock is open to the public and is popular with visitors to Cowichan Bay as it combines education with a great viewing area. “This generosity is totally unexpected,” Bob Weinberg, a former longtime

employee of BC Supercargoes and a Society director, said on receiving the donation. “It will protect our collection of over 1,500 valuable books, our extensive library of magazines and our priceless collection of model ships and boats.” The new roof is being installed by a local company, Golden Rule Roofing. The tiles are recycled rubber tires; they look like regular roof shingles yet will last far longer than either a metal roof or traditional cedar shakes, especially in the marine environment, Banner said.

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Several properties in Youbou’s Alder Crescent neighbourhood were targeted overnight Dec. 20, police say. On Dec. 21, officers from the Lake Cowichan RCMP detachment responded to a break-and-enter complaint on the street. “The complainant reported that an outdoor shed had been broken into and several items were stolen,” said Const. Andrew Burn in a media advisory. “Neighbourhood enquiries revealed that several other properties in the area were also targeted.” He said the break-ins are believed to

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have occurred late on Dec. 20, or in the wee hours of Dec. 21. The week before, thieve(s) made off with a red Kawasaki 500 all terrain vehicle. The quad was stolen from a yard in the 200 block of Neva Road, according to Const. Sarah Pharis. The theft happened sometime between 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 7 a.m. the following day. Police are asking that anyone with information regarding either of these crimes please contact the Lake Cowichan RCMP at 250-749-6668 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

Cowichan Valley Citizen | Wednesday, January 1, 2014

That was the final straw for Mrs. Brown, who’d had her fill of living on the frontier and, with or without James’s blessing, she and the children moved to town... T.W. PATERSON, columnist

Left: Nanaimo was built on coal but not every resident had to labour in the mines. —TWP

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Not all Nanaimo pioneers were coal miners As it happened, without what he called Ashlar Farm, becoming miners themselves, married, and had a son and the Westwoods did strike a daughter. To support his gold — black gold — on their family as “James Brown, property. Men’s Tailor,” meant a twos Nanaimo Historical mile walk to town in the Society stalwart Pammorning, the same going ela Mar pointed out home. This also meant that at the time, 2004 was an hisMrs. Brown had to hold the CHRONICLES toric year — the 150th annifort during the day, with few T.W. Paterson versary of the recruitment nearby neighbours and just of the first coal miners who two young children for comlaid the groundwork for the future pany, in bush yet roamed by wolves. Hub City’s greatest single employer For what added sense of security that and, quite literally, placed Nanaimo on it was worth, the children, as they the map. grew older, learned to use firearms. But not all were coal miners, as noted One evening, upon arriving home, by the late historian-emeritus John James found that his barn, unknown Cass. They came from diverse backto his family, was afire. He was able to grounds, those with business acumen extinguish it but, before retiring, and and/or professions generally succeedbefore leaving for town next morning, ing in commerce. Tradespeople in he secured every door and window particular found their niche in a growin the house. When warned by police ing community, among them James that “two renegade Indians” were susWilliam Brown, formerly of Gloucespected of setting a string of fires and tershire, Eng. It says something of his committing at least one murder, he profession as a tailor and the times immediately closed shop and hurried in which he lived that he began his home to inform his family. apprenticeship at the age of 12 and That was the final straw for Mrs. didn’t complete it until he was 20. Brown, who’d had her fill of living At about age 30, James boldly emion the frontier and, with or without grated to the New World, arriving James’s blessing, she and the children in New York after a 60-day winter moved to town, into a former Hudson’s passage — something he vowed he’d Bay Co. log house on the west side never do again — before proceeding of Front Street. Brown, somewhat to Evansville, Ill., where he began a reluctantly it seems, went with them six-month-long trek to San Francisco. and, over time, Brown the Tailor built His travel arrangements likely were a combined house and shop and prosinfluenced by the fact that the Amerpered. A charter member of Masonic ican Civil War was raging. In 1863, too Lodge AT & AM, he served as first late to take part in the gold rush that Master. Upon his death, at the age of seems to have prompted his wander96, the widower had been a resident of ings, he booked passage to return to Nanaimo for more than 60 years. No the Old Country, but changed his mind fewer than 12 sons, three daughters, 27 and sailed instead for Esquimalt, then grandchildren and 10 great grandchilcarried on to Nanaimo. dren owed their start in life to Brown Pre-empting land in the Mountain the Tailor who, obviously, was skilled District west of town, he toiled on with more than needles and scissors.

Like the two Brown children, William Westwood, Jr., while growing up on his family’s farm, also carried a gun with him at all times, so wild was the Mountain District in those days. Although he had many friends of his own age among the Snuneymuxw, with whom he traded pelts, fish and venison, he never forgot the time that one of them did a “drive-by shooting,” with him as the intended target. Westwood Sr. obviously had high hopes for his son, sending him off to college in Ontario, where he excelled in sports and, upon returning home, rode the second trans-continental CPR train to Port Moody. As it happened, without becoming miners themselves, the Westwoods did strike gold — black gold — on their property and sold the mineral rights, which they owned (seldom the case for Island settlers caught in the E&N Land Grant) for the then great sum of $100,000. The younger William, who’d discovered the coal seam that gave his family financial independence, went on to try his luck in the Klondike. This time he wasn’t so fortunate and, upon returning home, he spent the balance of his career as a prospector, hunter, fisherman and guide. Another skill, one which won him many trophies, including that of Vancouver champion at the age of 74, was pitching horseshoes. At the time of his passing in 1953, 90-year-old William Westwood, Jr. was survived by two sons, a daughter, 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He may have found coal but, like his father Brown the Tailor, he was one of the many Nanaimo pioneers who never had to toil down in the mines. www.twpaterson.com

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Did you know you can drop your Christmas tree off for free at any CVRD Recycling Drop-Off Depot or Central Landscape Supplies in South Cowichan, or by donation through local charity events? Make sure to remove all tinsel, lights and decorations. Recycled trees become compost instead of being sent away for disposal, and can even help nurture new trees! For more tips on reducing, reusing and recycling visit Cowichan’s new online Recyclopedia. This searchable database of information and resources can help you get closer to zero waste. www.zerowastecowichan.ca/recyclopedia

phone: (250) 746-2500 Cowichan Valley Regional Districtfax: (250) 746-2513 email: cvrd@cvrd.bc.ca 175 Ingram Street web: www.cvrd.bc.ca Duncan, BC V9L 1N8

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OUR VIEW

Avoid your child being Poopy, Blip or Hotdog kay, so you’re looking for an unusual baby name for your child. You want to acknowledge how unique they are by not having them be the fifth Jennifer in the class. You want to pick something that will represent their spirit as they grow through life. You yourself are someone who appreciates a name outside the norm and you want your baby’s name to make an impression. Great. Still, don’t name him Poopy. Or Pee. Likewise, we seriously recommend that you cross out Elbow and Butt.

Yes, people have indeed hung these names like an albatross around the necks of their poor children according to parenting website Baby Centre. It gets worse. These names have the distinction of having been given to more than one child. Indeed, 34 people counted by the website in 1995 named their kid Freak. Two people named their child Hotdog in 2012, and 35 people went with Turtle in 1995 (sounds like it was a bad year). At the turn of the century in 2000 five kids were saddled with the unfortunate moniker of Ugly. Now that’s just cruel.

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And last year? Well, 2013 saw six children named Butterbean, and while we’re on foodstuffs, Cheese also made the list. Other wacky (and ridiculous) names included Phone, Blip, and Feline. There are a few girls out there now named Duda. As for boys, both Rocket and Thirdy were first names we’re pretty sure we could have lived without. This is just parental ego gone totally awry. It makes the 1960s hippies’ affinity for names like Brook,

River, Sky, and Crystal seem downright mainstream. Did these parents think at all about what their children are going to have to go through on the playground with a name like Poopy? Sure, both that and Pee are bodily functions that your baby engages in a lot, but are these the defining characteristics you want them to carry around for life? How will you explain it to them when they are almost inevitably bullied and teased because of the life choice you’ve made for them? Everyone wants their child

Extended curbs are money badly spent

Cowichan Valley Citizen is a division of VI Newspaper Group Limited Partnership., 251 Jubilee St.., Duncan, B.C., V9L 1W8 Phone: 250-748-2666 Fax: 250-748-1552 Publisher Shirley Skolos Editor Andrea Rondeau Customer service manager Dawn Heggie Production supervisor Alice Brownbridge Newsroom 250-748-2666, extension 235 news@cowichanvalleycitizen.com Advertising 250-748-2666, extensions 223, 227, 228, 229, 230 Classified ads 250-748-2666, extensions 221, 222 Copyright information This newspaper’s contents are protected by copyright and may be used only for personal, non-commercial purposes. All other rights are reserved. Commercial use is prohibited. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the newspaper. Complaint resolution If speaking to the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about a story we publish, contact the B.C. Press Council, which examines complaints from the public about the conduct of the press in gathering and presenting the news. Send your written concern and documentation within 45 days to: B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 2R2. Website: www.bcpresscouncil.org.

to grow up to be strong and independent and able to withstand negative attention from others. You can do that by giving them an unusual name they can be proud of, not one that has unfortunate associations that invite ridicule. All that does is expose a child to a lot of unnecessary negativity at a time in life when that negativity can be crushing with long-term effects. When they’re old enough to understand their name, they may well even begin to question their parents feelings for them. Sad.

Shawnigan’s new tax would be wasted I recently resigned from the board of the Shawnigan Basin Society, a watershed group with close links to Shawnigan Area Director Bruce Fraser. The society is barely a year old, but in my opinion the seeds of financial mismanagement have already been sown. Under the leadership of Director Fraser, the Shawnigan Basin Society announced plans to create a new entity, the “Shawnigan Basin Authority”. This authority as yet has no structure, and no members, however ongoing funding of $50,000 per year is already being sought via the CVRD’s alternate approval process.

To be sure, there are many problems in the Shawnigan watershed, including contaminated soil, clear cut logging, leaky septic systems and lack of local control. However allocating $50,000 a year of public funds to a new group and a new management plan won’t change this. Numerous studies, plans, reports and consultations have already been done. Typically these sit on the shelf, unused. Further, the Shawnigan Basin Authority will have no actual authority. Real authority will remain, for better or worse, with the various levels of government, local, provincial, and federal. This is unlikely to change. In my opinion, taxpayer funding for the Shawnigan Basin

Society and the still unformed Shawnigan Basin Authority will simply waste public funds. The $50,000 annual increase will amount to about $14.90 per year for a $500,000 property. Unless at least 10 per cent of Shawnigan voters take the initiative to oppose this increase, it will automatically be added to property taxes in 2014, and every year thereafter. Shawnigan residents should reject this AAP before the Jan. 6 deadline. To do this, complete the elector response form available online, or at the front desk at the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre, or from the CVRD offices. Blaise Salmon Shawnigan Lake

I am writing to publicly make known another example of City of Duncan poor management of taxpayer dollars. A contractor and I were mulling over the poor expenditure decisions our Valley administrators have been making. Those are our tax dollars being misspent. Why in heavens name were the extended curbs along Cairnsmore Street (and Beech) ever allowed to be put in place? Because they look nice? What were administration staff thinking? Imagine a heavy snowfall, and an unaware driver of a snowplow nails one of these extended curbs? Imagine it’s late at night and a driver of a motorbike, car, or bicycle collides with one of these extended roadside curbs. Imagine some bicyclist swerving into a car to avoid one of these curbs! Besides the fact that the roadway is no longer going to be a smooth flow traffic, besides the fact that some city worker must now mow that small piece of lawn on those extended curbs, why would anyone be allowed to make such ostentatious and impractical decisions? I have written earlier that administration officials of the City of Duncan are hired to spend with forethought, rather than spend because the taxpayers dollars can be grabbed so easily. It is time for cutbacks in salaries and staff, as opposed to freezes in their income! Enough is enough. Bill Woollam Duncan Find the Cowichan Valley Citizen online at www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com

Opinion

Cowichan Valley Citizen | Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Publisher, Shirley Skolos

Sports, Kevin Rothbauer

Local News, Sarah Simpson

sskolos@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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Editor, Andrea Rondeau

Arts, Lexi Bainas

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ssimpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com Distribution, Audette LePage audettelepage@shaw.ca

What will Echo Heights story be from here? The struggle to preserve the entire 54-acre urban coastal Douglas fir Echo Heights forest in Chemainus is ongoing. Reasons for preserving it are as diverse as the species which thrive there in its unique eco system. This fall the struggle intensified as the North Cowichan planning department strengthened its position to build on 20 per cent of the land. Their only evident reason is financial gain. This natural jewel, used as a park for decades by the community, is common ground. The land is of great significance to the Penelakut First Nation, valued for its healing foods and medicines, as a sacred ceremonial place, and a place of cultural education. Elders Florence James and Augie Sylvester have been teaching us to understand the importance of this land. On Nov. 4 Chief of Penelakut Earl Jack came with a delegation to the Chemainus Advisory Committee meeting at North Cowichan’s office. This was a rare opportunity to listen to the chief and his delegation and witness their call to council for consultation about the land. On Nov. 20, National Child Day, North Cowichan council met. On the agenda was the fate of Echo Heights forest. The chamber was packed. A young First Nations woman entered the crowded venue. She was carrying a sleeping child. She found a space to sit, centre of the back row. A delegation spoke to council on the First Nations

Industry sneaky about carbon misinformation R.A. Hailey recently pointed out that the hydrocarbon industry is subject to “strict local, provincial, federal, and international codes, regulation, and legislation.” However, I don’t think this stops the industry from spreading its own hysteria and misinformation. They are simply slicker and sneakier at doing it, using techniques like equivocating (the act of saying something that is technically true but intentionally misleading, or only telling selective truths). A good example of this is a TV commercial Enbridge made to promote their Northern Gateway Pipeline last year. In it, computer animation showed the route tankers would take to transport dilbit from Kitimat to China. However, viewers began noticing that many islands that were part of the treacherous route near Kitimat were not

Mary Dolan perspective on the land. The child awoke. The mother stepped forward to respond to a question. She introduced herself, Renee Racette, legal counsel for the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group. Her son, four-year-old Riel Racette, listened intently to his mother’s message to council. It was delivered respectfully and professionally. He looked beyond his mother to mayor and council as she called to them for the consultation process to begin regarding the Echo Heights forest land. She said that such a process will save North Cowichan a lot of money in court. Having delivered the important request and the reasoning for it, she prepared to leave. The child picked up a pencil that had rolled onto the aisle. In silence he held it up and looked around for its owner. Jeff Ratcliffe smiled and said “you keep it”. Riel Racette

present in the animation. It was then determined Enbridge had neglected to include about 1,000 square kilometres of land that comprises some of the most difficult-to-navigate portions of the tanker route. After some public outcry at how misleading the commercial was, an Enbridge representative said the commercial was intended for “illustrative purposes only” and “broadly representational.” The animation was quickly corrected but then pulled from TV altogether. Of course, it would have made far more sense for the commercial to clearly state that its graphics were not remotely accurate in the first place. That would have prevented misleading viewers into thinking the tanker route was an easy, straight shot. And of course, there is no evidence that Enbridge intended to mislead anyone but it would be the height of naiveté to believe a mistake which would potentially sway thousands of people in Enbridge’s favour regarding

left the council with a pencil that he clutched for days. So after all the deliberations at committee tables, kitchen tables, in coffee shops, and at council meetings, it seems to me what is crucial now is the story this child is going to write with his pencil. What story will he have to tell? Will it be history repeating itself? Going forwards from this crossroads at which our community stands what will his story say about how his rights and the rights of all children to culture health education and nature were addressed? On the day he found his pencil did council hear and respond to his mother on behalf of his people? Did council know it was National Child Day and that they have a great opportunity to change the course history? It was painful to hear the council vote to go ahead and destroy 20 per cent of the forest, thus endangering the rest. It is hopeful however that two of our leaders Mayor Lefebure and Coun. Marsh voted to preserve the whole forest. They realize that short term financial gain and a grab-what-you-canwhile-you-can attitude, losing valuable assets in the process, is not sustainable. The next step can be to reflect, find, and choose a path towards both justice and sustainability as we move in to the year 2014. We really do have a choice and we really do each have a small part to play in history and in the child’s unfolding life story.

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Justin Trudeau will be prime minister in 2019 Justin Trudeau turned 42 years old on Dec. 25, 2013. In the 2015 federal election, Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberals will replace Thomas Mulcair and the federal NDP as the official opposition party of Canada. Thomas Mulcair will once again take the federal NDP down to the traditional 35 or so seats as is the common case when it comes to the NDP. The result of the 2015 federal election will see Stephen Harper remain as the prime minister of Canada. In the 2019 federal election, both Stephen Harper

and Thomas Mulcair will retire and only Justin Trudeau will remain as one of the official leaders. Justin has now begun his apprenticeship, and in the 2019 federal election, Justin will be 48 years old with a great amount of experience in federal politics. Watch out taxpayers, this will be the return of the federal Liberals as the government of Canada. Joe Sawchuk Duncan Find more news, arts and sports from the Cowichan Valley Citizen online at www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY USE PERMIT APPLICATION APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY USE PERMIT Applicable to Electoral Area A – Mill Bay/Malahat Public Notice is hereby given of Temporary Use Permit Application No. 1-A-13TUP which proposes to permit a personal service use within a commercial building located at 2990 Horton Road, located on a parcel of land that is about 0.53 hectares in area. The subject property is outlined on the map below, and is legally described as Lot A, Section 5 and 6, Range 9, Shawnigan District, Plan VIP 52487.

Mary Dolan Chemainus

a highly contentious, multi-million dollar project was a simple oversight. It doesn’t take a conspiracy theorist to recognize that the oil and gas giant made a deliberate attempt to mislead the public in order to gain support for their unpopular project. It is doubly insulting that when this plan backfired, Enbridge pulled the commercial from TV in the hopes that the public would forget about the whole fiasco. This is an individual example of an industry spreading misinformation but it is not an isolated incident. Profit remains the single most important motivating principle of business, far above concern for the public or environment. Therefore, just as we must question information delivered by R.A. Hailey’s “radicals,” we must also question information delivered by everyone else: scientists, governments, businesses, and concerned citizens alike. David Barnes Shawnigan Lake

Madronas Properties has requested a Temporary Use Permit, for up to a three (3) year period, to allow a personal service use (a Chiropractic office) to be established in part of the building on the subject property shown above that is not presently occupied. The Chiropractic office use would commence operations in February 2014. The subject property is presently zoned as Rural Service Commercial 3 Zone (C-3 Zone) within the South Cowichan Zoning Bylaw No. 3520, which permits a wide range of commercial uses, but does not permit a personal service use. The Temporary Use Permit, if approved by the CVRD Board of Directors, would be in effect for a maximum of three (3) years. Should you believe your interests to be affected by the proposed Temporary Use Permit, you may submit your comments in writing, either in person or by mail to the CVRD Planning & Development Office, at 175 Ingram Street, Duncan, BC, V9L 1N8, or faxed to 250-746-2621or emailed to ds@cvrd. bc.ca, from Monday, December 23, 2013 to Wednesday, January 8, 2014 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Any comments received by Wednesday, January 8, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. will be considered by the Regional Board at that evening’s Board meeting, when the resolution to issue the Temporary Use Permit will be considered. A copy of the Temporary Use Permit Application and relevant support material may be examined at the CVRD Planning & Development Office, at 175 Ingram Street, Duncan, BC, from Monday, December 23, 2013 to Wednesday, January 8, 2014 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For further information, please call Dana Leitch, Planner II, Development Services Division, Planning & Development Department at 250-746-2620. The supporting material may also be viewed on the CVRD website at the following address: http://www.cvrd.bc.ca/index. aspx?NID=1282 Please note that the CVRD offices located at 175 Ingram Street will be closed over the Christmas Season from 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 24, 2013 to Wednesday, January 1, 2014. Regular office hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

250-748-2666 ext. 225 arts@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 | Cowichan Valley Citizen

A&E

YEAR IN REVIEW

Showroom closure shocks arts community LEXI BAINAS CITIZEN

“Lost our lease! Everything must go!” T he Cowichan Valley was shocked when genial impresario Longevity John Falkner announced that the Duncan Garage Showroom was closing at the end of November. It came as a surprise to a broad cross-section of the region’s entertainment community as many individual performers and groups had come to rely on the intimate and eclectic venue and when Falkner threw his news onto Facebook Wednesday, Nov. 6, the response was immediate, with dismay the primary emotion. Comments began to pour in. He talked to the Citizen soon after. “I had no idea this morning. I was walking the dogs and I got a notice to come back to the Showroom and there the bailiff had a notice for me: vacate the building by Nov. 30,” he said. “It’s a tragedy, that’s all,” he said of the closure of the tiny venue that has seen acts from quirky to cult from across the country fill its small stage. However, despite receiving dismaying news, Falkner was optimistic about the future.

Longevity John Falkner stunned the Cowichan entertainment world with the announcement of the closure of the Duncan Garage Showroom late in 2013. [CITIZEN FILE] “I’m not looking backwards. This has just made room for a whole new set of adventures. I’m 63, I’m full of energy and I have a lot more knowledge than I had 10 years ago about business. I have branded my name across the

country,” he said. Originally, when Falkner opened the Duncan Garage Showroom more than 10 years ago, there was no guarantee that it would become an eternal part of the downtown scene. “The Showroom did its time. It was only going to be a five-year lease with an option for five more. In my life, doing 10 years was okay. Now, I’m anxious to see what new adventures take place. Of course, we’ll always think bigger and better. There are a whole bunch of opportunities that could arise,” he said. But, as November drew to a close and his friends were circling the wagons, Falkner had another exciting announcement: he was taking his world of entertainment across Duncan to the Silver Bridge Travelodge. “A serendipitous synchronicity” took place when Chris Jones, food and beverage manager and restaurant designer at the hotel contacted him, Falkner said Nov. 24. “I now get a paycheque. I am now the entertainment manager for the Travelodge.” Jones said Nov. 26 that he, too, felt the time was right to act. “I saw an opportunity. Our agenda has been to resurrect the Anglers Tavern and we thought it

would be a great idea to do that with a real pioneer of the entertainment scene here. Longevity John is that, certainly. “I approached him and he was really interested. He had had a lot of other suitors asking him what he wanted to do but it just seemed to be a good fit between myself and the property and him. Falkner’s primary focus will be the pub, to start with but the pair will have their heads together about expanding what is offered at the Silver Bridge. “We’re just going to use our entire property as an outlet for all his connections,” Jones said. Fa l k n e r, t o o, a s t h e ye a r closed, was excited about the possibilities. “We’re looking to put music five nights a week in the pub. We’ll still be able to maintain my Blues Tuesday and some of my open mics. “And, even though there will be alcohol in the tavern I do have access to the banquet room, too, for all-ages events.” Jones said the hotel is also looking forward. “We really want to keep his momentum flowing,” Jones said. “We wouldn’t want him to fade to black and then have to fight all the way back to start up again.”

Closing doors spark community discussion Along with losing the Duncan Garage Showroom, Cowichan Valley residents were also deeply concerned about support for the arts in general as the year closed. The CVRD’s arts and culture manager Kirsten Schrader, riding shotgun on what seems to be an ever-tightening budget, took up the cudgels for Valley residents, asking for permanent money for the arts. A forum she called in November brought forward a lot of questions from a wide range of people and she explained that booking acts into the Cowichan Theatre is no easy job. She also talked about planning for the future when the Cowichan Theatre, and indeed, the Island Savings Centre itself will either need extensive renovation or replacement. Even after the event, many of those attending stayed to discuss what to do about the theatre, which several local performing groups find they can no longer afford to use, and how the CVRD might more broadly back arts and culture endeavours across the Valley.

A year in A&E, Cowichan Valley style: now that’s entertainment! LEXI BAINAS CITIZEN

In February, an award-winning production of Albertine in Five Times, directed by Alex Gallacher and presented in the round at the Duncan Garage Showroom, began what became a remarkable journey for the talented cast. ••• That same month, the South Island Musical Theatre Society presented Oklahoma! to huge and appreciative crowds who were more than ready to toss winter aside for some down home fun. ••• The Chemainus Theatre also opened its run of Buddy, starring Zach Stevenson: a show that was so popular they’ve brought it back for another go this year. ••• Also in early March, Brentwood College students presented In the Heights, bringing a show that should be better known to new friends in the Valley. ••• By mid-March, Shawnigan Lake School was also on stage, with its lively musical, Hairspray, at the Cowichan Theatre. There will be

a change for 2014, though, as the students will present their upcoming musical at their school’s own venue. ••• The Cowichan Music Festival wound up another exciting season of competition with three gala events. ••• Eager actors of all kinds flocked to a casting call in April as the TV show Spooksville announced plans to spend six months filming around the entire Valley. The big white trailers became a common site in many communities as the crew found lots of great backdrops for the series. If it’s renewed, they say they’d love to be back. ••• Cowichan Secondary presented another of its interactive musicals at the school, bringing The Putnam County Spelling Bee to life with lots of enthusiasm. ••• The Cowichan Theatre announced in the spring that pop legend Pat Benatar was coming to Duncan in July. When she arrived, the pint-sized powerhouse showed she can still bring it, big time.

Sunfest stars like Thomas Rhett have everyone in the country groove in August. This year, Tim McGraw promises an even bigger show. [CITIZEN FILE] ••• The 39 Days of July began in June and ended in August, drawing enthusiastic crowds to a variety of events. ••• T he Islands Folk Festival brought folk/pop icon Judy Col-

lins to Providence Farm for a sold out show. ••• Rock of the Woods and Alive Inside were also back in July, adding to the excitement of the summer. •••

By the August long weekend, every eye was on the Cow Ex grounds as Sunfest rolled in with a great lineup of big names, including superstar Alan Jackson, who attracted fans from as far away as Norway for his show. An announcement that Tim McGraw will headline Sunfest 2014 led to a feeding frenzy for tickets and camping reservations and a huge buzz before autumn was over. ••• A highly-successful wine and culinary festival in September benefited from some great weather and so did Mesachie Lake’s annual Nedfest fundraising music festival. ••• The death of David Holmes, a beloved actor and director, led his friends to continue his work leading to a production of Noel Coward’s Hay Fever in November. ••• The Chemainus Theatre ended the year, as it began it, on a high note, with a superb production of that evergreen favourite It’s a Wonderful Life that drew such a great response from theatregoers that more shows had to be added.

A&E

Cowichan Valley Citizen | Wednesday, January 1, 2014

YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE WEEK

After appearing in several different Valley venues, John Reischman has earned himself a whole host of fans that will love the chance to see this talented musician with his newest group, the Pine Siskins in Chemainus. [SUBMITTED]

Reischman brings mandolin to town LEXI BAINAS CITIZEN

Savannah McDonald attends Cowichan Secondary Quamichan Campus. She began flute with Joy Ann Bannerman and also plays piano. Inspired by her grandmother, she loves music and hopes to play in an orchestra someday. COURTESY COWICHANMUSICTEACHERS.COM

The legendary John Reischman will perform here with his new band, the Pine Siskins, at the Chemainus Legion Hall Saturday, Jan. 4 starting at 7:30 p.m. In the world of the acoustic mandolin players and composers, Reischman is top of the heap. He’s renowned for his exquisite taste, tone and impeccable musicianship and as an original member of the Tony Rice Unit, Reischman helped to define a new acoustic instrumental scene in the early 1980s.

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Reischman has just released a new solo CD titled Walk Along, John and has recruited some special musical friends for this event to showcase the music: a great chance to see a group of awardwinning performers. Seattle’s Eli West is an adventurous soloist equally adept at playing fiddle tunes and slow ballads but he’s also adept at bouzouki, mandolin, and clawhammer banjo. Award-winning Trent Freeman can play everything from old-time tunes to modern jazz and excels at playing back-up to the other solo-

ists. He has toured and recorded with many bands and artists such as the Wailin Jennys, Jessie Farrell, The Griffins, Wyclef Jean and The Fretless. Patrick Metzger on bass means great coverage of a wide range of styles from jazz and rock to folk, bluegrass and old time. So, mark your calendars for Jan. 4 and get those tickets today. They’re $15 each. You can buy them online at www.sherpress.com/reischman. html. For more information email showtickets@sherpress.com or call 250-246-1389.

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Year in Review

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 | Cowichan Valley Citizen

Editor’s note: Year in Review: In this edition editorial staff here at the Cowichan Valley Citizen have selected what we considered some of our top stor-

Middle schools get the axe in massive District 79 overhaul

ies of the year, along with some that were just a lot of fun. So here’s a walk down 2013 memory lane with Andrea Rondeau, Lexi Bainas, Sarah Simpson and Kevin Rothbauer. Happy New Year!

LEXI BAINAS CITIZEN

Parents packed the Cowichan Secondary School gym to hear the announcement by government-appointed trustee Mike McKay that reshaped the Valley’s school district. [CITIZEN FILE]

The story of 2013 for the Valley’s public school students and their families began years before. School boards had been periodically pruning their facilities tree for well over a decade but the guillotine really fell on May 15, 2013. That was the day when, before a full house at Cowichan Secondary gymnasium, the governmentappointed trustee, Mike McKay and his local team, including Schools Superintendent Joe Rhodes and Secretary-treasurer Bob Harper, announced a reorganization of the entire district. For some it may have looked like they put everything they had in a huge sack, shook it well and then disgorged the contents onto a table in front of the stunned populace. But, the reaction at the longanticipated and well-attended meeting was surprisingly muted. There had been a series of public talkfests where the district laid out some unpalatable and even painful home truths (schools would be closed to balance the budget) and then tried to find out what everyone really wanted. Some of these sessions had even been held just before Christmas 2012, but a deeply concerned public still came

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out to listen and see if they could make a difference in the decisions hanging over them. Plainly some of the points raised were sharp enough to get through and by the time McKay et al made their announcements in the late spring of this year, there seemed to be a feeling in the audience that the group had lifted every possible rock in an effort to find a way to keep the district viable. There also was a sense of relief among members of the crowd that someone had at last broken a logjam of rhetoric that had piled up for years. Passions frequently have run high in the Cowichan Valley school district — the official trustee himself only arrived after the duly-elected trustees wouldn’t send in a balanced budget — and hardliners on both sides have argued for many years as financial difficulties increased. But deciding to axe the concept

of middle schools has had a lot of quiet support, and addressing the need to find ways to deal with the problem of too many buildings and too few students while recognizing that the French Immersion program is booming has also been obvious to many. Consolidating Cowichan Secondary and Quamichan was an idea whose time probably had come, too, and promised students in both buildings wider opportunities. The vexing question of what to do about schools for Cowichan Lake was not quite answered but simply possessing a beautiful and expensively renovated secondary school complex holds out some kind of future possibility for maintaining a local school there. What has been interesting to observe during the months since the huge changeover is the lack of public complaints. School board meetings used to attract huge galleries and many members of the public waited patiently through hours of oftenrancorous debate to voice their concerns about local educational issues. Today, with only one trustee, the meetings are shorter, meaning questions will be dealt with much earlier in the day, but the crowd is gone. Even specially held, oneissue sessions to hear comment didn’t attract nearly as many people as they have in past years.

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Year in Review

Cowichan Valley Citizen | Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2013: Five top news stories

Members of the Cobble Hill Legion display their flag for one of the last times at the Citizen office, as they visit to tell the newspaper that after 66 years, the branch will be closing due to low membership numbers. Their final function was the Remembrance Day service in Cobble Hill. [LEXI BAINAS/CITIZEN FILE]

RCMP Constable David Pompeo is convicted of aggravated assault for shooting an unarmed man 2013 finally saw the conclusion to the trial of RCMP Constable David Pompeo for the 2009 shooting of William Gillespie. Judge Josiah Wood found that Pompeo, who shot Gillespie during a traffic stop, was guilty of aggravated assault. While Pompeo believed he was in under threat when he fired his weapon, Wood said, his belief was not reasonable. The sentence in the case was controversial, as Wood handed Pompeo just two years probation, and granted an exemption that allows Pompeo to continue to carry a gun, and thus keep his job with the RCMP. Gillespie, who still has the bullet lodged next to his spine, was vocal in his unhappiness with the sentence. The Crown had asked Gillespie serve some time in jail for the offence.

Provincial election

Const. David Pompeoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sentence for aggravated assault was controversial.

www.KenNeal.com Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Ken Neal I have been privileged to live, work and raise my family in the stunning Cowichan Valley. People ask me why do I advertise experience on your side? Selling real estate since 1991, negotiating over 1700 successful sales and receiving some of the highest honours in the industry, this has given me a privileged understanding of the people, schools, organizations, trades, business people, properties and the communities in this incredible place to live. Checking one off my bucket list between 2008 and 2013, I took a 5 year sabbatical for health, family and to pursue a lifelong dream. During this time I personally built 4 homes giving me a great understanding of what is behind the walls of the homes I sell. People ask me what you do. I listen carefully to people, help them overcome obstacles, make it easy for them to buy or sell, treat them as I would my family and the rest just happens. I believe in earning trust through a straight forward approach, fair and honest with no pressure. What makes me different? If I say I will do it, it will be done, constant communication with my clients and I never give up. Now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience on your side.

William C. Seymour was elected chief of Cowichan Tribes.

Residents went to the polls for a provincial election in May, with results that surprised many. Prior to the election all predictions were that the NDP would take power from the reigning Liberals, but on election night, the Liberals came through with a big victory. In the Cowichan Valley ridings, both incumbents, Doug Routley and Bill Routley, retained their seats for the opposition NDP.

Floathome and liveaboard owners in Cowichan Bay feared new rules could force them to weigh anchor In October floating home owners in Cowichan Bay raised the alarm about a new marine zoning bylaw set to move forward that would have essentially forced many of them from the area. The new bylaw unfairly favoured one marina owner over the others, residents complained, and penalized them for sewage issues, when for years theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been asking to be hooked up to the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sewer system. Consultation and changes have led to a positive resolution for most owners, but some are still worried, said liveaboard owner Currie Ellis in December. Outstanding issues include greywater policy, inspection requirements, and the possibility of grandfathering in existing floating homes.

William Seymour is elected chief of Cowichan Tribes: William C. Seymour took the reins of B.C.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest First Nation in December of 2013. It will be his first time serving as chief, though he has served on the band council on numerous occasions. He said housing and education were key issues he will be tackling during his tenure.

The Cobble Hill Legion closes its doors for good: 1947-2013 In September the Cobble Hill Legion announced they were closing their doors due to lack of membership. Remaining legion members were sad to see it go after 66 years, and fondly remembered the years of community service and camaraderie the legion provided.

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Year in Review

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 | Cowichan Valley Citizen

Pictures worth 1,000 words: some of our 2013 favourites

Take a look with Layar! ANDREA RONDEAU CITIZEN

In 2013 the Citizen introduced an exciting new component to our newspaper: Layar. Layar makes our newspaper interactive, by letting you use your smart phone to scan print images, instantly bringing up additional content, such as videos, more photos and links. How do you do this? Just download the free Layar app to your smart phone, scan, and away you go. We’ve had a lot of fun experimenting with Layar this year, and here are some of the images we layared that we like the most. Missed them the first time? Download Layar now and give it a try. You’ll enjoy these fun videos.

INTERACTIVE PRINT

Download the free Layar App

A stop in Duncan by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride created a stunning spectacle. [LEXI BAINAS/CITIZEN FILE]

Vance Driver once again danced his way to the winner’s circle at Duncan’s Got Talent in the summer of 2013. [LEXI BAINAS/CITIZEN FILE]

Don’t you wish you could hear Renata Shaw’s winning song from the Islands Song Contest? Scan and hear it. [LEXI BAINAS/CITIZEN FILE]

Firefighters at work at a house fire on Molly Avenue in July created a dramatic scene. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN FILE]

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Year in Review

Cowichan Valley Citizen | Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Two women remembered, Elliott pleads guilty This story contains some graphic details of the crimes. Reader discretion advised.

ANDREA RONDEAU CITIZEN

From the courtroom to the recording studio to a vigil outside of Vancouver Island University, the echoes of one of our biggest news stories of the year continued to be felt through the months of 2013. This story started in 2010 with the murder of Karrie-Ann Stone, and continued into 2011 with the murder of Cowichan Tribes teenager Tyeshia Jones. Months went by. Then, in April of 2012, police stunned Cowichan Valley residents and members of the Stone and Jones families by announcing the arrest and charge of William Gordon Robert Elliott for both crimes, crimes the police had initially thought were unconnected. More months rolled by as the case wound its way through the justice system with several hearings presaging what many thought would be a lengthy pretrial and trial period. Then, in March of this year, it was announced that the case would proceed by direct indictment to B.C. Supreme Court. This meant Elliott would go to trial with no preliminary hearing. In a shocking development in July, Elliott pleaded guilty in a Victoria courtroom to two counts of second degree murder in the deaths of Stone and Jones. At that hearing family members in the courtroom, including Bev Stone and Mary Jim, the mothers of the victims, heard for the first time details of how their daughters were killed from Crown prosecutor Scott Van Alstine. Elliott beat Karrie-Ann Stone with a baseball bat, then set her on fire while she was still alive. Months later he hit Tyeshia Jones with his truck. She was

injured, but alive and he picked her up and put her in the back of his truck, then drove her to an area behind the Shaker cemetery. After attempting to sexually assault her, he beat her to death. In November Karrie-Ann Stone’s mother spoke to the Citizen about her daughter as a song in KarrieAnn’s honour was recorded at a studio in Lake Cowichan. She described a woman who had a life troubled by sexual abuse as a young teen and a devastating drug addiction. Karrie-Ann, however, was on her way to a different kind of life when she was killed, Bev Stone said. She was furthering her education, fighting her addiction and looking forward to helping others who have been through the same struggles she had. Both Stone and Jones were at the forefront of people’s minds as Cowichan Valley residents gathered Dec. 6 for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. While Elliott has not yet been sentenced, Crown counsel said along with the mandatory life sentence, they will be seeking the maximum period of parole ineligibility, which is 25 years. Sentencing in the case is now set for April 14-17 at the courthouse in Duncan.

Mary Jim holds a photo of her daughter, Tyeshia Jones

Karrie-Ann Stone

Bev Stone and her daughter Paula Haywood look on as musician Loren Halloran and producer Ray Harvey work on Swept Away, a song in honour of the late Karrie-Ann Stone. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN FILE]

Once Upon a Day in Cowichan knocks Valley socks off ANDREA RONDEAU CITIZEN

Valley musicians and landscapes play a huge role in the success of Once Upon a Day in Cowichan. [SUBMITTED]

Hearts swelled in the Cowichan Valley in March when residents got their first look at filmmaker Nick Versteeg’s film Once Upon a Day in Cowichan. From the docks at Cowichan Bay to the Kinsol Trestle and a vineyard in full leaf, the film showcases the Warmland as we’ve never seen it before, and a crowd at a showing held at the Cowichan Theatre March 7 were blown away. The idea behind the film is to bring some excitement to people’s view of the Cowichan Valley. The film succeeded in spades. A five-minute teaser available on Youtube demonstrates what all the buzz and pride is about. Versteeg incorporated many Valley

musicians interpreting Beethoven’s rousing Ode to Joy to give the whole thing a very Cowichan sound, and it simply sweeps the viewer away. This film not only would have anybody anywhere eager to come and see Cowichan for themselves, it has also made residents fall in love all over again with this beautiful place we call home. The film’s launch made for one of the most memorable and heartwarming news stories we were part of in 2013. It has since won a number of awards. The full 45minute film is available on DVD. To see the five-minute teaser, scan this image with the Layar app on your smart phone or go to www.cowichan valleycitizen.com

Year in Review

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 | Cowichan Valley Citizen

Quick and dirty timeline (2013): FEBRUARY • Backed by conservation and bylaw

officers, Ministry of Environment staff established a roving surveillance process for monitoring dumping traffic in the Shawnigan Basin. It included tracking the origin of trucked material and sampling for contaminants after the loads were dumped. MARCH • The Ministry of Environment released

Hundreds attended rallies in 2013’s first quarter to speak their minds about the proposal by South Island Aggregates to dump contaminated soil in their watershed. [LEXI BAINAS/CITIZEN]

Contaminated soil fight rallies South Cowichan SARAH SIMPSON CITIZEN

It’s a fight that dates back years but things really heated up over the last 12 months. The dirty dirt saga continued to make headlines throughout the 2013 calendar year, with non-stop action — some events making headlines and even more occurring behind the scenes — on the issue of contaminated soils being trucked into the Valley, perilously close to the drinking water supply of upwards of 7,000 Shawnigan Lake residents. “This has been a very challenging situation that has occupied much time and taken up many resources in both 2012 and 2013,” CVRD Board Chair Rob Hutchins admitted. At the centre of the battle is an application by and subsequent permit issued to South Island Aggregates (SIA) to establish a soil remediation facility in the Shawnigan watershed — an operation that could see up to 100,000 tonnes of contaminated soil every year for the next 50 years treated there. The issue is much bigger than first thought and will take well into 2014 and even beyond to resolve, according to Cobble Hill Dir. Gerry Giles, the chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s soil relocation committee. “The application by SIA to establish a contaminated soil facility in the Shawnigan Lake watershed has brought into sharp focus just how much soil, contaminated or

not, is being brought into South Cowichan and the Cowichan Valley in general,” Giles said. “As the CVRD became aware of the volume of material being dumped in the Valley, it tried a number of different strategies to deal with this situation.” Both Hutchins and Giles said that although the CVRD has built a more cooperative relationship with the Ministry of Environment over the past year, “this has not halted or slowed the significant tonnage of material flowing into our Valley from our neighbours to the south,” Giles noted. The continued growth of SIA’s infrastructure and the steady movement of soil to, from, and near the Cowichan Valley has kept Shawnigan Lake Dir. Bruce Fraser, the vice chair of the CVRD’s soils relocation committee, on high alert. In November, the CVRD and Shawnigan Residents Association learned their request for a stay had been granted. SIA’s importation of material had to stop pending the appeal of their permit. While the appeal will be heard in March and April 2014, SIA’s work on other fronts has continued. “SIA is rapidly proceeding with site construction because it is only the import of contaminated soil to the site that was prevented by the stay,” Fraser explained. “SIA appears to be supremely confident that they will either win the appeal or have cabinet finally rule in their favour. There is also a stream of material arriving by

barge at the Bamfield terminal that is being trucked to a gravel pit on the Malahat Reserve. Is this the material that SIA contracted to receive but can’t under the stay?” Fraser wonders if the company has received some help with local stockpiling on a federally administered site that is beyond the reach of provincial jurisdiction. There are more questions than answers at this point. As for 2014? “We’ll see further dialogue between the CVRD and MOE, which will hopefully ensure the necessary regulations and resources are in place to end the practice of dumping of contaminated soil,” Hutchins said. Meanwhile, the Shawnigan Residents Association (SRA) has vowed to keep up the fight in the coming year. “Shawnigan Lake is not Victoria’s dirty soil dump. Our community has spoken and the SRA has listened and taken action, we do not want a contaminated soil dump in the basin of our watershed,” said spokesman Jason Walker. “We must protect our right to clean water and the future of our community at all costs. The SRA believes in the right to clean, safe, drinkable, livable and swimmable water. This permit in no way balances the risk to the people of Shawnigan Lake, nor the health, economic and long term negative impact a contaminated soil dump will have on our community.”

a draft permit to Cobble Hill Holdings Ltd. (South Island Aggregates) to establish a soil remediation facility in the Cowichan Valley. This was the first time that the public was made aware of the wide array of toxic chemicals that were to be allowed on the site for processing and landfilling and that there would be problems of air quality as well as water quality among the risks. • (March 25) Ahead of the May provincial elections, party lines disappeared during a public meeting to discuss what the community could do to stop the proposed dumping of contaminated industrial soils in the Shawnigan Lake watershed. All four Cowichan Valley riding candidates put pen to paper — on two documents — supporting the community’s call for the Ministry of Environment to forego issuing a dumping permit to South Island Aggregates until the community’s concerns have been adequately addressed and more science-based studies could be done. • (March 27) The CVRD wrote to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall asking he intervene in what the CVRD dubbed “a short-term and long term threat to the drinking water of more than 7,000 people living in Shawnigan Lake.” • Dr. Kendall insisted that the MOE permit review process take more effective measures to address the acknowledged public health aspects created by the inherent risks of the contaminated soil facility in the headwaters of a community watershed. APRIL • Roadside placard waving, appeals to

other regional governments and more kicked off in April, by those opposing tainted soil dumping in the Shawnigan watershed. • The Ministry of Environment released information confirming samples taken from Cowichan dumpsites in 2012 were contaminated. • (April 26) SRA announces it has retained lawyers to represent the people of Shawnigan Lake to fight the SIA permit. MAY • The CVRD board set aside $150,000 in

gas tax funds to search for an appropriate remote dumpsite for contaminated waste within Cowichan’s borders. • The Ministry did not take up the CVRD offer to work with the MOE in finding a suitable site within the regional district that did not compromise a community water supply. • The SIA began fundraising for its legal defence team. JULY • Two more government scientists

(Mortensen and Evans) expressed concern with the sufficiency of the testing that has been done in support of the landfill. AUGUST • (Aug. 21) The Ministry of Environment

issued a permit to Cobble Hill Holdings Ltd. (South Island Aggregates) to establish a soil remediation facility in the Cowichan Valley. No-one in the community was surprised, as it had always appeared that the permit would be issued and that all that was to be done was to establish the conditions, not the basic validity of taking such a risk with the Shawnigan Watershed in the first place. • The Cowichan Valley Regional District and SRA announced they would appeal the permit. SEPTEMBER • (Sept. 11) The SRA filed to stay the

permit. • (Sept. 16) The CVRD opposition to the

SIA permit was presented in workshops and sessions at the UBCM meeting in Vancouver and the resolution prepared by the CVRD was passed. OCTOBER • Tempers flared after multiple instances

in which spray paint was used to tag specific signs in the Shawnigan area with the “SIA” acronym. • The CVRD officially asked that South Island Aggregates halt all work on its soil remediation facility and landfill until such time as its appeal has been heard. • The CVRD filed their application to the Environmental Appeal Board for a “stay” shortly after it appealed to the province for the SIA permit to be rescinded because of threats to drinking water, zoning bylaw infractions and land governance issues. • The CVRD also filed a request for a Supreme Court ruling on the primacy of CVRD land use zoning bylaws that prohibit the transfer of contaminated soil into the Shawnigan Basin and the processing and landfilling of that material. • CVRD and SRA members conferred and agreed to have their legal teams collaborate in the appeal proceedings in order to avoid costly duplication and to make best use of their respective strengths. • (Oct. 25) In response to its request for confidentiality, SIA was told the process will remain a public one. NOVEMBER • (Nov. 15) The Environmental Appeal

Board accepted the arguments of the SRA and CVRD and issues a stay order, preventing any contaminated soil being brought on the SIA property under the permit while the appeal is heard. • MOE tests of Shawnigan basin dump sites conducted earlier in the year became available and proved that every single site contained contaminated soil that would have required a Contaminated Soil Relocation Permit but none were applied for by the offending land owners and transport companies. • The Environmental Appeal board announced a four-week hearing would be held on SIA’s permit in Victoria in March and early April 2014.

Year in Review

Cowichan Valley Citizen | Wednesday, January 1, 2014

North Cowichan gardener Jora Dale shows off his prized bananas. [SARAH SIMPSON/CITIZEN FILE]

Bananas buoying through bunch of bad news SARAH SIMPSON CITIZEN

The summer of 2013 wasn’t a terrible time for me personally, but the things going on in the community were not as peachy. Bad news about good people seemed to keep finding its way to my desk. I had to be the one to share that bad news. Shoulders starting to sag, headache beginning to grow in sympathy with those suffering directly from all this tragedy and turmoil, I had no idea at the start of August that I was about to write about the death of 41-year-old logger Ryan Burch after being struck by a falling tree while working off the Meade Creek Mainline west of Lake Cowichan. He left behind a wife and four young children. I could never have imagined writing about the death of 13-yearold Selena Natasha Joe, who died after being struck by two vehicles while crossing the intersection of the Trans Canada Highway and Boys Road late one night. I didn’t know I would write about the body of 16-year-old Kaitlin Brooke Heidelbach being recovered in the Twin Falls trail area near Ladysmith after she had fallen and died while out for a hike. Already depressed about the sheer quantity of bad news I was disseminating though the Citizen, I put out a call for happy news. I needed to stop the downward spiral of my mood, and it seemed the community also really needed

a reason to grin. As luck would have it, I met Jora Dale. A quiet man whose hearty mustache couldn’t contain his gentle smile, he had an obvious appreciation of life’s simple pleasures. It couldn’t have taken much longer than a half an hour to meet Mr. Dale and his family outside their home to have a chat and take some photos. It probably took the same amount of time once I got back to the office to write his story. But that hour, thanks to Dale and his banana tree, turned my summer around. Jora Dale is pretty proud of his banana tree. The North Cowichan gardener’s tropical tree is the showpiece of his front yard and a talking point for many a passerby. “It’s beautiful,” he said. “A lot of people tell me that.” A birthday present about five years ago, when he first planted it, the tree was only about 18 inches tall. Now it’s nearly 18 feet tall. “It’s never grown this big before,” Dale’s daughter Pavan Dale explained. “He’s really proud of his banana tree.” But something is most certainly different about the tree this summer — something that adds to the family man’s pride and to the neighbourhood chatter. “This is the first summer it has actually grown bananas,” Pavan

has the tree producing bananas Dale believes. It’s the heat. “It’s nice and hot this year. That’s why,” he said. “In India you’d see 50 bananas on this tree already.” But given he’s living in relatively cool climes of Duncan, he’s pretty pleased to have just the one.

The beginnings of bananas were clearly visible. [SARAH SIMPSON/CITIZEN FILE] said. “In this Valley it’s not even possible to grow bananas if you Google it,” she added with a laugh. “People have been walking by and everyone who has seen it is just amazed because it’s actually not heard of to grow bananas here. People are blown away. It’s unreal.” Because it seems to be growing with reckless abandon, Dale has taken to pulling out the smaller offshoots and passing them off to friends, family and neighbours so they, too, can try their luck. “There’s lots coming up,” he said with a laugh. Since planting the one small tree years ago, about a dozen giant trunks now make up the base of the tree. Clippings have gone as near as

the next-door neighbour and as far away as to Calgary with family. “Everybody says ‘no, no bananas here’ and I say ‘yes, bananas are coming’,” the green thumb said. “I’m serious. In the last couple of weeks they’ve been coming up.” He typically cuts the tree’s various shoots right back for the winter months and every spring they begin to grow back. But Dale said this year he experimented and didn’t trim a few of the stalks like he usually does. It was one of those untouched pieces that is beginning to bear fruit. He’ll do the same next year, just to see what happens. “I’ll leave a few and the rest I’ll cut.” It’s not his pruning schedule that

I thought it would be a simple fluff piece — a good-news story that would give me the mental boost I needed between writing the misery that is so often my hard news beat. It turned out to be a story that buoyed me through no fewer than three fatal accident stories, and for some time thereafter as well, as my phone began to ring and my email inbox filled with the stories of others and their banana-growing endeavours. One such response came from a Robert M. Browne — all the way from Costa Rica. He gently broke it to me they are banana plants not banana trees. Oops. I also got a letter from Lisa Macquarrie’s banana tree in Maple Bay. The plethora of responses reminded me that as a reporter it’s not always about writing the late-breaking, hard-hitting stories. Sometimes it’s the lighter humaninterest stories of our friends, neighbours, and of total strangers that are what we really need — if only to escape for a while the harsh realities of everyday news.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 | Cowichan Valley Citizen

Does your mouse ... need a house? Real Estate Guide

Cowichan Valley Citizen | Wednesday, January 1, 2014

VALLEY Calendar Miscellaneous • Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2-3 p.m. how to download ebooks onto tablets, ipads, and wifi enabled e-readers. Friday, Jan. 10, 3:30-4:30 p.m. how to download ebooks onto kobos, computers and older e-readers. Info and register: 250-746-7661. • Cowichan Fish and Game Association hosting Canadian Firearm Safety Course (non-restricted and restricted) starting Friday, Jan. 10, 2014. Info and registration: Mike 250-748-0319. • Raffle tickets at South Island Fireplace & Spas for Tansor Elementary fundraising for earthquake preparedness supplies and emergency shelter. Tickets $20 for chance to win 3 cords of split wood and 7 prizes of 1 cord of split wood. Only 1,500 tickets available. Info: tansorfirewood@shaw.ca • Friendly Visitors wanted! Volunteer Cowichan program connects an isolated or lonely senior in the community with a Friendly Visitor. Interested? Call 250-748-2133. • ShoDai Peace Chant new location Nichiren Peace Centre, Johnny Bear and Cambrai Road. Meditation Thursdays, 7 p.m., Discovery Sunrise Sundays, 10 a.m. Website: www.viretreats. com. Info: 250-710-7594. Email: peace@ viretreats.com

Seniors • Chemainus Seniors Drop-in Centre dance with Happy Hans Dec. 31, bar opens at 8 p.m., dance begins 9 p.m. Tickets $20, includes light lunch. • Chemainus Seniors Drop-in Centre soup and sandwich, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 11:30 a.m., cost $5, entertainment: Cliff Marcail. • Chemainus Seniors Drop-in Centre blood pressure clinic, Jan. 15, 9:30-11 a.m. • Chemainus Seniors Drop-in Centre pancake breakfast Jan. 18, 9-10:30 a.m., $5. • Chemainus Seniors Drop-in Centre

Valentine Concert with Saskia & Darrel, Feb. 15, 2-4 p.m., $10. Tickets on sale Jan. 2 at the seniors centre. 250-246-2111. • Chemainus Seniors Drop-in Centre choirs. Mens Choir Mondays, 9-10:30 a.m.; Ladies Choir Mondays, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m.; Mixed Choirs Fridays 1011:30 a.m. • Chemainus 55+ drop in centre muffin mornings Wednesday and Friday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Come and meet new friends. • Are you 55 or older and bored? Why not join the Valley Seniors Organization in Duncan? Located at 198 Government St., open 6 days a week, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Bus trips, carpet bowling, whist, bridge, cribbage, 3 bands, a choir. Info: 250-746-4433. • Weekly bingo, Tuesdays, 12 p.m., Valley Seniors Centre, Duncan. Info: 250-746-4433. Chemainus 55+ drop in centre bridge for beginners Thursdays, 1 p.m. Info: Al Taylor 250-246-4134. • Last bingo Dec. 9. Resumes Jan. 6. Chemainus Seniors Drop-in Centre Bingo every Monday, doors open 4:45 p.m., starts 6:40 p.m. Loonie pot, GBall, bonanza, 50/50 draw. • Chemainus Seniors Centre bridge classes: Monday 1-4 p.m., Tuesday pairs 7:30-9:30 p.m., Friday pairs 1-4 p.m. Duplicate bridge Wednesday, 1-4 p.m. Crib Classes 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

Recreation • Bingo for over 19s, Seniors Activity Centre (198 Government St., Duncan), Tuesday, 12 p.m. a.m. Early Bird Draw, Loonie Pot, Odd and Even, Number Seven and Bonanza. Info: 250-746-4433. • New chess club at Duncan Library, Monday evenings 6-8 p.m. All ages and skill levels welcome. • Cowichan Valley Scottish Country Dancing Thursday evenings 6:30-8 p.m., singles, couples, beginners wel-

come, Chemainus Seniors Centre. Info: 250-748-9604. • Calling all chess players, every Wednesday, 1-4 p.m. All levels welcome. Info: 250-743-8740. • Interested in rocks? The Cowichan Valley Rockhounds meet the third Monday of each month, 7 p.m., Duncan Airport. Info: 250-743-3769. • Duncan Badminton Club, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8-10 p.m., Multipurpose Hall, Island Savings Centre. Recreational and ladder. All welcome. Info: 250-746-4380. • Beginners meditation, Wednesdays, 6:30-7 p.m., regular meditation, 7-8 p.m. Info: email peace@viretreats. com or 250-710-7594. • Drop in table tennis, Monday and Thursday, 7-9 p.m., Queen of Angels School. All ages welcome, coaching available. Drop in fee $3. Info: Frank 250-748-0566 or email fe0540@telus. net

Meetings • Cowichan Valley Arthritis Support Group monthly meeting Monday, Jan. 6, 1 p.m., St. John’s Church Hall, Duncan. Speaker: Lisa McCormick from Wells Grey Tours on travel services/packages for those with mobility issues. • Next Chemainus Garden Club meeting Tuesday, Jan. 7, 1p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 3319 River Rd. “All About Poinsettias” by members. $2 drop-in fee, $15 yearly membership. Info: 250-246-1207. Funds from garden tour went to food bank, LAFF, Neighbourhood House and a bursary. • Divorce Care, ministering with video presentation and small group discussion to help people come to grips with pain of divorce and begin rebuilding their lives in God’s care. Meeting Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jan. 15 to April 2, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 531 Herbert St., Duncan. No children’s session. Info: www.divorcecare.org, register:

250-746-7413. • TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Cowichan Valley chapters meetings: BC 1376, Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Sundance Room, Duncan United Church; BC 4311, Thursdays, 4:30 p.m., Kidz Co 2, 2739 James St.; BC 1395 Thursdays, 8:30 a.m., Brunt Room, Somenos Hall, 3248 Cowichan Valley Hwy.; BC 2933, Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m., Dining Room, 3550 Watson Rd., Cobble Hill; BC 5295, Wednesdays, 5 p.m., 9909 Esplanade St., Chemainus. Info: Dianne 250-7431851 or connerly@telus.net • SLAA meeting Mondays 7 p.m. A 12-step recovery program for those wishing to recover from sex and love addiction. Information: 1-250-592-1916 or 250-748-1238. • Feeling stuck in your life? Same old problems popping up? Practice using tools based on A Course in Miracles to create a new and joyful life experience. Meet Tuesday, 7-9 p.m., Nitnat Room, Island Savings Centre, Duncan. Cost $20 or by donation. Info: Dawn Green 250-619-5529. • Cowichan Valley Prostate Cancer Group monthly meetings the last Thursday of every month. Canadian Cancer Society board room in Duncan, 7 p.m. Meet and talk with survivors and others. Info: Gord 250-743-6960. • Toastmasters noon hour club. Duncan Travelodge, noon to 1 p.m. Learn and improve public speaking and communications skills. Info: www. cowichantoastmasters.com • Cobble Hill Women’s Institute meets in the small room of the Cobble Hill hall, noon pot luck lunch, second Wednesday of the month. New members welcome. Info: Jessie Anderson 250-743-9040. • Dads Make a Difference weekly support group for Dads Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., West Coast Men office, 80 Station St., Ste 213. Info: 250-597-2801 or www. westcoastmen.org • Men’s Circle (West Coast Men’s Support Society) Wednesdays, 7-9:30 p.m., Cowichan Station Hub, East Annex.

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Arts • Ladysmith Camera Club meeting Jan. 28, 7 p.m., Hardwick Hall, High Street at 3rd Ave., Ladysmith. $5 dropin fee for non-members. Info: www. LadysmithCameraClub.com • Warmland Calligraphers 16th annual calligraphy show and sale, Jan. 25-Feb. 27, The Loft Gallery, Valley Vines to Wines, Mill Bay Shopping Centre, Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m.5 p.m. • Cowichan Valley Artisans year round studio tour: 14 professional studios to explore. From Mill Bay to Ladysmith. www.cowichanvalleyartisans.com. Admission free. • Cherry Point artists weekly painting sessions (September to June), Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Cowichan Exhibition fairgrounds. Experienced and beginners welcome. Info: Jack 250-746-4795 or Olive 250-746-8020.

Music • Cowichan Consort Orchestra rehearsal Mondays, 7:30 p.m. Sylvan United Church. Come play with us. All strings welcome. Info: 748-8982. • Cowichan Consort Choir Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., Sylvan United Church. Come sing with us. Info: 743-7445.

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Directions: www.cowichanstation. org. Info: 250-597-2801 or www.westcoastmen.org • Multicultural Leadership Group. Drop in and volunteer on Thursdays after school until 5:30 p.m. Come when you can and leave when you have to. Heritage Hall, Duncan United Church. Info: Lori Austein lori@cis-iwc.org • Living with Cancer Support Group meets the last Friday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Cancer Society Office, Unit 100, 394 Duncan St., Duncan. Anyone with cancer and their caregivers welcome. Info: 250-746-4134.

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Wednesday, January 1, 2014 | Cowichan Valley Citizen

Cowichan reigns in 2013 The Cowichan Secondary Thunderbirds won their long-awaited provincial girls AAA rugby championship in May, beating Carson Graham to take their first B.C. title since 1998. Cow High also won the provincial rugby sevens title. In the provincial AA tournament, Shawnigan Lake School beat Brentwood College for bronze. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]

Shawnigan Lake School continued to dominate high school boys rugby in B.C., beating St. George’s 17-12 in the final in June for a fifth consecutive AAA title. Brentwood College beat Rockridge in the AA bronze-medal game, while Cowichan Secondary was 14th in the AAA tourney. [SUMBITTED PHOTO]

When Cowichan Secondary and the Cowichan Valley Wrestling club hosted provincials in March, Maegan Kuruvita won gold for the host school in the 64kg weight class. Hannah Lauridsen placed second at 60kg and Randi Thomas finished fourth at 90kg as Cow High placed second in B.C. Also from the CVWC, Faye Tuck won gold in the girls 51kg class, and Nolan Mitchell won gold in the boys 45kg class. Kuruvita, Lauridsen, Tuck, Mitchell, Thomas, Molly O’Donnell, Chelsea Warke and Kayden Dorma qualified for nationals in Saskatoon in April, where Thomas finished second in the 90kg juvenile girls division, and Mitchell was third among 46kg juvenile boys. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN]

After missing the playoffs in 2012/13, the junior A Cowichan Valley Capitals were officially sold in March to Saskatchewan businessman Cory Wanner, with Bob Beatty taking over behind the bench as head coach for the start of the 2013/14 season.

Natalia Garriock set a Duncan Stingrays club record in the 100m butterfly at Western Nationals in February, ranking 20th in Canada, then broke the record again at the B.C. AAA meet in July. She also became the fifth Stingray ever to qualify for senior nationals.

Brentwood College School grad and Shawnigan Lake native Dani Robb (left) helped Canada’s U20 women’s rugby team to gold in the Nations Cup tournament in July, the first time Canada has ever won a top-level international XV tourney, beating the U.S., England and South Africa.

[KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN]

Cowichan FC earned what coach Glen Martin called the biggest win in local soccer history, beating Langley FC 2-1 in April to move past the provincial quarterfinals for the first time. The team bowed out in the semifinal against West Vancouver. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]

The Cowichan Women’s Football League’s Crew won the elusive Triple Crown of Flag Football: first taking the CWFL regular-season title and playoff championships, then winning Sun Bowl XXVIII, the team’s first Sun Bowl title since 2006. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]

Cowichan won bronze as hosts of the bantam Tier 1 provincial tournament in March, behind only the stacked North Shore and Burnaby winter club teams. Defenceman Josh Anderson, above and forward Dawson Haines were drafted in the WHL Bantam Draft in May, Anderson going third overall to Prince George, and Haines 71st to Moose Jaw. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN]

Opting to field an A1 team when the Cowichan Valley Lacrosse Association usually goes with A2, the midget Cowichan Thunder proved they weren’t outmatched by winning bronze at the provincial championships in Port Coquitlam in July. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]

Sports

Cowichan Valley Citizen | Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Chicago Bains (above left) led a brilliant year for the Cowichan Valley’s track and field stars, highlighted when she was named the top female athlete at the Canadian Youth Legion Track & Field Championships in August. Bains broke a 31-year-old national record in the U16 80m hurdles, and added gold in the 200m hurdles and 4x100m relay. Ben Williams placed fourth in triple jump and high jump, and seventh in long jump, and later joined Bains among BC Athletics’ midget Athletes of the Year. Also reaching nationals were Taryn Smiley (above right), Liam and Nicole Lindsay, Casey Heyd and Tia Baker. Frances Kelsey grad Agnes Esser also had a great year in the sport, taking gold in discus and silver in shot put at the Canada Summer games, and placing fourth in shot put and fifth in discus at the Pan Am junior championships. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN]

The Duncan Nationals (above) claimed the bronze medal at the midget AA baseball provincials held at Evans Park, and the Duncan Red Sox won the B.C. mosquito AAA Tier II title in Mission. In pee wee baseball, Brady Radcliffe and Cam LeSergent of the Duncan Cardinals joined the Burnaby Braves for the Western Championships, where they won gold. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN] Duncan’s Lindsay Hodgins became the first pitcher from B.C. to win a world championship, taking the girls’ title at the World Horseshoe Tournament in Utah in July and August. Hodgins was the Canadian junior girls champ in 2012. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN]

Chemainus product and NHLer Ron Andruff, veteran News Leader Pictorial sports reporter Don Bodger, baseball and softball gurus Larry Irving and Ron (Sonny) Collinson, and the Chemainus Blues senior men’s hockey team were inducted into the North Cowichan/Duncan Sports Wall of Fame in November.

Owned by George Robbins and Darcia Doman, Cobble Hill’s Herbie D won the prestigious Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs in August, then cleaned up at the B.C. thoroughbred awards in December.

[KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN]

[LEXI BAINAS/CITIZEN]

For the second time in three years, Shawnigan Lake School won the AA girls field hockey provincial title in November, capping it off with a 2-1 win over Crofton House in the final. Cowichan Secondary placed fourth at the AAA tournament, while Frances Kelsey had just one loss and won the consolation bracket. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]

At the end of November, the Cowichan Piggies beat Velox Academy 24-5 to secure their first Times Cup title in several years. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]

Pat Kay, a product of Cowichan Secondary and the Cowichan Rugby Football Club, was named captain of the national U20 side, played with the development team at World Games in Colombia, and made the senior sevens team, who called on him to play in an IRB World Series match. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN]

Cow High grad Miranda Mann overcame the tragic death of her father, Les, to finish the season and win the CIS’s Gail Wilson Award for outstanding contributions to the sport, then, along with former Cowichan teammate Caitlin Evans, claim a national field hockey title for UBC. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN]

The midget Cowichan Bulldogs finished second in the Vancouver Mainland Football League with a 9-1 record in the regular season, then thumped the Victoria Spartans 36-0 in the quarterfinals before bowing out against eventual champions Nanaimo in the semifinal. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN]

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Wednesday, January 1, 2014 | Cowichan Valley Citizen