Comox Valley Echo - March 18, 2014

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Volume 20, No. 22

Legal and financial grenade tossed into Maple Pool case By Philip Round Echo Staff

Greg Wesson (right) discusses the latest developments in the case with Maple Pool Campground owner Jin Lin.

‘I do not want to be homeless again’ Greg Wesson’s story - in his own words By Philip Round Echo Staff Greg Wesson has lived in a fifth-wheel trailer at Maple Pool Campground for seven years. He bought it with insurance money he got after both his legs were crushed in a motor vehicle accident. Wesson (58) continues to have both physical and mental health issues that prevent him from working, so he receives a monthly disability payment from the government of $906 a month. He has no other assets or source of income. Now Justice Robin Baird in the Supreme Court of BC has ruled he can become a key part of the case where the City of Courtenay is pursuing enforcement action against the campground for not being in compliance with current zoning bylaws. If the City is successful, it could see the site shut down and more than 50 vulnerable resi-

dents - including Wesson - left with finding somewhere else to live. Although the City’s case is not against Wesson personally, lawyer Lee Mayzes, acting on his behalf and without cost to him, has now been given permission to intervene to demonstrate the potential human impact of the City’s position on residents of Maple Pool. Here is Greg Wesson’s story - in his own words: “Prior to living at Maple Pool, I was homeless for at least five years. I found being homeless to be extremely difficult. “Although at times I was able to sleep on friends’ couches, I mostly lived outdoors in a tent near the Puntledge River. In this climate it was very difficult to stay warm and dry; it was also very hard to obtain and cook proper food. (Continued on page 2)

The Supreme Court judge in the Maple Pool Campground case has tossed a legal and financial grenade into the proceedings. And last night Courtenay City Council was holding an ‘in-camera’ session with the press and public excluded to consider what to do next. In a judgment handed down by Justice Robin Baird in Vancouver, an application by two campground residents to be added as defendants in the case of the City of Courtenay versus site owner Jin Lin was granted. And that could be highly significant, as the lawyer representing the two, Lee Mayzes, is building her case on constitutional grounds. She argues the residents’ Charter rights would be violated if the City wins its case and enforces its zoning bylaws, depriving vulnerable people of their homes. The case is no longer as straightforward as it once seemed to be, and could continue for months or even years until it is resolved - and rack up legal bills for City taxpayers way in excess of the six-figure sum already incurred. And as well as allowing residents Greg Wesson and Ross Osmond the right to intervene, the Judge has also ruled they are entitled to costs to date. In Justice Baird’s reasons for judgment, he says that while many years ago Maple Pool operated as a campsite in the more traditional sense of a vacation location, “the evidence suggests pretty plainly that, in recent times and certainly since well before the defendant (Jin Lin) purchased it - it has become a de facto low income housing project.” He adds: “I gather that if the campsite is shut down, the homeless population in Courtenay will double overnight.” The bylaw cited by the City in its injunction against the site came into force in 2007 “some 12 years after the defendant purchased and took over operation of the campsite.” That bylaw prohibits the occupation of

‘They are looking to rip the place apart and get rid of everybody’ - Lawyer Lee Mayzes

‘I gather that if the campsite is shut down, the homeless population in Courtenay will double overnight’ - Judge Robin Baird mobile homes or trailers as dwelling units or sleeping quarters anywhere in the municipality except sites specifically zoned for the purpose. Maple Pool did not have such zoning. There has been much debate - even among elected officials - about whether the council’s legal action was actually intended to force the closure of the campground and result in the effective eviction of the tenants. Some suggested a lesser impact was intended, especially since the Council invited Lin to submit a rezoning application. But the judge appears to be in no doubt. He notes the City is seeking six orders against Lin, and they include not only “to permanently cease using the property as a campground” but also “to remove from the property all campground sites, all mobile homes or recre (Continued on page 2)

Elderly resident overwhelmed by upwelling of support Anonymous citizen refills heating oil tank emptied by thief By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff A flame has been rekindled in the home of Christina Cox as donations poured in over the past few days and an anonymous citizen stepped up to the plate to pay for the full cost of refilling a heating oil tank emptied by thieves. After her story appeared in Friday’s edition of the Echo, about 10 readers picked up the phone to inquire about what they could do to make certain the famed basket weaver won’t have to work and sleep in the cold. Through the pouring rain Saturday a Columbia Fuels driver showed up at Cox’s home on 11th Street in Courtenay to fill up her tank, after a

woman who didn’t want her identity known preauthorized a credit card payment of $1,500 to ensure the 81-year-old had fuel. “It made me feel good because I didn’t expect it,” said Cox, with a big smile on her face at home Monday. “A warm place is better than cold to work.” In addition to the anonymous donor, Courtenay Baptist Church and Northgate Foursquare Church each pitched in $200 while an additional donor gave $500. The Comox Valley RCMP were called with a report of oil theft at her home Feb. 27, once Cox discovered it had vanished, after spending a month dealing with the aftermath of a heart attack. “When she returned she noticed that all her oil was missing,” said RCMP detachment spokesperson Don Sinclair. “We also received another report from a gentleman on the 4700 block of Headquarters Road. He was expecting an order of fuel oil for 200 L and he was surprised to find that he needed 1,000 L to fill it.” (Continued on page 2)

Christina Cox, 81, examines the new lock on her heating tank cap as daughter Samantha Christiansen smiles, content her mom has now been looked after.

A2 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014

News

Comox Valley Weather

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Tuesday, 18 March Periods of rain. Windy in the evening. High 8°C.

Wednesday, 19 March Periods of rain. Low 5°C. High 10°C.

Thursday, 20 March Sunny. Low 1°C. High 9°C.

Friday, 21 March A mix of sun and cloud. Low 1°C. High 9°C.

Saturday, 22 March A mix of sun and cloud. Low 2°C. High 10°C.

For the latest Comox Valley Weather visit: www.comoxvalleyecho.com my home. “I lived at Maple Pool during the floods of 2009 and 2010. The only problem I experienced was my feet getting wet - at no time did I experience any fear for myself or my property. “I no longer have any of my insurance proceeds left. If Maple Pool were to be shut down, I would not be able to afford the gasoline or the insurance fees to move my trailer. “Also I do not believe that there is any other trailer site in Courtenay that I could afford. Because of this, I would have to abandon my trailer. “Given my circumstances, I believe that if Maple Pool were to be shut down I would once again became homeless. I do not want to be homeless again.”

Norovirus outbreak declared over By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff Island Health declared the norovirus outbreak that caused 32 seniors and about 20 staff at the Comox Valley Seniors Village to fall ill officially over Friday. According to Rowena Rizzotti, vp of operations with Retirement Concepts, which owns the Headquarters Road facility, commended the combined efforts of staff, family members and the health authority in containing the virus. “We have been fully clear,” Rizzotti said. “We’re back to normal operations.” As of March 17, all Vancouver Island norovirus outbreaks had been declared over. Under protocols that come into play in

these situations admissions and visitations were restricted for Comox Valley Seniors Village and Casa Loma, which are both located on the same campus. “We try to minimize all visitation,” she said, adding there is extra work that the staff is required to carry out to be extra careful. “It requires absolutely everyone on the entire campus to step up all their efforts to minimize the effects of the outbreak.” Even though it made it more difficult for families to connect with their loved ones, Rizzotti said people were quite helpful. Families that did need to come were asked to glove up. “People are very cooperative,” she said. “They understand these are vulnerable people.”

Woman put away for 2 months on shoplifting, drug crimes By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff

Greg Wesson

‘I do not want to be homeless again’ (Continued from page 1) “In addition, I had encounters with, and was very afraid of, bears - this was particularly true when I did have food in my tent. “I also constantly had to hide from both the authorities and from other people who might have wanted to rob or otherwise harm me. It was a very lonely and difficult existence. “While homeless, I had periodic bouts of stomach illness every three or four months and for which I was hospitalized on certain occasions. “Shortly after I received the insurance proceeds from the motor vehicle accident, I bought the fifth-wheel trailer because I wanted something permanent. “I knew that my insurance funds would not last forever and that the monthly disability payment is not enough to cover apartment rent, utilities and food. “In other words, I knew that if I rented an apartment I would eventually be homeless again. “When I bought the trailer, I looked around for places to put it. Maple Pool was the only place that I could afford. “Since coming to live at Maple Pool, both my physical and mental health have improved greatly. I no longer have the periodic stomach illness I suffered from while homeless. “Also, although I have had difficulty in the past interacting with people, I was able to take a course in disease awareness and prevention, and volunteered for a time helping others on the street (at the campground). “The owners of Maple Pool, the Lins, are extremely caring people - among other things, they often cook wonderful food for the residents. Sometimes this is for a special occasion; sometimes it is just because of the type of people that they are. “I care greatly for the Lins and others who live at Maple Pool. They are my community. Maple Pool is

Support after oil theft (Continued from page 1) Police don’t know the reason for the activity or if these two apparent thefts are related or not, but, Sinclair says, with the rising cost of oil there could be a motive for criminals to spring into action. “Somebody else can’t afford it,” he said, “so they’re going to steal it from someone who doesn’t have their tank locked up.” Police suggest one way to prevent theft is to build a structure around the bottom portion of the tank so criminals can’t unscrew the line. Daughter Samantha Christiansen said she’s glad friends and neighbours have come alongside to help her mom, who still has a mortgage she has to pay. “I was taken aback that somebody would take it,” she said. “It makes me feel sad for my mom. She doesn’t have a lot of extra money.” The reason for speaking to the press was to warn other people to make sure their oil is locked up, she added. “My mom just really wanted to have that warning out there,” she said. “She’s got a lock and cap now.” Now Christiansen is glad her mom has been taken care of. “That’s the good thing about the community we live in,” she said. “Now she’s happy and warm.” Cox says after receiving stents to service her heart, she’s made great improvements. “I’m much better now,” she said, while examining the new lock meant to safeguard her heating oil into the future. “I hope it helps.”

A 44-year-old woman was sentenced to 60 days in jail and a year of probation for stealing nearly $19 worth of product from the local London Drugs store. Judge Ron Lamperson also gave Shirley S. Wells an additional day of jail time to account for drug possession crimes, in Courtenay Provincial Court March 13. On March 6, 2013 Wells paid a visit to London Drugs in Courtenay and was spotted by the store official charged with reducing shoplifting. Wells slipped a video cable into a bag and nabbed some batteries, which she hid in her hoodie.

Crown prosecutor Richard Ellsay described how, after being caught, Wells claimed she would come back and pay for the items, demanding to be allowed to leave with the goods. London Drugs was able to recover the merchandise. The batteries, worth $8.79, might not be resalable, although the electronics connection cable, worth $9.99, could be repackaged, the court heard. She was charged with theft under $5,000. Defence counsel Robert Miller noted given her record and the sequence of events involved there was little he could do to keep her out of jail.

On July 19, 2013 during a traffic stop Wells was suspected of being either nervous or high on drugs. An officer found marijuana and a gram of cocaine, as detailed by federal Crown Ian McFadgen, with Jones & Co. from Nanaimo. Though the judge deemed one day per possession for the purpose of trafficking charge to be appropriate given the circumstances, he made them concurrent to each other so only one day would be tacked on to the shoplifting penalty. She was also on the hook for failing to appear pursuant to an official notice on Jan. 16, 2014. For this offence Lamperson handed her a seven-day jail term, but allowed this to be

Legal and financial grenade tossed into Maple Pool case (Continued from page 1) -ational vehicles, and any related infrastructure including pads and cables, sewer, power and water outlets.” Further, another order sought by the City would require the removal of all accessory buildings, the office accommodation, washroom building and laundry facilities” - effectively stripping the site bare. Justice Baird adds that according to the materials filed, the City’s motivation for seeking the court orders was “to remove the tenants from the property and keep them safe from the dangers of living within the 200 year floodplain of the nearby Tsolum River.” But the residents applying to join the case “do not consider themselves to be endangered by the Tsolum River - the flooding of 2009-10 was inconvenient and messy, but nothing more,” the Judge notes. He goes on to analyze the legal issues to determine whether new defendants should be allowed to join the case on the grounds the enforcement constituted and unjustifiable infringement of their rights under Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 7 concerns “the right to life, liberty and security of the person, and the right not to be deprived thereof in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.” The Judge notes the City had argued the residents had no legal interest in the enforcement of the bylaw, as their only connection to the property was through rental contracts with the owner. To which Justice Baird responds: “My view, however, the order sought by the City clearly affects the applicants’ vital interests by denying them their customary place of residence, and by forcing them to abandon or remove the homes that they have occupied on the campsite for years with the acquiescence, if not the approval, of the City. “Moreover...the City claims to be pursuing this litiga-

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tion to protect the safety of the tenants of the campsite, making untenable any claim that the tenants’ rights and interests are not squarely engaged.” The Judge notes the City suggested allowing residents to join the case would be neither just nor convenient; it would run up extra costs and not only delay a decision on the matter but “hijack the proceedings” by widening their scope. But Judge Baird rules “their participation is necessary to ensure that all matters in the proceedings may be effectively adjudicated upon” and, in any event, “they have a direct interest” in the proceedings. For the two residents, Mayzes said she was very pleased with the ruling to allow them to join the case.

The Judge had been “spot on” in his summation of the issues and the Council’s position had been clearly spelt out for the public to see in the reasons for judgment, she suggested “The Council has not been particularly forthcoming about what they were out to do,” she said. “In listing the six declarations and orders being sought by the City, it is clear they are looking to rip the place apart and get rid of everybody. They are out to destroy this place.” She hoped the City Council would finally appreciate the seriousness of the issues and drop the case. The City’s chief administrative officer, David Allen, confirmed to the Echo the matter was to be discussed further by Council at last night’s incamera session.

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Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014 A3

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911 board to check out other emergency call centres By Philip Round Echo Staff Directors who serve on the board of the North Island 911 Corporation are to visit alternative service providers before deciding whether to pull the plug on the emergency call answering centre in Courtenay. As previously reported in the Echo, the corporation is alarmed at the escalating costs of running the service being requested by higher echelons of the RCMP, which hosts the centre at its Comox Valley Detachment. The cost is projected to rise from around $460,000 a year to more than $700,000, but the contract can be ended with 12 months’ notice is given be either side. So the 911 corporation’s board, made up of representatives of six regional districts, is investigating options to see if a high level of service can be maintained but at a lower cost. They have now received an interim report on the possibilities from consultants, which highlighted two alternative suppliers - an expanded version of the existing Campbell River fire dispatch service, or E-Comm, the not-for-profit emer-

Missing Denman Island man found dead on rocky shoreline By Michael Briones Echo Staff A man who was reported missing on the evening of March 13 was found dead on a rocky shoreline at a beach on Denman Island. A search for the man was started after a concerned friend reported that he hasn’t seen him for two days and had indicated it was “unlike him� to be gone that long. The friend located a pickup truck registered to the missing man, who was believed to be in his 70s, on a local trail that leads to a beach on the island. The Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue and the RCMP air services helicopter were called in and an immediate search was started. They weren’t able to locate him due to darkness. “They worked all night,� said RCMP media spokesperson, Don Sinclair, who added that they covered both land and sea in their search. But the next day, March 14, at around 10:43 a.m., the CVGSAR located the missing man, deceased, approximately 150 to 200 metres from his vehicle on the rocky shore line. “He was dressed in brown which made him hard to see on the rocky shoreline. The possibility existed too that the tide went out and he was carried a short distance out or back.� The matter is now in the hands of the B.C. Coroner service. However Sinclair said the man did have a medical condition.

gency communications centre for southwest BC in Vancouver. 911 board chair Jon Ambler, who is also a Courtenay councillor in addition to his role as a Comox Valley Regional District director, said they had decided to have site visits to both potential alternative suppliers before coming to a decision on the issue. The board was very familiar with the existing Courtenay centre which responds to more than 62,000 calls a year - but several members had not visited the Campbell River or Vancouver operations to see how they worked in practice, so that would be organized. All options remained open, he stressed, including the RCMP in Courtenay continuing to provide the service. But it was important to have full information and understanding of the issues and implications before deciding on who the future provider should be. A final decision should be made at a board meeting in late May. In a separate decision on Friday, the North Island 911 Corporation adopted a total 2014 operating budget of $2.3 million and approved capital equipment spending of $357,000 funded from reserves. The budget is used not only to pay the RCMP to provide the initial 911 call answering but also for operating and maintaining fire dispatch services and a computerized map-

ping system used for the dispatch of 49 fire departments covering a geographic area of approximately 60,000 square kilometres. The total cost of the service is shared between the six regional districts - Comox Valley, Strathcona, Mount Waddington, Powell River, Alberni-Clayoquot and part of Nanaimo - based on their populations. It is recovered through a specific line item included on every North Island annual property tax bill. pround@comoxvalleyecho.com

The Comox Bay Care Society Coordinator Helen Boyd wishes to thank Jill Carr-Hilton of Cumberland Ready Mix and Jorden Marshall of Hot Chocolates for their annual Xmas light fundraiser with proceeds to the Care-A-Van

Learn trends, develop contacts at tourism industry networking event Join North Island College’s Tourism and Hospitality Management students Thursday, March 20 at Crown Isle Resort for their inaugural industry networking event, Spring into the Future. This event brings industry professionals and students together with highly relevant, dynamic speakers to entertain, educate and inspire. Speakers include: • Keynote speaker Kevin Walker, the owner of the newly reconstructed Oak Bay Beach Hotel and a Tourism BC board member. He has participated in many industry boards and associations and has been the recipient of several awards, including BC Tourism Industry Leader of the Year, as well as BC Hotelier of the Year. • Kathy McAree, radio host, culinary tourism operator, and contributor and editor of the recently published, Have Fork Will Travel: A Practical Handbook for Food & Drink Tourism Professionals. Kathy will discuss what makes Vancouver Island a culinary destination and the ways we can benefit from this growing trend.

• Additional speakers will cover Vancouver Island tourism labour outlooks, new HR initiatives, and social media marketing for tourism operators, and more. The students organized the event as part of their course in Convention and Special Events Management. “We are very excited to be able to meet the local industry and introduce them to our students,â€? said instructor Jonelle Knowles. â€?The industry is so supportive and we are delighted with the speakers we have been able to bring together for our first-ever industry focussed networking event.â€? The event starts at 2 pm, with speakers beginning at 2:30 pm. A reception and networking time, with catered local food, will follow. Advance registration is available through NIC for $20. Any available seats will be offered for $25 at the door. Online registration can be found at www.nic.bc.ca/continuingeducation using the registration code GENI- 9320. For more information contact Jonelle Knowles at 250 334 5000 ext 4046.

School board not happy with unpredictable funding formula Trustees let Fassbender know they fear falling short of meeting objectives to students By Michael Briones Echo Staff The unpredictability and inconsistency of the provincial government’s funding formula are adding to the financial stresses already being felt by School District 71. That’s what the Comox school trustees want Minister of Education Peter Fassbender to know. In a letter to the minister, board chair Peter Coleman said that like other school districts, they’ve strived to “do more with less� and sought to use the funds received from the province “wisely and judiciously.� But these objectives have become harder to achieve said Coleman due

to unnecessary expectations placed on school districts, the downloading of costs previously financed by the government, CUPE salary negotiations, changes in funding formulas, and the possibility of teacher wage increases. “Our district continually stretches every dollar we receive, spending significantly more dollars for our vulnerable students who are not designated, using dollars from revenue generating programs to enhance programming for all students and stretching every LIF dollar to its maximum to provide as much access to support and opportunities as our resources can bring to bear,� Coleman said in his letter. “We fear that we will fall

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short in our ability to meet the directions in the BC Ed Plan and in doing so we will fall short in our service to our students.� The school board recently amended its 2013/2014 budget that required drawing out more money from its operating reserves. Instead of $619,000 that was approved by the board last May to balance the books, the amount has risen to $1.3 million, reducing the surplus to just over $1.1 million from $2.7 million. The escalating costs have been attributed to CUPE support staff salary hikes, BC Hydro rates adjustments, rising MSP rates as well as an expected raise in teachers’ salaries. The school district would have to shoul-

der all these cost increases with no additional funding coming from the province. Coleman urged Fassbender to work with the boards of education to build a sustainable, stable learning environment for the students. He also wants decision makers to realize that dollars directed to education “are not dollars that are spent on children; they are dollars that are invested in the future of our young people - and in our province.� As well, School District 71, Coleman said, is ready and willing to work with the minister and the department to design a funding structure that will be “the continued foundation of the BC Ed Plan.�

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GRADE 9 ISFELD STUDENT WINS NOVEL WRITING CONTEST Unanimous council

support for free downtown WiFi plan

By Michael Briones Echo Staff Claire Hodson loves to write. And that passion has led her to create her first ever novel, Fallout. What’s remarkable about it is Hodson is only a Grade 9 student at Mark Isfeld Secondary School. And her work has now been published and is on sale. That’s because her maiden literary creation won first place in the National Novel Writing Month contest sponsored by Wattpad beating over 1,000 entries worldwide. “I didn’t expect it because this was only my first time to write a novel,” said Hodson. “To finish first is exciting. I can’t say how I truly feel but it’s exhilarating. I was up against a lot of writers from all over the world. If you can write in English, you can enter the contest.” Hodson’s 55,000-word novel earned her the $2,000 prize money and as an added bonus, her book is being promoted by Amazon.com. Hodson rose to the challenge laid out by the National Novel Writing Month, a non-profit organization that promotes and encourages creative writing. Participants were required to spend a whole month to create a novel from scratch to finish. “I always wanted to write a novel and so I decided to go for it,” said Hodson. “It grew from there. I just didn’t expect it to go this far.” Parson said she started on an idea that was easy to develop and when she found it, it just kept building.. This was an initiative Hodson did on her own. Although she made her teacher, Chantel Parsons, aware she was writing a novel, she never informed her that she entered it in a writing contest. “I encouraged her and asked how she was doing, but the motivation all came from her,” said Parsons. “She entered the contest for the $2000 on her own as well, I didn’t even know about it until she told me that she had won.” Hodson had to keep her achievement to herself until the organization that sponsored the contest made it public. “It was hard to keep it a secret,” said Hodon. “I wanted to tell someone but I couldn’t.” The book’s plot centres on Wren Abbott who one day meets a mysterious boy outside of their divisions. Eventually, her curiosity drives her back to the city. Soon enough Wren finds herself going up a dangerous path, following up to the fall of the government. Will she be ready to commit to a new future, or will she find herself hungry, for true freedom. Parson said they are amazed at and very proud Hodson. “She worked very hard and is now seeing the payoff

By Philip Round Echo Staff Free WiFi internet service is to be made available at public buildings and in open spaces like downtown streets and parks thanks to a planned partnership between Shaw Communications and the City of Courtenay. The project has been under detailed consideration since it was first floated as an idea by Shaw ten months ago, and after receiving assurances that competing communication companies would not be barred from offering similar services, the plan got a unanimous thumbs up from City Council last night. A legal agreement to allow the equipment installation program to get underway will now be drawn up with the hope that it can be signed off and the system up and running by later this year. There are already more than 50 individual Shaw ‘Go WiFi’ hotspots in and around Courtenay, mainly in stores, cafes and other businesses. But the project now being worked on will ensure people will be able to pick up a free WiFi signal virtually anywhere in and around downtown. Shaw will provide all the necessary signal access equipment, and install and maintain it free of charge. The company will even pay for electricity used to power the service to make sure no cost falls on the municipality, and depending on the final terms of the agreement, there may be income for the municipality from the program.

Claire Hodson shows her first published novel Fallout that won the National Novel Writing Month contest, beating out over a thousand entries. from her efforts,” said Parsons. “I admire her persistence and determination to get her novel written in the short time frame. I told her that I had thought of participating in the same writing contest for years, but never had the time, energy, commitment, ideas ... so that makes me even prouder of her. I’d like to say that I had something to do with her success, but really, it was all her.” This edition of Fallout is in a paperback format. The book’s publish date is December 6, 2013 and has a suggested retail price of $15.99. It was published by Createspace Independent Pub and has a total of 234 pages in the book. Hodson has no plans of resting on her laurels. Her recent success has motivated her to continue writing. “I want to keep going,” said Hodson. “I want to write more books.”

Internal WiFi access points in places such as public halls will be about the size of a ceiling-mounted smoke detector, while external equipment will look more like a large lunch box because of the need for protection, and will be mounted on existing poles like street lights or on publicly-owned buildings. Where users are existing Shaw customers - said to be roughly half the population of Courtenay - they will only ever have to log in once and then their mobile device, such as a tablet, laptop or smartphone, would subsequently always recognize when it was in a Shaw ‘Go WiFi’ zone anywhere in western Canada. Non-Shaw customers will also be able to use the system for free, but they will need to log in with their email address each time in order to get access. Shaw stresses what it is proposing is not a cellphone system for making and receiving calls, but one to access data via the internet on the go without having a need to have a phone data plan. Welcoming the project, Coun. Bill Anglin said setting up the network would be good for the whole business community and convenient for residents and visitors alike. And Mayor Larry Jangula said some earlier concerns about potential health issues and contract exclusivity had been addressed satisfactorily and he was now happy to see the partnership progress towards implementation. pround@comoxvalleyecho.com

Church community stunned by child porn, luring arrest By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff The worship team at Comox Pentecostal Church finished leading a version of Michael W. Smith’s Angus Dei at the end of the March 16 Sunday service. Then pastor Dave Postal stepped up to the front to drop the bomb that would rock his congregation of about 300. “There was a 23-year-old young man by the name of Thomas Wesley Smith from Comox who has been charged with luring under the age of 14 and the possession of child pornography for distribution,” he said. “We want you to know that Thomas Smith is a former volunteer at Comox Pentecostal Church. As well, we want you to know that during this time of investigation that our leadership has taken this matter very seriously, including cooperating with the RCMP in every way possible.” He called for a flood of prayer “for those who have been impacted by this,” urged the church body to refrain from gossip and asked for spiritual peace and guidance. Sitting in a pew with his family, church member Chris Burgess was stunned by the pastor’s announcement; after all his own 13-year-old son knew Smith from attending the youth group a couple years back before they moved to Alberta. “Hearing that today was a shock,” he said. “All I can do is pray for his forgiveness.” CPC considers itself a redemptive community, which means it believes that it’s important to allow people to have the chance to make amends and be brought back into the fold, a sentiment echoed by Burgess. “We don’t condone activity like that, but we’re not going to shut him out,” he said, referencing the charges which have not yet been officially sworn by the Crown. “It’s an illness. For some people it’s an addiction. He needs help.” He used to see Smith at work on trips to Walmart. His son Brycen said he was just a nice guy who helped out

with games like dodgeball and would wear Christian-themed T-shirts, adding he never noticed Smith being weird around him or any of his friends. “I know him,” he said. “He was kind of a friend.” In an interview with the Echo, Postal made it clear that Smith was never a mentor with the youth group, but did serve as a volunteer. “Our children and youth are precious,” he said. “As a church we have the same concerns that any parent or caregiver would have, including placing a high priority on taking our responsibility for the care and protection of all our children and youth seri-

ously.” Smith was arrested March 12 and released under conditions including no contact with anyone under the age of 18 without the presence of an adult, and not possessing any device capable of connecting to the internet. Linda Halliday-Sumner, a local resident who has worked as a sexual abuse consultant for more than 30 years, said sometimes sexual predators choose to integrate themselves into a church network because people don’t have their guard up. “A church is the perfect hunting ground for a predator like a sex offender,” she said. “They would look for a natural atmosphere of trust.”

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Digital technology has enabled another more sinister element to creep into sexual crimes, she added. “The internet provides a haven for predators,” she said. “A lot of parents aren’t knowledgeable enough about this stuff to know what kids are doing on these machines.” Burgess says he’s not worried about his son because he has always done his best to maintain open dialogue and clear boundaries when it comes to technology. But he understands the risk that’s out there. “We’re in the technological age now,” he said. “The internet is an amazing tool. But it’s also a very dangerous tool.”

Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014 A5

News

Skills galore at North Island regional competitions Grade 7 to 12 students test the skills they learned from school By Michael Briones Echo Staff Over 150 students from the North Island region showcased their wide array of talents in different vocational disciplines in trades and technology at a skills competition held at G.P. Vanier Secondary School last Wednesday. The 2014 Skills Canada North Island Regionals drew competitors from schools in Port Alberni, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Campbell River, Courtenay and the Town of Comox. Students from Grade 7 to Grade 12 took part in a myriad of contests that included 2D and 3D computer animation, architectural CAD, automotive, cabinetmaking, carpentry, welding, electronics, graphic design, website development, hairdressing, baking, TV and video production, digital art, spaghetti bridge, robotics, and mechanical CAD. The creation and work of the competitors impressed students, teachers, parents as well as School District 71 staff. Assistant superintendent Tom Demeo said he liked what he saw. “Given the state of the jobs coming up in our province, this is so critical because kids are now getting the skills and hands-on job readiness skills,” said Demeo. “We have kids here who can showcase their talents and showcased what they’ve learned. You can see by some of the displays that are around, these kids can see and help plan for their future. They can see what they’re learning from school is applicable to where they want to go. And that is really important.” The competitors built spice racks, picnic tables, animation, cabinets, produced videos, tackled automotive problems, created Sumo robots and got them to compete against each other, as well as challenged the younger kids into building a bridge made out of spaghetti sticks. The winners will advance to the regionals and if they pass there will advance to the provincial and territorial events to gain the right to represent their province or territory at the national competition. The Skills Canada National Competition is the main step in selecting the members of Team Canada for the World Skills Competition that is held every two years. The next World Skills Competition is in Leipzig, Germany, in July. The results of last week’s competition were: 2D Computer Animation: Gold, Geoff Wright and Robert Harmer

Above: Kyla Sumner of Timberline shows off her merengue pie in the baking competition of the 2014 Skills Canada North Island Regionals. Left: Robby Albright of G.P.. Vanier carefully saws lumber for his picnic table during the carpentry competition.

Qualicum Beach Middle School student glues spaghetti bridge

Welders spark some fire into the competition (Vanier); Silver, Coltin Walton and Jacob Tauber (Highland); Bronze, Amanda Armstrong and Nicole Armstrong (Highland) Automotive Service: Gold, Mathew Dyck (Highland): Silver, Austin Arnould (Highland); Bronze, JD Parker (Vanier. Baking: Gold, Jomarie Jubas (Vanier); Silver, Nina Bangert (Vanier); Bronze, Kyla Sumner (Timberline) Cabinet Making: Gold, Sage Monteith (Ballenas); Silver, Cole Moran (Isfeld); Bronze, Dade

Pennington (Ballenas) Carpentry: Gold, Jasper Edge (Kwalicum); Silver, Mike Zubiak (Isfeld); Bronze, Riley Rennie (Carihi) CAD Architectural: Gold, Sandra Puga (Vanier): Silver, Adam Laycock (Ballenas); Bronze, Zlex Green (Ballenas) Digital Art: Gold, Kayleh Farnham (Highland) Electronics: Gold, Christofer Kristoff (Vanier); Silver, Conner Ball (Highland); Bronze, Matt Ehrler (Vanier)

Graphic Design and Print PreProduction: Gold, Eric Pinhero (Vanier); Silver, Katinka Neumann (Vanier) Hairdressing: Gold, Caitlin Stcherba (Glacier View) Welding: Gold, Nelson Smith (Isfeld); Silver, Tristan Schulze (Alberni); Bronze, Abigail Rigsby (Vanier) Junior Skills Junior Mini-Sumo Robots: Gold, Oscar Cope (Parksville); Silver, Elijan Kason (Qualicum); Bronze, Alex Hunter (Qualicum)

Virtual Competitions TV Video: Gold, Nathaniel Wynans and Rachele Van Zonren (Alberni); Silver, Amy Bonell and Scarlett Beggs (Vanier); Bronze, Dustin Hutchison and Max Van Lieshout (Carihi) Web Design: Gold, Ryan O’Hara (Ballenas)

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SENIORS SE EXERCISE AND AGING Exercise is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle. Including exercise in your daily routine can lower your risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and exercise can even sharpen mental acuity, reduce anxiety and improve mood. But as beneficial as exercise can be, many men and women, particularly men and women over the age of 50, who have not laced up their sneakers in years are hesitant to begin an exercise regimen for a variety of reasons, potentially putting their long-term health at risk. Regardless of a person's age, beginning a new exercise regimen can be intimidating. But it's especially so for men and women over the age of 50, who might not know where to begin or how to approach adopting a healthier lifestyle. According to the National Institute on Aging, the following are a few points men and women should know as they attempt to improve their physical fitness with a more active lifestyle. * Exercise is safe even if you have not been physically active in a long time. Many older men and women worry that suddenly embracing

physical fitness after years of inactivity may be detrimental to their health. But that's only true if men and women don't exercise caution at the outset of their routines. When beginning the routine, take things very slowly at first, choosing to walk or bike every day rather than hitting the treadmill and adjusting it to maximum resistance. When strength training, start off with very little weight so your muscles can grow acclimated to the motions and you can get the exercises down pat. As you grow more comfortable and your body starts to feel more up to the challenges of daily exercise, you can begin to gradually alter your cardiovascular and strength training workouts to make them more challenging. * Exercise can make existing medical conditions more manageable. Men and women over the age of 50 who have preexisting medical conditions are likely to find that exercise alleviates rather than exacerbates their physical problems. The NIA notes that studies have shown that regular exercise and physical activity can

ADDRESSING COMMON CONCERNS ABOUT EXERCISE AFTER 50

benefit people with arthritis, high blood pressure and heart disease. But it's still recommended that men and women with preexisting medical conditions consult with their physicians before making any lifestyle changes. Some conditions may affect a person's ability to be active, and it's best to get the go-ahead from a physician before beginning an exercise regimen. Doctors may even suggest certain activities that have been known to alleviate particular conditions. * Exercise reduces fatigue, so sitting around to preserve strength is not effective. Exercise improves strength and energy levels, so sitting on the sideline to preserve your strength is counterproductive and could lead to serious medical problems. The "Report on Physical Activity and Health" from the U.S. Surgeon General's office noted that men and women who are inactive are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are more active. While getting adequate rest and giving your body ample time recover from physical activity

is essential, your body won't benefit by avoiding exercise to preserve your strength. However, even moderate physical activity performed on a regular basis can reduce fatigue. * No one is too old to exercise. It's not uncommon for men and women in their golden years to think they are too old to exercise. Some may feel that their toned down workouts cannot possibly be making much of an impact thanks to the physical limitations old age has put on their bodies, while others may think it's unwise for someone in their 70s or 80s to be physically active. But no one is too old to exercise, as exercise helps the body stay strong and fit even when you can no longer max out on the bench press or squat hundreds of pounds. Scaling back your exercise routine will be necessary as you get older, but that does not mean you cannot still enjoy and benefit from physical activity. Continuing to exercise as you age is a great way to improve your quality of life and stay as active as possible well into your golden years.

CHOOSING LUGGAGE By Deb Dewar Packables Travel Solutions • There is a lot of choice out there in luggage land so give some thought to what you want in a bag. Think about 2 wheels or 4, soft or hard side, cheapest, lightest. expandable, carry-on. Most warranties last for 10 years with only manufacturers defects being covered. Some luggage companies offer lifetime warranties against everything BUT airline damage and still others cover everything including airline damage. The question to ask is “What steps do I need to take to have my luggage repaired.â€? If you need to ship it cross country the expense alone factors in. If a company use’s repair centers in your time zone and they will get your suitcase back to you then put that feature near the top of your list. Features to consider: • Wheels, solid or not, recessed, exposed, replaceable, in-line skate quality • All zippers should be the ‘kiss’ variety that is 2 that come together and are lockable. • Are the included locks TSA approved • Are the exterior pockets large enough to put shoes in or will they hold just a magazine • What about the lining, it MUST have a zipper so security can easily access underneath. To

• •

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some scanners the handle can look like a weapon. Is the handle inside the bag or out. Outer bring strength and stability to the bag., under the lining are more predominant but take a lot of packing space Does the handle telescopes smoothly and has at least one lower locking height. Weight - airlines might charge up to $100 for an overweight bag so don’t start out heavy Soft sided or hard? Soft sided is pliable allowing you to tuck in a few more things whereas hard cases are unforgiving. Soft bags will withstand another heavy bag being dumped on top where a hard case might crack. Colour - consider how easy/difficult it will be to identify your bag on the luggage belt.

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Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014 A7

SEN SE NIO IORS RS RELIEF FROM KNEE PAIN WITH LASER THERAPY By. Deidre Macdonald, ND One of the most common injuries that people experience as they get older is knee pain. You depend on your knees to stay active. Knee pain can significantly affect quality of life when it limits the enjoyment of your favorite activities, and especially if it interferes with your sleep. Years ago, in my naturopathic medical practice, I was struck by the lack of good options for helping people with knee pain and set out to find a treatment that would provide real and lasting pain reduction for my patients. I too had an old knee injury that was becoming arthritic. I was impressed by the research on laser therapy and have been delighted to find that it has helped me and many of my patients to enjoy life without knee pain. Laser therapy has helped patients with knee problems to enjoy reduced pain, increased mobility and a return to the activities they enjoy. Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) has been used successfully as a treatment for an extensive range of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. This painless procedure speeds the healing of tissues, including cartilage, ligaments, muscles, bursa, nerves, tendons and skin. It enhances DNA synthesis, cell replication, cellular nutrition, circulation and has both anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects. The effectiveness of treating knee pain with laser therapy has been well established in human and animal placebo-controlled, doubleblind studies. The majority of the knee pain is due to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear on the knee joint and affects 80% of people by the age of 65. When cartilage begins to wear down in the knee joint, the bone

begins to get exposed and irritated, sometimes causing bone spurs to form. This breakdown can lead to sharp medial knee pain. It is often worse first thing in the morning, after sitting or driving for a while, and going down stairs. Swelling may be present, especially in the inner side of the knee. Baker’s cysts in the back of the knee may also contribute to pain and swelling. With recent studies showing little benefit from arthroscopic surgery for arthritic knees, and the side effects of pain medications making them an undesirable long term treatment option, patients are left with either pain and limitation or the long wait for knee replacement.

Laser therapy is an excellent treatment choice for arthritis that has been proven to work in many well designed studies. In animal studies, laser therapy has been shown to decelerate the arthritic process, regenerate worn cartilage, and increase the thickness of cartilage. In humans, a meta-analysis of 36 randomized placebo-controlled trials found that 2-4 weeks of laser therapy offered significant pain relief compared to placebo controls. Another more recent clinical

ing ulcers and other gastro-intestinal side effects. Patients looking for safer anti-inflammatories have several options. For those who are currently dependent on anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, I will often write a prescription for a topical anti-inflammatory medicine called Diclofenac. Numerous studies have shown that prescription strength topical diclofenac provides similar pain reduction in osteoarthritis of the knee to oral NSAIDS like ibuprofen, without the risk of stomach bleeding. Alternatively, a natural topical cream called Traumeel was recently featured in the International Journal of Internal Medicine. Upon review of the placebo controlled studies of Traumeel, it was concluded that “Traumeel has shown comparable effectiveness to NSAIDs in terms of reducing symptoms of inflammation, accelerating recovery, and improving mobility, with a favourable safety profile�. Natural oral anti-inflammatories include fish oil and turmeric. Both of these natural medicines have many side benefits instead of side effects! One turmeric extract product called Mireva has shown to have superior absorption and effectiveness. In a large, 9 month placebo controlled study of Meriva’s effect on osteoarthritis of the knee, the Mireva group showed a significant decrease in pain and increase in range of motion versus the placebo group. So don’t let knee pain slow you down. With natural medicines and laser therapy, safe, painless and effective treatment is available.

trial measured a significant decrease in pain, reduction of knee swelling, increased range of motion and circulation compared to a placebo group that was treated with a sham laser. In my naturopathic medical practice, I use a state of the art Low Level Laser Therapy machine called the Meditech Bioflex that utilizes 3� x 5� pads of light that can be wrapped around the knee. Meditech practitioners tracked 98 patients with knee problems, 63% of whom were diagnosed with osteoarthritis. On average, 11 treatments, each about 40 minutes long, were administered. Ninety-two percent of the patients reported significant improvement in knee pain. Other knee conditions that can be successfully treated by low level laser therapy include chondromalacia patella (often seen in runners), meniscus tears (pain in the inner and outer knee), rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, and ligament strains and tears (often acute sports injuries). Over the counter and prescription antiinflammatory medications, while providing good pain relief, come at a cost. Sustained use of ibuprofen (Advil) increases the risk of bleed-

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SEN SE NIO IORS RS TALK ABOUT YOUR RETIREMENT READINESS! Are we ready to retire? Retirement hits #10 on the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, a scale of 43 life events that can lead to illness. Some people spend years planning their retirement, others roll right in and still others have it forced upon them. While most retirees anticipate a relaxed pace once work ends, many retirees aren’t prepared for what is really in store for them! Do you have enough saved, even when the unexpected happens? Many retirees underestimate how long they are going to live AND how expensive life will be in retirement. Even if a budget has never been your style, it makes sense to analyze your secure (Annuities and Pensions) and variable (RRSP, Dividends and Interest) Income. Secure income should cover a lot of your Fixed Basic expenses. Many retirees don’t figure the

cost of ‘fun’, buying the toys and doing the adventures they have spent years dreaming about. It’s been said that many retirees spend up to 180% of what they intended in the first two years of retirement. Is your relationship ready for retirement? Some people retire at the same time, but many couples have staggered retirements. Both ways can cause issues. Same time retirees go from having dual lives during work, to being together 24/7. It helps to communicate ahead of time about what your ideal day/week looks like and how you intend to spend your time. Staggered retirees can sometimes feel lonely, or that they are perpetually waiting, this too can cause resentment. Supporting each other to have individual interests and ‘me time’ can help. Don’t expect things to work out perfect if you haven’t considered how your

relationship will change! Do you have enough to keep you busy? Studies show that TV watching doubles for retirees. They also spend more time at food preparation and general housekeeping and gardening duties. Despite having ‘more time’, there is no significant increase in Fitness and exercise. Finding meaningful and enjoyable pursuits to go along with relaxing is important for your well being. Humans thrive on routine, even a loosely defined one. Be purposeful about choosing enough hobbies and interest to keep you from being bored. Make sure you have plenty of social and personal time. Do you have the right retirement attitude? Despite all the heart-warming commercials with greying couples holding hands into the sunset and hugging

grandchildren at graduations, Retirees do experience the difficulties and frustrations that come with growing older. It is not easy to prepare for something you haven’t experienced. Ask any 80 or 90 year old, and they will tell you growing older is not for sissies! Changes in health, family dynamics, location, technology, abilities all play a part. Find innovative and positive ways to cope with growing older.

This article is supplied by Lara D. Austin, an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. This article is for information purposes only. Please consult with a professional advisor before taking any action based on information in this article. Lara can be reached at 250-334-5606 or visit www. LaraAustin.com.

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Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014 A9

SEN SE NIO IORS RS WHAT IS CVD? CVD is a term used to describe all signs of venous circulation deficiencies. It describes mild to severe venous conditions in which the valves of the veins fail to function correctly. This interferes with blood returning to the heart and causes it to pool in the veins. It is a progressive disorder and it can’t be cured. However, by treating this disorder, you can prevent further changes or damage to the vein walls or valves and halt its progression. Below are the most common signs and symptoms of CVD: • Edema of the ankle and leg (swelling) • Feeling of heaviness and tension in the legs • Pain or cramps in the calves • Dermatitis (skin problems) • Dry or weeping eczema • Venous leg ulcer or an open wound that usually forms near the ankle. The ulcer has a weeping, raw appearance and the skin surrounding the ulcer is dry, itchy, and reddish-brownish in colour.

PHARMACEUTICAL SHORTAGES

1 out of 2 people will develop some form of CVD in their lifetime Risk Factors There are numerous risk factors that are associated with CVD including: • Long distance travel • Heredity • Age over 40 • Prolonged sitting or standing • Pregnancy • Obesity • Sedentary lifestyle • Surgery or trauma • Infectious disease • Use of hormone medication

Submitted By The Medicine Shoppe

You may have noticed that it seems like every time you go in to your pharmacy to get a medication filled or refilled the pharmacy either doesn’t have enough of the drug or the brand you have been using is different. From my perspective as a business owner the situation is getting worse rather than better. From my perspective as a pharmacist the situation seriously hampers our ability to provide patient care. Certain antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-arrythmics, and other types of medications are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. The end result to the patient is that they often need to make extra trips back to the pharmacy to pick up the balance of the prescription that they are owed or they are changed to an entirely different medication. This can be problematic for patients who have mobility issues and for whom it is difficult to get out. Switching to new medications can cause some patients to become apprehensive about their new regimes which may affect their compliance in taking the medication as directed. Pharmacists and support staff end up spending an inordinate amount of time sourcing alternate manufacturers, alternate suppliers or ultimately contacting physicians to change the medication altogether. This is time that could be

better spent on direct patient care. What is the cause of these shortages?

The problem seems to be multi-factorial and occurring at different stages of the supply chain (see above). The reasons range from changes in provincial drug regulations to manufacturing problems, single source foreign suppliers who may be experiencing natural disasters, civil unrest, shortages of primary ingredients or non compliance with GMP (good manufacturing practice). Add in the aging population using more medication and exportation of drugs to the American market and all of a sudden you have shortages. We certainly appreciate your patience and understanding when dealing with these situations as they are as frustrating for us as they are for you. We will endeavour to work closely with you, our patients, to do our best to meet your pharmaceutical needs. For more information on shortages check the website www. drugshortages.ca or just give us a call. Submitted By The Medicine Shoppe

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Are you at risk of CVD? With over 50% of adults at risk of Chronic Venous Disorders (CVD), understanding the causes is important. CVD is the result of everyday symptoms such as tired, aching or swollen legs or Varicose Veins, and can lead to problems such as Deep Vein Thrombosis, leg ulcers and other severe venous disorders. The root cause is deďŹ cient venous circulation and it can get progressively worse over time.

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etc. ECHO

Free travel clinic and Camino presentation

What do you remember the most of your last trip, the sights, the weather ... lugging your luggage around? It’s time to learn to be a smarter, savvier lightweight traveler. Learn to take everything you need in a carry-on size bag at Packables Travel Solutions Travel Clinic. This fun, lively 90 minute workshop will cover everything from what to take and how to take it but also documentation, security, money tips, scams and more importantly what not to take. Focus on your trip not your luggage. Travel Clinics fill up fast and reservations are required. Please call 250-703-2141 or email packstaff@shaw.ca to book your seat. Next clinics are Thursday, March 27 and April 10 at12:30 at Packables Travel Solutions 5th & Duncan, downtown Courtenay, lots of parking at the back. Wed. March 26, Noon, Camino de Santiago Presentation: An ancient path - Pilgrims from all over the world have walked the Camino de Santiago for centuries, following the various paths on their way to Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of St James. Today, whether walking the Camino for religious reasons, to find yourself or simply get back to nature, the Camino is a trip of a life time, a unique experience that inspires many even after the journey is over. Joan Collinge walked the Camino last year and will give this presentation. This hour long presentation is complimentary but seating is limited, please call to book your seat.

Meditation retreat Saturday at Dove Creek

Community

Zumba event to raise funds for Libraries for Tanzania By Michael Briones Echo Staff If you’re into physical fitness and love dancing, there’s a community zumba event happening in the Comox Valley this coming weekend. And if you haven’t tried it, maybe you can join a mass of people who are expected to come out for the event called Zumba for Africa. It’s a fundraiser to establish a library in Tanzania in east Africa. Organizer Paige Thurston said it’s going to be the third community library they will be establishing. “We work for Libraries for Tanzania, which is an Africa Community Technical Services project,” said Thurston. “This is going to be one of our fundraisers we are planning of doing.” The zumba event is happening on March 23 at the Comox Community Centre at 1855 Noel Avenue from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thurston said she attends zumba regularly and thought it would be a great way to raise funds for their project. She approached instructors and they’ve agreed to help them. “The place was able to accommodate around 100 people in the past and we don’t know if we’re going to have the same amount of people,” said Thurston. “It’s hard to say but we’re hoping for a big turnout.” The zumba dancing will be led by instructor Gloria Grieve. As well, there will be a performance by local West African style drumming group, Monica Hofer and the RhythymSpirit Drummers. There also will be lots of African crafts for sale including hairbands, gym bags, and home decor made from Kitenge wax dip fabric. Thurston said the funds raised will go towards opening their next library which is called Tanga. Thurston said the community libraries have become an invaluable asset to many students and residents in Tanzania. “They have been proven to increase literacy rates and assist with educational success, which has a lasting impact on the library users and their community,” said Thurston.

Mindfulness is present moment awareness, the art of softening and awakening to the beauty of life. Come and spend a day experiencing the loveliness of life’s renewal in Springtime. Margo McLaughlin, former Valley resident, and community Dharma Leader will lead this retreat at Dove Creek Hall on Saturday March 22 from 9:30 to 4:30 pm. The retreat is open to beginners and to those with more experience. Cost is $20 plus teacher offering. To register, contact Jane McCarroll at 250-334-0086.

Students of Kwekitui Elementary school, the location of the first community library, completed in 2004. The event will also feature an array of beautiful African crafts that will be available for purchase on March 23. Tickets are available at the Comox Community Centre for $10. All ages

Thurston wants to thank Jessie Wallis and the Comox Recreation Department for helping with ticket sales, publicity and donating the use of the facility.

Project manager Sarah Switzer-Dogra reading with one of the Sarah, Paige Thurston and Nicole Redekopp selling crafts at the construction volunteers for the Kwekitui Library Fiesta World Bazaar to raise money for the project.

Move the TV and restyle your room.

Let the seniors serve you breakfast Saturday Who doesn’t love a yummy pancake breakfast? Who doesn’t love be fully served for a sit down meal? The Evergreen Club is inviting everyone out to their pancake breakfast held in the Conference Hall, the upper level of Courtenay Recreation’s Filberg Centre. For only $5.00 a person you get your choice of beverage and buckwheat or buttermilk pancakes. You also get delicious Hertels bacon or local sausages from Tannadice Farms. Gather your friends and family and share in this feast for all ages. Whether you are an early riser, or love to sleep in, you can feel good about supporting the Evergreen Club. Mark Saturday, March 22nd from 7:30 am- 11:00am, down on your calendar. For more info call Courtenay Recreation’s Filberg Centre 250338-1000.

Debbie Travis CELEB DESIGNER

Join the FitNuts at Courtenay Recreation Looking to improve your health and fitness? Not sure where to start? Join the FitNuts, Kim and Michele for Jump Into Fitness and Nutrition with the Healthy Living Weight Loss Challenge. What will you get for a 9 week program that does it all at less than $10 a session? · 3 Sessions a week with Personal Trainer Kim Hamilton Sculpt your body with TRX, Spin, Circuit Training - there will be something for everyone! · Registered Holistic Nutritionist Michele Ruttkiewicz supplies you with a 5 day Jumpstart weight loss meal plan, a 14 Day Healthy Meal Plan, 3 Nutrition classes and specific, doable strategies to make it happen! 50 Pages of Easy - Healthy - Yummy Recipes As a special bonus, receive an 11 punch fitness pass for Courtenay Recreation valued at $55 to keep going! Get out of your rut...Take the Leap...We’re here for you! For more information contact Courtenay Recreation at (250)3385371 or (250) 338-1000.

welcome. You can donate to the project online now and receive a tax receipt. Visit http://www.acts.ca and click on Donate Now!

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*Wireless signal range can be affected by conditions in the home. Wireless access point required, charged separately. †Offer available until May 5, 2014, to residential customers who have not subscribed to Optik TV or Internet in the past 90 days. Minimum system requirements apply. Final eligibility for the services will be determined by a TELUS representative. TELUS reserves the right to modify channel lineups and packaging and regular pricing without notice. Cannot be combined with other offers. Offer not available with TELUS Internet 6. HDTV-input-equipped television required to watch HD. 42" LG Smart TV offer available while quantities last and cannot be combined with promotional prices. TELUS reserves the right to substitute an equivalent or better product without notice. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price of a 42" LG Smart TV is $899. Cancellation fee for early termination of a service agreement will be $24/mo. for the 42" LG Smart TV and $10/mo. for the HD PVR and digital boxes multiplied by the number of months remaining in the term. Current rental rates apply at the end of the term. Rental equipment must be returned in good condition upon cancellation of service, otherwise the replacement cost will be charged to the account. TELUS, the TELUS logo, Optik, Optik TV, telus.com and the future is friendly are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under licence. © LG Electronics Canada, Inc. All rights reserved. “LG Life’s Good” is a registered trademark of LG Corp. © 2014 TELUS.

Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014 A11

Community

Local Seed Savers alarmed over Bill C-18

GLIDERS TAKE TO THE SKIES OVER COMOX Air Cadets from across the province will be gliding in the skies above Comox this week, during a Spring Break Gliding exercise. Flying Operations are scheduled to take place March 16-22, at 19 Wing Comox. The exercise is designed to provide further practical gliding experience to Air Cadets, who have become Transport Canada licensed glider pilots through the Air Cadet Gliding Program. Gliders and tow aircraft will be flying at various altitudes in the vicinity of the airport, weather permitting, from approximately 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., daily. While gliding activities are relatively quiet, residents may hear the single-engine aircraft which are used to tow gliders aloft, throughout the day during this period. Regional Cadet Air Operations thanks local residents for their understanding during this period, as the cadets gain further flight proficiency.

National Farmers Union will speak on March 26th in Courtenay

THE KIWANIS CLUB OF COMOX members are seen preparing a monthly brunch for residents of the Views, one of many activities the Club undertakes in support of the community.

Pictured left to right are Norma Sharp (a Kiwanian visiting from Gimli, Manitoba), Don Armstrong, Lee Burnham, John Williams, Gerry A. (Views volunteer) and Gale Dyer.

FESTIVAL OF FOOD FILMS INVITES AUDIENCES TO WATCH, SHARE, GROW - AND EAT What happens when you combine great documentary films, inspiring speakers, and demonstrations with a local food focus? You get a delicious taste of positive community development in action. Local food culture including the food security of communities that want to produce and consume healthy food - is quickly becoming the hottest topic in social development in the Comox Valley. On Sunday March 23, from 10am -2pm at Lake Trail School in Courtenay, the Festival of Food Films will bring together Comox Valley folks to connect with other community members who share interests and concerns. Admission is by dona-

tion. Lunch will be available for purchase from LUSH Valley Food Action Society. The inaugural Festival of Food Films is a brand new World Community project which will screen eight top-rate food themed documentaries in partnership with LUSH Valley Food Action Society, the Comox Valley Growers and Seed Savers, and Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections. The headline feature film More than Honey is a “Best of Fest” screening from the World Community Film Festival. A variety of short films will be highlighted as well, with each screening followed by a brief pre-

sentation and discussion by members of the local food community. “We chose More Than Honey as our feature partly because there is such a vibrant community of beekeepers in the Valley, and also because of the depth of concern there is about threats to survival of honey bees,” said Wayne Bradley, festival curator. “We expect the other films to be just as challenging and inspiring.” Just as gardens need careful nurturing, a successful local food system requires input and tending from the whole community. Whatever your interests, from the sanctity of seed, getting started in

farming or the importance of community support for local agriculture, the Festival of Food Films promises to deliver a feast for the eyes, mind, heart and appetite. Volunteers are needed to assist with setup, take down and welcoming and directing guests. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Arzeena Hamir of Amara Farm at arzeenahamir@shaw. ca. Lake Trail School is located at 805 Willemar Ave. in Courtenay. For more information, look for the Festival of Food Films on Facebook events, contact (250) 337-5412, or visit www.worldcommunity.ca.

Representatives of the National Farmer’s Union (NFU) will be visiting Courtenay to discuss Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act, that if passed, could make some forms of seed saving illegal in Canada. The Comox Valley Growers and Seed Savers will be hosting Jan Slomp, President of the NFU, at the Native Sons Hall at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 26th. The event is free and open to the public. “If enacted, Bill C-18 will give plant breeders significantly more ‘rights’ and tools for royalty collection, while farmers’ seed-saving right is reduced merely to ‘privilege’,” states Slomp. “It also empowers government to remove, restrict or limit the farmer’s seed-saving privilege by passing regulations, a process that can happen quickly and without public debate.” The Comox Valley Growers and Seed Savers (CVGSS) is highly concerned about the implications of this bill and is hosting the talk as a service to both its members and the general public. “Many of our members are farmers who are saving seed both for sale and for use on their own farm”, indicates Arzeena Hamir, co-chair of the CVGSS. “We’ve seen what has happened in Europe where similar legislation was enacted and it is now illegal to save seeds in France of many heirloom and heritage varieties because they are no longer ‘registered’ by the government”. “The Act benefits corporations like Monsanto, Syngenta, Dow and Bayer far more than helping farmers”, declares Slomp. “Profits are leaving Canada and going to those company headquarters rather than staying within the public plant breeding system”. Instead of supporting Bill C-18, the NFU would like to see the Canadian government reinforce public plant breeding programs. For more information on the event, please contact Arzeena Hamir at arzeenahamir@shaw.ca or at (250) 702-5657.

Explore’s recent trip to the BC Legislative Assembly where the 2014 students observed Question Period and were taken on a tour by MLA Don McRae (far right), who at one time taught at GP Vanier.

Support the leaders of tomorrow today - Donate to Explore giant garage sale happening May 3 raiser of the year and is crucial for the ongoing success of the program by ensuring that it remains affordable for youth in the valley. There are many ways that individuals, businesses and organizations can contribute to Explore. Donating an item for the highly popular silent auction, plant sale or for the concession stand can be a great way to indirectly promote your business or organization as hundreds of people attend the Giant Garage Sale. Over the next month, students of the Explore program will be approaching organizations for donations of items. Students will bring a letter from the principal of GP Vanier endorsing their efforts and graciously thanking you for any contributions. These efforts are coordinated by the par-

ents and teachers of Explore so that businesses aren’t being targeted multiple times. All businesses that donate will have their business name published in the local papers in a thank you advertisement from Explore students. Individual community members are also a huge part of the success of Explore & this Garage Sale by donating items and help and coming out May 3 for the bargains. All items should be dropped off Friday, May 2 after 3:30 pm @ GP Vanier Gymnasium - 4380 Headquarters Rd. For more information or to donate funds directly to this unique and valuable educational program, please contact Ms. Yeomans (teacher & garage sale coordinator) at 250-3389262 extension 260.

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Most garage sale aficionados know about the annual Comox Valley School District 71 Explore Program’s Gigantic Garage Sale, which is happening this year on Saturday, May 3, at 8 AM in the GP Vanier Gymnasium. However, what you may not know is what the Explore program does for youth and the depth of community and business support behind Explore’s ongoing success. Explore is a unique school program for Grade 11 students that combines academics and leadership skills with the powerful learning experience that comes from challenging yourself with your peers in the outdoors. Explore integrates Pre-calculus Math, Social Studies, Biology and Phys Ed 11 with Outdoor Education with an emphasis on teamwork, leadership and personal challenge. “While a lesson on factoring trinomials will help us graduate, the bigger lessons Explore teaches us will help us climb the mountains that stand between us and our dreams”, explains a graduate from Explore. Students go hiking to Cape Scott and kayaking on the West Coast & the Broughton Archipelago. They have a shake-down trip at Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre on Hornby Island before setting off on longer expeditions. In addition to the accelerated academic schedule, students are learning the personal, teamwork and leadership skills that youth need to succeed in work, business and family life. Explore has been running in the Comox Valley School District at GP Vanier high school since 2001 when it was founded by three teachers one of them being Dave Neill, who continues to teach the program today. Since that time, over 600 students have participated in this challenging and life-changing program. However, this special program would not be possible without the very generous support it has received over the years from hundreds of local businesses and individuals in the form of donations for Explore’s Giant Garage Sale. This is the ‘make or break’ fund-

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A12 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Community

New support group for cancer survivors offered in six-session workshop

Arbutus RV staff collect books for Rotary During the month of February, the staff at Arbutus RV went through their collections of books to see what could be gathered up to donate to the Rotary book sale. Larry Epp, Sales Consultant with Arbutus, came up with the idea when he was trying find some place to get rid of some excess books. Someone suggested the Rotary book sale. That was great but finding out who to contact and where to drop the books, especially if you live out of town, can sometimes be inconvenient. Larry figured if he had trouble finding an easy way to pass these

FILM ‘I AM’ TO BE SHOWN FRIDAY AT COMOX UNITED CHURCH Comox United Church and the Comox Valley Unitarian Fellowship will present the inspirational film “I AM” by Director Tom Shadyac on Friday, March 21, 2014 at 7 pm. Shadyac earned a big reputation and big money directing silly but very successful Hollywood movies, such as Ace Ventura and The Nutty Professor. A head injury from a biking accident left him unable to work for months. When an unexpected recovery occurred, Shadyac decided to change his life and to use his film making skills to answer two simple, but profound questions: “What’s wrong with our world?” and “What can we do about it?” Interviewing some of the world’s influential thinkers, including David Suzuki, Desmond Tutu, Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, Lynn McTaggart, Thom Hartmann, and Coleman Barks, Shadyac hears startling contradictions to our usual assumptions about human nature. For example, Darwin talked far more about cooperation in nature than about survival of the fittest. Compassionate behavior is instinctive and actually part of our DNA. Greed in indigenous cultures was considered a mental illness. Major social changes in our society can occur when many ordinary people make simple changes in their behavior. In the film Shadyac reminds us of the immense transformation that peaceful protest has achieved in the last century. He asserts that love, compassion and community, the basis of most spiritual traditions, can also be the basis of great change, and that our own small efforts can make our world different. The presentation will be at 7 pm Friday, March 21, 2014 at Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive in Comox. There will be a small group discussion after the film for those who wish to stay and to discuss the film’s themes.

books on, surely others might have the same problem. Larry contacted Dave White of the Rotary Club of Courtenay who said he would be willing to pick up any books that were collected by Arbutus staff, so the request went out and over 500 items were collected. Mr. Epp suggested the Rotary put out a challenge to all businesses in the valley to put together a similar program and make our local Rotary book sale one of the biggest in the region. Noteworthy is that the Rotary doesn’t just collect books for their sale. They also take games, cassettes, VHS tapes, puzzles, DVD’s and records.

A six session workshop, focused on building support and resilience, is being offered in the Valley for those who have cancer or other lifethreatening illnesses. This is a holistic program, which addresses the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical issues that arise when one receives a diagnosis of an illness that is understood as terminal. Facilitators are Denise Nadeau of Moving with Spirit and Wendy McNiven, a Unitarian minister who has recently retired to the Valley. Both have worked with people living with life-threatening illnesses, providing skills and resources to help deal with the challenges of isolation, pain, fear, grief and loss, as well as physical pain. Denise has many years experience, in both Vancouver and Montreal, of group healing work drawing on expressive arts and spiritual practices, and has worked mostly in interfaith contexts. Wendy draws on years of pastoral care and healing as a minister in Kelowna and Kamloops. This group program offers support and training in skills to help participants reinhabit and befriend the body, as well as strengthen connection to the resources that have helped them already survive and thrive under difficult conditions. The facilitators draw from the wells of healing practices of various spiritual traditions, as well as those

of their respective therapeutic trainings. The program includes expressive arts (movement, drawing and writing), pain reduction techniques, guided imagery, grounding, centering , breath work, energy clearing, and sharing of spiritual reflections. The Building Support and Strengthening Resilience program begins on March 24, and will be held at Royston Community Hall on Island Highway on Monday afternoons from 2 to 4pm. For more information or to register contact Denise at 250-871-2401 or Wendy at 250-339-2019 or go to movingwithspirt.blogspot.ca.

Free income tax service The Comox Valley Lions and the Community Volunteer Income Tax Progam are offering free income tax preparation for lower income residents. The sessions are being held March 11, 18, 25 and April 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, from 1-3 pm, in the Lions Den at the rear of 1729 Comox Ave., Comox. Income limits to qualify for the free service are: Single person up to $30,000; couple, up to $40,000; one adult with child, up to $35,000 with each additional dependent adding another $2,500; interest income less than $1,000. FMI: 250-339-6232.

Equestrian vaulting lessons offered again for youth A popular program for youth will once again be offered by Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society. Starting April 11, this six week program will offer weekly sessions for vaulters of all abilities, ages of 6 and up. What is vaulting? According to Vault BC, “Vaulting is the performance of gymnastic and dance-like movements to music on a moving

horse. ... Vaulters begin working in walk and progress, with training from a qualified instructor, to be able to perform more complex movements at trot and canter. “Vaulters learn to have the agility and athleticism of gymnasts, the grace and expression of dancers and the balance and feel of equestrians.” www.vaultcanada.org/EVA No prior experience is required and

participants will progress at their own pace. Vaulting is a fun way for children to develop skills in teamwork, make new friends and it’s an affordable way to become involved with horses. Rebecca Martens, a certified vaulting instructor with the Equestrian Vaulting Association of BC will be heading up the 1 1/2 hours sessions at 4839 Headquarters Rd.

CARRIERS WANTED No collection required. Great exercise! Call Comox Valley Echo • 250-334-4734 or drop by 407-D 5th Street, Courtenay Comox

24 HR Service 250-338-8026

Times are: 3:15-4:30 for ages 6-9 and 4:30-6 for those 10 yrs and older. There will not be a class on Good Friday April 18. The fee is $125 for the 6 sessions. To register call CVTRS at 250-3381968. For more information you can contact coaching@rebeccamartens.ca - Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society

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The BC Government is proposing to offload the province’s world-class recycling programs, run by local municipalities,

Currently, BC homeowners only pay, on average, $35 a year for curbside recycling. Under the proposed regime, you’ll

to an association led by big multi-national corporations. The idea is that we’ll get a better, more efficient program that costs taxpayers less.

pay more. Every time you bring home a pizza, buy toilet paper, or pretty much anything else that comes in a package, businesses will be passing their increased costs on to you.

Unfortunately, what we’ll really end up with is anyone’s guess.

How much more? Well, nobody’s saying.

The association isn’t guaranteeing that we’ll get a better program, or even one as good as the current Blue Box program already in place. Since the association is led by big businesses outside of BC, many of whom are not even headquartered in Canada, one could presume that profits will come before environmental stewardship. They usually do. They also won’t

Here’s the only thing anyone does know: we already have a Blue Box program that works, is efficient, managed locally and puts the BC environment first. So why is the BC government flipping a coin, bringing in a questionable recycling program that some of our local elected officials are already calling a “scam?”

guarantee that there won’t be any job cuts here in BC.

It’s time to contact Premier Clark and ask her.

And how is this supposed to make things better for BC?

What’s going on here?

Email Christy Clark at premier@gov.bc.ca or call 250-387-1715. For more info, visit RethinkItBC.ca. #RethinkItBC.

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Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014 A13

Community

The trials and tribulations of local ferry service HUNTFor History by JUDY HAGEN With all the talk about the B.C. Ferries, it is timely to look back at how ferry service started on isolated island communities. Necessity is the mother of invention. This was proved true by residents of both Hornby and Denman when they needed to find a way to get on and off their islands. In the earliest days, traveling by canoe was sufficient. For many years the CPR steamships made regular stops at both islands which allowed goods and supplies to come ashore and farm produce to be sent off the islands. In the years after the Great War with an increase in population, it became evident that the CPR service, only once a week, was insufficient. When Leon Savoie with his large and growing family moved to Hornby Island in 1923 he began to run his little gas-powered boat over to Courtenay. Soon, he was asked by other residents to “just pick up a few things for me while you are there”. As the lists grew, he began to allow passengers to go along to do their own shopping! As the number of passengers increased, he knew he would have to have a larger boat. So he had a diesel powered-boat built in Vancouver. He had a regular service, Monday and Thursday, with up to 10 passengers who on the way over had to sit on milk pails, boxes and sundry parcels. On the return, it meant sitting on the bags of feed and empty milk cans being brought back. It was a jumble of goods and people and certainly not a smooth ride with passengers often sea sick. The boats were anchored off shore, so it meant everything going on or off island was transported by dinghy. Not always a “dry” experience when

Launching of the government ferry, MV Catherine Graham, 1954. Mrs. Sandy Swan, wife of the first ferry operator and Catherine Graham. (Photo: from “My Ain Folk” by Winnie Isbister p. 172) the water was rough. Leon began to petition the Member of Parliament, A. W. Neill who assisted in having a landing wharf built at the south end of Hornby Island. In 1932 he retired from the freight business and his son Albert took over. To supplement his income, Albert built small boats, fished and made “runs” to Vancouver. The same year that Albert took

over his father’s freight business, Denman began a “ferry service” which was a small gas-powered boat that pulled a two-car capacity scow from Buckley Bay to Vancouver Island and back. It had a regular service, one run every Saturday. The boat and scow system would not have worked for Hornby because the violent winds in Lambert Channel were so unpredictable; sometimes the weather was

so fierce Albert could not make a return trip the same day but had to overnight in Courtenay. In the early 1950’s, when the CPR stopped service to Hornby Island, a delegation of residents went down to Victoria to meet with the new transportation minister, Phil Gaglardi. Although he would tender a contract to run a ferry, there would be no money for a landing. So the Hornby Islanders took

Comox dentist honoured posthumously with award from dental regulator Comox dentist James (Jim) Brass posthumously received the Honoured Member Award at the College of Dental Surgeons of BC’s annual awards ceremony on March 6 in Vancouver. The award was accepted by his wife, Susan, and his daughter, Lindsay. This award, the College’s highest distinction, is presented to individuals who made remarkable, broad-based contributions to the College over a sustained period of time. Dr. Brass began volunteering at CDSBC in the early ‘80s. He was a member of numerous College committees and subcommittees and was a College Board member for many years. Jim served as Treasurer, VicePresident, and then College President from 1999 to 2001. In addition to giving back to his profession, he devoted much time to his community as well. Jim served two terms as mayor of Comox from 2000 to 2008. He was also vice-president of the Comox Valley Economic Development, director of the Comox Valley Community Foundation, and president of the Comox Valley Marine Rescue Society. Jim practised general dentistry for over 30 years. He was a dental officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, and then owned and operated two private practices, first in Golden and then in Comox, where he practised until 2010. CDSBC regulates dentists, dental therapists, and certified dental assistants in the public interest. For more information on the CDSBC Awards Program, visit: www.cdsbc. org/awards.

On behalf of Dr. Jim Brass, Mrs. Susan Brass (centre left) and Ms. Lindsay Margenau (centre right), receive the Honoured Member Award from CDSBC President Dr. Peter Stevenson-Moore (left) and Registrar & CEO Mr. Jerome Marburg (right).

matters into their own hands, bought several hundred bags of cement, went to the beach on the west side of the island and poured a runway lower than low tide. Then they went to Denman Island and built another slipway over there. In the meantime, Albert went to Vancouver to earn his skippers papers. He designed a self-powered barge with a loading ramp but the plans did not pass government inspection. Better plans were drawn up by naval architect, Robert Allen of Vancouver. The “2-car ferry” went into service on 16 December 1953. It was a “serviceable” little craft which was a wonderful improvement ,allowing cars to come and go from Hornby. In 1961, Albert was awarded the contract for a 6-car ferry which Albert built and skippered. Since Albert had often named his small boats after his children, the new ferry was christened, Lorraine S for one of his daughters. The first run was at Easter 1962. In that year, the ferry carried 8,000 cars. In the 1920’s, a ferry for Denman Island was supported by the Courtenay Board of Trade who felt that regular daily ferry sailings would enhance tourism and trade in the Comox Valley. With their support, in 1930, a grant was awarded by the Provincial Public Works Department to Sandy Swan who had a scow built in Vancouver. It was similar to the Hornby vessel and was pulled by a 25 hp engine. The vessel was named the MV Garry Point II. It carried 3 vehicles on a 15-minute trip across Baynes Sound. The first trip was on August 14 1930, with an Inauguration Dinner, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, held at the Native Sons Hall. The ferry had 3 scheduled trips per day. In 1935, Baikie Brothers, Wallace, Harper and Jack were awarded the next contract. They had the MV Moniker built in Vancouver. It was powered by a 30 hp Vivian engine Probably the most exciting day was 15 January 1937; the event was first page news on the next edition of the Argus newspaper. “While the ferry boat “Monica” (sic) was chug-chugging its way across the waters of Bayne Sound, the first set in the life history of the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Graham of Denman Island was played for she came into the troubled world on the boat.” It was not a scheduled trip but an answer to a “hurry up call...it was bitterly cold but it brooked no delay”. Little Catherine was born in the back seat of the car, the birthing assisted by her two grandmothers. In 1952, 8,400 cars and 21,335 passengers were transported on the Denman ferry. It was obvious a bigger and better ferry was needed. In 1954, with a government subsidy, a double-ended ferry was built. It was easy to maneuver, carried 8 cars and 46 passengers with a crew of 2. It was named “The Catherine Graham” after the little baby born “on board” in 1937.

ENTER TO WIN!

2014

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A14 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Opinions ECHO

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

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Letters

A fairer water billing process Our rural directors,after passing the rate structure for the billing of water use, stated that they would review their decision in March of this year. Well here we are and I would like our directors to rethink the billing process and the fairness of it for the following reasons: We are being billed for 15 cubic metres of water whether we use it or not. In other words if we only use 10 cubic metres of water during the period from October to March, we will have been charged for 30 cubic metres that we didn’t use. But when we need to use extra water in the spring and summer for our gardens and lawns, we get charged again for any amount exceeding 15 cubic metres and at a higher rate. So not only have they quite literally stolen 30 cubic metres of water from us through the winter, when we need to use that water that we saved, we have to pay for it again at a higher price. The solution to this is very straightforward. Bill us once a year for 180 cubic metres of water, and at that time bill us for any extra water used over the 180 cubic metres. After all that is why the meters were installed to begin with, was to give the regional district the ability to tell who was using the water. Not only will you save hundreds of dollars in postage from billing once a year, it would be a fairer process, and some of us might even give you credit for doing the right thing. R. McCulloch Area B

Letters to the Editor

HARPER IS DAMAGING CANADA Kay Kennedy’s letter last week (Harper is Scarey) gave us many reasons for taking a good look at the damage Stephen Harper is doing to Canada, and I’d like to add to that. There’s an excellent website people can read which regularly shows a compilation of investigative articles on Stephen Harper and his government. The articles are gathered from media across Canada, many written by some of our best journalists and originally published in the newspapers they work for. www.harperwatch.ca Just this week 161 Canadian academics signed a letter addressed to the Prime Minister detailing how the Conservatives proposed Fair Election Act is anything but fair. According to them this Act goes against International law and everyone should study it in detail before it’s too late. The letter and its details follow, along with the signature of the academics. I hope you take time to not only read it but share the information with your friends. fair-elections-act-would-damage-heart-our-country-s-democracy-group-professors-say Diane Baxter Courtenay

KEEP FUNDING TB REACH One of Canada’s finest foreign assistance achievements is TB Reach, a grassroots health org dedicated to help those TB sufferers that other programs miss: those who are physically isolated and difficult to treat. There are an estimated 3 million of these, with each untreated sufferer eventually infecting about ten other people. Canada is the only major funder of TB Reach. Our federal government already does great work fighting this ancient scourge through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, but TB Reach is Canada’s own gift to the world. Currently, TB reach is short about 200 million, spread over 5 years. I sincerely hope that on March 24, World TB Day, Canada pledges to complete funding of TB Reach and saves the lives of those last 3 million. Nathaniel Poole Victoria

FAIR ELECTIONS ACT NOT FAIR I am seriously concerned by the Fair Elections Act. It is anything but fair. Elections Canada needs to be able to compel testimony because it is dealing with representatives of government who, typically, refuse to provide testimony. It is essential that Elections Canada be allowed to encourage young people to vote. This is a totally non-partisan action which promotes democracy. What are you afraid of? Canadians in general are trustworthy. The incidence of irregularities around vouching have been confused with the incidence of fraud being perpetrated through vouching. While the former may be common, the latter is extremely rare I am sure. To date no evidence has been provided. I have only heard misrepresentation of the words of the Neufeld report. New voter ID requirements hamper voting by young people and new Canadians when they try to exercise their democratic duties. Seniors living in retirement residences and care facilities who rely on Voter Information Cards would be hampered as well. Again I ask, what are you afraid of? The expansion of the influence of money in elections exacerbates a problem which already is a curse on democracy. He who campaigns with the most money can veer away from carefully using ads to get their beliefs and plans in the public eye towards smearing other candidates. This is very low behaviour. We need to see well-laid out platforms and debates, not smarmy ads. I would like to see consultation with representatives of the 160 academics who study the principles and institutions of constitutional democracy and sent a letter of concern, with Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand, and with Harry Neufeld. If Mr. Neufeld’s report is being used to back up the Act, then it makes sense to consult with him. I am appalled by this Act which uses the word “fair” in it. There are too many parts of it which actually attack the democracy of which Canadians are so proud. I urge you to participate in open, honest debate on this matter. Kathy Gilland Duperron

What is criteria for funding? I am writing with respect to Mr. Round’s March 6, 2014 article regarding the CVRD’s $1.9 million plan to renovate the curling rink. Mr. Round reports that “The chosen $1.9 million option was the most costeffective on the shortlist and should ensure the centre could continue to operate for perhaps 30 years” Further he reports there “are around 600 curling club members plus other casual and visiting users.” Compare this to the recent treatment of local soccer players when they required a proper facility. Mr. Round reported in a July 16, 2013 article about financing for an all weather soccer pitch being secured that “School District 71 will provide the land, the soccer club will chip in its $400,000 contribution, the City of Courtenay will hand over $860,000 it received for selling a playing field at Mission Road to allow the new hospital to go ahead, and the regional district will find the balance and take the lead on progressing the project.” That article concludes by telling the reader that “Soccer is said to be the biggest participation team sport in the Comox Valley, with more than 1,000 registered players of all ages in local league teams and others playing recreationally” So, could Mr. Grieve as Chair of the CVRD explain: 1. Why Curling Club members pay nothing to keep their facility going while the soccer players with almost double the participants and playing season had

to contribute $400,000 for their facility? 2 .By what objective measures was it deemed the Curling Club project is worthy of taxpayer $1.9 million? 3. Is that the criteria by which other projects will be judged when they ask for public funds? 4.Why is it that Campbell River curlers are able to support their Curling Club without any public $$$$ and we can’t? I am not a user of either the soccer field or curling rink but am concerned that taxpayer funds are committed without any apparent formal written policy or business case for determining and evaluating which groups should receive tax dollars. Steve Felson Regional District Resident

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? Why not initiate tree trimming at YQQ now? Aeronautics Act is a large document. It also contains a section which lists Regulations for several airports and Comox Airport Regulation SOR-80-803 specifically states: ... “Paragraph 6 NATURAL GROWTH. Where an object of natural growth on any land to which these Regulations apply exceeds in elevation any of the surfaces set out in paragraphs 5(a) to (c), the Minister may make a direction that the owner or occupier of the land on which that object is growing remove the excessive growth thereof.” My interpretation of the Paragraph 6 is that an owner of “natural growth” can be

asked to remove or trim their trees at his/her expense. Trimming of one tall, grown up tree can cost $500 - $1,000. Therefore having 50 trees on a property could cost more than an official assessment of an older house. Mr. T. Walsh pointed out in Comox Valley Echo on March 14, 2014 that the legal action related to tree trimming was discontinued and that all but three properties/owners in Kye Bay Road area have agreed to have their trees trimmed. It is also my understanding that the Department of National Defence offered to absorb associated costs. Based on the above, why the tree trimming activity cannot be initiated now? The property owners, who initiated Judicial Review, would have an option to join their neighbours and trim all trees simultaneously. If they would again choose to delay for any reason, they would in fact elect to pay for trimming themselves and not by taxpayers. I am not familiar with all aspects of this activity but I know that there are many people in Comox Valley who can use chainsaw efficiently and have trimming completed in no time. It would be nice to start on May 1, 2014, what do you think? Here are appropriate links and check yourself if I did not misinterpret the Regulations. Comox Airport Regulation: http:// laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/ SOR-80-803/index.html and Aeronautics Act: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/A-2/ Paul Knettig Area B

Sorry for comparing Harper to Hitler To those whom I have offended: I am truly sorry and you are right. Comparing Stephen Harper to Hitler IS disrespectful. He is not a mass murderer and I doubt will ever become one. I do think his politics are fascistic, though, and his policies of muzzling scientists and reporters, destroying books and lack of concern for our health care system and environmental future should alarm us all. This is not what we want in our government, whichever party is in power. Kay Kennedy Courtenay

HARPER IS A FASCIST Re: Harper Is Scary, March 11 Regarding Kay Kennedy’s letter in the March 11 edition of the Echo, I must say that I agree wholeheartedly with the headline “Harper Is Scary”. I also agree with many of the points raised within the body of the letter. However I must strongly protest the somewhat hyperbolic attempt to liken Stephan Harper’s actions as Leader of Stephan Harper’s Conservative Party of Canada to those of Hitler. We must chose our words carefully especially when we attempt to vilify the Prime Minister of Canada. You may not like the man or his actions but you really should respect the office he holds. No, Stephen Harper, Leader of Stephan Harper’s Conservative Party of Canada (honest, that is how he wants it done, I didn’t make that up) and Prime Minister of

Canada is certainly no Hitler. What he is acting like, however, is a neoliberal fascist. Which is not as completely pejorative as it sounds to a political theorist. If you compare Stephan Harper’s actions since gaining a “majority” government (with less than a third of Canadian voters voting for him and Stephan Harper’s Conservative Party of Canada) many of those actions fit quite well into the characteristics of fascism. Hyperlinks do not work well in print so my reader now could Google Lawrence W. Britt and his 14 point description of fascism. Before proceeding, I want to say that I don’t think Stephen Harper is a fascist. His ideology is neo-liberalism, which favours domination of society by laissez-faire capitalism. I say that regardless of what name he uses to brand himself. Remember, this is a Reform Party wonk who comes from Evangelical stock...remember the no pensions, reform the Senate group? What Harper does exhibit is a virulent dislike for the moderate liberalism that Canadians have embraced for generations. Many of his actions, initiatives and plots rendered exhibit the thought processes also exhibited by fascist leaders. The people he attracts to surround him are often even more able to dislike Canada and what it stands for ... a singular example among many being the increasing discussion of women’s reproductive rights. Historically, some of Canada’s best advances domestically and internationally

were made via legislation and etc. accompanying a Liberal minority government relying on the Federal NDP while the old Progressive Conservatives were in opposition. Mulroney absolutely broke the Progressive Conservative Party and Peter Mackay sold the remaining vestiges for a succession of Cabinet posts and some free helicopter rides. And a smoking hot wife who must be ever so pleased with her husband’s political party’s stance on human rights...or its ever increasing Nationalism .. or its law and order stance. The list is endless. Really. In closing I urge my reader to go to Britt’s 14 points on fascism and ponder Stephan Harper’s stance on immigration as you read the pertinent passage. Or his most recent modifications to Elections Canada ...why would he need to do that you might ask yourself. Well, Lawrence Britt will tell you. Think about Harper’s destruction of Canadian governmental libraries, his muzzling of fisheries scientists, his recent treatment of our military veterans who he sent over there and told them to fight, now they are broken and he closes their resource centers. There isn’t one single point in Britt’s 14 that you can not align with Stephan Harper’s actions, stated policies or his government legislation. Vote is all I can say. And don’t split it please, that is how you get a Prime Minister with less than a third (a lot less actually) of citizens voting for him. Glenn Countryman Comox

Sports and Recreation

Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014 A15

Sharpe making his mark Local snowboarder 18-year-old Darcy Sharpe continues with an impressive winter season. At the recent prestigious Burton US Open Slopestyle in Vail, after qualifying for finals out of 32 men, he scored an impressive 6th place finish with a killer rail section and added another “best trick award” to his accomplishments for this winter. He won the Nike Streetstyle and best trick in Breckenridge in December, and after the US Open last week, he arrived in Whistler for the 17th annual Showcase Showdown. The Pro Men saw a battle with a talent pool deeper than the Showdown has seen in the past few years. Top spot went to Max Parrot, who has been on a podium tear the entire season. Sharpe pushed Parrot hard with double corks and a much more technical rail section at the top of the slope course. On day two, at the Big Air, in

Darcy Sharpe

tough snow bound conditions, Sharpe prevailed and finished 1st in a field of 24 riders and beat the double X Games gold winner. Sharpe, currently ranked 20th in the World Snowboard Tour, is a member of the Canadian National Snowboard team. From his humble beginnings at Mount Washington, and a past team rider with local VI Riders and the Whistler Valley Snowboard Academy, he is in the middle of a number of important contests taking place over the next few weeks. After the Showcase in Whistler he moves over to the Canadian Nationals in Calgary; a Dew Tour event at Sun Peaks; the Ride Shakedown in Quebec and then back to Whistler for the Whistler Ski and Snowboard Festival. The season will finish with a stop in the Rockies for “Ruckus” and finally on to Super Park in Oregon. His sponsors include Burton, Monster Energy Drinks, Air Hole and DYRA.

Run and Gun Basketball League starting April 1 at Vanier school This spring’s edition of the Comox Valley Run and Gun Basketball League starts on Tuesday, April 1st at G.P. Vanier. This is an evening basketball league for grade 8 and 9 boys who live in the Comox Valley, or Campbell River. The league has been going for over 20 years, and is tremendously helpful in improving the quality of basketball at the three high schools. Leagues like this have helped make Courtenay a hotbed for tal-

THE DART BOARD COMOX VALLEY PUB LEAGUE MIXED DARTS March 18/2014 POSITION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

TEAM Crty Legion Black Cats Crty Legion DA’s Cx Legion Aces Cx Legion Beer Pigs Cx Legion Bulls Hitters Elks Fungis Elks Misfitz Griffin Gang Griffin Darts of Hazzard

ent, and teams going to the Provincial Championships, notably like Mark Isfeld and Highland did this year. Run and Gun will go to the end of May, and runs every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm. Sign-up will be on the first scheduled night of April 1st, where teams will be organized, and other details will be announced. Cost will be $30 per participant. For more information email larrystreetcar@gmail.com

Gallaway Rink from left to right: Sandra Gallaway, skip; Liz Ellis, 3rd; Mary Ellen Werner, 2nd; Elaine Starchuk, lead

Local Gallaway rink finishes fourth at B.C. Masters event The BC Masters Women’s Competition was held in Creston March 5-9 with our very own Gallaway team vying for the gold. Sandra Gallaway with teammates, Liz Ellis, 3rd; Mary Ellen Werner, 2nd; Elaine Starchuk, lead battled seven other BC teams with very close games in the five-day event. Sandra’s team ended up in a tiebreaker with the Karen Lepine team representing Langley but came in 4th overall. The Jeffries team from the Alberni Valley won the gold medal against the Royal City team of Carol McFadden with final 7-3 victory. The Gallaway team enjoyed the

competition and the hospitality of the Creston organizing committee. They said they also received many glowing comments from teams who had been to our BC Senior Competition who were still raving about our hopsitality and how excellent the ice conditions were. Hats off to Cody and his crew and our committee and volunteers. The Gallaway team was sponsored by the Royal Bank and also received assistance from the Comox Valley Curling Club, the Hangover League, the Ladies League and the four of them wish to extend their upmost thanks and appreciation to all who contributed to making this a memorable experience.

POINTS 147 126 107 92 86 82 80 60 50

March 11 scores: GDoH 5-CLBP 4, CLDA 7-CLA 2, CLBH 7-GG 2, EF 4-EM 5

Ladies Hi Score: Leslie Lamouroux, Patti Dennis (2), Wendy Wiseman, JoJo Scott, Jenny Nyland 140 Men’s Hi Score: Art Forbes 174 Ladies Hi Checkout: Lona Dennis 100 Men’s Hi Checkout: Brian Wilcox 148 180s: Brian Wilcox, Glen Litchfield

COMOX VALLEY MEN’S DART ASSOCIATION LEAGUE March 13/14 POS. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Team Courtenay Legion A Courtenay Legion B Courtenay Legion C Griffin Pub Flyers Comox Legion C Comox Legion B Griffin Pub A

POINTS 322 267 262 242 234 183 149

TOP 10 AVERAGES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Joe McNEIL Bill DURANT Ernie LINDEN Glen LITCHFIELD Daniel LEAMAN Jack ETHIER Mark WYATT John CHEQUIS Bill McPHERSON Stuart WILLS

60.47 60.16 56.89 56.16 54.39 54.27 53.92 53.68 52.43 52.31

GAMES WON THIS WEEK Comox Legion B Comox Legion C Courtenay Legion A Courtenay Legion B Courtenay Legion C Griffin Pub Griffin Pub Flyers

9 11 21 13 3 Bye 15

High Checkout: John Chequis 134 High Score: Bill MacPherson, Jack Ethier, Terry Hills, John Chequis 177 180s: Terry Hills 2, Jamie Deith 1, Chuck Smith 1, Jack Ethier 1, Bill MacPherson 1, Hap Hanson 1, John Chequis 1, Mark Wyatt 1, Ralph Brydon 1, Glen Litchfield 1, Stan Kowalewich 1

In the photos, right, L-R, Jade Paganelli, Peyton Meiers, Emma Cullen, Meghan Taylor, Jane Schaffhauser. Photo above, Milan Husiman, Michael Robert, Aaliyah Melanson.

Valley Skating Club home to 3 Island Champions The Comox Valley Skating Club is presently home to three Vancouver Island Region Champions, with Jane Schaffhauser winning the Senior Bronze Girls event and Emma winning in for Pre-Juvenile Girls U14 at the recent VI Region Championships, adding two more titles to the one won by Jade Paganelli in Juvenile Girls U11 at an earlier provincial event. Jane and Emma are now off to Kelowna to compete at the “Pond to Podium” Super Series STARSkate Final. Also representing Comox Valley at the VI Region Championships were Aaliyah Melanson, Milan Huisamen, Michael Robert, Jade Paganelli, Peyton Meiers, and Meghan Taylor. The next big event for the skating club is the “Big Time Fun under the Big Top skating extravaganza” with two performances on April 5. Tickets are available now. For information on the skating show and other skating club programs go to comoxvalleyskatingclub.ca

COMOX VALLEY ~ MAY 25, 2014

READY, SET TRI-IT With spring just around the corner it is that time to dust off the running shoes, grease the chain on your bike, bring out the swim suit and get ready for the Shoreline Orthodontics’ Tri-K triathlon. On Sunday May 25th the sports centre will come alive with the sights and sounds of the annual Comox Valley event. Hundreds of eager athletes will take to the water in the first leg, followed by a cycle ride, and capped it off with a run. This years’ Shoreline Orthodontics’ Tri-K sprint triathlon swim will return to 750 meters, 30 lengths of the pool. The Just Tri-it division will remain at 500 meters, 20 lengths of the pool. The event will once again be sanctioned by Triathlon BC. This means the race will follow Tri BC rules and regulations, complete with officials. Being sanctioned will see the race take on a higher profile with better and faster competition. This event has been called the race for all ages with several divisions each having their own distances. The day starts off with the Mini event, followed by the Sprint, Duathlon and Just TRI –IT divisions. The day winds up with the Teeny and In-betweeny divisions. Teeny

Inbetweeny

Sprint

Just TRI-IT

Duathlon

5–7 years

7–9 years

8–9 years

10 – 11 years

Mini 12 – 17 years

16 years plus

16 years +

16 years +

Swim

Twice across the pool

50 meters

100 meters

150 meters

300 meters

750 meters

500 meters

No swim 5 Km run

Bike

Once around the school

Twice around the school

5 Km

5 Km

10 Km

20 Km

20 Km

20 Km

Run

Around the track

Around the track

1 Km

2 Km

3 Km

5 Km

5 Km

5 Km

The Just TRI-IT is a non-timed event, geared towards participation. All of the distances are suggested only. The Tri-K, no matter what division, is a fun race aimed at getting people participating, active and involved. The sprint distance is short enough to be doable, yet long enough to be a challenge. If this sounds like something that you would like to participate in, now is the time to get ready. The ECHO newspaper would like to see you reach your goal of completing the Shoreline Orthodontics’ Tri-K triathlon. Starting the week of March 17th this newspaper will feature a training guide to help you cross the finish line. The eight week guide will suggest workouts that will gradually increase your fitness level, strength and endurance. Starting with distances or times that you are comfortable with, the plan will add 5 – 15 percent to each workout until you hit the target duration and/or goal distance. This training guide is based on a maximum of three sessions per week in each sport. Besides the workouts, the guide will give tips and hints on participating and making your experience a positive one. A triathlon is about preparation and organization. In order to get to the starting line, your first task is to get organized! 1. Register for the Shoreline Orthodontics’ Tri-K. Online registration is available at www.trik.ca. 2. Get your equipment together. The minimum that you’ll need is a bathing suit, bike, helmet, t-shirt, running shoes, socks, water bottles and a towel. Although not totally necessary it is nice to have goggles for swimming, a hat for running and a watch for timing yourself. The bike needs to be in good working order, brakes that stop you, tires that are pumped up, all bolts tight, gears that shift easily, and a chain that is lubricated. Your equipment does not need to be top of the line but, it does need to fit you, be safe, and operational. 3. Plan for your run routes, swim times and bike rides. The pool has “coached” workout sessions (swim fit or masters). If the times do not suit you, the 8 week training guide will provide sample swim workouts that you can do during public length swim sessions. Check out the bulletin board at Extreme Runners in downtown Courtenay for times and routes of organized running groups. There are a variety of groups; one to suit every running level. With all of that done you are now prepared for your work outs. The training guide will start next week, so get registered, dust off your bike, dig out your bathing suit, running shorts, lace up your sneakers and get ready to train for a triathlon. Get-fit, stay-fit, tri-it!

A16 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014

CARRIERS WANTED EARN $$$$$$$$ COMOX Rt. 1102A – Bolt, Anderton, Noel, Marten, Linshart Rt. 2118 – Comox Ave, Baybrook, Orchard Park, Mack Laing Rt. 2129 – Sylvan, Parry, Aspen, Idiens Substitutes: (Jan/14 to May/14) Rt. 2113 – Buena Vista, Queens, McLeod, Richardson, McCullough CROWN ISLE Rt. 3120 – Monarch, Royal Rt. 3134 – Crown Isle Dr, Birkshire, Sussex VALLEYVIEW Rt. 3122 – Swan, Trumpeter, Sparrow, Valley View Rt. 3123 – Nechako, 5th St., Chemainus, Cowichan, 6th St. MISSION HILL Rt. 5106 – Oak, McLaughlin, Nim Nim Place.

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Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014 A17

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A18 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Mt. Cain finishing up short season with some special events Kidsfest at Mount Cain will be held on March 22! While many events had to be cancelled due to lack of snow, Kidsfest will go ahead. Races, obstacle course, snow sculpture, and more. The event is open to everyone under 16 years of age - skiers and boarders of all ski levels. Registration starts at 8:00 and the events will begin at 9:30. And to finish off this short season we will be holding the first annual “Skinanigans” event on April 5th - the last day of the ski season. This family event will include an elimination dual slalom, beer garden and BBQ, and a Dummy Downhill. The Dummy Downhill is a chance to build a “dummy” skier or boarder and send them over a jump. Lots of laughs, lots of fun. More details will be shared on the Mount Cain Facebook site and in our newsletter so stay tuned! To sign up for the newsletter visit www.mountcain.org. Mount Cain is a local North Islands ski hill. To learn more about the hills, the lift, and community, and how to get there visit our website at www.mountain.org.

Sports and Recreation

‘Skiing is believing’ clinic at Mt. Washington

Register now for a fun adaptive ski clinic, “Skiing is Believing,” on Mount Washington. Photo: S. Bloxsome.

On Sunday March 30, VISAS and the Strathcona Nordics are holding a ski clinic for people with a physical disabilities. All skill levels and ages 8 years and up are welcome - from complete beginners who want to try it out to athletes who wish to improve their technique. Cross country skiing can be enjoyed either sitting or standing, by many people including those with paraplegia, amputations, blind or visually impaired, cerebral palsy, MS, brain injuries, and more. Cross country skiing is good exercise, so, although you don’t have to be an athlete, a certain amount of physical fitness is needed. In order to use a sit ski, you need to be able to push yourself along with poles, so you should be able to use a manual wheelchair and in order to ski standing up you should be able to walk at least 400m using canes or no aids. Cost is $15 which includes trail pass equipment and instruction. They say, “Sign up to enjoy some fun in the snow!” For further information or to register, email sbloxsome@gmail.com or phone 250 334 3267. Deadline for registration is March 23rd.

MILLIONAIRE!

Enter at any or all of these participating merchants! no purchase necessary • see stores for details • draw date April 8/14

GREENIES for Cats and Dogs

25% off

offer expires March 31 2014.

We Know Adventure!

PADDLE, HIKE, CAMP, TRAVEL

Shop in store or online at www.albernioutpost.com

COURTENAY

#3–1661 Cliffe Ave courtenay@albernioutpost.com

250 871 0264

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