Westerly News Words from the
News updates: westerlynews.ca
2 Great Dealerships 1 Great Choice New & Pre-owned Vehicles !
The Chris Turner Experien
ce
I Deliver to the West Co ast
November 6, 2013
Serving Tofino and Ucluelet
Wednesday
$1.00 [INCLUDING TAX]
ALBERNI TO YOTA
Call Me 250-735-2204 Text Me cturner@albernitoyota.co m
INSIDE THIS WEEK INSIDETHIS WEEK:
Trenches
THEIR HEROES Wendy Szaniszlo’s work helped pioneer Canada’s first sea lion unentanglement in the wild last week. Exclusive pictures. PAGE 10, 11
A West Coast Remembrance Day
The ‘death penny’ plaque cast for ROGER IRVING, who died at Vimy Ridge in 1917. PAGE 7
GEORGE ‘BLACK JACK’ VOWEL’s journals and letters detail the stark realities of war. PAGE 8
World War II MI5 codebreaker OLIVE BAILEY worked behind the scenes at Bletchley Park. PAGE 6
SEE THEIR STORIES INSIDE: Pages 6, 7, 8
FROM SMALL HAND TOOLS TO LARGE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT 8am–5pm Mon – Fri & Sat 9am–3pm Behind Barry’s Drug Mart
250.726.7368
Ucluelet Rent It Center has what you need to complete your next project!
HOWLOWEEN HAUNTS Memories of Halloween 2013 on the West Coast PAGE 20
Page 2 | The Westerly News
The Westerly News (1987) Ltd. is a division of VI Newspaper Group Limited Partnership The Westerly News publishes weekly on Thursdays and regularly posts online at www.westerlynews.ca. WHO WE ARE
Hugh Nicholson, publisher hnicholson@glaciermedia.ca Jackie Carmichael, editor editor@westerlynews.ca Andrew Bailey, reporter reporter@westerlynews.ca Paul Schroeder, advertising advertising@westerlynews.ca CONTACT US P.O. Box 317, Ucluelet B.C. V0R 3A0 [1–1920 Lyche Rd., Ucluelet] Phone: 250-726-7029 Fax: 250-726-4282 E-mail: office@westerlynews.ca DEADLINES Display ads Tuesday at noon Call 250-266-0557 office@westerlynews.ca Classified ads Tuesday at noon Call 250-726-2237 classifieds@westerlynews.ca Online ads Start anytime Call 250-266-0557 office@westerlynews.ca Letters to the editor Monday at 10 a.m office@westerlynews.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS Local area: $75.18 Seniors (local): $63.91 Canada: $84.56 U.S.: $155.18 To subscribe call: 1-888-311-7713 or 250-729-4266
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Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Community Events 6 WEDNESDAY
To list your West Coast event, call 250 726-7029 or e-mail office@westerlynews.ca
Girl Guides camp brings STEM fun to West Coast
November 6 at 7 p.m. – Youth in the Biosphere Reserve: a night of short films at Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre, 380 Campbell St., Tofino. Recycling Day in Tofino. Wednesday 11:15 a.m-11:45 a.m. Story time for preschool children ages 3-5 . Ucluelet library at the Ucluelet Community Centre Strong Start, Ucluelet Elementary School, 8:35-11:35 a.m. Holy Family Church, 9:30am, 1664 Peninsula Rd. Ucluelet. Adults/Seniors Chi Gong, 10:30– 11:30am, UCC fitness studio. Preschool Play Group, 10am–noon, Tofino Community Hall. Youth Health Clinic Ucluelet, 10–11:30am, youth room, Ucluelet Community Centre (library entrance). Access to the health nurse 250-720-5471. Youth Health Clinic Tofino, 1–2:30pm, Coastal Family Place, 265 First St. Access to the health nurse 250-720-5471. Ucluelet Sunshine Club, 1pm, Forest Glen. All seniors welcome. Seniors Social Afternoons, 1:30-4pm, Tofino Legion. Free admission & refreshments. Dominos, crib, board games, pool, snooker & darts. Ucluelet library, Ucluelet Community Centre, open 1–6pm.
7 THURSDAY Open House at the CBT office, 316 Main Street in Tofino, from 12 to 4 p.m. Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Featured musician Rodrigo Figueroa at Float Lounge at 7 pm Healthy Babies Program/Family Ties, 10:30am. Drop-in for expectant, new parents, Coastal Family Place, Tofino. Wickaninnish Community School’s StrongStart program. Monday and Fridays 8:45-11:45 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:30-1:30 Free community lunch, noon–2pm, Coastal Community Services Hub, Ucluelet. Info 250-726-2343. The Edge Youth Room, 3–6pm, Ucluelet Community Centre & Youth Nite at the Edge (cooking, movies, art projects & more), 6–8pm, $2. Tofino library, 331 Main St., 3–7pm. Pacific Rim Toastmasters, 7:30pm, Rm 1, UCC. Info: 250-726-2766. Drop-in Bingo, doors 7pm, early-bird 7:30–8pm, full games 8–10pm, Tofino Legion. Badminton, 8–10pm, USS gym. $2 AA meeting, 8pm, Holy Family Ch., 1663 Peninsula Rd., Ucluelet. 250-726-2712/4220.
8 FRIDAY Open House at the CBT office, 316 Main Street in Tofino, from 12 to 4 p.m. Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Fea-
Twenty-one Tofino and Ucluelet girls ages 5-12 attended a Girl Guides of Canada camp here in Ucluelet on October 25 & 26. The theme of the camp was Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. tured musician Rodrigo Figueroa at Float Lounge at 7 pm The 39th Annual Christmas in the Valley Giant Christmas Craft Fair kicks off at the new Athletic Hall in Port Alberni. Santa will be there on Friday from 5:30 to 7p.m, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 2:30p.m. Bring your camera and make a donation $1 or more to SD70’s Read and Feed Program to get pics with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Friday, Nov. 8 from 3-8pm, Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10-5pm and Sunday, Nov. 10 from 11-4:30pm. 3727 Roger Street, next to the Alberni Valley Multiplex. Strong Start, Ucluelet Elementary School, 8:35-11:35 a.m. Tofino Library Storytime 11:30 a.m.-12 noon. 331 Main St. Preschool children with adult welcome. The Edge Youth Room, 2–6pm, Ucluelet Community Centre & Youth Sports Day, 3–5pm. Free. Holy Family Church, 7pm, 1664 Peninsula Rd. Ucluelet.
9 SATURDAY Open House at the CBT office, 316 Main Street in Tofino, from 12 to 4 p.m. 9 am – 4:30 pm – Clayoquot Sound Science Symposium. Nine researchers doing scientific work within the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve will share results, with time for questions. Light lunch, RSVP brooke@clayoquotbiosphere. org. Classroom at Tofino Botanical Gardens Ecolodge.
9:00-9:45 Barb Beasley, Association of Wetland Stewards of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds; 9:45-10:30 Lily Burke, Central Westcoast Forest Society; 10:45-11:30 Wendy Szaniszlo - Sea Lion Research in Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds; 11:3012:15 Mike Collyer, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; 1:152:00 Jim Darling, Pacific Wildlife Foundation; 2:00-2:45 Jennifer Yakimishyn, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Cliff Robinson, UVic; 3:00-3:45 Yuri Zharikov, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; 3:45-4:30 Arlene Armstrong, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Nov 9th at 4pm and 7pm – Ucluelet Community Centre – Uminari Taiko Drumming Ucluelet library, Ucluelet Community Centre, open 10am–2pm. Tofino library, 331 Main St., open 10am–noon & 1–5pm. St. Francis of Assisi Church, mass 5:30pm, 441 Main St. Tofino. AA meeting, 7:30pm, St. Francis Church, 441 Main, Tofino. Open. Call 250-725-3446.
10 SUNDAY Christ Community Church, 10:30am, 1419 Peninsula Rd. Ucluelet. Grace Bible Church, 10:30am, Ucluelet Community Ctr., 500 Matterson Dr. Holy Family Church, 9:30am, 1664 Peninsula Rd. Ucluelet. St. Columba Church, 10:30am, 110 Second St. Tofino.
Tofino Bible Fellowship, 10:30am. 250-726-5017, 250-725-2447
11 MONDAY Strong Start, Ucluelet Elementary School, 8:35-11:35 a.m. Floor hockey, 7–9pm, Ucluelet Seaplane Base Rec Hall. $2 drop-in. Indoor Soccer, 8–10pm, USS gym, $2 Competitive & drop-in darts, doors 7pm, play 8pm, Tofino Legion.
12 TUESDAY Strong Start, Ucluelet Elementary School, 5-8pm Healthy Babies Program/Family Ties, 10:30am. Drop-in for expectant parents & new parents, Coastal Community Services Hub, Ucluelet Community Centre. 250-726-2224. Ucluelet library, Ucluelet Community Centre, open 1–6pm. The Edge Youth Room, 3–6pm, Ucluelet Community Centre & Girl’s Roller Derby, ages 13–18, 3pm, Seaplane Base Rec Hall. Youth night, 7-9pm, Tofino Legion. Free admission, snacks & drinks. Pool, snooker, foosball, hockey table, darts & board games. Supervision provided, parents welcome. St. Francis of Assisi Church, mass 5pm, 441 Main St. Tofino. Food Bank on the Edge, pick up 1–3pm, across from Ucluelet Rec. Hall, Seaplane Base Rd. AA meeting, 7:30pm, St. Francis Church, 441 Main, Tofino. Roller Derby Practice, 7-9pm, Seaplane Base Rec Hall. Basketball, 7–10pm, USS gym.
editor@westerlynews.ca
The Westerly News | Page 3
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Premiers ink deal, Irving seeks environment measures for West Coast JACKIE CARMICHAEL
Westerly News It took an all-night session, but Premier Christy Clark and Alberta Premier Alison Redford announced Tuesday a “framework” agreement between the two provinces on moving energy resources to new markets. Ucluelet Mayor Bill Irving heralded Tuesday’s bleary-eyed agreement. He’s hoping both B.C. and Alberta will turn their eyes to Canada’s West Coast. “I think there’s every opportunity to demonstrate now, before there’s an increase in pipeline and tanker traffic, to demonstrate to the people of Canada they hold to the highest environmental standards by investing in these coastal communities right now,” said Irving, who has lobbied for a spill response centre to be established at Amphitrite Point on the West Coast, and for the federal government to keep the Coast Guard MCTS there open instead of shut-
ting it down in 2014 as previously announced. “I think both those premiers can now turn to the federal government and say ‘You’re talking a good line, let’s start investing. “I’m asking they invest in marine safety and Coast Guard assets, I’m asking they demonstrate to us they really are interested in oil spill response and oil spill mitigation by investing in and locating assets on the coast. In food faith, if they’re talking about a transition to a more green approach to energy, they should start investing in those types of opportunities on the coast, not just talking about it,” Irving said. Clark’s sticking point was B.C.’s “5 conditions” relating to movement of Alberta bitumen in particular, and Alberta’s ask was Clark’s endorsement of Redford’s Canadian Energy Strategy. Both provinces reaffirmed Alberta’s bitumen royalties are not on the table for negotiation, a joint release said.
“Agreement on B.C.’s 5 conditions is a necessary first step before any proposals can be considered for approval,” said Clark. Alberta has long had an eye on B.C.’s ocean access to Asian markets. In the past two years, world markets have played havoc with the Alberta budget, and Redford’s government has blamed Alberta’s bottlenecked bitumen, saying access issues keep it priced below West Texas and Brent Crude prices. Redford has expressed optimism in recent days that President Barack Obama will approve the last leg of the Keystone pipeline to the American refinery hub of the Gulf Coast. The province’s bitumen exports have soared by rail while awaiting pipeline completions, but recent rail accidents have brought public scrutiny on rail transport for crude. Alberta has long touted the importance of its vast bitumen reserves for all Canadians for
the billions it brings into federal coffers to help pay for social programming – but said getting it to market is crucial. “Today’s agreement with B.C. is good news for Alberta, for British Columbia and for all Canadians. I welcome Premier Clark’s endorsement of the Canadian Energy Strategy and our shared commitment to create jobs, long-term growth and position Canada as a true global energy superpower,” Redford said. According to Tuesday’s release, both provincial agree B.C.’s “5 conditions” are intended to ensure both the responsible production of energy as well as its safe transport to new markets, giving projects the social licence to proceed. Conditions 1-4 are aimed at economic benefit and risk mitigation on increased shipments through B.C. “They mirror Alberta’s legislated commitments on responsible energy production,” the release said. “Alberta and B.C. agree that only
through intensive environmental review and protection, enhanced marine safeguards and First Nations support, can projects proceed.” On condition five, Alberta agrees that B.C. has a right to negotiate with industry on appropriate economic benefits. Both governments agree it is not for the governments of Alberta and B.C. to negotiate these benefits, the release said. editor@westerlynews.ca
PAINTING THE LARGE CANVAS with
Alison Watt (www.alisonwatt.ca) November 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 2013 Learn how to bring a canvas through several layers, working with colour, composition and surface, and surprise yourself with what you can achieve in three days on one canvas. For those with experience in acrylics. Cost for the three days is $250.00.
Nuu-chah-nulth gets grant for tsunami debris clean-up Special to Westerly News VICTORIA - The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, representing 14 First Nations along the West Coast of Vancouver Island, has been awarded $96,200 to establish and operate a tsunami debris cleanup program. The successful proposal was made by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, in partnership with community liaisons and leaders, as part of the ongoing effort to monitor, clean up and dispose of tsunami debris in their traditional territory. The Tribal Council and the Ministry of Environment have signed an agreement for a cleanup program totalling $154,200. Funding includes $58,000 from the Nations and their partners through in-kind contributions and $96,200 from funding provided by the Japanese government.
The funds will be used to implement a tsunami debris management response plan for each of the 14 First Nations in partnership with local agencies, governments and organizations to identify and address any impact from debris found along ADVENTURE the West Coast SHOPPING of Vancouver at Island. Each Nation will be responsible for training their communQuality used ity liaisons and housewares, volunteers to clothes, books recognize and & music respond to tsunami debris. OPEN 11-5 The Nations MON-SAT will work with MAIN ST. UCLUELET communities to (across from CIBC) co-ordinate up Supporting local charities to 56 cleanups Donation items welcome
four per First Nation. Debra Foxcroft, President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council said “Our people know the firsthand impact of tsunamis and how they can devastate our communities and livelihoods, which is why
For registration contact: www.tofinoartscouncil.com
we are actively involved in the cleanup. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Province and collaborate with our community partners, and we honour and thank our Japanese neighbours for their generous contribution.”
Vaccine and Appointment Clinic
for Dogs & Cats
CARGO
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
THRIFT
Nov. *Tofino RECYCLES
Workshop location is Inkwis Gallery, Tofino
Ucluelet’s UAC Hall (located beside the firehall on Peninsula Rd)
9:30 am – noon &
Tofino’s Royal Canadian Legion
1:30 – 4 pm
Alberni Vet Clinic ph 250-723-7341 www.albernivet.com
~
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Visit our website
T H U R S DAY 7
F R I DAY 8
S AT U R DAY 9
S U N DAY 1 0
M O N DAY 1 1
T U E S DAY 1 2
Rain 10/7
Variable clouds 10/7
Cloudy/showers 8/6
Some showers 9/4
Few showers 7/3
Isolated showers 6/2
R E M E M B E R — R e d u c e , R e u s e , R e cy c l e !
Son Bird Refuse & Recycling 250-726-4406 Chris Bird 250-726-8144
TIDES Thursday 3 metres
03:05 08:32 14:37 21:24
Local tides brought to you by: Friday 4
feet
3.1 10.2 1.5 4.9 3.5 11.5 0.4 1.3
Saturday 5
metres
04:01 09:31 15:33 22:21
feet
3.0 9.8 1.6 5.2 3.3 10.8 0.6 2.0
metres
05:03 10:42 16:40 23:24
Sunday 6 feet
3.0 9.8 1.6 5.2 3.1 10.2 0.8 2.6
06:09 12:04 17:59
Monday 7
metres
feet
3.0 1.6 2.9
9.8 5.2 9.5
metres
00:31 07:14 13:25 19:21
Tuesday 8 feet
0.9 3.0 3.1 10.2 1.4 4.6 2.9 9.5
metres
01:37 08:12 14:34 20:37
Wednesday 9 feet
1.0 3.3 3.2 10.5 1.2 3.9 2.9 9.5
metres
02:37 09:03 15:32 21:42
feet
1.1 3.6 3.3 10.8 1.0 3.3 2.9 9.5
Ucluelet / Tofino www.coastrealty.com 250-726-7474
Opinion
Page 4 | The Westerly News
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
What do YOU think? Go online to www.westerlynews.ca to answer this week’s poll question: Should a hunt of sea otters be permitted on the West Coast of Vancouver Island? a) Have at ‘em; with their voracious appetites and eating 25% of their body weight daily they are invasive nuisances ruining the shellfish fishery. b) No, they were previously hunted to extinction which was why the shellfish were so abundant. Shellfish eat kelp, so sea otters keep things in balance. c) The government reintroduced them, the needs to regulate the species. d) I’m okay with ceremonial hunting of sea otters by First Nations.
?
Read The Westerly News next week for results of the online vote.
LETTERS
Fish plant does NOT disregard neighbours’ concerns The story in the Westerly News incorrectly implies that Neptune Ice is disregarding our neighbours concerns. It also implies that we do not respect Ucluelet’s long time residents. This couldn’t be farther from the truth for this local business. Neptune built the plant and first opened its doors in 1978....21 years prior to Mr. Blackwell opening his Bed & Breakfast. Neptune has enjoyed great relations with the oldest families in Ucluelet and many others in and around our local neighbourhood. We value these relationships. Many local family members and their children have been employed at Neptune, which is the only family owned fish plant still operating in Ucluelet. During our busy season we employ up to 35 local people, and some have been there since the doors opened in 1978. Neptune Ice, and the boats that we provide needed services to, injects over a million dollars annually into the local businesses, including local bed and breakfasts and other tourism related ventures, machine shops, the fuel dock, our local Co-Op store, restaurants and other businesses. By contrast, neighbouring communities such as Bamfield have unfortunately lost their local fish plant. Without it, they soon lost their fuel dock and other essential services, severely impacting everyone including
the hotel and tourism sector. Neptune has always strived to ensure compatibility between the fishing and tourism industry. We have had many discussions regarding traffic, noise abatement, safety and all issues that affect our neighbours through a mutually respectful dialogue. Neptune has pumped herring and ground fish at this dock since the 1970’s and our records show only 21 days in 2013 that the heavy fishing required us to pump after 8:00 in the evening. On those few days of the year, the fish needs to be shipped quickly to avoid spoilage. Neptune has taken past measures to reduce noise levels and congestion and we are always open to reasonable suggestions and practical solutions. We look forward to meeting with council to deal constructively with any such issues and continue our past good relations with our waterfront neighbours. Doug & Barb Farrington Crystal Farrington - Manager Neptune Ice Ltd.
Shooting of sea otters is rampant here Here are some of the statistics from the otter that was taken from Tofino last week to the Vancouver Aquarium. It is obvious that it wouldn’t have survived if it hadn’t been operated on there. The shooting of sea otters in this area is rampant and other otters have been found blinded by shot gun pellets, bumping into
boats last year. Others have washed in on the beaches here with bullet holes in them. This is unnecessary cruelty to animals who are just starting to return to these waters and stabilize. They have stabilized much better in Kyuquot where people are more tolerant of them. They have been persecuted relentlessly by humans since the arrival of the fur trade when they were exterminated from Canada’s West Coast. Previously, First Nations revered them and only chiefs were allowed to wear sea otter robes. Women’s medicine bundles were made from their hides for sacred use only and there are many creation stories based upon the otter saving the world after the flood. The otter here are offspring of those rescued and brought to Northern Vancouver Island during the nuclear testing in the Aleutian Islands, with the foresight of a few people who wanted to save them. Now they are being shot relentlessly, going through painful and destructive deaths here in this area because they eat shellfish. In Kyuquot where the otter populations have been stabilizing for 30 years, there is a healthy balance of otters, shellfish, kelp forests and excellent cod fishing as well as other fish species. Kelp and shellfish, although dealing with ocean acidification and pollution, help to clean the waters and balance the system. Some people’s lack of tolerance and cruelty to other species is out of control.
People need to remember that what you do to others, you do to yourself. Our lives are being diminished by those that are inflicting this harm and death to creatures who are just trying to live life the way they always have. P.S. the otter at the aquarium was found near a dock in Tofino with kelp over its stomach, its rear flippers were shattered and it was almost blind and hardly moving. It must have been shot in the face while on its back. There were numerous pieces of metal shot that were removed from this otter and he is still in critical condition. It is not likely that this poor animal will be able to return to the wild. Sincerely, Susanne Hare
A year later, ‘taxpayers referendum’ vote a misnomer I am writing to express my deep concern over the ‘taxpayers referendum’ vote which resulted in a ‘majority’ of people in region C of the ACRD voting yes to a property tax levy to pay for the operating cost deficit of the proposed West Coast Multiplex. There are sound, lengthy and substantial reasons that a hockey arena is not a good fit for the very small tax base and climate (economic and otherwise!) of region C of the ACRD. However, let us put aside those
See LETTERS p. 5
LETTERS POLICY: The Westerly News welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, taste, legality and length. We require your hometown and a daytime phone number for verification purposes. Letters must include your first name (or two initials) and last name. Unsigned letters and letters of more than 300 words will not be accepted. Email submissions to office@westerlynews.ca
Opinion II The Westerly News | Page 5
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Tweeting in my grandfather’s voice builds bridge I’m really not a fan of Twitter. I was dragged into this irritating app as a “mobile multi-media journalist,” which meant as a provincial affairs writer, I couldn’t just WRITE. I had to TWEET. And I believe I am not alone when I say this hideous little piece of technocracy is for the birds, and furthermore, sea otters could take lessons on invasiveness from Twitter. What you had for lunch. How it SAT with your digestive system. How embarrassing THAT was. Every little deet is prime for the Twitterpickins. And how someone on deadline is ever supposed to get done by deadline while picking up their Smartphone Jackie (I use the term SMART looseCarmichael ly here) constantly to Tweet Editor the progress of the press conference or the Legislative scrum or whatever the heck is going on, I still don’t know. What I do know is that Twitter built a bridge for me, and I’m grateful for that. As the resident family history buff, I was completely delighted to receive the World War I journals and letters of my grandfather, George “Black Jack” Vowel. He served with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces for all four years of the “Great War,” and in correspondence and his own journal, he chronicled the brutal realities of the trenches of France and Belgium, and even his own embarrassing moments – a demotion for going AWOL, another for fisticuffs. I transcribed his journals and letters in order to write about him, and in a moment of trying to reach out to the next generation of Black Jack’s descendants, I Tweeted excerpts using his own words, in his voice. Turned out, his terse scribbles from the bowels of the trenches were just the right length for Twitter’s 142 or so characters. My experiment earned my long-since departed paternal Granddad “tweeps” and friends on Facebook – and a chance to tell his story, his way, more than half a century after his death when his tractor pinned him to his own land. It also connected him through the thread of history to his youngest great-grandson, my youngest son Patrick, a college senior. Who tweets. And who now sees family history as cool. I think it’s cool, too, which is why I asked writer Andrew Bailey to interview his grandmother, who worked in the secreted halls of MI5’s Bletchley Park in World War II breaking Axis codes. Olive Bailey has been widely honoured for her contribution, and we honour her here, too. In this edition, you’ll find the true story of the Irving family’s World War I loss, and how Mayor Bill Irving reconnected with story of the young soldier uncle he never got to know. And in honour of Black Jack, I will again Tweet from his journals and letters, in his voice. Don’t get me wrong; I am not some hawkish war buff like the U.S. Congressman I once heard compare the Iraq War to football (as in “If we’re on the field, we’re playin’ to win!”) I just don’t think we should forget those people who did what their country asked of them. That said, in this week of remembrance, if you’d like to follow Black Jack, find him at @blackjackvowel or at Alberta WWI Soldier. See you at the Cenotaph. editor@westerlynews.ca
LETTERS, continued from Page 4 arguments for the moment and focus on the legality of the actual referendum vote which took place. A taxpayers referendum it was not. By allowing all ‘registered voters’ to vote on the issue, we as actual taxpayers (i.e. property owners, registered under the B.C. Assesment branch) opened the voting to a vast number of persons who are in no position to vote on this issue. A person who lives in this region and does not pay property taxes, but is otherwise able to provide proof of residency should not be legally able to participate in a referendum on an issue which directly and exclusively affects taxpayers. By allowing said persons to vote, it undermines both the De facto meaning of ‘taxpayers referendum’ as well as the democratic spirit by which these taxpayer referendums are meant to be governed. Although no research data is yet available, I strongly suspect and intend to prove that were a tally to be done of votes only coming from actual property owners/ property tax payers, the results of the referendum would have been quite different. It is highly likely that a substantial portion of persons who voted ‘yes’ for a property tax levy no longer even live in region C, let alone contribute to the tax base. It is my opinion that this vote did not represent a taxpayers referendum, and thus the results of said vote will not hold up to legal scrutiny. While municipal election laws rightly allow
for voting by the general populace on such issues as local governance and bylaws, questions of how much tax we pay should be resolved exclusively by those people paying said taxes! It is my intention to pursue this matter to the fullest degree available under the law, and prove that the vote results are null and void. I strongly urge you to hold an actual taxpayers referendum under which the voters list is drawn up by referencing the property owners list filed at the B.C. Assessment Branch. Allowing any other persons to vote is absolutely not an accurate reflection of the taxpayers mindset on the issue, and I intend on doing everything in my power to have the vote rescinded. Bryce Lashbrook. Property Owner/Taxpayer Tofino, BC
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Westerly News received the following note in response to Bryce Lashbrook’s letter. Thank you for your email expressing concerns regarding the West Coast Multiplex Referendum conducted on November 12, 2012. The AlberniClayoquot Regional District conducted the referendum in accordance with the Local Government Act and Community Charter. In your email you express concerns with ‘all registered voters’ being allowed to vote in the referendum, not just property owners. Attached please find Part 3: Division 4 of the Local
Government Act which states who may vote in a referendum. Section 50 and 51 of the Act deals with the two types of electors which may vote in a referendum – Resident or Non-resident property electors. Wendy Thomson, Manager of Administrative Services Chief Election Officer/West Coast Multiplex Referendum 2012 Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District
Thanks for the article Just wanted to drop a quick line to say how much we enjoyed your article on our wedding at Salmon Beach with Hitchhike Mike as our wedding pilot. We got quite a chuckle out of the article as we read it & it brought back lots of memories for us. Mike is truly a Ukee legend & we make sure to tell everyone we talk to about his love of life & his wonderful take on human nature. I want to thank you for your time that you took with me in the office when I visited you back in Oct. To all the people of Ukee & to Mike we want to say as a family that we truly cherish our time in your area each time we come out & we miss you guys when we are not there. See you next year. The Bishop Family - Lance & Cyndy & Jesse Bishop Penticton.
editor@westerlynews. ca
Page 6 | The Westerly News
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
GRANDMA’S SECRET SERVICE ON THE HOMEFRONT
Olive Bailey’s code-breaking work at WWII’s Bletchley Park Code-breaking operations began in the mansion but soon sprawled into huts constructed on the mansion’s grounds. My grandmother, Olive Bailey, did her code-cracking in Hut 6. ANDREW BAILEY “It was very secretive,” she Westerly News said. “You had to swear you would never say anything CBC Radio calls her and it was very intense.” life’s story “amazing.” The Even after the war ended, Winston Churchill FoundaOlive was prohibited from tion of Vancouver Island talking about Bletchley Park calls her “delightfully for several decades. She said entertaining.” she had no problem keeping General Dwight D. Eisenher secrets safe. hower called her World War “We must have little bedII codebreaking team “of rooms in our brains where priceless value.” we keep things and that I call her Grandma. particular memory had The British government a code and cipher centre author Ben Macintyre once where a group of peculiarly a lovely sleep on a nice purchased a mansion responsible for cracking said, “Bletchley Park is a brilliant people made a featherbed and didn’t come shortly before the start of codes, most notably the national treasure: the home huge contribution to winout for ages,” she said. WWII that (quietly) became Nazi code dubbed Enigma. of the best-kept secret in ning the war.” Olive had a completely difthe famous Bletchley Park, Historian and British history, ferent experience when she returned to Bletchley several years ago to show her husband, Dr. y Serving the West Coast communit Norman Bailey, where from your artners at communities: health p she had worked, Ucluelet: Mon Wed Fri “They’re taking coastrealty.com 10am-noon & 2–6pm troops of tourists ToÀno: Tue Thu around now, and NorTofino & Ucluelet man and I walked www.paciÀcrimchiropractic.com noon–6pm 250-726-2220 250-726-8113 sold@telus.net Dave Christensen in through the gates and as we were walking all of a sudden I heard a woman say th ‘Oh, look -there’s one For Dr. Ron Norman’s 10 year of 2007 Jeep Patriot Limited of them now!’ She’d practise noticed my Bletchley 2.4L, 4 door, SUV Park pin I was wearing and it made me feel Curious about Chiropractic? as though I was some Stock# 135088A Join us the week of sort of rare bird,” she BRENT LANGE Monday November 11th to Friday November 15th said with a chuckle. blange@albernichrysler.com Olive was 19 and livIn celebration of this anniversary, Dr. Norman will be offering: complimentary ing in London with her consultation/assessments for new chiropractic patients to the clinic. He will 250-723-5331 www.albernichrysler.com answer questions, concerns and chat about how chiropractic healthcare can mother when the war offer you more than what you may have previously thought. broke in 1939. Every English woman under There will be discounts on clinic products: high quality clinical nutritional the age of 50 was supplements, orthopedic cervical pillows, custom orthotics, semi-custom heatcalled upon to play a moulded role. Sole footbed insoles, sport/ergonomic braces and cryoderm topical ointment, “It was the 11th of etc. July 1940 that two letEuropean-trained and educated Chiropractors offer an alternative to the North ters plopped through
EDITOR’S NOTE: Westerly News writer Andrew Bailey tells the true story of his grandmother Olive Bailey’s service as a codebreaker for MI5 and the Allies at Bletchley Park in World War II.
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our mailbox in London one for her and one for me,” she recalled. Germany bombarded British cities with ‘The Blitz,’ an intense bombing onslaught that ran from Sept 7 1940 to May 21 1941. An estimated 40,000 British civilians were killed during The Blitz, about half of whom lived in London. Olive remembers a particularly gut-wrenching scene she saw while riding a bus near Ealing, a western suburb of London. “I had to take that route by bus that morning because the underground station had to be closed and I was on this London bus going along this road and one of these ghastly surface blast bombs had landed there the night before,” she recalls. “As I went along there were pieces of clothing and pieces of people hanging in the trees along the way... that was a sight I shall never forget.” One Sunday morning a bomb would have taken her life had she not been wearing a broach. It was Oct. 6, 1940. “It got to the point where Britain could not stop working just because there were bombers overhead,” she said. “Otherwise we might as well have surrendered there and then.” Men—commonly referred to as spotters— would be on the roof equipped with microphones and would wait until the bombers were nearly directly overhead before sounding the alarm to take cover. Olive was sitting at her typewriter that Sunday when the alarm sounded; she found herself trapped at
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The Westerly News | Page 7
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
A YOUNG UNCLE’S DEATH AT VIMY RIDGE
Odyssey takes Ucluelet mayor to France, grave of his uncle JACKIE CARMICHAEL
Westerly News A bullet hole through a pocket journal put a bitter end to a father’s hopes for his son, a Saskatchewan farm boy at Vimy Rodge in World War I. Ucluelet Mayor Bill Irving has the leather journal of his uncle Roger Irving, whose single entry was its last. “From your father with wishes for a Other than the date, Sept. 5, 1917, Canadian teen and WWI soldier Roger Irving never got a speedy return chance to write in this journal, a gift from his father. and season’s greetings,” the elder Irving wrote to his beloved son Roger. back in his chest pocket before he sessions, as is a cast metal “death The teenager wrote “Sept. 5, 1917 was killed in action by the bullet penny” – the plaque presented to – Sig Section” and “Trench Mortar” that pierced it. the families of soldiers killed in in the book, apparently folding it The journal is among the Irving action, with their loved one’s name back up carefully and putting it family’s most carefully kept poscast into it. “Roger Irving … He
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died for freedom and honour,” it road leading to it. Surrounded by reads. a little brick wall, the graveyard’s “(Roger Irving) had the unfortumany tombstones were planted in nate job of signaler – he would pop See GRAVE, page 9 up and signal back to the artillery in semaphore,” Bill said. “They didn’t have a really long lifespan.” Given the location of Roger Irving’s grave by Veterans Affairs, the mayor and his family “drove around CONTRACTING France until Garth Cameron – Certified Carpenter we found it.” “There Cell 250 522 0017 PO Box 457 are literally Fax 250 725 3404 TOFINO, BC garthcameron247@gmail.com hundreds of V0R 2Z0 graveyards,” Bill said. They found REPAIRS • REROOFING • NEW CONSTRUCTION the grave among a thou• RESIDENTIAL ONLY • UCLUELET•TOFINO•SALMON BEACH sand other Kris Wieteska • ASPHALT/FIBERGLASS LAM. SHINGLES neat white 30 years experience • METAL CLADDING variety of colours & shapes tombstones, 250-726-5107 • CEMENT AND CLAY ROOF TILES Free estimates in the middle Ucluelet, BC • SKYLIGHTS & SUNTUBES of a cornfield, with a dirt
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Page 8 | The Westerly News
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
GRANDPA’S NOTES FROM WWI TRENCHES
‘Black Jack’ Vowel’s journals, letters tell stark realities of war son “Black Jack� Vowel was 23 and horse ranching with his father and brothers in Alberta. He signed up with the Calgary Highlanders in August of 1914. He corresponded with a young Irish woman living in London, Louisa “Bebe� Watson, who would keep his letters; her daughter would eventually return them to Black Jack’s family. By April, 1915, Black Jack was in the thick of the Second Battle of Ypres. The front was “just the place for the person that likes thrills,� he wrote.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;The noise made by high explosive makes the hair stand and then along comes the flying steel and fragments slithering through the air making the most horrible sounds imaginable which makes a cold chill run up and down the spine and puts a sinking sensation in the pit of the stomach and the brain starts urging the feet to beat it and the feet refuse to act and the knees get wobbly JACKIE CARMICHAEL - his nerve breaks and he Westerly News goes bugs. I have seen several cases of it and it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a When the call came to go pleasant sight to see.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over There,â&#x20AC;? George AnderBlack Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s battalion was quickly GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE decimated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Words canIF YOU THINK A STAY AT THE not describe the WICKANINNISH INN IS OUT OF REACH, scenes we went through at Ypres YOU DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T KNOW THE HALF OF IT: and I have often 50% OFF FOR LOCALS. wondered since how so many of us ever got Good neighbours deserve great deals. through alive. If you live anywhere from Port Alberni west, we invite you to take Top left, George â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Black Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Vowel. Above right, one of his medals. Above, a letter he wrote to The battalion advantage of this outstanding offer. Our â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good neighbours, great dealâ&#x20AC;? Miss Bebe Watson from the trenches of World War 1. was fighting promotion entitles locals to stay with us for just $125 per night midweek for six days. or $170 per night Friday and Saturday. Plus, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get 15% off meals and $20 steams & 15% off all treatments in our spa. We went four days without waiting for us. Six killed, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;The bullets were ripping appearance and say talk For applicable conditions, please call us at 250.725.3100 anything to eat dozen wounded. the dirt up all around me about fireworks, I think and some of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sandy Clarke was killed for a bit, but none of them I saw about the grandest boys never had today. Shot through head by was marked Black Jack,â&#x20AC;? he display that was ever let any sleep during sniper. The Germans sent wrote from Flanders Fields, loose at once. Right on the the six days and over 10,000 shells in an New Years Day, 1916. Desstroke of twelve about five nights â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we hour and a half. So damn perate to keep letters from thousand rifles cracked and will win out in homesick I can hardly do Bebe coming in, he scribbled flares by the hundreds were www.wickinn.com tel 1.800.333.4604 time but at what any work. Just waiting for under fire. shot into the air. I reckoned a cost.â&#x20AC;? next leave. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have started strafthat was the signal, for the The journal â&#x20AC;&#x153;22 km march; we made it ing again so if my spelling artillery opened up and the accounts are a in less than 4 hours. One of is bad donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t blame me. I am country was lit for miles. It succinct blur. the hardest marches I ever doubled up in one corner of lasted a couple of minutes â&#x20AC;&#x153;Raid on Gerdone ... there are thousands the dugout trying to make and died down as quick as man trenches of (soldiers) carcasses lying myself as small as possible it started. One of our felfailed. Germans up there yet. and not making very much lows stuck his head over success of it. The begthe parapet and wished gars donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care where Fritz (the Germans) a happy they throw the darned New Year, Fritzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s answer shells anyway they are was quite typical of him; liable to hurt someone he pulled the trigger of a yet. I am supposed to couple of machine guns and be an artist at swearthen made some unprinting but I choke up able remarks about the We use a powerful 1.5T GE MR System, whenever I start in on English pigs. As we were not comparable to or exceeding hospital the devils.â&#x20AC;? English, we let that pass. We grade MRI scanners. He walked four miles asked him if he had made Seaview Seniors Housing Society Applications canGeneral be picked up at Annual Meeting for a bath, and carried any resolutions for the New Now accepting Physician Referrals rd Sunday 1:30pm Crowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nest, the Drâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sNovember Office in3 Ucluelet a wounded buddy a Year and then he asked us 7KH 6HDYLHZ 6HQLRUV 6RFLHW\ SULPDULO\ RSHUDWHV )RUHVW *OHQ mile and a half to an if we had. I yells back â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It or by contacting 6HQLRUV +RXVLQJ DQG ZH LQYLWH \RX WR FRPH MRLQ XV DQG VHH ZKDW outpost medic. isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t time for us yet ... when LWÂśV DOO DERXW :H DUH ORRNLQJ IRU SHRSOH ZKR ZRXOG OLNH WR Cathie Oliwa at 250-726-7536 YROXQWHHU RU EHFRPH SDUW RI WKH ERDUG <RXU LQSXW LV LPSRUWDQW In the fields of Flanthe weather permits we ,I \RX ZRXOG OLNH PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ SOHDVH FDOO ders, Black Jack was will make some resolutions -DQ 'UDHVHNH DW witness to one of the toward Berlin.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? famed brief holiday Black Jack received the truces of the Great War. Military Medal for bravOn January 1, 1916, ery as a lance-corporal in 1211 Ryan Road, he wrote: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was on a single-handed machine Courtenay, BC V9N 3R6 guard last night when See TRENCHES, Page 19 the New Year made her Forest Glen - 1783 St. Jacques Blvd. Ucluelet
EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOTE: My grandfather, George â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black Jackâ&#x20AC;?Vowel, was a Canadian farmer who survived all four years of World War I in the trenches. I have edited excerpts from his World War I journals and letters. I will tweet selections from his writings as Remembrance Day approaches from his twitter account, @BlackJackVowel. He can be found as Alberta WWI Soldier.
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The Westerly News | Page 9
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
LOCAL OBSERVANCE
Remembrance Day parade, ceremony set for Monday, Nov. 11 JACKIE CARMICHAEL
Westerly News Marking Remembrance Day on the West Coast is a cooperative thing, and the District of Tofino and the District of Ucluelet are preparing their joint ceremony for Monday, Nov. 11. Tofino and Ukee take turns; this year, it’s Ucluelet. This year’s plan is to marshal at the Ucluelet Co-op, to parade to Christ Community Church for a brief service, then to parade back to the Army & Navy Cenotaph for ceremony at 11:11 a.m. followed by a laying of wreaths and refreshment, said an organizer. Red poppy pins, a Canadian Remembrance Day tradition, are blooming on lapels around the
West Coast. Glenna is the poppy chairperson for the Tofino Legion. The money the little felted blossoms bring in goes to the community, she said. “With the money we collect, we donate to the community – things that people need, like the wheelchair for the Co-op,” she said. “It’s put back in the community.” Wreaths can also be ordered to be laid at the Cenotaph ceremony by calling Glenna at 250-725-3707.
Ucluelet makes plans for new cenotaph Looking ahead to next year, plans are underway for a new cenotaph design in Ucluelet, with hopes for its completion by November 2014, which would mark a century from
the 1914 start of World War I, and 70 years from the D-Day invasion of World War II. The final design of the memorial itself will be determined by ANAF, said Patricia Abdullah, manager of planning for the District of Ucluelet. “Providing a location on the Village Green was requested of Council and they were only too happy to look into it. Staff have only worked on a few sketches to check potential locations and as they did so realized that the placement of such a memorial could greatly add to the ‘sense of place’ on the Village Green,” Abdullah said. editor@westerlynews.ca
An excerpt from the diary of World War I soldier George ‘Black Jack’ Vowel. The poppy, sold locally, reminds the wearer of the rows of poppies that grow in Flanders Fields, a reference to the poem, “In Flanders Fields” written in 1915 by Canadian field surgeon and Lt. John McCrae.
Grave of his uncle, continued from Page 7 neat rows. “They were immaculately kept, with a flower in front of every marker, tended daily,” he said. In a corner of the yard, isolated from the other graves, the tombstone of a single German pilot, he said. “I guess they had enough respect for each other that they buried him in the opposition’s graveyard,” Bill said. It was remarkable to go to visit Vimy Ridge in France, to peer over the edge of a hillock as soldiers did almost a century ago, to see the terrain and the destruction, the mayor recalled. “And also, on the other side, to see the phenomenal care that the French take over all these cemeteries. The respect they give them is just amazing,” he said.
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“If anybody has a chance to go to Vimy Ridge, it’s a remarkable piece of Canada,” he said. Hardly the War to End All Wars it was touted at the time, World War I as a machine that polarized the world and dragged so many nations into regional friction was a phenomenon, Bill said. He was most impressed by a French WWI cemetery with 40,000 graves, each carefully tended – and in the centre, a chapel with a tomb of an unknown French soldier whose remains were never identified. Now, 24-7-365, almost a century later, the grave is patrolled by French soldiers, Bill said. That grave has become a hub for school groups, families, others wanting to pay their respects. “Quite clearly, it’s part of
their education and their history,” he said. And while some wars seems to garner more public acceptance than others, depending on their reasons and their outcomes, some things are fundamental, Irving said. “There’s a respect for soldiers, they were just part of the process. They didn’t decide policy, they just carried out their responsibility for their country,” he said.
editor@westerlynews.ca Right, the ‘death penny’ plaque cast for Canadian signalman Roger Irving and presented to his family following his death in World War I.
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Page 10 | The Westerly News
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
MARINE MAMMAL ENTANGLEMENTS
Pioneer sea lion rescue first for Canada; Culprit? Killer packing bands JACKIE CARMICHAEL
Westerly News That super-tough white packing band for bait boxes and fish boxes? It’s a collar of death for West Coast sea lions, so lose the loop. That’s the word from West Coast marine mammal biologist Wendy Szaniszlo, whose research in sea lion entanglements here sounded the alarm for a problem that dwarfs the numbers of entangled whales, leading to last week’s ground-breaking rescue of two sea lions who were slowly strangling on packing bands. Szaniszlo has been studying marine mammals on the West Coast since 2000. “I started noticing the entangled sea lions and I started documenting all of them and photographing every one,” she said. Working on a study with funding from the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust on the seasonal
abundance and distribution of sea lions, she saw
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entanglements “year round.” Garnering funds to analyze data, she began “datamining” through data and shared photos from Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society and Parks Canada. “From 2005 to 2011 I came up with 408 records of entangled sea lions here in our back yard – I found that to be utterly shocking and disturbing,” she said. The usual suspects: packing bands in a loop. Sturdy for industrial reasons, they form a perfect circle around bait boxes that ends up being a slow and deadly stranglehold on sea lions who can’t escape the evertightening band as they grow. Another common culprit? Rubber bands from commercial crab traps, slipped into by curious and hungry sea lions. “For every entangled whale we hear of, there are probably hundreds of entangled sea lions,” Szaniszlo said.
Difficult, dangerous But how to get the deadly “chokers” off? Getting close to the suffering animals in
the wild hadn’t been done in Canada. That where teamwork came in. An interdisciplinary team from several organizations, working together to anesthetize the animal with a dart, cut the choker off, and then apply medicine to wake the animal up. “We have been working with several people Above, marine mammal biologist Wendy Szaniszlo. Top left, Dr. for many years to Martin Haulena of the Vancouver try to develop a safe Aquarium and the team wait for and effective darting protocol for sea lions,” an anesthetized sea lion to wake up free of his plastic choker. said Dr. Martin Haulena of the Vancouver Aquarium. The dangers included “This was the first time being washed off the rock anyone has successfully face, or even inadvertently darted and disentangled a getting a slug from the dartsea lion in the wild in Caning gun. ada, representing a great Funding for disentangleleap forward in our rescue ment trials came in from program.” the Canadian Wildlife At Folger Island, amidst Federation. hundreds of California sea While the costs are small lions, the group found nine compared to say, the cost of entangled animals. human surgical procedures, It wasn’t easy; steps it’s still between $300 and included shimmying up a $400 just for the drugs to cliff face, bushwhacking anesthetize the animal and through vegetation, darting to wake it up again. Then the animal that’s entangled, there’s the costs of getting waiting 12 minutes for the the crew out there to do the drugs to take effect. Once save. the animal was anestheThey’re limited by fundtized, snipping through ing, but they were hoping the offending plastic loop, for a break in the weather and then administering the to rescue some more before reversal drug. the California sea lions left All the while surrounded after the chum run, Szanby other sea lions. iszlo said. “Unfortunately, sea lions “It’s a race against time,” don’t know we’re approachshe said. ing them to help them,” See RESCUE Page 11 Szaniszlo said.
The Westerly News | Page 11
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Rescue, continued from Page 10
“This has bothered me for so many years,” she said, praising the DFO and the Vancouver Aquarium and Brian Gisborne of Juan de Fuca Express and the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “No one got it that this is how extreme it is,” Szaniszlo said. “I was so frustrated by all these entanglements, all as a result of human debris and human activity. I just felt something had to be done.” The moral of the story is all about loops, Szaniszlo said.
Rescuers try to sneak up on a sea lion in the Deer Group who is slowly being strangled by a choker of packing bands. The dangerous maneuvre was the first of its kind in Canada and it was successful.
“Lose the loop. Snip it,” she said. “So many more different types of rings and plastic bands. It needs to be in a loop for that to happen.” The public can report marine mammals that appear to be in distress to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre at 604-258-SEAL (7325) or Fisheries and Oceans Canada at 1-800-465-4336.
PICTURES BOTH PAGES, COURTESY WENDY SZANISZLO
editor@westerlynews.ca
CRIME
Suspected car thief nabbed after high-speed collision; ladder stolen The vehicle’s roof rack had been carrying two ladders when it was torn off on impact and one of these ladders was stolen from the scene while Van Camp and a tow-truck driver secured the vehicle. “That’s pretty upsetting,” Van Camp said. “Hopefully somebody has seen somebody picking the ladder up or the person who picked it up now realizes it’s somebody else’s property and they can bring it back to us,” he said. He said stolen vehicle investigations are a rarity at the Ucluelet detachment. “We have very few stolen vehicles so it’s nice to apprehend someone when we do have one.”
ANDREW BAILEY
Westerly News Ucluelet RCMP had a suspect in custody within about an hour after a vehicle was reported stolen early Sunday morning. On Nov. 3 around 4 a.m. a man awoke to the sound of his work van’s engine and looked out his window just in time to see it driving off. Const. James Van Camp responded and after an intown search came up snake eyes he expanded his search and found the vehicle upside down in a ditch about half a kilometre from the West Coast junction. He said the vehicle was damaged beyond repair and had likely rolled over several times before landing in the ditch. He said 120 km/h is a low-estimate for how fast the vehicle had been traveling. The Port Alberni RCMP’s police dog service had been called upon to assist when nobody was found inside the vehicle but police were aided by footprints at the scene and flushed out their suspect before the dog put its nose to the ground. The suspected driver of the crashed van was immediately
reporter@westerlynews. treated for injuries. “We made sure out of the gate that he got the treatment he required,” Van Camp said adding the injuries were minor considering the severity of the collision. The suspect was released from custody on conditions and the promise to appear in court where he will face several charges, according to Van Camp.
“Once he sobered up and was OK to go he was released,” Van Camp said. The suspect’s name has not been released. An RCMP investigation unit from Port Alberni took evidence from the vehicle and police are confident the man was acting alone, according to Van Camp who would not go into specifics regarding the nature of the evidence retrieved.
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Page 12 | The Westerly News
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
EAT / PLAY / LIVE: DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Monday night movies brings cinema to Tofino ANDREW BAILEY
Westerly News With daylight savings in full effect winter is waving its dark wand over the night’s sky and indoor activities are trending on the West Coast. Locals in the know escaped out of a dark stormy night and into the Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre—located in the basement of Tofino’s municipal hall—on Nov. 4 to take in their weekly Monday night movie fix. Local cinephile Sandi Rideout has been bringing movies to the theatre since April 2005. “I love movies and I wasn’t seeing any in town,” she said. “I’m a committee of one with some good friends who help out along the way.” What is now a staple on Tofino’s weekly calendar did not spring out of the gates and Rideout recalls small audiences at the onset. “The beginning was tough,” she said. “When I first started I thought I was my demographic and I showed movies that I liked...I didn’t have a lot of people when I first started.” At the encouragement of her friend Warren Rudd, Rideout agreed to screen a documentary once a month and she said this opened the event up to “another strata of the Tofino population.” The monthly documentary is now sponsored by Green Soul Organics and door prizes are dished
See MOVIES, Page 14
Right, Sandi Rideout, and left, ticket-handler Mary Bewick get ready for Monday Night at the Movies at Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre.
KwisiƟs Feast House Restaurant The KwisiƟs Feast House Restaurant opened their doors for business on June 21st and hit the ground running with a very busy summer season. The KwisiƟs Feast House is operated locally by the Ucluelet First NaƟon and oīers great food inspired by local Nuu-chah-nulth cuisine. The KwisiƟs Feast House is part of the family of businesses owned by the Ucluelet First NaƟon including the Wya Point Resort, The Thorton Motel, The Wya Point Surf Shop and The Wya Welcome Centre. All of these locally owned businesses promote the West Coast as an internaƟonal desƟnaƟon and oīer a glimpse into Ucluelet First NaƟon culture. All of these businesses help build the coastal economy and develop much needed employment on the West Coast. We spent all of last Summer surveying our guests asking them what type of food, prices they wanted to pay, atmosphere they would like etc. Based on that input we have delivered a local dining experience that is aīordable and very appropriate for the local West Coast life style. You will Įnd delicious food like Įsh soup, Įsh hash, bannock and fried bread on our menu. We have a liƩle bit of everything for the whole family and recently added excellent Sushi to the menu. Wines from all over BC complete your evening or enjoy a cool brew from the ToĮno Brewery. Who wants an aīordable Sunday brunch? Come and dig in to our Sunday Brunch Buīet and enjoy a hot cup of gourmet coīee and watch the waves roll in right here at Wick beach. OperaƟng a restaurant is providing new opportunity for the local economy and is providing much needed work for our staī. We will be constantly training and improving to become one of the best restaurants on the West Coast that will welcome every-one. Now that the busy Summer season is over and there is plenty of space available we are welcoming large groups and can host meeƟngs, parƟes and special occasions. We have all grown to love or home at “Kwis-i-Ɵs” which is the proper name of the area and is the village site of the Ucluelet First NaƟon. Sunsets may be a liƩle less frequent now but come take in the big waves and storm watch with a front row window seat! We are open Monday to Thursday 11:30am to 6pm and open 11:30am-8pm Friday and Saturday with Sunday brunch buīet 10am to 4pm. Visit our webpage hƩp://www.kwisiƟsfeasthouse.com/ for our full menu or call (250) 726-2628 to reserve a window table and menƟon that your from Ukee or Tuī to get that local discount. Choo The KwisiƟs Feast House
Ucluelet seeks Parks & Rec Commission apps This group will also consider, formulate and recommend policies to the Council regarding recreational, leisure and associated cultural programs and services within the District of Ucluelet for the use of the Facilities. Ucluelet Parks & Recreation Commission includes a minimum of five members, appointed by the Council. All members shall hold office for a two-year term. There’s no term limits. The Commission meets eight – ten times a year. The Commission additionally looks at larger projects/events in the Community and puts their thoughts, community input and recommendations forward. The Gala & Auction Commission may establish any standing or select committee, as Friday - November 22 doors open at 7:30pm it deems necessary from time to time, to assist the Commission in the performance of its responsibilities, such as Long Term Featuring; Planning Committee, Parks and WUNDERBREAD Playground. Appy’s by; The Commission also plays Ukee Dogs a key role in volunteering for Black Rock Special Events run by the Parks Kwisitis Feast House & Recreation Department such Norwood’s Partial proceeds to as Canada Day, Breakfast with Pacific Rim Hospice Roman’s and Food Bank on Santa and, of course, Ukee Days. the Edge The Vision of the Parks & Recreation Department is to positively affect the overall Tickets on Sale: $40/pp health and well-being of the
ABBY FORTUNE
Special to the Westerly News The District of Ucluelet Parks & Recreation Department is now taking Expressions of Interests applications for Ucluelet Parks & Recreation Commission. The Parks & Recreation Commission is an advisory committee to Council task to consider, formulate and recommend policies and procedures to the Council regarding the recreational services, special events, and associated cultural programs and services for the community.
Mad Hatter’s Ball
UCOC office, Murray’s and Mermaid Tales
See COMMISSION, Page 19
The Westerly News | Page 13
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
THE BILLS
EAT / PLAY / LIVE: REVIEW SOBO 311 Neill Tofino ******6 out of 6 asterisks SOBO, short for “sophisticated bohemian” bills itself both elegant and rustic. To this we add, remarkably affordable for such delish dish. We like what they can do with a corn tortilla. We especially like what happens when you toss in some of their bison and fabulous artisanal cheese, but that’s just us. The fruit salsa on the fish taco (blue corn tortilla) was the best part of the taco. Something else we liked: SOBO spicy isn’t SOOO spicy. The portions are typically ample (the brownie with homemade peanut butter ice cream not so much, but one yummy square, squat and loaded with almonds) still worked for two because the entrees were generous.) Bison tacos and a fish taco at SOBO. While it wasn’t your typical enchilada, it was a good enchilada – and the blue corn hard-shell taco poking out looked like a whale’s tail to us. In a good way. The smoked wild fish chowder, nice and dilly, is fragrant and hard to beat. No shellfish in that. If you have been hankering for pizza with duck thigh, roast squash, kale, bleu Claire and toasted hazelnuts, Harbour Lounge at Marina West Resort it’s on the SOBO menu. Really! Get you some hazelnut cookies to take home (each Are you 55 years of age or above? one feeds two unless you’re just plain hungry, in which Did you participate in the Age Friendly case you should probably just have the duck thigh Survey or Round Table Event? pizza.) Six out of 6 asterisks for lots of local- in their -vore Are you involved in the care of seniors in Tofino? and their big huge stone fireplace. Would you like to get involved? Cozy.
SOLD OUT Canada¼s world roots musical ambassadors
Friday November 8 - 7:30 pm Clayoquot Sound Theatre
$25
tickets at Mermaid Tales Bookshop & door
Age Friendly Tofino Community Luncheon
Thurs, Nov. 14th 12pm - 2pm
Story idea? Pictures? Reach us by email at editor@westerlynews.ca, or call 250-726-7029 or 250-534-9213. Looking forward to hearing from you!
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, please join us for a free informal lunch at Marina West Resort. For more information please call Roslyn Newman at 250 726 8234. We look forward to seeing you!
Open everyday from 7am - 4pm Then... let us HOST and/or CATER your evening party or event!
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November Daily Features @ Float Lounge
Only $15 - includes a 12 oz glass of feature Stanley Park Beer Features are available in Float Lounge from 3pm to 9pm daily Try our NEW Winter Lunch Menu in Fetch Restaurant: Open Daily from 12pm to 3pm New Sushi Days in Float Lounge: Available Thurs to Mon, 5:30 to 9:30pm with Chef Kevin Kimoto
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Steak Sandwich
Fish and Chips
Spagheƫ Bolognaise
Black Rock Burger
PorcheƩa Sandwich
Hawaiian Burger
Toasted Garlic Focaccia Bread
Fries or Salad
Toasted Brioche, Chimmichurri, Dijon
BuƩermilk Fried Chicken Wings
Sautéed Mushrooms, Café de Paris BuƩer
Mushy Minted Peas, Dijon Tartar
Fries or Salad
Music in Float Lounge:
Spicy Blue Cheese Dip
Tartar, Pineapple Fries or Salad
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Rodrigo Figueroa - November 7th and 8th - 7:00pm
Page 14 | The Westerly News
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
WEEKLY CROSSWORD
EAT / PLAY / LIVE: DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
What’s On! +++ Annual Pacific Rim Gala & Auction coming up SOON. Friday November 22nd, 7pm Ucluelet Community Centre Featuring; WUNDERBREAD! This years theme is MAD HATTER’S BALL. Top Hats, Stripes and Polka Dots - Costumes encouraged ... get out your best Cheshire Cat grin... +++ Open House, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, 316 Main St., Tofino, through Nov. 9, from 12-4 p.m. daily.
1. Horse drawn carriages 5. Cathode-ray tube 8. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid 12. Marbles playing stone 14. Zodiacal lion 15. Whale ship captain 16. Hit the sack 18. Hostelry 19. People of southern India 20. Four 21. Male workforce 22. March 15 23. Food lifter 26. Copy 30. De Mille (dancer) 31. Overcharged 32. Conducted 33. Pronouncements 34. Flemish names of Ypres 39. Denotes three 42. Root source of tapioca 44. Animal track 46. Backed away from 47. Neighborhood canvas 49. Pigeon-pea plant 50. Nursing group 51. Within reach 56. Turkish brandy 57. Metal food storage container 58. Batten down 59. Assist in wrongdoing 60. Old world, new 61. Rust fungus spore cases 62. A way to wait 63. Point midway between S THIS WEEKS ANSWER and SE 64. Adam and Eve’s third son
CLUES DOWN 1. Has two wheels 2. “A Death in the Family” novelist 3. Fabric stuffing 4. Mix in a pot 5. Move up a mountain 6. Replenishment 7. Weight of a ship’s cargo
+++ Weds., Nov. 6 - Youth in the Biosphere Reserve: A night of short films at Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre, 380 Campbell St., Tofino - starts at 7 p.m. Young “movie stars” and film makers, and their adult mentors
Kim Johnston and Cam Dennison offer a night of films made by and with youth of the Biosphere Reserve region. Several youth from a regional digital harvesting team will also present several of their digital stories of life on the West Coast. +++ Thurs., Nov 7 and Fri., Nov. 8 at 7pm– Black Rock Float Lounge – Music by Rodrigo Figueroa +++ The 39th Annual Christmas in the Valley Giant Christmas Craft Fair kicks off at the new Athletic Hall in Port Alberni. Artisans on hand will include Elspeth Watson (pottery) and Shannon Kjernisted with unique handworked jewellery. Make-n-Take craft table for kids, Folk Song Circle and Barkley Sound Choir on Satur-
day. Santa will be there on Friday from 5:30 to 7p.m, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 2:30p.m. Bring your camera and make a donation $1 or more to SD70’s Read and Feed Program to get pics with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Friday, Nov. 8 from 3-8pm, Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10-5pm and Sunday, Nov. 10 from 11-4:30pm. 3727 Roger Street, next to the Alberni Valley Multiplex. +++ Sat. Nov 9th at 4pm and 7pm – Ucluelet Community Centre – Uminari Taiko Drumming What’s On at office@westerlynews.ca (250) 726-7029
Monday at the movies, continued from page 12 out. The successful foray into documentaries, along with arts and culture grants from the district, led Rideout to further branch out and she began screening popular films
prior to their DVD release. She holds two public performance licenses and pays up to $150 for each independent movie screened. She shows about 42 movies a year and tries to bring in
SUDOKU
CLUES ACROSS
8. Flightless birds with flat breastbones 9. Scholarship bequester Cecil 10. Consumer advocate Ralph 11. Overgarments 13. Terminator 17. Derive 24. Angry 25. Imprudent 26. Rural Free Delivery (abbr.) 27. __ Lilly, drug company 28. Chest muscle (slang) 29. Lease 35. Point midway between E and SE 36. Cool domicile 37. First woman 38. Radioactivity unit 40. Revolves 41. Incongruities 42. ___-Magnon: early European 43. Indefinitely long periods 44. Saturated 45. Mannerly 47. Abu __, United Arab Emirates capital 48. Move rhythmically to music 49. Cheerless 52. 4 highest cards 53. Criterion 54. Person from U.K. (abbr.) 55. Affirmative! (slang)
editor@westerlynews.ca 250-726-7029
Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!
Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
THIS WEEKS SUDOKU ANSWER
a wide variety of cinematic experiences including musicals, foreign films, action and comedies. Movie posters are put together each month by Marion Syme. Rideout recently welcomed another sponsor as business owner Jennifer Thorpe has entered the fold. “She’s a young woman with lots of energy and lots of friends and she’s been bringing in a new audience,” Rideout said. Warren Rudd runs a concession where movie goers can select from a classically Tofitian menu of organic popcorn, tea, and a ‘Movie Ball’—a sweet locally sourced snack crafted by Rideout herself. All funds raised at the event go towards maintaining and upgrading the theatre, which Rideout, a longstanding member of the Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre Association, said was built in 1982 by volunteers who wanted a venue to perform live theatre. At that time, Gary Marks directed a local contingent enthusiastic about live theatre but he has since moved on to other interests and a once vibrant live theatre scene has been, temporarily, deflated. “The live theatre aspect kind of floated away somewhere because people got so busy and you really need to have a core group of people,” she said. “Even just one director can create this huge avalanche of desire to be in theatre and we just haven’t had that person come through again.” reporter@westerlynews.ca
The Westerly News | Page 15
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
WEST COAST SMALL BUSINESS
Tofino fisherman steps closer to dream; invention patent nears approval JACKIE CARMICHAEL
Westerly News Bring on Dragon’s Den. Tofino commercial fisherman and inventor/entrepreneur Randy Sadler believes his product has what it takes to lure sports fishermen in. It appears the patent office SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS thinks so, too. “The examination (for a patent) looked very good and favourable. They tried to find if it’s pay for my time. There’s lots to be conalready been invented, but it’s very novel sidered,” he said. – so that’s encouraging,” Sadler said. “It’s quite an adventure. It’s been pretty Sadler believe his Kitetail Flasher fun, but if we can make some money at it, is revolutionizing the tug on the line it would be better,” he said with a grin. between the fisherman and the fish. Stores up and down the West Coast are “This thing here rolls and has the same stocking the glittery polycarbonate plasmotion as a full-sized flasher – but it’s tic flashers that are made right in Tofino. less than one-third the size,” he said. “A lot of it is getting them into the “It drives a wide roll like a commercial hands of fishermen and getting them flasher, and there’s nothing like it on the to try ‘em,” Sadlersaid. “Guys are liking market.” them.” As a result, the reduced bulk and drag lets the fisherman feel what’s on the end Randy Sadler showcases his invention, of the line. the compact Kitetail Flasher. The idea was one thing – but the costs to start-up have been substantial. There’s the development of the molds, and the application for the patent. That’s tens of thousands right there, he said. There’s the time – something he often has a lot of. To each and everyone who has given us support in “I’ve been working on it for years our loss, we say Thank You. To all of Albert’s many – on a commercial fishing boat, friends for all the cards and words of condolence. Happy there’s lots of dead time out there on the water,” Sadler said. moments remembered, the laughter, the tears. He loved He didn’t “go to school for it” but life and enjoyed visiting people, going out and about, Randy Sadler is learning the entrereminiscing about Àshing and hunting trips, or just about preneurial ropes. anything. “On Dragon’s Den, you can see To Bonnie and Eric at Pioneer Boat Works for the where guys go wrong there,” he many cups of coffee and an enjoyable place for the said. guys to meet and exchange experiences of the past A brief foray into online sales conyears, catch up on local news, who’s going out for cod, vinced him of the wisdom of sticking with retail outlets. tuna, or maybe salmon. After all, we are salmon Àshers. After the shock of dealing with Thanks to all in passing who said “How’s it going U.S. excise taxes, Sadler found an Albert?”. Who could ask for more? Cheers. His family importer to bring the little dazzlers wishes each of you smooth sailing. into the United States, and he will have sales reps to push them, he Thank You from Dorothy, Minnie and Bruce, Fern, Bill, said. Bob, Sandi, niece Ann McKay and their families. “On it goes – my time, I don’t
Thank You
Lawyers Sherry Baxter, Ted Holekamp and Deborah Acheson
Appointments available in Ucluelet.
Tofino Recreation Commission invites you to the 2013
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Tuesday, November 19, 2013 6:00 pm at Schooner Restaurant 331 Campbell St, Tofino BC
Committee members will be appointed at the AGM New members are welcome. For more info or to RSVP contact Laura Lunty at 250-725-3229 ext. 37
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Page 16 | The Westerly News
DAILY DRAWS
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
UCLUELET CO-OP
EVERY DAY STARTING NOV 7TH, MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE A BALLOT FOR EVERY $25 SPENT AT THE GROCERY STORE AND GAS BAR. Winners will be drawn daily. All entries go into Grand Prize Draw on Dec 24th.
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The Westerly News | Page 17
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Luncheon aims to help Tofino be ‘age-friendly’ JACKIE CARMICHAEL
Westerly News Here comes the boom – and Tofino wants to be ready. The Baby Boomers – that postwar crop of elders in the making – are getting the attention of communities all over BC, thanks to start-up grants for assessment and community action plan to make the province “age-friendly.” Roslyn Bradford Newman is on it. She holds a masters degree and the contract for Age-Friendly Tofino, and she’s hoping seniors and other stakeholders will come to a luncheon Thursday, Nov. 14 and learn about the research she has conducted.
“With Tofino’s senior population, we’re finding out where we are succeeding and where there are gaps,” Newman said. “This luncheon is the community presentation of what we’ve found – what we heard our community say,” she said. Part of the community planning needs to include capitalizing on a community that includes the asset of an educated, experienced and aging population, she said. Ucluelet has also applied for an age-friendly research grant as well, she said. The information broken down in to key areas like outdoor spaces and public buildings, indoor
and outdoor recreation, disabled access, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and inclusion, communication and information, civic participation and employment. The community has advantages to offer an aging population – the walkability of downtown Tofino, a mild coastal climate and an emphasis on healthy, active outdoor living – and specific things, like the new improvements done between Fourth and Third Streets, Newman said. Add to that mix a growing population as surfers age and everybody grays. “This is a huge population, a
population of very capable people – baby boomers,” Newman said. She looks to her own mother, a Tofitian who fits the Baby Boom profile, as an example of someone who has been educated, worked hard, done a lot. “I want to make sure my mom is supported, that she has what she needs to live out her life in the town she calls home. I want her to be able to use her skills, and not be locked out because she’s ‘too old.’ I want our population to be supported and to be able to contribute. As (seniors) become a larger and larger percentage of our population, it becomes more important,” Newman said, point-
ing out that for the province as a whole, the aging population in BC is rising “really quickly.” Newman will file her recommendations with the District of Tofino, based on her research, that can be then incorporated into Tofino’s age-friendly action plan. “It’s just small steps, but they’re towards big outcomes,” Newman said. The Age-Friendly Tofino Community Luncheon will be held Thursday at noon at Marina West Resort. editor@westerlynews.ca
Feds earmark $10M to restore recreational fishery habitat Special to the Westerly News
Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced Monday the Government of Canada is now accepting funding applications for the second phase of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program. The Government of Can-
ada is making $10 million available over two years to support conservation activities through partnerships with local groups who will undertake a variety of projects to restore recreational fisheries habitat. Approximately 100 projects were approved for up to $6.4 million in funding, in the first round of applications this
summer. DFO will accept applications for funding from November 4 to December 18, 2013. Additional program information as well as the application form and guidelines are available on the Department’s web site at: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/habitat/rfcpp-ppcpr/index-eng. asp.
The first round of funding pumped more than $380,000 into Nanaimo-Alberni for six projects totaling more than $1.2 million, said Toby Gorman, executive assistant to Nanaimo-Alberni MP Dr. James Lunney. Recreational fishing contributes significantly to the Canadian economy. In 2010, anglers generated $8.3 bil-
lion to local economies, an increase of 10% over 2005. A 2010 survey found that over 3.3 million adult anglers participated in a variety of recreational fishing activities in Canada, essentially the same number as in 2005. Anglers fished for over 43 million days. Almost 93% of activity occurred in fresh water. Canadian non-
resident and foreign anglers made over two million trips within Canada in 2010. “Recreational fishing contributes significantly to our economy, especially in rural areas,” said Shea. “Our Government is proud to support the restoration and rebuilding of recreational fisheries habitat. “
Ucluelet Parks & Recreation
would like to thank all those who contributed towards this year’s spooky
HALLOWEEN HOWL!
Ucluelet Coop Gray Whale Deli Marilyn McEwen Roger & Anne Gudbranson
Far West Foods Marva Chandler Lance Blackwell Kathy DeVries
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Page 18 | The Westerly News
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Your Community
Or call to place your ad:
MARKETPLACE Book your ad ONLINE:
classiďŹ eds.westerlynews.ca
250-726-2237 Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm Email: classiďŹ eds@westerlynews.ca Fax: 250-726-4282 #1 - 1920 Lyche Rd., PO Box 317, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0
HELP WANTED - LOCAL PEOPLE NEEDED!!! Simple & Flexible Online Work. 100% Genuine Opportunity. F/T & P/T. Internet Needed. Very Easy.No experience required. Income is Guaranteed! www.ezComputerWork.com WE ARE LOOKING for a person interested in a part time on call position for the West Coast Landfill. Please contact Rick or Lisa at 250-726-2727 between 10am & 3pm. JOURNEYMAN Automotive Service Technician(s) in Hanna Alberta. Hanna Chrysler Ltd. offers competitive wages from $32/hour, negotiable depending on experience. Bright, modern shop. Full-time permanent with benefits. Friendly town just 2 hours from major urban centres. More info at: hannachrylser.ca. Fax 403854-2845; Email: chrysler@telusplanet.net.
Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paper - Monday at 12pm Circulation: 250-726-7029
BUSINESS SERVICES
EMPLOYMENT
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT
DEADLINES:
TRADES HELP
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
NANAIMO LAKES LOGGING LTD. Is currently seeking an experienced Hooktender for a union town job. Please fax or Email resume outlining relevant experience, and references to:
Attention: Catherine fax: (250) 248-5467 email:
cmbrady5@gmail.com NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
The Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce is currently looking for a dynamic individual with strong communication, administration, interpersonal and organization skills to be our a
COMMUNICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIP SERVICES ASSISTANT a
This ideal candidate should have some experience in marketing, communication, fundraising, financial management, and general administration. This candidate should also possess strong computer skills, be familiar with Microsoft Office, have the ability to create basic marketing materials, and have a strong desire to learn. This position is a 1/2 time position, with some potential to eventually develop into a full-time position. The ideal candidate would be entrepreneurial, positive, outgoing, flexible, creative and a progressive thinker.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please forward your resume to:
a
The Hiring Committee C/O Gord Johns, Executive Director Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Box 249, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0 or send via e-mail to: info@tofinochamber.org.
*+,- +. +, ./0 123 +40-
a
GENERAL EMPLOYMENT a
All Resumeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s must be emailed or post marked no later than Friday, November 15th at 4PM.
Creative Salmon Company Ltd. is a Chinook salmon
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For more details about the position and/or to apply, email hr@creativesalmon.com Deadline: Thursday, November 14, 2013
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We are currently seeking highly motivated and hard working team members to join Mainstream Canada. Our company is the Canadian division of the international aquaculture company Cermaq. We are a growth oriented company, focused on being one of the major global salmon farming companies. We strive for quality of our product, safe working environments and sustainable aquaculture. As a Husbandry Technician you will be responsible for general farm operations including feeding and care of fish stocks. Duties would include operation and basic maintenance of auto feeders, boats and equipment in the marine environment. Familiarity of the concepts of fish growth and stock management would be an asset. The ability to understand and adhere to our Standard Operating Procedures is essential. We offer camp-based positions operating 8 days on and 6 day off. Prerequisites to hiring are a fitness test and criminal record check. We offer competitive wages, a corporate bonus program, company paid benefits package, and a matching retirement fund plan. If you have the skills we are looking for, and you would like to become part of our team, please forward a resume, in person, by fax or e-mail to:
Mainstream Canada Suite 203-916 Island Highway Campbell River, BC V9W 2C2 Fax: 250-725-1250 E-Mail: careers@mainstreamcanada.com Please state â&#x20AC;&#x153;Husbandry Technicianâ&#x20AC;? in subject line
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The Westerly News | Page 19
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Cougar season is here; Vancouver Island tops for density, attacks JACKIE CARMICHAEL
Westerly News Time to leash the dogs and rally the cats: With winter approaching, cougar sightings are on the way up on the West Coast. There was a confirmed sighting in the Ocean Park area of Tofino on Oct. 21. Other signs of possible cougar activity in the area have been reported. There were sightings in Ucluelet at Amphitrite Point and on Sea Plane Base Road in September. Sightings in Tofino are supposedly more rare than in Ucluelet, but reports of a young cougar at Tonquin Park recently spooked pet owners. It’s all a little more real after the September incident where a Flores Island man killed a cougar with a spear to save his partner, who had been attacked by the animal, which had apparently been stalking the pair at their remote Cow Bay home. The incident underscored the potential for danger. “Sandy broke two metacarpal bones in her right hand trying to
pry the cougar’s jaws off her head,” Rick said in a letter to the editor published in the Westerly News, expressing gratitude for widespread community support. “It is going to be a few more trips to Victoria for skin grafts on Sandy’s scalp before she is totally mended, but she is well on her way.” In an interview with the Toronto Globe & Mail, Sandy said she can’t change how she feels about living at the remote and beautiful spot. “I don’t like the thought that people think [if] they see a cougar, it’s going to kill them. Because it’s not true,” she told the paper. “That was one cougar … just a bad ass … I forgave him.” There were no cougar reports filed from Tofino last winter, said Conservation Officer Brittany Mueller of the provincial Conservation Officer Service. And so far – barring the bizarre attack in September on Flores Island - “none of the reports have been of aggressive or threatening behavior,”
Mueller said. There’s typically more wildlife activity and reports in Ucluelet than in Tofino, she said. “And during the winter months on the West Coast we tend to see an increase. In January 2012 we had six sightings in Ucluelet, and one in February,” she said. There’s typically a steady increase in reports of wolves throughout the winter months, typically when bears go into hibernation, any time from November to January depending on weather and food availability. “This summer was fairly busy with sightings in July and August,” she said, noting the most recent wolf report was the sighting of a lone wolf on Pine Road in Ucluelet. “With our bears, it depends on weather and the food sources available. When the food sources stop, that’s when they go into hibernation,” she said. Simon Watson lives on Abraham Road, close to Ocean Park. He’s heard what he believes was a cougar
making odd noises around sunset. “It’s a really bizarre noise. I heard it before when I used to spend some time in the mountains. You know tomcats, when they start yowling? Sort of like that, only much deeper – like a big old tomcat, really,” he said. A few years ago, he caught a glimpse of a cougar trotting down his driveway. “This one tends to hang out in Vinyl Village a bit,” he said. “I’ve heard of no dogs or cats going missing. A few people have got chickens for urban farming – I’m sure if I was a cougar I’d be coming to check them out,” he said. “You can’t blame the animals. It probably all tastes like chicken to them – they’re creatures of opportunity. “All I know is my cats come home and that’s a good thing,” Watson said. Still, common sense needs to prevail around animals, said Watson, who called to bring his kitties in following reports of a cougar in the area.
“We live in an area where these things are,” he said. In her book “The Cougar,” Courtenay author Paula Wild said Vancouver Island is a hot spot for cougars. She cites 89 documented cougar attacks on humans in British Columbia over two centuries. Fifty took place on Vancouver Island. The Island has not only the highest density of cougars in North America, but the highest number of attacks of anywhere in Canada and the U.S., she said. Island cougars have a reputation for being “the most aggressive,” Wild says. Theories on why this is vary. Some people say it’s genetics — cougars here are an isolated population that have simply developed in that way. It may be related to wildlife patterns. Deer on Vancouver Island tend to go up to the mountains in the summer and venture closer to town in the winter — followed by cougars, of course.
- with files from Victoria Times-Colonist.
Secret service, continued from Page 6 her desk by her golden wire broach that spelled Olive. “As I got up to go with my friend Joyce to the shelter with all the rest of the people this wire broach caught in the typewriter key and I was trapped there,” she said. “We heard these bombers coming and (Joyce) took hold of my hand and said ‘for God’s sake Olive come on’ but I couldn’t release myself and all of a sudden the bomb dropped
and blew everything up and everybody in that office except for my friend Joyce and myself - was killed... If we’d gone to the shelter a minute before, we would have been right where the bomb dropped.” She remembers being trapped under piles of rubble for about 5 hours before rescuers were able to dig them out. Olive’s stories and her knack for telling them has made her a widely popular
lecturer in Victoria for the past three years and she recently received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She is now taking a break from speaking engagements to focus on writing a book about her life during the war. “I can’t say I enjoy telling it but I think it’s quite a story of one person’s life of six years in Britain at war,” she said. reporter@Westerlynews.ca
Trenches of WWI, continued from Page 8 gun attack on a German company at the Battle of the Somme in October 1916. He felt keenly the loss of many buddies he’d joined up with. “Tonight is the anniversary of the first trip in to the trenches for some of us — we had a reunion of the old fellows in the YMCA and there is not many of them left. I came away. I couldn’t stand to hear the boys talking of the poor devils that were here with us a year ago but are absent now,” he said. On Nov. 11, 1918, it was over. A journal entry reflects his shoemaking responsibilities in his battalion as an amateur cobbler trained on the prairie: “Returned Boots” with the date underlined. Discharged from the Army May 5, 1919, Black Jack returned home, snapping his war
diary shut with a final entry. “Arrived home today finished with the Army after 4 years nine months absence.” Bebe married a disabled soldier, the famed Private Peat that an enlistment film was made about. She reserved two pages in her book, “Mrs. Private Peat,” for Black Jack Vowel’s wit and bravery. A World War II volunteer, Black Jack’s late son, Don Vowel of Manning, learned about his father’s wartime exploits from a fellow soldier who had joined up with Black Jack back in 1914. “George Vowel had more guts than a slaughterhouse. That’s the way he was, he wasn’t afraid of anything,” Don said in a 2006 interview. This article originally appeared in the Edmonton Sun.
editor@westerlynews.ca
Above, Olive Bailey is thanked for her service by Britain’s Prince Edward.
Commission, continued from Page 12 community by providing the best in recreation, tourism and parks services to the residents of the District of Ucluelet and the Community at large. The most recent project that the Parks & Recreation Commission has assisted with is the roll-out of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan, which will provide guidance to meet the demands of residents and visitors alike and to guide park and recreation development in the District over the next 10-20 years. The Master Plan will pro-
vide recommendations and guidelines for improving the existing parks, open space, trails and make recommendations for new parks and trails where analysis supports it. It will also analyze current recreation and cultural programs offered by the District, and make recommendations for improving the system. Expression of Interest application forms can be picked up at the Ucluelet Community Centre or are available on the Ucluelet Parks & Recreation Depart-
ment Facebook page. We are looking for a cross section of community members to be involved with the Commission with a variety of interests in the Parks, Recreation and Culture field. If you would like further information on the Ucluelet Recreation Commission or Parks & Recreation Department please contact Abby Fortune at 250-726-7772.
Abby Fortune is the director of Parks & Recreation for the District of Ucluelet.
Page 20 | The Westerly News
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
PHOTOS COURTESY MEGAN FORTUNE, ZOE MC ENERY, PAUL SCHROEDER, TOFINO PARKS & REC
Thanks to the volunteers that made it all happen, from all the Trick or Treaters ...
West Coast Howloween 2013