FRIDAY MARCH 16 2012 VOL. 38, NO. 46
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Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM
Lucky Brews
A fresh look at Snug Cove
Riding for change
New truffle combines the taste of ale and chocolate for St. Patrick’s Day
UBC students have dreamt up ideas and solutions
A cycling program aims to end poverty
Where do we belong? Council discusses relevance of Islands Trust SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR
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Marg Witty holds up her mini masterpiece. It was one of many fetching a $300-plus auction price at the Mini Gala, a popular annual fundraiser for the Bowen island Arts Council. More photos on page 16. Peter Wing photo
Wanted: subsidy for commuter water taxi service SUSANNE MARTIN EDITOR
B
owen Island commuters used to have the benefit of a water taxi that connected Snug Cove with downtown Vancouver. But last year, on December 16, Mike Shannon, the owner and operator of the English Bay Launch, decided to discontinue the unprofitable run. His customers have rallied and sent
letters of support in the hopes of jumpstarting the service again. At the March 12 council meeting, Shannon presented the letters and asked council for assistance. He said, “I wanted to come and see if there is any interest in helping to get our service subsidized.” Shannon explained that he plans to approach TransLink and the Ministry of Transportation. “I moved [to Bowen
Island] last year with a young family and I understand how hard it is to live here and get an income in the city. Our company can offer a bit of help. I would like a letter of support [from council] to get all my tools in order.” Shannon said he would also welcome any input on ideas about funding sources. continued, PAGE 2
St. Paddy’s Party! at Doc Morgan’s Saturday, March 17 $4 GUINNESS • $4 JAMESON WHISKY
$5 IRISH COFFEE • GREAT IRISH STEWS & PIES CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE • DOC’S LIMERICK CONTEST! SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS – THE (Shanty O’) LAWNDOGS
n one hand, Bowen Island is represented at the Islands Trust along with other island communities, some of them quite different in location and character. On the other hand, our municipality belongs to Metro Vancouver. Both governing bodies receive a huge chunk of Bowen taxpayers’ money. At the March 12 council meeting, mayor Jack Adelaar raised the question whether belonging to the Islands Trust is still relevant for Bowen. Councillor Andrew Stone is an Islands Trust trustee as well as a director for Metro Vancouver. Stone sees many commonalities between island communities. “One important thing is the ferry. The transportation issue is huge,” he said, “All islands deal with the same major issues like gentrification, an aging and decreasing population and diminishing economic opportunities. And affordable housing is also an issue.” Councillor and Islands Trust trustee Wolfgang Duntz said, “The political climate [of the Islands Trust] is dictated by the 60 and 70-plus crowd and there is little appetite for any type of growth. If you don’t have growth, the results are no jobs, businesses close down and families move off the islands.” Duntz said that this leads to the closure of schools and an aging population. Duntz said, “The Islands Trust is at risk of becoming irrelevant if they do not address the underlying challenges. If you don’t have any local economic base, you are dependent on money coming from the outside. There is no housing policy and very little local food production.” continued, PAGE 5
SUNDAY DINNER at Doc’s!
FANTASTIC
PRIME RIB AAA Alberta Black Angus Reserve Beef