Lake Cowichan Gazette, January 02, 2013

The Lake Cowichan

Gazette WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2013

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VOL. 17, NO. 1

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| www.lakecowichangazette.com

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HAPPY NEW YEAR! Inside: • Year in review reports from Mayor Forrest (page 3) and CVRD Director Ian Morrison (page 5) • Young teen puts plans into action through high school course work • LCSS ‘s annual broomball tournament (page 12)

Gazette

Family fun on ice during holidays

On Friday, Dec.28, Alison O’Marra-Armstrong, son Jake and daughter Georgia enjoyed a family skate at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena. It was five-year-old Jake’s second time skating and the first time on skates for his three-year-old sister Georgia. The family lives in Youbou. !

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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

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Health care for Cowichan Lake area

Jean Crowder

MP’S REPORT The looming doctor shortage in Lake Cowichan is just one example of the disparities in health care that Canadians are starting to see.

Although our universal health care ensures that all Canadians are eligible to receive care based on their need, the reality is that health care coverage is not the same across Canada.

In some cases, British Columbia does better. We cover more cancer drugs than Ontario for example.

But the residents of Lake Cowichan are set to join some of the 5 million Canadians who don’t have a family doctor.

Since Medicare began over 50 years ago, the proportion of federal money helping pay for it has declined from 50 percent to less than 20 percent.

New Democrats believe that the federal government does have a role in health care – after all, Health Canada is the fifth largest provider of direct health

care services in the country.

With new targeted investments, Canadians can enjoy a modern health care system that focuses more on keeping people well, and out of hospital.

Under the Conservatives, goals that the premiers set during the 2004 Health Accord meetings were not given priority.

“

Investments to create community health centres that include doctors, nurse practitioners, and other professionals like dietitians or physical therapists will help increase access to care.

Jean Crowder

Those goals included a national pharmaceutical strategy designed to establish a common list of drugs that could be bulk-purchased; a catastrophic drug coverage plan to help with high prices and; a commitment to improving drug safety through better evaluation.

All of that work is completely stalled.

This is a vital step because only one in four Canadians has access to a drug plan through work or their provincial coverage.

Home care could save millions of

dollars in unnecessary hospital stays.

This is one area that needs investment to help build an integrated system that lets patients move seamlessly from one form of care to another.

And the federal government needs to rationalize the compassionate care benefit so families can take the time to care for loved ones without worrying that they cannot afford to be away from work.

One of the biggest issues in 2004 was the number of health care professionals.

That strain on the system has not gone away. While the current system focuses on urgent cases, chronic disease is emerging as our biggest health care cost.

New Democrats want to see a panCanadian Health Human Resources strategy that would ensure there are enough health professionals, especially in rural areas that are underserved right now.

Rather than the old model of a doctor running their own practice and recommending patients to other services; investments to create community health centres that include doctors, nurse practitioners, and other professionals like dietitians or physical therapists will help increase access to care.

For more on New Democrats’ plans for health care, please go to my website at www.jeancrowder.ca.

Narrative around public education in the valley was engaging and informative In my opinion: early literacy skills remain the foundation of children’s futures I am pleased to provide a brief update to the community following the Dec. 5 public board meeting and the subsequent community engagement sessions later the same By: Mike McKay, week. As alOfficial trustee, ways, the narSchool District No. 79 rative around public education in the valley was engaging and informative. Here is some of what I heard: • At the December 5th public board meeting, staff provided updates on two high priority areas directed at enhancing student success. One was the “Changing Results for Young Readers” program, which is helping to increase attention to and success with our approaches to early literacy. We all know that one of the best predictors of a child’s long term success is his or her level of literacy in the primary years as a child builds the foundational skills that open so many doors. The strategic and research-based literacy approaches in our schools are getting the results we all want and need, and I appreciate the efforts of staff and of parents to pro-

mote an early love of reading and the confidence that grows with every success. When we consider the resourcing of programs, there is no greater need and no better investment than early literacy intervention; • The board meeting also heard a report on the multi-faceted efforts to engage Aboriginal learners. Our commitment to success for Aboriginal students must be without question a high priority for our schools and our community.

The report outlined many initiatives in place to build stronger home-school communication and relationships and to establish a sense of place in the public education system for our First People. The long journey toward high and equitable graduation rates for Aboriginal learners is well underway, one thoughtful step and one commitment at a time. With the recently released data showing a 44% school completion rate for Aboriginal students, we must reaffirm our attention to the programs and initiatives being developed. Each of the elements of our current plan is showing successes in engagement/participation rates, and we acknowledge there is still so much more to be done. The efforts of staff and the commitment of parents and the Aboriginal community are greatly appreciated; • The two Community meetings on Dec. 8 in Lake Cowichan and Chemainus were well attended and provided valuable insight to me. Staff presented

information regarding the scope of the current challenges related to declining enrolment and increasing annual costs, and attendees discussed and provided feedback on a number of key questions regarding community priorities. There is no doubt that the issues are complex and that we face several dilemmas (right versus right choices that must be made) as we begin to look ahead to the 2013/14 school year and to achieving a firm and sustainable footing for the district as it delivers programs and services to the communities it serves. The next two sessions are being held on January 12, 2013, with the first being at George Bonner Middle School in Mill Bay at 9:30 a.m. and the subsequent session at Quamichan Middle School in Duncan at 1p.m. Please see the district website for more information on those sessions and for the presentation material, questions and options for on-line feedback.

Senior staff have committed to providing updated summaries of information and of feedback/suggestions on a regular basis at sd79.bc.ca In all the interactions I have had, including the complex discussions about options for sustaining programs and services and for ensuring that unique communities are well served by their school district, I have appreciated the passionate and clear declarations from individuals and groups for their schools and for their children’s future. That energy and shared sense of purpose will serve us well as we work together to develop a plan that meets learners’ needs and allows us to maximize their potential in schools throughout the district.

Gazette

Crews work on upgrading the town’s water distribution infrastructure in June 2012

On the Town’s Christmas wish list: Bylaws for the year ahead approved It was a week for approving bylaws at the Town of Lake Cowichan council meeting, Dec. 18.

Two bylaws which had already been read by council were reconsidered and adopted.

The first was Bylaw No. 922-2012 for the Town of Lake Cowichan Waste Collection Regulations and Rates, previously read by council Nov. 27.

The new bylaw repeals Bylaw No. 909-2012 (Garbage Regulations and Rates) and all amendments previously made to it.

Bylaw No. 923-2012 Fees and Charges for Services, which was also read by council for the first time Nov. 27, was adopted. This bylaw supercedes Bylaw 911-2011 of the same name.

Two bylaws regarding parcel taxes were read for a first, second and third time, and approved by council.

Bylaw 920-2012, Water Parcel Tax, stipulates a $100 tax that will come into effect in 2013 for each parcel of land that has the opportunity to be provided with water service regardless of whether or not the service is being used.

These taxes are reflected in the 2013 water rates previously approved by council at the Nov. 27 meeting.

Bylaw 921-2012, Sanitary Sewer Parcel tax, stipulates a $100 tax will be imposed under the same conditions as for the above-mentioned water parcel tax.

A new bylaw for the town’s water rates has been adopted by council pending final approval.

Bylaw 924-2012 (Town of Lake Cowichan Water Regulation and Rates) repeals bylaw 913-2011 and includes the new rates for 2013 in “Schedule A” as well as information such as the charges to owners, charges on vacant properties, application for fees, regulations, reconnection fees, et cetera.

Bylaw 925-2012 (Town of Lake Cowichan Sewer Regulations and Rates) was also read by council a first, second and third time. Pending approval, this bylaw repeals bylaw 896-2010 of the same name.

The new sewer rates for 2013 also form part of the bylaw, and both 10-page documents can be consulted at the town hall.

The final bylaw to receive a first, second and third reading was No. 926-2012, Animal Control Bylaw.

Under “Other Reports,” council reviewed the Lake Cowichan Fire Department’s incident report for the month of November 2012.

LCFD responded to three MVAs: two on Hwy. 18 and one on Teleglobe Rd.; two structure fires: one on Renfrew Road and the other in Oak Lane; and one medical assist. As well, the firefighters helped repair a hydro line that was down on Marble Bay Road.

On the subject of the Advisory Planning Commission, established iunder bylaw 898-2011, a list of names has been submitted for the next two-year term that begins in January 2013.

To date, four applications have been received for the five vacancies three of which are incumbents. The town is accepting applications for the remaining vacancy until Jan. 25.

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THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

3

Working together for great new year demonstrated their abilities to the delight of the audience, with some lovely singing to set the mood for the play. I don’t know how long these ten young girls have been rehearsing, but the results were awesome.

Culture is an important component to any community and we are fortunate we have the Lakeside Players.

To better understand local history, a teacher at Palsson School, Ms. Davis-Weir, invited some of our town elders to attend and be interviewed by the students. Palsson School was named after Mrs. Lucille Palsson and her late husband, Oscar Palsson, and we felt lucky to have her in attendance and be interviewed by some of the children. Being invited to participate myself, I found the experience to be enjoyable and rewarding and I believe everyone else who was part of this event felt the same.

Congratulations to Sam Beldessi for being honored with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. This prestigious award is for Sam’s tireless work and dedication in planning, fundraising and overseeing the building of affordable housing for seniors, Evergreen Place, and is a well deserved recognition for a member of our town.

As this will be my last report for 2012, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge all of the departments that service our Town.

Thank you office and administration staff for the sometimes under-appreciated jobs which no organization could do without.

We can always count on Public Works and Parks Department, who are readily available when emergencies happen, no matter what the time of day or difficulty of the problem.

Our Education Centre and Lakeview Park employees continue to make improvements and operate our outstanding facilities that are used and frequented by many visitors and tourists in our community. I am sure our Fire Department have experienced a record year for call-outs and are always quick to respond and protect us, including some very disturbing incidents they have had to attend to this past year. Thanks is not enough to acknowledge your dedication to our community.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank Candace Kitagawa for 25 years of service working for the Town. It is because of all of you that we have witnessed the positive progress we see happening in our town. Thank you so much, council is very appreciative of all your contributions.

Please enjoy a Merry Christmas season, and let’s work together for a great New Year.

Ross Forrest

There have been three public meetings this past December and community involvement demonstrates the awareness and commitment of our constituents.

It was encouraging to see the number of people who attended our biannual public Town Hall meeting. All of your comments are very helpful in our decision making process and we appreciate your opinions and the passion demonstrated. The input you provide during these public sessions is important to council and we will continue to work on our strengths and work even harder on identified weaknesses. Thank you for your assistance.

The turnout for School District No. 79’s Community Consultation on an early Saturday morning in December was a strong statement as to how much our residents care and worry about the future of our schools. Through community engagement and proper dialogue, we have a responsibility to convince the district of our needs pertaining to our schools. In addition, the district has a responsibility to listen to us and respect our needs when weighing any decision they might make that will affect the future of our schools. We must all work hard together to come up with the solutions that will work to balance the district’s budgets without compromising our community.

On Dec. 11, a large turnout of citizens from our entire community filled Centennial Hall to voice their concerns and hear what can possibly be done to help with our doctor shortage. Town council invited representatives from Vancouver Island Health Authority (Doug Blackie, Corporate Director of Medical Affairs), Family Physicians Recruitment Centre (Brenda Warren and Sheila Leversidge), two doctors who represented the Cowichan Division of Family Practice (Dr. Rimmer and Dr. Broere) to address the audience and answer questions. Discussion was very informative and now has us in the process of forming a committee to help with the recruitment of doctors for our area. We truly appreciate all the assistance these organizations are giving us and for taking the time to explain their roles to us. Having so many people from the public out for this meeting was an important step as we work towards finding more doctors to satisfy our needs.

Lakeside Player’s A Christmas Carol provided great entertainment to all those fortunate enough to attend. There was some exceptional performances by the cast, plus many talented behind the scene helpers who made the performance such a success. Prior to the play, a newly organized youth choir

MAYOR’S REPORT

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Grade 11 student Kiana Holman holds up one of the anti-bullying posters drawn by children at Palsson Elementary School for a class project in her Social Justice class at Lake Cowichan Secondary School.

Young Young teen teen puts puts plans plans into into action action through through high high school school course course work work ELODIE ADAMS, GAZETTE EDITOR

There are some events in life that really influence a person.

For example, when Grade 11 student Kiana Holman heard about the suicide of Amanda Todd, news that sped across the country for its shocking portrayal of a girl whose personal image was demeaned by bullying, she sat up and listened.

This year, Holman is taking a Social Justice course at Lake Cowichan Secondary School (LCSS), and as part of her course requirements, had to come up with an idea and get together an action plan.

“Everybody in the class has to do a project,” Holman’s mother told the Gazette. “They had to come up with something that resonates with them, and set forth an action plan and see it through.”

Holman has been actively pursuing raising money for Youthspace.ca and NEED2.ca, two non-profit organizations based out of Victoria that provide resources to youth in suicide awareness and education, and mental and emotional health.

So far, she has two projects under wrap and has a guest speaker lined up to come to the school.

“I decided to do a bake sale,” said Holman, who set up a table at her school on Thursday, Dec. 20 and sold the baking she and her mother had done together. “I actually raised $100 just from the bake sale.”

Another project the young student has put into action involves the children at Lake Cowichan’s Palsson Elementary school.

“I got a poster contest about bullying going at Palsson,” she explained, “and they’re going to make a calendar out of them and sell them.

And lastly, she has invited a guest speaker from Need2’s SAY (Suicide Awareness for Youth).

If Holman was a little bit shy about talking about her projects, her mother — and rightfully so — was proud to talk about her daughter’s personal investment for her course work.

“She told me that a lot of it came from hearing about Amanda Todd, who took her own life,” Holman’s mother confirmed. “And from being bullied herself in the past.”

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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

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Got a news tip? Email us at: editor@lakecowichangazette.com

TO COMMENT We welcome your original comments on editorials, columns, on topics in the Lake Cowichan Gazette or any subjects important to you. Only letters that include name, address and day and evening phone numbers and that are verified by the Lake Cowichan Gazette can be considered for publication.

OPINION

Letters to the editor and articles submitted to the Lake Cowichan Gazette may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms and will be edited for clarity, grammar and length. Publication is not guaranteed.

Email your thoughts to editor@lakecowichangazette.com or fax it to us at 250-749-4385

A chance to see the past year as the next one hits Jean Crowder respectively — may top the list, and their comments are for you to read on page 2.

The protection of our environment is an issue that is also given priority in Lake Cowichan and the surrounding area.

Jefferson Parker takes a look at some of the successful projects that have been accomplished by the activist group One Cowichan on page 12.

Although it is “not in our backyard,” we can’t distance ourselves from the proposed Enbridge pipeline going ahead, and all that it would mean for the environment in the northern part of the province. Smart meters were an issue,

Aliens and oil tankers: BC Bureau

A 2012 news quiz

By Tom Fletcher

News affecting B.C. in 2012 sometimes seemed too bizarre to be believed. Here's a tonguein-cheek holiday news quiz compiled by Metro Vancouver reporter Jeff Nagel.

1. Justice Bruce Cohen's inquiry found no single culprit for the decline of Fraser River sockeye salmon, but he did call for measures to reduce the risks from: A. Ocean-based fish farms B. First Nations poaching C. Sewage pollution from Metro Vancouver and Victoria D. Predatory fish like barracuda migrating further north

after an outbreak of: A. Scabies B. C. difficile C. Whooping cough D. Norovirus 4. David Black, owner of this newspaper, announced plans in August to build a: A. Space station B. Pulp and paper mill C. Oil refinery D. Insane asylum for reporters 5. Dilbit is: A. An Indian salty snack that was recalled by its Surrey manufacturer.

B. A grade of paving aggregate used by engineers on the South Fraser Perimeter Road to reduce noise.

C. Diluted bitumen, a heavy grade of crude oil diluted so it flows through pipelines D. A new cartoon strip for Black Press newspapers

2. BC Lottery Corp. pushed for reforms allowing: A. 1,000% increase in online betting limits B. Single-event sports betting C. Betting your car at B.C. casinos D. Betting on elections, wars and which religion is best

6. How many oil tankers would enter Burrard Inlet each year (up from about 60 now) if Kinder Morgan's proposal to twin its Trans Mountain pipeline is approved?

A. 150 B. 220 C. 300 D. 500

3. Fraser Health embarked on an intensive cleaning of hospitals

7. The federal government an-

as was the damage to cars caused by the frozen ice on the brand new Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver.

And if we go even further afield in the Canadian political field, we would read about Britain snaffling one of our best federal attributes, Mark Carney, for themselves as Governor of the Bank of England. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty gets an editorial award from one newspaper columnist as the worst politician of the year, but you won’t be reading about that in the Gazette.

Just a vague reference by our cartoonist, Ingrid Rice, to the impending

global recession that may be looming in 2013.

For more positive input, stick to reading the year-end report from our mayor, Ross Forrest (page 3), as well as our Area F director Ian Morrison’s comprehensive recap of the CVRD’s successes and shortcomings (page 5).

Oh, and don’t forget to attempt the 2012 news quiz submitted by Tom Fletcher, below, on behalf of Metro Vancouver reporter Jeff Nagel.

Don’t forget to send us your comments, and have a Happy New Year.

— editor@lakecowichangazette.com

gered B.C. groups by moving to: A. Close the Kitsilano coast guard base B. Streamline and shorten environmental assessments for new oil pipelines C. Amend the Fisheries Act to downgrade protection for salmon habitat D. All of the above 8. Which of the following did NOT alarm public health authorities: A. Deaths of young people who used ecstasy laced with PMMA B. Whooping cough outbreak in the Fraser Valley C. Recall of tainted beef from XL Foods plant in Alberta D. Salmon exposed to radiation from Japanese nuclear disaster 9: Which was NOT a target for protesters in 2012: A. Proposed B.C. oil pipelines and increased tanker exports B. Coal exports through Metro Vancouver C. Daily passage of U.S. oil tankers from Alaska to Washington refineries D. The Pacific Trails gas pipeline to Kitimat 10. Which was NOT raised by opponents as an alleged risk of B.C. Hydro's smart meters: A. Total global video surveillance B. Defective human sperm and eggs C. Scanning brains for bank PIN numbers D. Sudden fondness for harmonized sales tax

11: BC Ferries considered this to reduce costs or boost revenue: A. Cutting North Coast run, now subsidized by $2,364.72 per car B. Reducing number of sailings with no passengers C. Putting video slot machines on board as Maritime ferries have D. Cutting Mill Bay ferry, which runs beside a Vancouver island highway

12. B.C.'s transportation ministry rejected this proposed use of the old Port Mann Bridge: A. A public greenway and aerial park above the Fraser River B. Recycling of materials into new Pattullo Bridge so the tolls can be lowered C. Community garden D. Keeping it as a backup in case something goes wrong with the new one

ANSWERS: 1-A, 2-B, 3-B, 4-C, 5-C, 6-C. 7-D, 8-D, 9-C, 10-D, 11-B, 12-A.

With scarcely more than a month under my belt at the Gazette, it would be difficult for me to do an editorial retrospective of the year 2012 in Lake Cowichan.

Besides, several such articles are already there in black and white for you to read.

It is in reading these articles that I gain better knowledge about some of the many concerns that continue to play an important role in the area.

Bar none, the educational and medical challenges facing the town and the district — both reviewed by our official school board trustee Mike McKay and our MP

OFFICE/CIRCULATION Karen Brouwer Caycuse • Honeymoon Bay • Lake Cowichan • Mesachie Lake • Youbou

Box 10, Lake Cowichan, British Columbia V0R 2G0 Street Address: 170E-Cowichan Lake Road PH: 250-749-4383 FAX: 250-749-4385 Classifieds: 310-3535 (toll free) EDITORIAL: editor@lakecowichangazette.com ADVERTISING: production@lakecowichangazette.com PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY BLACK PRESS LTD. Canadian Publication Mail Sales Product Agreement #1090194 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund, for our publishing activities.

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THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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CVRD Area F director reviews 2012

Ian Morrison

AREA F REPORT

I have just spent several hours today reviewing this year’s past articles and director’s reports, so I might get a sense of what transpired throughout the year, and to also make sure I don’t spend most of this article repeating myself. I could easily just make a list of what happened in 2012, and describe each item.

I considered approaching this article as a year-in-the-life of your Area F director as well. I have decided to highlight a few key items and to share them from the viewpoint of how I dealt with them as your Area F director.

January 2012 started with a big change in my role, from a leadership perspective, at the CVRD. Previously, I spent most of my first three year term learning my craft as an area Director, attending tons of meetings and asking lots of questions. This year, newly elected CVRD Board Chair Rob Hutchins tasked me with some key leadership roles such as Transit Committee chair and Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) representative, as well as membership on some other key committees. I mention this because I have a better chance of delivering open, honest, and efficient local government, trying to influence things from these positions, as opposed to being on the outside, looking in. I anticipate being asked to take on even greater responsibilities in 2013, and increasing the opportunities for your voices to be heard.

The Cowichan Watershed Board (CWB) was another key appointment that has become very important to me, as our watershed is of primary importance to so many of us. Excellent water quality is vital to all of us, yet in 2012 it seemed the CWB was preoccupied with water quantity as well. There is a significant program of testing for pollutants in the lower watershed in 2012, which will shift to testing in the upper watershed in 2013. Many of you will remember an article in this paper about a snow pillow being considered for the mountains above our watershed. The drought in the summer of 2012 has highlighted the need to develop a more effective and consistent method of storing and releasing water from the Cowichan Lake into the river. The current regime for storage and release (the rule- curve) of water behind the weir was reviewed by Catalyst this fall. When the experts applied the more flexible rule- band to this year’s storage and release numbers, it was determined the flow rate could have been maintained at the minimum rate required at seven cubic meters per second,

instead of the rate of just over five cubic meters per second during the drought.

Catalyst said there would also have been enough water for almost two full release pulses in the fall to allow fish to migrate and spawn. Instead, we had only one shortened pulse and Chinook had to be captured by hand and trucked up to their spawning habitat. The provincial government is considering changes to the current storage and release regime, and I can assure everyone reading this, a full public consultation process will take place in the community, before any possible changes are implemented.

Taxes are on the minds of most local government elected officials at the beginning of each year, as we are considering service and taxation levels for 2013’s budget that must be finalized by the end of each March. This past year had tax increases for all jurisdictions in the CVRD. Increases ranged from a low of 3.67per cent in the Town of Lake Cowichan to 8.67per cent in the District of North Cowichan. Area F was at the lower end of the range at 4.07per cent, while we should keep in mind these numbers don’t include the entire list of services specific to each area (all Area F pays for parks, yet only Honeymoon Bay residents pay for Honeymoon Bay Fire Protection) July through September was a particularly busy time for your area representative. The CVRD held curbside collection open-houses to share the concept of the CVRD in-house curbside collection initiative and to explain the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) that was being used to obtain the electorate’s consent to proceed, as well as to hear concerns and answer questions about how the new system would work. Honeymoon Bay Water System users experienced a summer without watering restrictions. The CVRD’s engineering staff had installed water meters last year. Staff needed to determine the baseline water consumption data for the water system, and the well water supply managed to meet the demand, without being artificially influenced by annual watering restrictions.

Elected officials from across B.C. attended the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Victoria from September 24 to 28. Five CVRD resolutions and one late resolution from the Town of Lake Cowichan were debated and passed at the convention. The CVRD resolutions included reconsideration of funding cuts for emergency preparedness, funding to sustain rural fire departments, provincial review of qualified environmentalist’s reports, requests for support for new declared nuisances bylaws, and new contaminated soils relocation bylaws.

The Town of Lake Cowichan’s late resolution calling for a School District 79 by-election was introduced by Councillor McGonigle and ultimately passed by convention delegates. I was proud to speak to and support this resolution, and

as a result, the education minister did call a by-election for the fall of 2013.

This past year also saw some experts present long awaited reports to the CVRD Board, that I feel are important to how your local government operates.

Two reports I can talk about today are the South Cowichan Eco-Depot and the CVRD Communications reports. Regarding the Eco-Depot report, I have found it to be wholly unsatisfactory, and silent regarding key areas of financial transparency and how certain decisions were made behind the scenes. I’m not confident the whole story was told in that report. If your Area Director lacks confidence in those facts, as they were presented in the Eco-Depot report, I can’t expect you to accept them as they were presented either.

The Communications report is a very different story. I fully support the report’s findings and hope to garner your support to ensure the recommendations in the report become a reality. The report’s author, Therese Mickelson, presented a detailed examination of the CVRD’s failings in every area of local government communications that matters. We now have Twitter,YouTube, websites and Facebook, with new communication platforms being invented almost monthly. The CVRD serves over 80, 000 residents and is sadly lacking in tools to effectively communicate with us. Times change and local governments must change too. The key recommendation in the Mickelson Communications report is for the CVRD to hire the services of an expert communications professional.

This could just be the most important CVRD initiative in 2012, and I believe we need to make this a top priority in 2013. Unless I hear from you, significant opposition to the CVRD establishing a communications office staffed by a communications professional, I plan to express strong support from Area F during the 2013 budget debates.

Lastly, and most importantly, this year has ended with an event to thank the many volunteers who help the CVRD deliver many of the services we pay all for through our property taxes. The CVRD relies on community members, your friends and neighbours, to serve on various bodies to advise the CVRD staff, CVRD board, and the area director. The Advisory Planning Commission advises the CVRD on matters regarding land use, rezonings, and Official Community Plans (OCP’s). Parks Commissions advise the CVRD on parks priorities and the budgets required to make our parks and green spaces useable and enjoyable.

I feel especially thankful to all the men and women who answer the fire alarm and turn out for motor vehicle accidents and as First Responders for medical calls. All these volunteers deserve our praise and recognition for helping make our communities such wonderful places to live.

A group for Moms & Dads with children under 4 All children welcome Drop-in • Snacks • Mondays - 10:30am

January 7: Sleeping like a baby? Or maybe not.

Rhoda Taylor January 14: Nutrition for the whole family, including those just learning to eat. Christy Thomson, Community Nutritionist January 21: Exactly what do these public health nurses do to keep busy?

Carolyn Yablonski explains what services are provided in Lake Cowichan by Public Health.

January 28: Floods, Earthquake, Fire and mayhem. What to do to be ready. Sybille Sanderson Emergency Preparedness Expert.

Kaatza Health Unit, 58 Cowichan Ave. West Vancouver Island Health Authority

More information? Rhoda Taylor 250.709.3050

FAITH DIRECTORY Baptist

Pentecostal

Cowichan Lake Baptist Church

Lake Cowichan Christian Fellowship

8259 Beaver Road Lake Cowichan

57 King George St. South Lake Cowichan

Sunday Service 10:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am

Sunday Service 10:30am

Pastor Dale Winters

Pastor Terry Hale

250-749-3211

250-749-6492

Roman Catholic Congregational St. Louis de Montfort

‘New Hope’ Community Church

60 Fern Road Lake Cowichan

10648 Youbou Rd, Youbou

250-745-3406

250-749-4103

Mass Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

Breakfast at 10:00 am Sunday Service 11:00 am

Fr. Alfredo Monacelli

Rev. Vikki Marrs

TOWN OF LAKE COWICHAN Notice Regular Meeting Dates - 2013 Please note that the Regular Meeting dates for Council of the Town of Lake Cowichan for 2013 are as follows: • • • • • •

January 22nd February 26th March 26th April 23rd May 28th June 25th

• • • • • •

July 23rd August 27th September24th October 22nd November 26th December 17th

The start time for the meetings is 6:00 p.m. and the meetings are held at 39 South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan (Municipal Hall).

Special Meeting of Council for 2013, starting at 5:00 p.m. are as follows: • January 8th • May 7th Dated this 19th of December, 2012.

Joseph A. Fernandez, Chief Administrative Of¿cer

6

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

Rolli Gunderson Photos

The building, across the street from present day Forest Workers Memorial Park, was originally used as a doctors office (Doctors Mewhort, Morrow, Egan etc.). It was later the location of Cuppa Java Cafe then eventually held the present day business of rental units.

PRINCESS CRUISES

50 DAYS - 4 CONTINENTS - GRAND ADVENTURE SAIL SYDNEY TO ROME!! from DEPART MARCH 29, 2013 $

Once a thriving business, the Lake Cowichan Co-Op grocery store eventually closed it doors before selling the property. Today the site is the location of The Bargain Shop.

Looking back: the business front 20 years ago

CAD Inside + Tax AIR DEALS ARE BACK SAVE UP TO $500 CAD CRUISE ONLY

4,999

60 STATION ST. • 250-748–8128 • 1–800–434–0566

B.C. REG 1506

Sherri Brubaker

Rolli Gunderson

PAGES OF HISTORY Looking back to 1992, just 20 years ago, there have been several changes in the business section of town. Businesses come and go, so what was Main Street like just two decades ago? Lets take a tour back and see.

The building across the road from the Riverside Inn parking lot has long been the site of the Cow Café. For a short period of time after the building was built, it was the location of Diamond Billiards Family Fun Centre. Although some parents had reservations about their teens gathering at a billiard hall, (it was not the town’s first), the business provided a

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recreational opportunity for teens and families alike.

One of the best butcher shops around was Hans’ Butcher Shop and Deli. Formerly T & I Meats (1992) the town was fortunate in having had two such conscientious and experienced men, like Tony and later, Hans, operate in our town.

Who recalls Randy’s Pizza on the Run? Situated at 64 South Shore Road, the owner employed several teens who served great pizzas to go. There was also Bella Sorella Fine Take-Out Pizza that, like its competitor, offered home delivery. Bella operated out of a few storefronts in its time here including the Riverside Inn. Mo Coulter’s 40th Main Street, for many years offered “quality hair design for the family”. The salon was situated next door to the post office and was a going concern for many years.

Just a block away from 40th Main Street was the bowling alley, which in 1992 operated as Sidetrack Tap’n Bowl. League bowling, open bowling and private bowling parties were offered by then owners Barry and Ginny. Eventually the business closed with the bowling alley building being demolished several years ago. Today the building site is the future home of the new Cowichan Lake area library.

Situated at 45 South Shore Road, the building that now houses The Bargain Shop was for many years the Lake Cowichan Co-Op grocery store.

What started out as a small business in a small building (further up South Shore Road) quickly grew in leaps and bounds. After many successful

years, business slowly declined until the once thriving grocery store closed its doors for good.

The building was later sold.

Among the several real estate salesmen operating in town in 1992 were Brian Atkins and Chris Knight who both worked from Homelife Whittome Realty Ltd. Another business that operated here in 1992 was Susanne Neva’s Pins & Needles.

An expert seamstress, Susanne sold fabric, patterns, sewing notions etc., from a nice little storefront at 93 South Shore Road, today the location of Lake Cowichan Eyecare.

Shandra’s Fashions at 105 South Shore Road (the new location of Copper Lane fashions) continued to offer fine ladies clothing after the retirement of Dorothy Ryan, who for many years, operated Dorothy’s Style Shop at the same address.

A small photo-finishing business operating on Main Street was owned and operated by Norma Winner and Joe Resatz.

The shop offered service “with a personal touch” and brought a new kind of specialized business to town.

Situated in the same building as present day Pet Emporium, was Village Lights. The business offered a nice selection of home lighting fixtures in many styles and prices.

At the other end of town (corner of South Shore Road and Lakeview Avenue) on the second floor behind today’s auto supply store, was the chartered accounting firm of Kenneth R. Leach. The same building was also once the site of a small law firm. The building held, at various times, a Radio Shack, music store, deli and beauty salon.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

250-749-6660

www.lkc.ca

TOLL FREE PAGE 1-800-729-3246 145 South Shore Rd., Lake Cowichan cowichanvalleyrealtor@shaw.ca

keith@lkc.ca

Keith Nelson

Sharon Kelly Sha

WHEN YOU WANT IT LISTED - WHEN YOU NEED IT SOLD YOU CAN SEE FOR MILES New home under construction. Easy maintenance & ready for your weekend getaway. Pick your colors, flooring & counter tops. It’s all about the atmosphere, & this area has it all.

Close to the lake, mountain & the water views. Call today.

CUTE HOME - READY TO GO! D

Many updates including roof, windows, kitchen, built in vacuum & new furnace (to be installed).

Nice level yard with a single car garage & full unfinished basement. This one’s a keeper!

REDUCE

NEW LISTING

This 1,400 square foot mobile is on 1.29 acres. Located on large, flat acreage, however, require some TLC, but has potential.

NEW LISTING

$239,000

$124,000

3 bdrm wheelchair friendly rancher beautifully finished. Open concept w/ good quality carpeting, tiling & window coverings. Propane fireplace, Jacuzzi tub in main bathroom & big double garage.

Quality throughout.

$253,000

110 River Road

RECREATION PARK

$159,000

DREAM HOLIDAY GETAWAY Recreational property located in Honeymoon Bay. Trussed roof over RV & big covered deck.

Playground for the kids, huge beach, boat docks & picnic area on pristine Cowichan Lake. Backs onto fully fenced green space/ parkland. Do you want that easy care weekend lifestyle?

#10 Paradise Village RV Park

PRIVATE, PEACEFUL & PERFECT Long & narrow 5.6 level acres surrounded by forestry property. Steel construction shop, green house & home is over 1500 sq ft with 2 bdrms, 2 bathrooms & a loft. Make this your permanent home or great for weekend living. Too many extras to list – you have to view to appreciate it!

8975 Youbou Rd.

$368,000

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN HONEYMOON BAY

D REDUCE

Flat .81 acre property with large 2,900+ sqft building. Two separate titles to be sold together. Located on main road close to store, fire hall & restaurant.

Bring your ideas!

$159,000 10054 South Shore Rd. $179,900

GREAT FAMILY HOME! 5 year old home located close to town & the river. Five bedrooms – complete with kitchen/bar area & rec room on 1st floor with full bath & laundry. Second level has large kitchen & living room plus 2 full baths. Large vinyl deck, 2 car garage & RV parking. Nicely landscaped with small garden shed. A must see!

120 Lake Park Road

$374,900

92 Beaver Rd.

$289,000

ROOMY MOBILE IN DUNCAN NEW LISTING

5188 Elearnor Rd.

Private land hidden away on dead end street next to farmer’s field. Newer mobile with 2 nice sized bedrooms, 2 full baths & large deck partially covered plus shed.

$189,000

268 Castley Heights $75,000

BUILD UP HIGH! • lake views from lot • geo tech report on file 271 South Shore $269,000

COMMERCIAL LOT – corner lot on almost an acre on main road in Town

All the benefits of lake front without the price! New 2 bedroom with lake views & access to private lake front facilities. Nicely laid out with kitchen that boasts 4 appliances & granite counter tops.

Awesome lake views from this .44 of an acre lot.

$279,000 + HST

Privacy guaranteed when you build on this lot.

INVESTOR ALERT!

2 level 3 bedroom home plus bonus 30 X 30 shop. Open floor plan, excellent finishing throughout – too many features to name them all.

Home, shop & yard immaculate. Move in condition.

Site #105 - One cute bedroom unit just steps from the lake. Located on 12 acres in Honeymoon Bay, featuring lake frontage, playing fields, private marina, and so much more!

Paradise Village RV Pk

7465 Teal Court

QUIET LOCATION

STEPS FROM RIVERFRONT PARK D

WONDERFUL LOCATION

Recently restored 2 bedroom condo in quiet complex in Lake Cowichan. Beautiful floors, updated kitchen & bathroom, nice layout with in-unit laundry.

#58-211 Madill Road REDUCE

$179,900

13-300 Grosskleg

Lot 5 March Rd $139,900

Welcome to Paradise! Flat lot across the road from spectacular Cowichan Lake.

Stunning views – great weekend getaway + HST or full time living.

Two bedroom townhouse within walking distance of all amenities.

Nice layout, propane fireplace, great patio and good size storage locker. Quiet and peaceful – this is a 55+ community.

DOUBLE WIDE IN COBBLE HILL

1328 Carlton Dr. QUIET COMPLEX

NEW LISTING

CLEAN & COZY

$179,000

39 Coronation Street

$259,000

9232 Kestrel Dr.

LOTS

MARBLE BAY LOTS

Lot 38 Kestrel Drive $125,000 Lot 48 Widgeon Way $89,900 TOTALLY RENOVATED

This .58 acre property provides several options, including building a duplex or renovating the existing home. Due to road location, rezoning to commercial may be a possibility. Vendor financing may also be available.

$219,900

250 South Shore Rd.

IT HAS POTENTIAL! D

REDUCE

$179,000

GREAT BACKYARD Fenced back yard with cute gazebo & 330 sq ft shop, which can be enjoyed by both people & pets. Three bedrooms up & a rec room downstairs.

Tasteful wood panelling & both bathrooms have been updated. Move in condition.

D REDUCE

$199,000

177 Neva Road

QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD Custom home with 5 bedrooms & 4 bathrooms – a place for all the family. Special features throughout. Backyard is fenced & beautifully landscaped with a pond & deck for entertaining. View this outstanding home.

287 Grants Lake Road

$319,000

$299,900

6780 3rd Street

AFFORDABLE OPPORTUNITY

First time offered for sale in over 50 years. Three levels, 4 bedroom home located on .89 of an acre. Unfinished basement – 20 x 20 sq ft detached shop/garage & carport. Subdivision off an extra lot is a possibility.

101 North Shore Rd.

D REDUCE

Beautiful home in Honeymoon Bay – minutes from the lake & all recreational activities. New hardi-plank, windows & roof. Totally modern kitchen, wood & laminate floors – tastefully decorated. Great family or vacation home.

Close to the Cowichan River - three level Tudor style home with 4 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms. Good sized attached garage-shop area & property backs onto farmland acreage. Perfect for a growing family.

$209,000

8007 Greendale Rd.

BIG ACREAGE Your own creek on 10.43 gently sloping acres, borders both the Cowichan Valley Hwy & Cowichan Lake. Not far from the Cowichan River for swimming & steelhead fishing. Close to town – zoned F2 for multiple land use.

Getaway or full time living. Owner may be willing to partially finance.

7705 Cowichan Lk Rd

$259,000

BIG PRICE REDUCTION Almost ½ acre of RV living at Bayview Village. Backs onto forestland with nature all around. Includes a 1991 Fleetwood trailer with metal roof. Shared lakefront with wharfs, sandy beach & much more.

Lot 59 Blackwood Hgts

$169,000

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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

You’ll feel like family!

C White O Nugget U Potatoes N 2/$400 T R Chilean Y Pork Back Ribs V $397 A L Cheese U Kaisers E BC

WOW! THIS WORKS OUT TO

40¢ PER LB!

Rio Star Grapefruit

$ 00

2/ 5

5 Lb Bags

IN TH THE DELI

IImported Imp mp mp Swiss Emmenthal Cheese Emm

5 Lb Bags

$ 97

1

FROZEN

Family Pack

TEXAS

100 g

Random Cuts

EATIN ATING RIGHT

Pasta Past $

3LB

SAVINGS!

Lb $8.75 Kg

$ 00

2/ 4

450-500 g

SELECT

Salsa

IN THE BAKERY

Watch for ourr

FLYER EVERY FRIDAY AY in the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial

$ 97

1

KNUDSEN

Just Juice

$ 00

2/ 5

650 mL

8 Pack

Cranberry, Pomegranite, Blueberry

$ 97

3

946 mL

Limit 3 Total

Pr Proud rou to be Cowichan Valley’s leading grocery store since 1986.

Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Deposits and/or environmental fees extra where applicable. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

Specials in effect Wednesday January 2nd- Saturday January 5th, 2013

Valley View Centre 1400 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cobble Hill • 83 Cowichan Rd, Lake Cowichan Open Daily 8am - 9pm

Offers valid at Lake Cowichan and Cobble Hill Country Grocer locations only.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

You’ll feel like family!

Locally Owned & Operated since 1984

FAMILY PACK

LORETTA

Lean Ground Beef

$ 47

2

2 4 F O R

$ 00

Tea Bags

EMMA

Plum Tomatoes

5

$ 97144's NIAGARA

Treehouse Lemonade

87

¢

¢ 796 mL

CANADA DRY

Ginger Ale

1L

STARSHINE

Cookies

2 5 F O R

$ 00385 g

GOURMET MEAT SHOPPE

Prime Rib Burgers

$ 47

2

Assorted Flavours of Salt & Pepper

RED ROSE Lb $5.45 Kg

88

Grinders

6-710 mL

6

$ 97908 g

Photos for illustrative purposes only. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

Specials in effect Wednesday, January 2/13 to Saturday, January 5/13

ALL ITEMS WHILE STOCK LAST!

www.countrygrocer.com

E X T R A V A L U E

These specials available at Country Grocer Lake Cowichan ONLY.

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10

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

CVRD Areas F and I acknowledge volunteers’ contribution ELODIE ADAMS, GAZETTE EDITOR

Volunteers who sit on the different commissions for the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) were given the royal treatment at a Volunteer Appreciation dinner, Dec. 22 in Lake Cowichan.

This year, CVRD’s Area F and I Directors, Ian Morrison and Pat Weaver respectively, co-hosted the event at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena’s Curling Club Lounge “This is the first time that (Areas) F and I have done one jointly,” commented Morrison.

“Area I hasn’t been doing these as a matter of practice for a number of years. I picked it up from my predecessor Joe Allan, who was in attendance with his wife, as well.”

Weaver, who was elected as the

Area I director only one year ago, said she was very pleased that the event was combined.

“We had a wonderful time, and it was a wonderful dinner,” Weaver said. “It was good to be able to thank the volunteers who sit on the commissions, because nothing happens without volunteers.”

“It’s really all about giving a little bit back to the people that help to make local government work,” agreed Morrison. “The Advisory Planning Commission members, Parks Commission members, and Fire Commission members, as well as the Fire Chiefs, and ex-Fire Chiefs — they really are indispensable when it comes to local government and elected officials doing their jobs.”

About 55 guests attended the event, most of them volunteers,

along with some of the CVRD staff, board chair Rob Hutchins, and MLA Bill Routley.

After the dinner, the volunteers watched a power-point presentation

by Hutchins and Morrison that included a year-in-review of the CVRD. “It was an attempt to show and to give feedback to the volunteers about what some of the activities of their local government are,” Morrison explained. “It was a real snapshot of the various projects that have been undertaken in the regional district, with some of the information more local and some of it more regional.”

After the success of the evening, both Morrison and Weaver said they planned on doing it again next year.

Elodie Adams

Crazy Hair Day at AB Greenwell Children at AB Greenwell Elementary School had fun coming up with crazy hairdos for a Crazy Hair Day, Dec. 14. Principal Jann Drake read a story about hair by Robert Munsch, Aaron’s Hair, to all the children in the school just before lunch.

January update for Cowichan Lake Seniors 2013 activities The month of January at a glance Activity start-up dates for the new year: • • • • •

Jan. 4: Friday night bridge players Jan. 6: Association’s Sunday bingo Jan. 9: Golden Agers’ Wednesday bingo Jan. 19: Annual volunteer banquet, by invitation only Jan. 25: Open house in the morning with the Line Dancers, coffee and tea served.

Meeting dates: • • • Gazette

Cowichan Lake Golden Agers Society members Gudy and Gaetan Pelletier enjoyed a game of pool at the Senior’s Centre on Dec. 27.

Frank Hornbrook SENIOR CENTRE’S CHATTER Golden Agers Society memberships for 2013 are now on sale.

Please keep in mind Jan. 25. This is the date the Seniors’ Centre will be hosting an open house for everyone in Lake Cowichan and the surrounding communities to drop in and see what goes on at the centre. The line dancers will be on hand and there will be coffee, tea and sweets.

Carol Hunt, Executive Director, Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation, will be the guest speaker at the Association meeting, Jan. 17. This meeting is open to all seniors in the immediate area of Lake Cowichan, Youbou, Mesachie Lake, Honeymoon Bay, Caycuse, Skutz Falls and any others who may wish to attend. Carol will talk about free rides for seniors to attend group meetings, hospital visits, doctors’ appointments, etc. The service is free, so please attend and see what is available.

The association will be hosting its annual volunteer banquet on Jan. 19. This banquet is by invitation only.

The Association’s and the Golden Agers’ executive and annual general meetings are coming up in January. Please attend the meeting of you choice to have your say.

The line dancers are taking some time off and will be back by the end of January for our open house. Please watch for their start-up date.

Pennies, pennies, pennies!

The seniors are looking for your pennies to roll for the Nicole Stock Penny Drive. The date is fast approaching for the Variety Club telethon and the Seniors enjoy contributing by rolling your loose change. Please drop your loose change off at the Seniors centre, or phone 250749-6121 between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, and we will make arrangements to pick it up.

Just a reminder you do not have to be a member of the Golden Agers to enjoy lunch or tea and coffee in the Seniors’ Centre. If you wish to join the Golden Agers, you or your spouse need to be 50 years or older. By being a member of the Golden Agers, you are entitled to have one ambulance ride per year reimbursed, to attend banquets throughout the year at a nominal cost, and be eligible for day trips at a nominal cost.

Exercise Classes If you are not into strenuous exercises, then come and exercise with Pat Jung on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Pat has a program of Chinese exercises that are very easy to do and very relaxing. There is no cost to participate.

•

Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 10:00 a.m.: Golden Agers Executive meeting Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 1:30 p.m.: Golden Agers general meeting Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 10:00 a.m.: Association Executive meeting Thursday, Jan. 17 at 1:30 p.m.: Association general meeting

Cribbage Every Friday from noon until about 2:30 p.m. there is cribbage in the meeting room at a cost of $2 per person, with the money being awarded for first, second, and third place.

Bingo Everyone is welcome to come and play bingo at the Seniors’ Centre. The Association bingo games are held on Sunday evenings, starting at 7 p.m., with sales starting at 6 p.m.

The Golden Agers bingo games are held every Wednesday starting at 1 p.m., with sales starting at noon.

These organizations appreciate your support and the funds are spent entirely in the individual organizations. The Association’s net proceeds are spent in assisting with the on-going operating costs of the building (heat, hydro, repairs etc.). The Golden Agers help to provide affordable meals for seniors, help subsidize the cost of day trips and special banquets.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Pat Duringer

Sandy Stinson

RE/MAX of LAKE COWICHAN 81 Cowichan C Lake Road, Lake Cowichan | www.remaxlakecowichan.com

Your Trusted Authority ~ Going the extra mile for you!

250-749-6000 SOLD

RE 1 BEDROOM FORECLOSU

BEST OFFER

18 King George 10571 Cypress

502 Mountain View

9440 Creekside Road

Outrageous views! Open concept Brand new 3 bed 2 bath rancher in living. Lightly used & well maintained desirable Slopes subdivision. Hurry and you can still pick your colors with 4 bedrooms & 3 baths.

$319,000

Stunning waterfront home. Almost 4000 sq. ft living space. Huge open concept kitchen.

2nd kitchen could easily be in-law suite.

3 decks open to the prized lake front views.

$339,900 plus H.S.T.

7020 Cowichan Lake Road 12 acres of flat land with a lovely character home and multiple out buildings. Set up for a couple of horses.

Possibility of extensive peat extraction.

$950,000

$215,000

$194,000

REDUCED

$89,900 $95,000

$77,000

9674 Creekside Rd New Creekside Listing Elegant Waterfront Home

$1,299,000

$529,000

#24 - $22,900 MOTIVATED

#33 - $59,000

11445 North Shore Road

Lot 22 Kestrel Dr.

100 Cottonwood

Lakeview lot w/boat slip & beach access.

Huge lot in town. Big family home.

$69,000

$345,000

COMMERCIAL

RIVERFRONT

67 South Shore Rd. • Riverfront +/ residential+/ +business too!

• Location, location,location • Established since 1960 • 1960 sq’ building • 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom • 62x104 riverfront lot

$399,000

SOLD

Log Home. Ever thought you would like to live off the grid?

$375,000

147 Sahtlam Ave

$265,000

$189,000

$797,000

Coon Creek Road

SL 4 Meades Creek Road

82 Beech

5990 Stoltz Rd.

Cute, Cute, Cute Waterfront Cabin, Great Beach.

High end Small scale Waterfront Development.

Several lovely homes newly built.

• Home at the Slopes • Rancher with a basement

5.1 acres, Inlaw suite, potential B&B apartment over the garage.

$399,000

$349,000

$419,000

$569,000

10408 Arbutus Street

7780 Parkinson Rd.

Cozy home with country kitchen, bonus partially finished basement.

Central location.

Youbou Mini Mart

102 Cowichan Ave. Lovely rancher, 3 bdrm, private landscaped backyard.

Priced to sell.

Great Opportunity

$259,000

8724 North Shore Road

100 Elk Road

10484 Youbou Rd. Lake view from kitchen, landscaped, .52 of an acre.

Marvelous lakefront.

250ft of beach, .84 acre. Great Home.

26,000 sq ft of Gardening Paradise.

Huge Shop.

$399,900

204-138 South Shore The Wellington.

$145,000

• Modular on quiet street • Wood decks • 3 miles to Lake Cowichan

2 Homes.

$150,000

$198,888

7797 Cowichan Lake Road

9590 Creekside Road

Penny Lane Cottage

• Waterview • Low maintenance yard • Recreation nearby

• 2.87 acres • Lovely 4 bedroom cabin • Year round creek

Waterfront Dock.

• 1 bdrm & den • Riverfront strata • Commercial zoned • Close to town

$495,000

$250,000

$675,000

$212,500

The Coffee Mill

Penny Lane-1 Bdrm

9981 Swordfern

Coffee Shop & Cafe 10063 South Shore Commercial Lot.

• Water development • Ideal for retirees or snowbirds • 1 BDRM + DEN $249,000 CAN BE RENTED

$278,000

$239,000

SWORDFERN ESTATE, moments to a beautiful beach. Lovely home with great master suite.RV garage plus big garage with a huge executive office above. Fitness centre, covered porch, hot tub, heat pump.

$249,000 10549 Coon Creek Road

REDUCED

Cute waterside home & three business storefronts & storage.

#26 - $94,500

SOLD 96 Johel Road

103 South Shore Road

#210 second floor, #306 east exposure One bedroom

Waterfront Mobile Home Park – 9041 Meades Creek

$438,000

276 South Shore Rd.

T wo 2 bdrm apartments! #109 first flr, w. exposure No Down Payment, Vendor Financing at 4%

SOLD

The ESSO This going concern could be a gold mine!

House, pumps, carwash, convenience store & take out counter.

$1,550,000 10432 Youbou Road Excellent canvas, big lot water access.

$269,000

$479,000 SLOPES Beautiful upscale development has attracted a lovely mixture of mostly retired professionals.

7405 Neva Road .45 of a sunny acre $189, 000

Duplex on Coronation 481 Mountain View Rd. Great Investment

$279,000 266 Hillside Road 3 bedroom A-frame with separate shop.

$269,900

$599,900

ATTENTION DEVELOPERS & Investors – here is a great opportunity to purchase a multifamily site within city limits with full community servicing. “The Slopes”, a new Lake Cowichan subdivision showcasing a variety of beautiful new homes. Close to town & minutes to the Lake with easy hwy. access.

470 Mountain View NEW DEV 489 Mountain View NEW DEV The SLOPES BIG LOTS

$114,000 $114,900 $99,000

LOTS 389 Point Ideal Lot 30 Cypress 470 Point Ideal 466 Point Ideal Lot 22 Kestral Dr. #4 Meades Creek

Waterfront Private Prime Loc Prime Loc

$339,000 $69,000 WOW $89,900 $137,700 $74,900 $374,900

Underground services and mountain vista

Waterfront LOTS Stin-Qua Lot # 1 Lot # 3 Lot # 4 Lot # 6 Lot # 15

.... .... .... ....

Almost waterfront!

$399,000 $349,900 $309,900 $329,000 $159,900

185 MacDonald Huge home, huge lot.

Rents out for $1200 a month.

$199,000

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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

Above left: Lake Cowichan Secondary School’s Grade 9 team faces off against the Grade 12 team in their annual pre-Christmas broomball tournament, Dec. 21 at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena. At right, the Grade 12s made life difficult for the Grade 11s in the second game of the tourney with a 4-0 win over their juniors.

LCSS 2013 grads sweep annual broomball tourney ELODIE ADAMS, GAZETTE EDITOR

It was the last day of school, and four days before Christmas when Lake Cowichan Secondary School students and staff met on the ice at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena for the final game in a mini-broomball tournament,

Dec. 21.

They were short, eight-minute games, but the action was intense for those who participated, as well as from those who cheered on from the sidelines.

In the opening game, the Grade 9s toppled the Grade 10s in a sur-

prise outcome of 3-2.

Game number two saw the Grade 11s and 12s battle it out, but the Grade 12s had some strong offence and kept putting the ball in their opponents’ net with a 4-0 result.

Then the losers of games one

and two played each other, with the Grade 11s managing a 2-1 edge over the Grade 10s.

More nail-biting ensued when the Grade 9s put up a good show against the Grade 12s, both teams winners of their previous matches. The Grade 9s only let one goal

past the post, losing the match to the Grade 12s, 1-0.

And so the tournament continued, until it was the teachers and staff’s turn to show their prowess over the Grade 12s.

Unfortunately for them, the grads took the title with a 3-2 win.

Remediation project at Stoltz Park worth a look “Chicks On Dec. 4, 2012 Canada had 2.5 million protected rivers and lakes and a long record of protecting the beautiful waterways in By:Parker Jefferson, our country.

As of Dec. 5, of the activist group 2012 Canada One Cowichan. has only 82 He says a lot can be protected rivaccomplished when ers and lakes community members thanks to our pull together on a federal govproject. ernment’s new rules.

This is another step taken by our federal government to facilitate resource extraction and industrial development at the expense of our environment.

This disturbing trend of putting the environment at the bottom of their priority list must be countered by good local stewardship and we are very lucky to have that here in the Cowichan valley. The Cowichan system is, thankfully, still among the protected rivers and lakes as it should be considering its federal and provincial Heritage River designation. There are many dedicated individuals and organizations working hard to protect our watershed and we will continue to put the sustainable health of our lake and river at the top of our priority list.

One of the biggest successes we have had is the Stoltz Bluffs restoration project at Stoltz Pool Provincial Park. An 800-metre long clay bank was eroding when high water events occurred. The river was undercutting the toe of the cliff and huge amounts of fine particulate matter was being released into the water.

This was paving the riverbed with fine silt for the lower 27 kilometres all the way to the sea. The silt was in-filling all the voids in the gravel and smothering nearly all the salmon and steelhead eggs deposited there. The egg to fry survival rate for any salmon and steel-

head eggs deposited in the river below the bluffs was zero to six per cent while those deposited above the bluffs had an 85 per cent survival rate.

This situation was discussed for many years but it was going to take a lot of money and effort to remedy the problem. The first proposal to address the problem was put forward in 1969 but the salmon population was still healthy and it failed to get the necessary support. The Cowichan Stewardship Roundtable (CSR) was formed around 2004 and this situation was given very high priority in their initial discussions about how to preserve and enhance river productivity. The perseverance and efforts of the CSR soon led to the solution we have today.

The CSR meets monthly and has representation from Cowichan Tribes, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, CVRD, B.C. Ministry of Environment, B.C. Parks, private citizens and many of the local stewardship groups. Ministry of Environment biologist Craig Wightman spearheaded an initiative with CSR support that quickly garnered all the support necessary to get the project moving forward.

Funding of $1.2 million was obtained from the Pacific Salmon Commission, the Georgia Basin Living Rivers program, B.C. Highways, Catalyst Paper and TimberWest. Johel Group Contracting did the construction with assistance from KMC the Cowichan Tribes contracting company. KWL engineering created the plans and one of the largest river reconstructions ever undertaken in B.C. was done over three months in the summer of 2006.

The river was diverted into a side channel so that large machines could work on the river bottom and a new bank was constructed several meters out from the original eroding clay banks. Settling ponds were dug at the foot of the cliffs behind the new banks so runoff could be contained.

Large angular rocks were carefully placed on the banks to prevent erosion and 11 weirs were put in perpendicular to the banks to divert the heavy flows away from the banks and back into the center of the river. KWL engineering even considered river users as they

placed rounded smaller rocks over the weirs protruding into the river to prevent damage or injuries to anyone floating over them in a tube or boat. Willow stakes were driven into the new banks and they have now taken over completely creating a very stable and natural looking river bank.

It is worth the trip to Stoltz Park to see this work, it is a pleasant stroll easily accessible upstream from the campground in the park. It has been very successful at preventing the silt from entering the river and now six years later we are starting to realize the benefits of the remediation efforts.

The first bit of good news came in the fall of 2011 when steelhead fry counts were taken just below the bluffs. Wightman was pleasantly surprised to see almost four fry per square metre, an amount that is considered to be the full capacity for the river in its current condition.

Although we do not formally count coho and steelhead, there were a lot of steelhead seen and caught by anglers in the river last winter and healthy populations of coho fry have been seen in the river as well. Both coho and steelhead fry spend a few years in the river before heading out to sea and they are benefitting from the improved habitat in the lower river. We had a good return of Chinook salmon in spite of the low flow conditions this year and the chum salmon run was estimated at 400,000 fish when only 160,000 were expected this year. The chum salmon are a good indicator of the success of the project as most of them spawn in the lower river and they were perhaps the species that has seen the most benefit in terms of fry survival.

It is clear that this remediation project has paid off in much better spawning success and is now returning very large numbers of fish.

All those involved deserve a pat on the back for their efforts.

This project shows what can be done when members of our community take control and pull together to preserve our river. There is another eroding bank at Broadway run that is getting some attention now and we hope to be able to do a similar project there in the next few years.

with sticks” at CLSA It will be a girls-only day on the ice at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena this coming weekend.

On Saturday, Jan. 5 from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., hoards of young female hockey players from around the island will be showing their talent in Lake Cowichan’s first Female Hockey Jamboree.

Teams will be coming from Victoria, Saanich, the Peninsula and the Cowichan Valley in the south, and from Campbell River, the Alberni Valley, and Parksville in the northern part of the island.

The different levels of hockey will be grouped into two divisions, with Initiation, Novice and Atom levels playing together in Division 1, and the PeeWee, Bantam and Midget levels playing together in Division 2.

Each game is scheduled to be one hour and 15 minutes in duration, with the Division 1 teams playing the first game at 8:00 a.m. Throughout the day, the games will alternate between the two divisions.

There will be no finals, as the jamboree is meant to be a fun day of hockey and exercise for the girls.

However, as is traditional in hockey games and tournaments, there will be a 50/50 draw and raffle baskets to win.

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THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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14

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

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Today’s Solution

It is with great sadness that we announce that Beryl Mary Walker (nee Dawson) passed away at Cowichan District Hospital in Duncan. She died peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her loving children Gillian, James, Joanne, and Sara. Beryl was born on July 3, 1928 in Sheffield, England to Mary and James Dawson. Her father was a piano tuner by trade and music led her to the theatre in her early years. She married the love of her life, Frank Edward Walker in 1950 and they went on to have five lovely children together. In 1963 they moved to the wilds of Honeymoon Bay, where Frank worked as a millwright at the WFI sawmill. Beryl saw Frank off to work and the kids off to school for many happy years, though she never could get used to all those tall trees and the deep snows of winter. Beryl enjoyed walking and reading and always looked forward to their many family camping trips. Beryl particularly enjoyed the family time at Denman Island where they owned a beautiful piece of waterfront property for many years. Beryl’s life changed when Frank passed away in 2005, but she was always surrounded by loving family and friends and enjoyed a family trip to Hawaii and many camping holidays up island. Beryl was a loving and generous wife, mother, nana and GG and will be missed greatly by all her family and friends.

Pre-deceased by her son John Francis (1980) and her sisters Pat, Dora and brother Derek. She will be greatly missed by her daughters Gillian (Les) Thibedeau and children Adrian (Bell), Jordan (Bell), Nolan and Dawson; Joanne (Burke) Rosen and children Elijah and Conor; Sara (John) Middleton and their children Adam (Belinda and great grandson Matthew) and Jonathan; and son James (Nicole) and their children Brittany, Emily and Dawson. She will also be greatly missed by her sisters Peggy and Barbara and by many other family and friends.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Cowichan District Hospital and Dr. Kerswell for the excellent care and support given to her during this difficult time, and all her friends in Honeymoon Bay, especially Sally Kotoff and Maureen Fleming, for their support and friendship over the years.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Canadian Mental Health Association Warmland House, 371 Festubert Street, Duncan, BC, V9L 3T1.

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number 1 to 9 must appear in: • Each of the nine vertical columns • Each of the nine horizontal rows • Each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes

Sudoku

WALKER, Beryl Mary

Crossword

ACROSS 1. Twos under par 7. Expresses surprise 10. Shows exceedingly great size 12. At this place 13. One who prints from a plate 14. ‘95 U.S. Open golf champ Corey 15. Stupefy with alcohol 16. Breezed through 17. A major division of geological time 18. Humble request for help 19. Part of a deck 21. Albanian monetary unit 22. Atomic #22 27. Atomic #18 28. Catholic holiday service 33. Canadian province

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THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

15

The inside back: A little of this and that ☞ RCMP Report Lake Cowichan had all the advantages of a white Christmas, without any of the disasters, according to the Lake Cowichan RCMP. “There was nothing much to report over Christmas,” said Cpl. Warren Potter. “We heard there were cars in the ditch, and mainly on Hwy. 18 at Hill 60 and near Skutz Falls.”

The RCMP said the only call they responded to was on Christmas Day, when that stretch of highway proved to be a little challenging for travellers, and that it was a car in the ditch.

It’s always a bad stretch of road,” Potter said, “and our advice is don’t rush. Drivers need to take more time to get to where they are going.”

☞ Cowichan has a Recyclopedia

The Cowichan Recyclopedia, The A to Z of Zero Waste is the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s new online recycling directory.

The website, zerowastecowichan.ca/recyclopedia, provides easily accessible, online information regarding how to reduce, reuse, and recycle various products and materials. You will find a large list of materials, rang-

ing from batteries and small appliances, to plastics and Styrofoam, and the directory provides links to facilities within the region that will accept the particular item for recycling. It also outlines options that exist for not only recycling materials, but also for how to reuse items and, how to reduce their use.

By working together to make small adjustments to our everyday buying and disposal habits, we can dramatically reduce the amount of material that goes to the landfill, and will save money and protect the environment at the same time.

You might be surprised by how many things can be recycled locally.

☞ Don’t trash those returnables; LCSS grads holding bottle drive

The Lake Cowichan Secondary School’s grad class of 2013 will be holding a bottle drive at Saywell Park on Saturday, Jan. 5 starting at 9 a.m.

☞ Found: female feline

A grey and white long-hair, spayed, female cat was found near Renfrew Avenue. She is friendly and has a tattoo.

To claim, please call 250-749-40440 with the tattoo number and her name.

and

S☞AVE

Courtesy Andreas Berglund /Valley Fish & Game Club

Boxing Day shoot busiest yet

This year’s Boxing Day shoot at the Valley Fish and Game Club in Skutz Falls was a busy one. Bill Swain, president of the club said that it was a slow start to the day because of all the snow but it ended up being the biggest turn out with 86 prizes of ham, bacon and turkeys being handed out.

“Everyone had lots of fun.” said Swain.

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COVAL PLUMBING

After hour service | Seniors’ discounts Renovations | New construction | Repairs Hot water tanks | Drain cleaning Septic Design & Installation Water services 20+ years experience

250-749-4997 250-709-5103

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All your plumbing needs under one roof!

• Hot water heaters • Fiberglass tubs • Acrylic jetted tubs • Pumps • Fish ponds • Faucets • Sprinklers • Repair parts from A - Z

GRIFFITHS HOME PLUMBING CENTRE

ACCOMMODATION

CARPENTRY

ELECTRICIAN

Need space for relatives?

INDEPENDENT CRAFTSMAN

PACIFIC-WEST ELECTRIC

BOUTIQUE WATERFRONT LODGE Come enjoy...

Waterfront Patio Suites King-sized Bed | Jacuzzi Wharf | Campfire Pit | BBQs Single off -season rates start at $59/night – $295/week www.lakecowichan.org

1-877-222-8876 250-749-0105

Treat yourself to Best for Less!

Call Steve:

250-749-6905

e-mail: steve.rubin@shaw.ca

(1958) Ltd.

Convenience Store • Gas Bar Store: 250-749–3355 Garage: 250-749–3213

Licenced ̰ Bonded ̰ Insured

Landscaping | Septic Services

PAINTING

TIPTONS GAS BAR

GUTTER Company

Gas • Diesel Boat Gas Confections • Bait • Ice

250-749-6133

4 Season ❀5º7

A gutter above the rest.

Featuring: Crown Moulding

Fascia Gutters Call Steve for Free estimates!

Locally owned & operated

250-715-6038 250-749-4192 TREE SERVICE

TIRES

Koster PAINTING CONTRACTORS We will COVER it for you!

• Light Commercial • Residential • Interior • Exterior

En-TIRE-ly at your Service 250-749-6614

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• •

Commercial & Residential

140 HP chipper for fast, efficient cleanup

Insured & Licensed • Free Estimates & Advice

250-748-3939

Cowichan Pet Emporium (1996) • Fish • Pet food/supplies • Otter Co-op Livestock Feed • Wood Pellets • Grooming MONTHLY VET CLINIC with Dr. Nancy Holling

250-510-2732

250-749–4454

TRUCKING

VETERINARIAN Cowichan

Veterinary Housecall Services

Topping, Limbing, Falling

Dangerous Tree Removal/Storm Prevention

PETS & SUPPLIES

170A Cowichan Lake Rd.

“Sharing the care.” care.”

Selective or Clear Cut Logging •

•

DUMP TRUCK: 1-6 YARDS

Call Casey

Tree Service •

Cowichan Motors

MINI EXCAVATOR & BOBCAT SERVICES

Gutters

Open 7 Days a Week

No other company in this area has over 33+ years experience roofing.

Shane Baker

Serving Lake Cowichan for over 20 yrs

GAS BAR

14 North Shore Rd. Lake Cowichan

Towing and Repairs

JOHN PORTELANCE

250-732-4570

CALL Ian Balding TODAY

250-749-3174

250-746-4534

MEADES CREEK ROOFING

• Renovations • Installations • Framing • All Finishing Carpentry • Custom Kitchens • Laminate Flooring • Decks • Fences • Sheds • Additions • Windows & Doors

250-701-1755

73 South Shore, Lake Cowichan

OPEN: Mon.-Sat: 5a.m.-10p.m.

Sun: 7a.m. - 8p.m.

SERVICE STATION

Quality comes first.

Residential & Commercial

Reg #12129

251 Government St. ,Duncan

ROOFING

Finishing carpenter with over 24 years experience.

EXCAVATING

TOP SOIL • BARK MULCH COMPOST • SAND • GRAVEL

Specializing in delivering 1 - 5 yard loads.

250-932-5552

Lorne: 250-749-6601 Cell: 250-701-5153

Dr. Brenda Bernhardt

16

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

How do I y customize m ? n e home scre

How do I post updates to Facebook?

How do I use my GPS?

www.lakecowichangazette.com

How do I download apps

TELUS Learning Centre

Leah Ambrose

Learning Specialist

Call for an Appointment or:

Online

You can sign up using our online scheduling tool at www.cowichansound.com or in person.

Learn all about your new Smartphone!

Check out the latest offers & arrivals at www.cowichansound.com 951A Canada Ave 250-748-4847 Cowichan Commons 250-715-1599 B1- 845 Deloume Road, Mill Bay 250-736-2626

We SERVICE what we sell!