Lake Cowichan Gazette, March 06, 2013

The Lake Cowichan

Gazette WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

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VOL. 17, NO. 10

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School District 79 on the hot seat at community meeting ELODIE ADAMS

Results were inconclusive at the March 2 Community Consultation meeting between SD 79 and parents, teachers and residents of the Cowichan Lake area. The meeting was led by the school district’s superintendent of schools, Joe Rhodes, secretary-treasurer Robert Harper, and appointed interim trustee Mike McKay. It was a much smaller turnout at this meeting than there had been for the December meeting, but one message came across loud and clear: people are not happy with the cut and closure solutions the school district proposes to balance its budget for 2013.

“If school closures were the answer, we wouldn’t be in difficulty now,” commented Diana Gunderson, who was referring to the closure of two schools in Lake Cowichan, Stanley Gordon and A.B. Greenwell Elementary schools.

“These are complex issues,” McKay said. “It’s not only a matter of increasing costs in the district, it’s a matter of declining enrolment, and we are funded according to the number of students we have enrolled.”

The two options the school district is proposing to the Cowichan Lake area are, in both cases, the closure of A.B. Greenwell Elementary school, and 1) to move the Grade 5 students from Palsson to the middle school at Lake Cowichan Secondary School, or 2) to move the Grade 4s and 5s from Palsson to form a more extended middle school at LCSS. In all, the school district must find $3.7 million dollars among its solutions.

According to the school district’s statistics, enrolment in the Cowichan Lake area has declined by 25 per cent over the past five years, but that information didn’t seem to phase the community who had come to the meeting specifically to ask what had become of the school district’s promise

Elodie Adams photos

Appointed interim trustee Mike McKay addresses the crowd at the March 2 School District 79’s community consultation meeting at Lake Cowichan Secondary School.

for a new elementary school at the Lake.

Some spoke about the costs and what the district will really save in closing down a school.

“You say the district will save $200,000 by closing down (A.B. Greenwell ) but that is nothing,” said Lake Cowichan businessman Rod Peters. “That’s not enough to warrant closing down a school.”

Others asked what had happened to the educational grants the area was slated to receive with the previous school closures, such as the small community grants, and still others asked how the district had come to the decision to close down A.B. Greenwell, located in the former Yount Elementary school at Youbou, in favour of Palsson Elementary in Lake Cowichan. Palsson is a school that is already suffering from a lack of space and, more serious, its building has structural problems and asbestos.

“Palsson School is in as bad shape now as (the former) A.B. Greenwell was when they shut it down,” one parent said, commenting also on the many attri-

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butes the one school has over the other. “(Palsson) seemed to be the obvious choice because of its location in Lake Cowichan,” replied Harper.

“So does that mean you chose location over the health of our children,” asked another parent, leaving Harper and his two colleagues looking a little sheepish.

McKay tried to redress the situation by saying that is what these meetings are for, so that they can gather the maximum amount of information and questions and concerns in order to come up with their final decisions, May 15.

Some were perplexed at how the school district could say it would be saving money by closing down a school when Harper agreed that it would take a certain amount of investment in all areas to make the proposed changes to both Palsson and LCSS a workable feat.

Then a young Grade 8 student at LCSS, Tristan Renaud, took the microphone.

“There aren’t enough classrooms for more kids here, we’re

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already packed,” the student said, addressing the three men. “I already have to share my PE time with Grade 6s.”

Renaud also said he agreed with the comments of parents who feel that having younger children in the middle school is not right, because they will inevitably be exposed to things older children do and say long before they need to be.

“I want my kids to enjoy being kids while they can,” was one of the parents comments about bringing the younger grades into the middle school.’

The real clincher is that the $1.7 million the school district says it will economize with its closures still leaves a large balance to find, and there is only one place it can come from: the classroom. It seems to be obvious to all that it will be the schools’ programs and services and teaching staff that will be cut and the students who will suffer.

The meeting played out like a game of cat and mouse and even went into overtime, exceeding the two-hour duration originally

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Former trustee Diana Gunderson, at the consultation meeting, says that if school closures were the answer we wouldn’t be in this difficulty.

scheduled by over one hour. Cowichan Lake residents spoke up and made themselves heard at this second community consultation meeting, but what remains to be seen is how the school district will process the words that were being said.

A complete report on SD79’s operations, projections and budget details can be found online at sd79.bc.ca.

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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

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Town of Lake Cowichan receives federal funding Gas Tax Fund fuels waste water treatment: Protecting the Cowichan River ELODIE ADAMS

The Town of Lake Cowichan has learned it will receive over $1.5 million through the Gas Tax Fund transfer for its wastewater treatment facility and drainage system improvements from the federal government.

The Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance) – who was visiting the island for other government business – made the announcement at a press conference in the town’s council chambers on Feb. 28. Menzies spoke on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport , Infrastructure and Communities.

“Our government is proud to invest in the long-term health and prosperity of the Cowichan Valley,” Menzies said. “Today’s investment will allow Lake Cowichan to make significant upgrades to its wastewater treatment facility, which means that the town will be able to meet water quality objectives for the Cowichan River and better protect

Elodie Adams

UBCM executive member Joe Stanhope (l), Minister of State (Finance) and MP for Macleod Ted Menzies and Mayor Ross Forrest gave the “thumbs up” at the announcement of a $1.5 million grant fro the federal government for the Town of Lake Cowichan.

the environment.”

Mayor Ross Forrest was visibly pleased to hear the announcement that the application for funding had been approved, saying that it is a huge investment for the town.

“This is the biggest grant we’ve ever had from any government, provincial or federal,” he said.

“Our town has limited financial resources and this funding will

make it possible for us to make these improvements.”

MP for the riding of Macleod, Alberta, Menzies was born and raised in the small town of Claresholm, Alberta, and says he understands how difficult it can be for small towns such as Lake Cowichan to meet the costs of important infrastructure projects and upgrades.

“This funding will allow the

town to start planning necessary improvements for the drainage in the community in addition to addressing issues around public safety,” Menzies said. “This wastewater system upgrade and the drainage planning project are excellent examples of how working together with different levels of government to support longterm economic growth can build the future.”

The wastewater upgrades will build upon the existing facility to increase the treatment capacity of the system. The total cost of the project is estimated at nearly $1.7 million, of which the town will contribute about $337,000 toward the overall cost of the project. For the drainage planning improvement project, the Town of Lake Cowichan will receive an additional $172,450 from the Gas Tax Fund.

Union of B.C. Municipalities executive member and chair of the Nanaimo Regional District Joe Stanhope also attended the meeting. Stanhope agreed that infrastructure in the area is a challenge, and that this grant will go a long way to address that problem.

“As everyone knows, replacing these systems in small communities places a huge burden on the communities,” he commented.

“That’s where the Gas Tax comes in. It’s a case of all governments working together and the UBCM helps to administer this.”

“These upgrades will help protect the Cowichan River, which is great news for everyone who lives in this area,” Menzies said in closing. “Not only will it strengthen this community but the infrastructure investment will also strengthen the economy by helping create jobs in this region.”

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THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Town’s new bylaws on water and sewer regulations and rates adopted ELODIE ADAMS

While the heat has been on at certain committee meetings throughout the month of February by town residents who want equal access to the Duncan aquatic centre, the regular town council meeting on Feb. 26 unfolded without any hitches.

Mayor Ross Forrest, the four town councillors, Chief Administrative Officer Joseph Fernandez and Director of Finance Ronnie Gill were in attendance.

Reports from all February committee meetings were touched on during the meeting, and below is a highlight of some of the issues arising from those reports: At the finance and administration committee meeting Feb. 12, the committee decided to apply for funding for tree planting along South Shore Road under the Community Tree Planting Program through B.C. Hydro and Tree Canada, in an amount not to exceed $10,000.

They also moved to do a feasibility study for a hydro electric facility at the Weir property that would be done through partnering with B.C. Hydro, Catalyst Paper, Lake Cowichan First

Town upgrades

LCVFD

Elodie Adams

Kyle Althaus is the new member of the Town of Lake Cowichan’s advisory board commission for the town.

and a chimney fire, and were called to do house inspections on some derelict properties near Darnell and South Shore roads.

Appointment

The Lake Cowichan Fire Department’s monthly incident report for December 2012 and January 2013 were presented. Councillor Bob Day moved and council approved the budgets for the department’s operations for those two months.

In December, the fire department responded to one motor vehicle accident, one ambulance assist, one structure fire and three calls for hydro lines being down.

In January, in addition to practices, meetings and training sessions, the department responded to a trailer fire

A Lake Cowichan resident will fill the vacancy on the town’s advisory planning commission. Kyle Althaus was appointed to serve the balance of the two-year term expiring on Dec. 31, 2014.

Bylaws After having been read a first, second and third time at previous council meetings, the town’s new bylaws on water and sewer regulations and rates (No. 927-2013 and No. 928-2013 respectively) were adopted.

Will better bucket control reduce the risk of the Cowichan River running dry?

The provincial government is prepared to take a close look at the idea.

The ministry of Natural Resources is considering a new plan for controlling water levels in Cowichan Lake. A public meeting has been scheduled for March 9 in Lake Cowichan to present it and gather public feedback.

Sparked by the Cowichan Valley Regional District in response to last year’s near-drought, the change would effectively use the weir to store more water in the lake longer.

The CVRD is asking storage to be increased by 20 centimetres above current June and July levels, and extending the latest possible date to begin drawdown from July 9 until the end of the month.

The public meeting is set for the Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall at 10 a.m.

—News Leader Pictorial

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LCSS student’s bully project nets $730

Elodie Adams

On Feb. 28, LCSS Grade 12 student Kiana Holman (c) presented a cheque for $730 to Need2 representatives Justine Thompson (l) and Chris Holt, executive coordinator. Holman fundraised all the money herself through a project for the Social Justice 12 course she completed last semester.

ELODIE ADAMS

On Feb. 28, LCSS Grade 12 student Kiana Holman reaped the rewards of the project she instigated for her Social Justice 12 course when she presented a cheque for $730 to Chris Holt, executive coordinator of Need2 Since the fall, Holman set out a project to fundraise for a cause that she felt she wanted to help bring attention to. It was the tragic death of young Amanda Todd, a Vancouver area teen who took her own life in the fall of 2012, that made Holman react and choose the not-for-profit organization based out of Victoria that aims

to raise awareness and offer preventive solutions for suicide among youths.

“She’d had some experience in bullying and wanted to find a way to turn that experience from a negative one into a positive one,” said Holman’s mother. “She’s become passionate about it, she did a bake sale and raised all the money from the calendars.”

Just before Christmas, Holman organized a bake sale at her school, raising nearly $100 just from that one event.

Concurrently, she approached Palsson Elementary school about holding a poster contest among the children, which the school agreed to take on.

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Should Cowichan Lake store more water for longer

Nation and other stakeholders.

At the Feb. 19 meeting of the Sustainable Planning and Development Committee, a motion was carried to replace the sidewalk from Renfrew to Lakeview avenues prior to the South Shore Road paving project. The cost of the sidewalk project is limited to $25,000 plus taxes. A second motion was carried at the same meeting to expend $9,000 (plus applicable taxes) to update the sewer inflow and infiltration study prior to adopting the 2013 budget.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

From the posters submitted, 12 were selected and made into a calendar for 2013, which she then took to Staples to get printed up. It was the proceeds from selling those calendars that made up the rest of the $730 she donated to the organization.

Holman’s teacher for the course, Sean Battye, says he is proud of his student.

“She did great,” Battye said about Holman. “She’s really grown through her experience and passion, because it was all her, it was a self-directed project.”

Battye says he feels that in schools today, there is a trend to move toward the kind of pedagogy where students pursue their own passions, and that Holman is a good example of the success of that approach.

“She’s grown in self-confidence, proactiveness, and social consciousness, which are all really objectives of the Social Justice 12 course,” he added.

As the week of Feb. 25 - Mar. 1 was Compassion Week at LCSS, it fit in well that Need2 could come to receive their cheque and at the same time, give their presentation to the Grade 12 students.

“This money will go toward us being able to take presentations into other schools,” said Need2’s Justine Thompson, manager of the Suicide Education and Awareness Program.

LCSS principal Nicole Boucher admitted she had had some reservations when Holman first came to talk to her about bringing in a group that would talk about suicide.

“I have to admit it took a little convincing when Kiana came to me with her idea about doing this presentation at school,” Boucher began, “but I really want to thank her because she has inspired me through her convictions. The culmination of her effort and her project is bringing this crew out to talk to the students at LCSS today.”

Cowichan Valley School District

NOTICE OF OPEN BOARD MEETING The Open Board Meeting of the Board of Education will take place on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at Cowichan Secondary School, in the Cafeteria, at 4:30pm.

Town of Lake Cowichan WATERMAIN FLUSHING NOTICE Please be advised that the Public Works Department will be undertaking routine watermain flushing within the Town of Lake Cowichan during the month of March 2013.

During this month, some water discolouration and short periods of low water pressure may be experienced. If you experience water discolouration, please run the tap until water is clear.

Commercial establishments, such as laundromats, beauty salons, hotels and restaurants will receive advanced warning of flushing in their area if a request for such notification is received by the Public Works Department in due time.

The Town of Lake Cowichan does not accept responsibility for any damage arising from the related work.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation.

Nagi Rizk, P.Eng. Superintendent, Public Works and Engineering Services • 250-749-6244

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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

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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.

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Lake communities need to be heard, voice by voice

Chris Rolls, president of the Lake Cowichan Teachers’ Association says there are still questions left unanswered.

Thank you to the parents, students, grandparents, teachers, staff, and community members that came to the School District 79 Community Consult meeting on Saturday. There are so many events that happen on Saturdays, and it is hard to be in all of the places at the same time.

The District respected the community’s wishes to have a format that allowed for us to ask questions and to expect answers. The community asked some very important questions and sought clarification on some of the key issues — and were clear to the district when the questions were not answered.

SD 79 provided the answers to the questions asked in December the Friday before the meeting. The charts that filled the walls of the gym contained the questions and concerns that parents, staff and community had recorded at other, local meetings. Most of these questions were asked during Saturday’s meeting, while some still are unasked and unanswered.

These charts will be typed up and shared with the community through the email contacts that the Lake Cowichan Teachers’ Association has. The original charts will be retained at the LCTA office as a record of some of the concerns and questions, should they be needed in the future. Please ask for a copy if you do not receive one.

I had used the concerns of the audience in my closing comments, but did not get the chance to highlight them before the end of the meeting. It was more important for the community to continue to ask the questions that they had and to seek clear answers.

My closing comments focused on a few things.

While the District talked about a unified configuration around the district, our facilities do not allow for that. My question then, centers around why change our current configuration if we are going to be a different one than the rest of the district anyway and, most importantly, what will the impact of that be on our lake schools, especially in regards to getting our new elementary school?

Our facilities are an issue, as we have stated over the years, and the need for our new elementary school remains strong. SD 79 indicates that the Lake Zone is still number one priority on the capital list, above the construction of any other school in the Valley, and they promised it will remain so.

We have a community that needs to be able to rely on having stable schools, services and staffing. History has shown that instability with the future of our

schools at the Lake, has implications for the rest of the communities around the lake.

Our community viability should be a consideration within the district plans for 2013 and beyond. SD 79 needs to work together with the communities around the lake and be a part of the actions and planning for strengthening the viability of our communities for the future, of strengthening the opportunities for our kids in our communities.

There are opportunities for feedback, that I hope every community member, staff, teacher, parent and even student take advantage of. The school district website (sd79.bc.ca) contains links to the electronic opportunities for feedback, as well as email addresses, phone contacts and information about upcoming meetings in Duncan.

Where do you want your child to be, under what configuration of grades and facitlities? Do you have other ideas, other options to suggest? Do you have concerns about services, staffing, resources, programs that should be strengthened and what should not be cut as the District looks to address the rest of the budget cuts? These are some of the things to consider in your feedback.

Our Lake communities need to be heard — voice by voice — in the District opportunities for feedback.

Please take the time to speak up for the kids and the communities of the Lake.

Chris Rolls is the president of the Lake Cowichan Teachers’ Association

Cabinet backs Clark in ethnic vote flap BC Bureau

By Tom Fletcher

B.C. Liberal MLAs held an extended caucus meeting Monday to deal with the fallout from a leaked plan to use government resources to boost the party’s popularity with ethnic communities.

Cabinet ministers held a hastily arranged meeting in Vancouver Sunday, and emerged united in support of Clark, who offered a personal apology before a crowd of reporters Sunday evening.

Going into the legislature Monday, Chilliwack MLA John Les said he continues to support Clark’s leadership, but he expected a frank discussion behind closed doors on how the government should handle the controversy.

“You’re not going to move forward as a party if you can’t be honest with each other,” Les said.

One disputed point is a plan to make an apology in the legislature for the “head tax” on Chinese immigrants, imposed by Ottawa from 1885 to 1935.

Such apologies are proposed in the strategy document as “quick wins” before the May 14 provincial election.

Vancouver-Fraserview MLA Kash Heed objected to the move on the weekend, telling CKNW radio that such an apology would be “hollow.”

In a terse statement issued Friday afternoon, Clark announced that she has accepted the resignation of her longtime assistant, Kim Haakstad, who distributed the ethnic voter plan to party and government staff via their personal e-mail addresses.

Haakstad, Clark’s deputy chief of staff, and “outreach” staff from the premier’s office are subject to an internal investigation ordered by Clark Thursday. John Dyble, head of the public service, is to examine whether government resources were redirected to help deliver ethnic votes to the B.C. Liberal Party.

A 2012 draft strategy memo leaked to the NDP opposition discusses ways to improve the governing party’s popularity with immigrant communities, including recruiting new members and spokespeople to call and write to ethnic media outlets. Clark issued an apology for the document, read in the legislature Thursday by Deputy Premier Rich Coleman.

“The document did not recognize there are lines that cannot be crossed in conducting this outreach [to ethnic communities] and it is unacceptable,” the statement says. “The language in this draft document and some of the recommendations are absolutely inappropriate.”

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: 1-855-310-3535 (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

Letters to the editor: YOUR SAY

Letters to the editor are welcome, but writers are requested to keep their submissions to 350 words or less.

All letters must contain the name, address and signature of the writer, and a phone number where they may be reached during business hours. Thank you letters will not normally be considered for publication. editor@lakecowichangazette.com

Pool access good public policy Dear Editor Re: Pool top issue for public, Feb. 13 It is estimated that every year health care costs in British Columbia rise by $500 million. Awareness is growing that an active lifestyle can prevent or mitigate health issues and therefore free-up tax dollars that could be spent on education or much needed municipal infrastructure projects.

A few years ago, when the referendum was held on expenditures for the Lake Cowichan Sports Arena improvement project, I voted for it. I don’t play hockey but I felt that if this means that children and families have access to recreational opportunities, I will gladly contribute.

Now, I will gladly agree to the small increase in property tax required (most likely

the equivalent of a few doughnuts) to ensure that Lake Cowichan residents have affordable access to the Duncan pool.

I also encourage users of the LCSA to support those who are actively seeking a regional solution to affordable access to the Duncan pool.

It must be possible to have pride in local achievements and collaborate regionally for the sake of public health.

Martin Breuhan Lake Cowichan

Deep, murky pool Dear Editor Re: Pool top issue for public, Feb. 13 I learned when I was very young two things; hindsight is always 20/20 and never trust anyone over 30 — they didn’t think like we did. On the other hand, as the better, brighter more worldly of our generation made us wiser

and more tolerant, we looked for qualifying circumstances resulting in bad decisions and difficult and rigid personalities.

Let me state the difficulties in the pool decision as I see them. 1) Many of the people using the pool could be renters, and thus the tax burden would certainly not fall on them. However, these people are part of our community and population. 2) The issue is a deep and murky pool. Beneath its appealing surface lie many uncertain financial risks and some unavoidable future heavy costs for participating communities. Repairs will be constant and necessary. Upgrading is expensive. Insurance costs will balloon.

Trust me, staff will need to be increased for safety reasons. 3) Sanitary conditions are a priority, definitely more staff and resulting costs plus again cleaning and upgrading. 4) Costs for utilities , electrical,

heating etc. Costs can only go up and upgrading with increased users is only a matter of time. 5) I believe the Aquatic Centre already has financial problems. If shortfall continues loans etc. and increased mortgage interest rates are certainly likely.

There you go. It is not a clear black and white decision or choice. Up to you.

Vi Davidson Lake Cowichan

Companies should pay for Youbou truck wash Dear Editor As a resident of Youbou, I attended a meeting, the first for Area I (Youbou/Meade Creek) Nature and Habitat Fund Advisory Committee, on Thursday evening. There were two items on the agenda: a proposal from TimberWest outlining the building of a truck wash to hope-

fully alleviate the dust/ mud problem that has plagued Youbou for numerous years and a request from the Cowichan Lake and River Stewardship Society for funds to continue and expand work that has been started over the last several years.

The proposal from TimberWest didn’t have a lot of detail. It did outline a location, what is needed to prepare the site, and said it would be a “closed loop system” that would be an “environmentally friendly solution.”

The report also stated the capital cost would be $100,000 and that TimberWest would “bear the majority of the capital costs and ongoing maintenance costs.” They committed to continuing the current dust control.

Although TimberWest did not ask for any funding, the NHFAC suggested a contribution of between $10,000 and $20,000.

The proposal presented by the Cowichan Lake and River

Report public business is best practice IAN MORRISON AREA F REPORT

Have you ever known that something wasn’t quite right, and you couldn’t put your finger on just what it was? Statements like “It’s always been done this way.” or “We’re following the rules laid out in the bylaw.” didn’t explain away that something still felt “off”. Then it happened.

During a closed session of a recent CVRD board meeting, while debating whether a matter should even be discussed in closed session or in-camera at all, we were informed by the CVRD coard chair that the matter before us was never intended to be released to the public, and wasn’t going to be.

Instantly I became keenly aware of both the problem and solution. I knew there had to be a better way.

CVRD observers have long complained that too much of the public’s business has been conducted behind closed doors or in-camera. The general rule of thumb for deciding if closing the meeting to the public is warranted, involves topics dealing with land, legal, or labour. I’m not suggesting that anyone has broken any rules or contravened the Local Government Act. I know CVRD staff members are vigilant about ensuring that only topics that qualify under the legislation get referred to closed sessions or in-camera. I think the problem lies with the culture that has developed around closed sessions, within the CVRD board itself.

Elected officials are offered educational opportunities and training when first elected and at yearly events like the one I just returned from in Richmond last week, called the Local Government Leadership Academy. I take these seminars very seriously. The information I learn and the networking I do helps me to better serve the people of our community. We learn, or are reminded about, concepts like “conducting the public’s business in front of the public” and “communicating effectively with the public and each other” in order to develop these specific skills to better serve our communities.

My experience with the CVRD, is that it goes in-camera too regularly and only reports out with the barest of information when it’s required to by legislation, or if there’s a purely political advantage to doing so. The CVRD does not have a policy to regularly review and release in camera material that’s no longer sensitive or potentially harmful. Many of B.C.’s local governments now do just that.

I swore an oath to keep secret all discussions that take place in closed session and that haven’t been officially reported out. I think the CVRD board has become too comfortable with the current rules and has forgotten the idea that while local government business needs to be done, it also must be seen to be done.

This will require a change in the mind set of how in-camera topics are dealt with. There are other local governments who have developed new, transparent

best practices for addressing issues dealing with land, legal, and labour. There are ways to be descriptive of an issue on the meeting agenda, without revealing sensitive details to be discussed in camera. There are ways to have votes on closed session items in the open, public part of the meeting. We all should be able to find out how our elected representatives voted on sensitive matters. There are new and transparent best practices on reporting out closed session details without harming the interests of the CVRD, the public, or a third party.

In an effort to change the closed session habits and mind set of the CVRD, I introduced a Notice of Motion at the last CVRD board meeting in February, for debate by the board at the regular open session meeting being held on March 13 at 6:30 p.m.

I feel that openness and transparency in government at all levels is a priority and a necessity that should be vigorously pursued. People have complained about how often the CVRD goes into closed session. I understand why people feel the CVRD does too much public business in secret. I know we can develop new and better ways to conduct the community’s sensitive business in a more open and transparent way. I encourage anyone who shares these ideals to come out to the CVRD’s regular board meeting on March 13 to watch your regional government in action. Show the board you support my motion asking the CVRD to review closed session policies and develop new best practices for all in-camera meetings.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Stewardship Society was comprehensive.

CLRSS stated they are a “grassroots, consensus based group of volunteers dedicated to the protection and health of the Cowichan watershed.”

After listing some of the programs they have completed, or are doing, it was noted their primary concern was “foreshore and riparian degradation.” The wish list for activities of the next three years was outlined and more specifically 2013, with attached dollar amounts. The society asked for $10,000 from the Nature and Habitat Fund and showed confirmed matching funds of $15,560 and further unconfirmed funding, totalling $37,510.

Both applications are commendable. Although I agree with a truck wash and do hope that its installation would end, or at least improve greatly, the ongoing problem of mud and dirt along the road through Youbou and beyond, I do not believe the Area I Nature and Habitat Fund should be used to assist with the building of that truck wash. That should be the responsibility of the companies that are making money from the many, many trucks of logs that are rolling through our community.

I hope the committee considers the merits of both proposals and, before any decision is made, receives a much more extensive proposal from TimberWest. Perhaps a public meeting rather than a committee meeting would be advantageous before the committee reaches a decision.

5

The committee is advisory in capacity, making recommendations to the CVRD Board. The agenda and minutes will be posted on the CVRD website at cvrd.bc.ca. I urge all persons interested in the outcome of these two applications to check the website for upcoming meetings of the Area I (Youbou/ Meade Creek) Nature and Habitat Fund Advisory Committee.

Tara Daly Youbou

Negotiate pool access Dear Editor Over the course of the last two months or so, there is a group of people from Lake Cowichan requesting equal access to the Duncan pool.

We have been writing letters and lobbying the Town of Lake Cowichan Council to negotiate with North Cowichan/Duncan to have the citizens of Lake Cowichan removed from the twotiered system.

At the last Parks, Recreation and Culture meeting council voted 3-2 against even negotiating, which has brought up issues of what I think are ignorance/obstinacy with several members of council.

On Tuesday, March 5 at 6 p.m. the Town of Lake Cowichan will be having their Parks, Recreation, and Culture meeting at the town office on South Shore Road and we encourage all those who are interested in this issue to attend.

Ted Gamble Lake Cowichan

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 60 Fern Road Lake Cowichan

250-749-4103

‘New Hope’ Community Church 10648 Youbou Rd, Youbou

250-745-3406

Mass Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

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

Fr. Alfredo Monacelli

Rev. Vikki Marrs

6

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

rta, Mexico la al V o rt ue P om fr gs in et re G

Jim and Jennina Russell took their hometown newspaper with them on holidays in February. They are pictured here at the Crown Paradise Club in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Just by booking their holiday with Sherri at Whittomes Travel, they are now eligable to WIN $500 off the next trip they book with Whittomes Travel.

AROU ND

Courtesy of Kaatza Station Museum

Ladies of Lake Cowichan’s branch of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire circa 1950s.

1950s: Ladies of Lake Cowichan T

RLD WO HE

“We love to travel!”

Stay in Touch With Home www.lakecowichangazette.com Rolli Gunderson

PAGES OF HISTORY

Comments must be submitted in writing to Comptroller of Water Rights at the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations at: 2080-A Labieux Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6J9

From 1946 until 1983 many local women joined the local chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE). The Canadian women’s charitable organization’s mission was to improve the quality of life for children, youth and those in need, through educational, social service and citizenship programs.

The local chapter was founded by Ivy Dreany who, with her husband, had recently moved to Lake Cowichan where they opened Dreany’s Pharmacy. A former member of the Chemainus and Duncan chapters, she had been asked to speak about the IODE to a group of ladies of the local knitting club who had knitted goods for servicemen overseas during the war years.

With the war over, the women wished to continue their volunteer work within the community which was possible under the banner of the IODE. Eighteen ladies, all prospective members, then met at the home of Miss Bertha Fowler (a local kindergarten teacher) and before long, a new chapter was formed. The ladies chose to name their new chapter in memory of Mr. Stanley Gordon who had died the year prior. His widow, Elizabeth, was named Honourary First Vice Regent.

The inaugural meeting, a formal dinner, was held at the Riverside Inn. Before long the chapter, whose motto was service, loyalty and sacrifice, was up and running. Their first project was to provide a lunch room (offer lunch) at the community hall (which stood on the site of today’s Cowichan Lake Senior’s

Centre) at the community’s annual community Labour Day Sports Day celebrations. A Valentine’s dance was held the following February with music supplied Harry Dreany’s orchestra, the Harmony Hosts, which was made up of several young men from the area. One of the more popular events sponsored by the group was the annual Flower Show. They sponsored Cancer fund drives and raised money for bursaries and scholarships for local graduates.

Shown in the above photo that was taken in the late 1950s (back row left) is Grace Smith who served as the chapter’s standard flag bearer and later carried the standard during a visit to Nanaimo by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.

Beside her stands Elizabeth Gordon who first came to Lake Cowichan in 1914. She was a refined southern lady who was front and centre in the village social set. After many years in Lake Cowichan, she died in 1969 and was buried beside her husband and her mother, Mrs. Ellen Surber, at the Masonic Cemetery in Burnaby, B. C. Next in the photo is Betty Palmer, whose husband Vic was a long time village foremen; next is Vera Saywell, a kindergarten teacher and wife of then high school principal John F. T. Saywell — the namesakes of our present day Saywell Park.

The Saywells were long time lake residents, arriving here in 1937. After retirement the couple moved up-Island were they remained until their deaths in the 1980s; Ottilie Boyd, granddaughter of early pioneer (1895) logging contractor, Mossem Boyd, lived for many years at the ‘3-mile’ just south of the village. An active member for many years,66-year-old Ottilie died in Victoria in 1983.

Standing on far right is Gladys Lomas Howe, said to be “the

first white baby born (at the Riverside Inn) in Lake Cowichan”.

Gladys went on to become a school teacher and returned here in 1925 to teach locally. A lifelong resident, Gladys died in 1983 at her home across the road from the Riverside Inn. Another active member was Dorothy Webb, sitting far left, who with her husband Norm (a school teacher at Lake Cowichan High School) and family arrived at the Lake in 1948. Active members of the community for 19 years, the Webbs moved away in 1967.

Sitting, second from left is Adeline Anderson who some may remember, opened the first Jewel Box (jewellery store) in 1960. She and husband Allan and family purchased one of the former Dunsmuir houses on Greendale Road in 1943. They remained there for many years up until retirement when they left the lake. In addition to her involvement in the IODE of which she was a charter member, Adeline also served as the first president of the local Kinettes’ Club. She and Allen were founding members of the Lake Cowichan Music Club and active United Church members for many years. She and Irene Ardley were, at one time, coowners of the local newspaper, The Lake News.

Next to Adeline sits Mary Marley, a much respected and long time resident of the area who was active in many community organizations.

Bertha Fowler, sitting far right was a much loved primary school teacher who spent 22 years in the district before her retirement in 1962. She moved to Vancouver where she died in 1981.

Collectively, the ladies of the IODE were, indeed, seen as ‘ladies of the lake’ (as opposed to women), who spent much time and effort serving their community.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

7

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 CLEAN & COZY

LOT

Two bedroom condo with easy access. Nice carpets, oak cabinets in the kitchen, walk in closet in master bedroom & Includes in suite laundry. Would make a great rental.

268 Castley Heights $75,000 BUILD UP HIGH! • Lake views from lot • Geo Tech report on file

$108,000

#39-211 Madill Rd.

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

$124,000

#58-211 Madill Road MARBLE BAY COTTAGES These private & quiet lots offer spectacular views of the lake and mountains.

In addition to being affordable, access to private amenities are included in your purchase price. Cowichan Lake is minutes away offering a variety of recreational activities. Ask about pre-designed house ideas & financing packages!

Lot 45 Blackwood Height .... $74,900 Lot 49 Blackwood Height .... $74,900 Lot 50 Blackwood Height .... $79,900 Lot 32 Kestrel Drive .............. $99,900 Lot 33 Kestrel Drive .............. $109,900 Lot 38 Kestrel Drive .............. $109,900 Lot 39 Kestrel Drive .............. $109,900 Lot 40 Kestrel Drive.............. $89,900

Lot 41 Kestrel Drive............... $74,900 Lot 42 Kestrel Drive .............$74,900 Lot 43 Kestrel Drive .............$74,900 Lot 44 Kestrel Drive .............$74,900 Lot 26 Nighthawk Road .......$79,900 Lot 46 Widgeon Way ..........$74,900 Lot 47 Widgeon Way ..........$74,900 Lot 48 Widgeon Way ..........$74,900

MOUNTAIN VIEWS

D

$197,000

165 Park Lake Road

R RECREATION PARK 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!

$159,000

Paradise Village RV Pk

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 Pk

$159,000

CUTE HOME - READY TO GO! D

REDUCE

60 Sahtlam Avenue

QUIET AREA – cute 4 bedroom home ready to move into. Located at the end of a no thru road, minutes to all amenities. A little TLC would make this a great rental or full time living.

$199,000

$399,000 WONDERFUL LOCATION

$279,000 + HST

7465 Teal Court

$374,900 Huge home with lots of potential.

Room for a shop, park a RV or boat - this could be the right home for a growing family!

Wood stove & fireplace to keep you warm and energy costs down. Located in a quiet area of Lake Cowichan, only minutes to shopping & recreation.

239 Grants Lake Road

D

10054 South Shore Rd.

$200,000 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!

$164,900

DOUBLE WIDE IN COBBLE HILL D REDUCE

1328 Carlton Dr.

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 CUTE HOME - READY TO GO!

5188 Eleanor Road

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!

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

$229,000

$179,000 QUIET CUL DE SAC

39 Coronation St.

Large 5 BR w/ oak floors on main, oak cabinets in kitchen. Propane F/P in LR; wood stove downstairs. Off master BR & LR is huge deck overlooking garden area, built-in hot tub, fishpond & raised beds for garden. Fenced yd, workshop; 2 bay garage w/ additional workshop.

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 IT HAS POTENTIAL!

250 South Shore Rd. D

REDUCE

101 North Shore Rd.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN HONEYMOON BAY REDUCE

$289,000 ROOMY MOBILE IN DUNCAN

120 Lake Park Road

INVESTOR ALERT!

QUARTER ACRE LOT NEW LISTING

SOLD

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.

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.

92 Beaver Rd.

5 yr old home located close to town & river. 5 bd; complete with kitchen/bar area & rec rm on 1st floor w/ full bath & laundry. 2nd level has large kitchen & living rm + 2 full baths.

Large vinyl deck, 2 car garage & RV parking.

Nicely landscaped w/ small garden shed.

Located on world famous Cowichan River – 4,000 sq ft with 6 bedrooms & 4 baths on 2 levels. Self contained 3 bedroom suite – big decks facing river, terraced yard & mature landscaping.

53 Somenos Street

QUIET LOCATION

Comfy 3 bedroom home in walking distance to the river & town shopping.

Beautiful bay window in living room, propane F/P & huge walk-in closet in master. Lovely stained glass in entrance way, kitchen & hallway. Newer roof & hot water tank & partially covered deck offers privacy & mountain views.

NEW LISTING

HUGE RIVERFRONT HOME

D

REDUCE

GREAT FAMILY HOME!

$339,000 AFFORDABLE OPPORTUNITY

243 Kwassin Crescent

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.

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.

$179,000

CLEAN & COZY

GREAT BACKYARD D

REDUCE

177 Neva Road

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.

$182,000

QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD D

REDUCE

287 Grants Lake Road

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.

$319,000

$209,000

8007 Greendale Rd.

D

REDUCE

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.

$169,900

13-300 Grosskleg

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 Heights

$169,000

8

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

Sinclair awarded life-time membership for community and Legion service

Submitted

The 2012 Lady of the Lake ambassador team at the Peachland Ambassador Pageant in the Okanagan. (l-r) 2nd Princess Nikki Gibson, Lady of the Lake Alicia Fall and 1st Princess Sydney Allan

Lake’s ambassadors a busy team of young ladies

Submitted

From left to right: President Wilma Rowbottom, Lola Sinclair, and Zone Commander for SMVI Zone, Dave Munro.

At the Feb. 26 general meeting of Royal Canadian Legion Branch No.210, Lola Sinclair was presented with a life-time membership for her service to the branch and to the community. Sinclair is a volunteer leader for the Cowichan Lake Girl Guide Association and is the “good and welfare” representative of the Legion.

The newly elected 2013 Legion executive were also installed at the meeting.

Cowichan Valley School District

PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS FOR PROPOSED RESTRUCTURING The Cowichan Valley School District will hold a number of public meetings to consult on the School District’s restructuring proposals introduced on February 6, 2013. Several schools were identified for potential school closure as part of the restructuring proposals.

Public Information Meetings Central Zone South Zone

Quamichan Middle School George Bonner Middle School

9:00 am Saturday, March 9, 2013 1:00 pm Saturday, March 9, 2013

In each area, the Superintendent and Secretary-Treasurer will present the details of the restructuring options being considered and information with respect to the proposed school closure and grade reconfiguration. A Question and Answer Period pertaining to the information presented will follow.

Public Forum All Zones

Cowichan Secondary School

6:30 pm Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Official Trustee will hear presentations from individuals and representatives of community groups on the restructuring options being contemplated, including the proposed school closures.

Written material will be accepted up to and including May 7, 2013.

Board of Education Meeting Cowichan Secondary School

6:30 pm Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Official Trustee will consider the information provided during the consultation process and make a final decision as to whether any of the schools proposed for closure will be closed. www.sd79.bc.ca

As the Cowichan Lake Lady of the Lake ambassador team — Lady of the Lake Alicia Fall, 1st Princess Sydney Allan and 2nd Princess Nikki Gibson — we have been continuing our busy year since you last heard from us with our road trip to Peachland in September. Here are some of our highlights: At the end of the Thanksgiving weekend we enjoyed an evening becoming familiar with our sister city of Ohtaki, Japan. We welcomed the delegates and students of all ages who had come to visit Lake Cowichan and we even learned a little bit of Japanese! It was a fun evening getting to know some of the students and their culture, as well as enjoying a delicious dinner catered

by Jakes at the Lake. It was definitely one of our most memorable experiences as ambassadors so far. We can only hope that next year will be just as rewarding.

As the Christmas season approached we re-vamped the float, adding two sleighs and a snow man, leaving behind our beloved boat.

On Nov.17, along with our awesome chaperone Janice Hickey, we headed to our capital city, Victoria, for their Christmas parade.

A beautiful evening amidst hundreds of on-lookers we waved and smiled our way down Douglas Street. We timed our wave perfectly

for Chek News, as we lit up television screens all over the Island.

Next, was the famous Ladysmith Light Up and Parade. The evening started out quite wet, reminding us of our very first parade at Honeymoon Bay Days, but thankfully the rain subsided into a drizzle for most of the parade.

The streets of Ladysmith were crowded and it was heartwarming to see so many familiar faces cheering us on. Early December came along and we spent a Saturday at our local Country Grocer with Santa, taking pictures with children and families of all ages.

The New Year is bringing us many more exciting events. We are currently working to make improvements to our parade float to make it even better, in preparation for our quickly approaching spring parade season.

We will be travelling and proudly representing our town around the Island and even as far as way as Tacoma, Washington in April.

This month will bring us to Ladysmith for their Ambassador Program speech arts and talent night, as our friends get ready to pass on their crowns. We are also looking forward to working with our own new Lady of the Lake candidates over the next few months.

—Submitted Alicia Fall

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

9

Courtesy Graham Dalziel Left: The destroyed home on Forestry Road in Mesachie Lake.

Gazette Above: Flames were seen over the rooftops of neighbouring homes.

Fire quickly destroys older home in Mesachie Lake On Feb. 25 at approximately 4 p.m. the Mesachie Volunteer Fire/Rescue Service was called to 6840 Forestry Road for a structure fire.

MLVFD had 14 firefighters

and two trucks dispatched.

The officer in charge called for Honeymoon Bay Volunteer Fire Department for mutual aid and they arrived on scene with a total of 14 firefighters and three

trucks a short time later.

The home was fully engulfed with fire when MLVFD’s truck arrived and unfortunately the home was lost.

“The firefighters involved did

a valiant job and no firefighters were injured,” said MLVFD Fire Chief Gary Eve. “It was nearly a five-hour fight to extinguish the stubborn fire.”

RCMP are investigating the

fire. Const. Burn, from the local detachment, says there was nobody home at the time of the fire and that the structure was fully involved in flames with-in minutes.

—Gazette

Are you on the voters list?

Elections BC is conducting an enumeration and updating the voters list for the May 2013 Provincial General Election. Are you registered to vote?

It’s easy. It’s convenient. You have choices. Be ready.

Your choices to register to vote or update your voter information are: Online Register or update your information on Elections BC’s Online Voter Registration (OVR) system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at elections.bc.ca/ovr. You need a B.C. Driver’s Licence or a Social Insurance Number to use the system.

(OVR)

By Phone Call Elections BC toll-free at 1-800-661-8683, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturdays.

In Your Community From March 6 – 23, temporary voter registration opportunities are at hundreds of locations throughout the province.

View electoral district voter registration opportunities at: elections.bc.ca/registration-opportunities.

Is there someone registered at your address who no longer lives there?

Call Elections BC or go to elections.bc.ca/remove to have them removed from your address.

Who can register?

You are eligible to register to vote if you: . are a Canadian citizen, . are 18 or older, . have lived in B.C. for the past six months.

Election workers required: Over 37,000 election workers are needed to work for the May 2013 Provincial General Election. View available postings at elections.bc.ca/jobs.

B.C. voters can also register or update their information when they go to vote in the May 2013 Provincial General Election.

Elections BC is a non-partisan Office of the Legislature responsible for administering the Election Act, the Recall and Initiative Act, and the conduct of referenda under the Referendum Act .

find us on

elections.bc.ca / 1 - 8 0 0 - 6 6 1 - 8 6 8 3

10

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

You’ll Feel Like Family.

Midweek Specials Wed thru Sat Mar. 6 - Mar. 9, 2013

Proud to be serving the Cowichan Valley since 1986

Country Grocer

Premium Quality Chilean Red or Green

Natural Peanut Butter

Seedless Grapes

1

87

Lb 4.12 Kg

Limit 2 Total

English Muffins

6 Pack

45

Lb 4.12 Kg

Ripple Creek

7

97

FLYER

Panasonic

HD Batteries

.67

4/AA, 4/AAA, 2/C, 2/D, 1/9V

Limit 6

Each

Kellogg’s

Hickory Smoked Bacon

WATCH FOR OUR

1

Pop Tarts

97

While Supply Lasts

400 g

Instore Made

Lemon Meringue Pie

BIG 1 Kg

4

97 800 g

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

1400 4 0 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cobble Hill • Open Daily 8 am - 9 pm 83 CCowichan Rd, Lake Cowichan • Open Daily 7 am - 9 pm EVERY FRIDAY in the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial

00

F O R

Asparagus

1

1 Kg

Golden West

Premium Quality Mexican Tender

87

3

97

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Lake Cowichan Midweek Specials Wed thru Sat Mar. 6 - Mar. 9, 2013

You’ll Feel Like Family.

Proud to be serving Lake Cowichan since 1986

Green Giant

• Corn Niblets • Creamed Corn

.94

341-398 mL

Saturday, Mar. 9 11 - 2 ALL PROCEEDS TO

Lake Days Society Whole, Boneless

EACH

Pork Loins

2

77

Loretta

Stuffing Mix

.69

148 g

5

97

EACH

Milk Chocolate Baking Chips 150 g

45 These Specials available at Country Grocer Lake Cowichan ONLY

Hertel’s Thick Cut

Bacon

Premium

F O R

Lb 6.11 Kg

00

HAPPY RETIREMENT Lynne Kirby!

BAKERY MANAGER

Join us Saturday, March 16, 11am-2pm to celebrate Lynne’s retirement after 25 years!

83 CCowichan Rd, Lake Cowichan Open Daily 7 am - 9 pm O

Lb 13.17 Kg

11

12

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

&

www.lakecowichangazette.com

Making some noise against bullying!

Elodie Adams

Above: Palsson Elementary School held a Pink Day assembly on Feb. 27. All the children and their teachers attended, many wearing the colour pink which has become a symbolic colour for anti-bullying across the country.

Below: At Lake Cowichan Secondary School, as part of Compassion Week, some of the Grade 12s held a Pink Day bake sale on Feb. 27. Darien Robertson and Sydney Allan made pink-iced cupcakes and cookies for the occasion. From left are Doug Mackie, Tom Day, Jacob Rai, Darien Robertson, Sydney Allan, Kenzie Roberts. One of the other events of the week — bringing awareness to the effects of bullying — was on Feb. 28. Grade 9-12 LCSS students watched a special presentation about suicide awareness by an organization from Victoria called Need2live.

NEW ELECTORAL AREAS AUTOMATED CURBSIDE COLLECTION PROGRAM

Let’s get ready y to roll If you are an Electoral Area resident, keep an eye on your

Let’s get ready to roll.

NEW TOTES, LOWER FEES, LESS WA W WASTE. STE.

mailbox in the next few weeks for information about the CVRD’s new automated curbside collection program, as discussed in a series of community Open Houses last fall.

In the next few months, you can look forward to receiving new easy-roll totes for all your curbside materials as part of the move to automated collection. The new totes will be delivered to your door at no charge, and will replace the curbside containers you’re currently using. They will come

m tote Custo ilable va sizes a R BY ORDE 22 H MARC

with all the information you need to make the shift to automated collection, including start dates and schedules.

The CVRD is joining several communities across BC in the move to automated collection. To learn more about the benefits of this new service, including new totes, lower fees and less waste, visit us on our website at CVRDrecycles.bc.ca/curbside or call the CVRD Recycling Hotline at 250-746-2540 or 1-800-665-3955.

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Got a story idea or a

NEWS TIP?

Call or email

250.749.4383 editor@lakecowichangazette.com

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Pat Duringer

Sandy Stinson

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

Your Trusted Authority ~ Going the extra mile for you!

250-749-6000 SOLD

10571 Cypress

10657 Youbou Road

7545 Hudgrove

18 King George

Beaver Road

Outrageous views! Open concept living. Lightly used & well maintained with 4 bedrooms & 3 baths.

Lovingly renovated Youbou water view with great water access

RIVERFRONT LOG HOME 6.44 acres with cabin and barn

#306 One bedroom

2 + acres, 4 bedroom, 3 bath fabulous family estate, barn & shop

$319,000

$345,000

$875,000

$77,000

$445,000

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.

Elegant Waterfront Home

$1,299,000

7770 Wentworth

REDUCED

67 South Shore Rd.

$849,000

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Custom built open-concept rancher on 5.75 acres including 350 feet of prime riverfront One of a kind property that runs along the Trans Canada Trail, just 2 km from the town of Lake Cowichan.

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96 Johel Road

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$194,000

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

147 Sahtlam Ave

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$145,000

$1,300.00

82 Beech

5990 Stoltz Rd.

• Home at the Slopes • Rancher with a basement

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$419,000

$569,000

10408 Arbutus Street

7780 Parkinson Rd. • Modular on quiet street • Wood decks • 3 miles to Lake Cowichan

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$150,000

$198,888

10549 Coon Creek Road

7975 Greendale Road

9590 Creekside Road

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• Waterview • Low maintenance yard • Recreation nearby

• 1.3 acres with studio and trailer

Waterfront Dock.

$495,000

$189,000

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

$675,000

$212,500

The Coffee Mill & Market

Penny Lane-1 Bdrm

9981 Swordfern

Coffee Shop & Cafe, two separate commercial lots 10063 South Shore

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

$389,000

$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.

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

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

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

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185 MacDonald Huge home, huge lot.

Rents out for $1200 a month.

$189,900

13

14

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

main points of interests. Here’s what David had to say about their experience:

David Kidd

David Kidd with guides (looking at zebra remains).

Travel notes from Africa Instead of walking with the Cowichan Lake Retreads group, David and Beth Kidd have been travelling in southern Africa this winter.

Aside from visiting Maun, Botswana’s “tourist capital” and the country’s fifth largest town, they went on a safari-hike to the Okavanga Delta, one of the country’s

We are in Maun, at the entrance to the Okavanga Delta in north west Botswana.

It’s about 8 a.m. and we climb up into a safari truck and head out of town. We travel down sandy, bumpy village roads through a gate in a fence that is designed to keep wild life separate from village animals, to the edge of the water where mokoros (canoes) and community men await us.

The safari company has a contract with the community to provide the canoes and men to pole them, offering a unique experience for visitors while generating income for the community.

We get seated in the canoes and head out down a lane between sedges and water lilies into the Okavanga Delta. We have learned that this delta is formed when water flows down a large river from the Angola highlands and spreads into three main streams in a huge delta-like area. Most of the water never reaches the sea and evaporates. Ironically, in the summer rainy season, the water level is lowest and gradually increases as the winter season approaches.

We are poled through the sedges and open water for some time. At one point we are about 50 metres from a group of four hippos. We see little heads in the

water and from time to time they emerge a bit higher and snort.

Eventually we park on land and set off on a hike. As we head out over the land, we see a variety of birds around a pondlike area. In the distance, we can see animals but are not sure what they are.

Our guides assure us they are zebras and decide we should move much closer so we can see the stripes.

This we do, and quietly watch a herd of about 40 zebras. As we head back toward the canoes we are shown a set of elephant bones bleached white and very large. A little further on, the skeleton of a zebra that has succumbed to lions in the last week or two. Our hike takes about two hours in the midday sun at about 35 C. We head back to the canoes where a picnic lunch sent by the tour company awaits us, and then back across the delta waters again to the waiting truck. All together a unique boating and hiking experience in southern Africa.

The next morning at 5:30 a.m., we are loaded into the safari truck for a trip out to the Moremi Game Park. By the time we reach the park’s gate for breakfast, we have already seen giraffes, elephants and a leopard close up. We continue on into the park for many kilometres, and many more viewings of wild animals.

—Submitted by David Kidd

Bantam Lakers beat Cowichan Valley and move to semi-final playoffs

Elodie Adams photos Top left: Jason Toperowski took the top prize at the 18th annual Russell Smith Fishing Derby in Lake Cowichan.

Toperowski’s trout weighed in at 2.95 lbs. The weigh-in and dinner was held at the Cowichan Lake Legion on March 2.

Above: One of the youngest entries in the derby, Josh Anderson, arrived at the Cowichan Lake Legion, where the weigh-in was held, just before the 5:30 deadline to weigh in his catch, at .98 lbs.

Left: Gwen Evans was the official weigher for the entries in the 18th annual Russell Smith Fishing Derby

Annual Frost Bite derby hooks local anglers ELODIE ADAMS

The rain didn’t seem to be a deterrent for the 82 participants who entered this year’s Russell Smith Fishing Derby on Sunday, March 2 in Lake Cowichan.

The Cowichan Lake Legion was full of convivial chatter as those who had already returned with their catch warmed up with drinks in the Legion’s lounge.

At about five minutes before the 5:30 p.m. weigh-in deadline, Jason Toper-

owski arrived and handed his catch to Gwen Evans, the official weigh-in girl.

“Two point ninety-five,” she announced. “That tops it so far.”

Most of the entries were considerably smaller, ranging from one to two pounds in weight. After Toperowski, who got the first cash prize, came Bill Robertson, placing second with a 2.51-pounder, and Steve White, whose catch was 2.29.

“We usually get between 65 and 100 entries,” said organizer Jim Scholey, a

fisherman himself who knew Russell Smith.

“Russell was a character around town who used to be a fisherman,” he said. “And when he died, the Elks started a fishing derby in his name, then the Legion took it over.”

As well as cash prizes for the first five entries, there were plenty of draws to choose from, as well as a hot dinner, good companionship, and talk about the next fishing outing on the lake.

The BRI Security Bantam Lakers were in action on the weekend in Nanaimo in sudden death playoffs, where if you lose you are out, and if you win you move onto the next round.

They played the Cowichan Valley 2 team and the game was scoreless right through the first period and most of the second period, until CV 2 got the first goal of the game with 39 seconds left in the second period.

After two grueling periods where the boys had played their hearts out, they did not give up and were able to muster up enough energy to tie the game up at 11:20 on the clock in the third period (a great goal by Kale Eddy, assisted by Nathan Bath).

We then pulled ahead by one at 8:12 with an unassisted, but beautiful goal by Nelson Wagner, then ahead by two at 5:20 on the clock with a goal by Nolan Fothergill, assisted by Austin Henry-Maille and a fourth goal that put us ahead by three with only 59 seconds left — and shorthanded — by Bath.

We ended the game with a 4-1 win and are looking forward to our next play-off game Saturday, March 9 at 3:30 p.m. at the Nanaimo Ice Centre against Oceanside 2 (Parksville).

If we win that game, we will move on to the final game for 1st and 2nd place, which will be held on Sunday, March 10, in Nanaimo.

—Submitted by Kristy Convery, Bantam manager

www.lakecowichangazette.com

rink had scoring rocks in every end as they kept big pressure on the MacGregor rink throughout and secured a 8-4 win.

The other game featured the Mayea versus Repstock rinks where skip Diane Myrden of Mayea’s rink had an audacious shot in the seventh-end as she drew through a small opening to complete a four-ender. The Mayea rink went on to a 9-4 win.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

15

MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE!

Bold shot rocks the win This week saw the beginning of the Cowichan Rocks Curling League Playoffs.

In the Monday night Twoon-Two League, the first place Coulter/Monti rink will play the Lacasse/Svendsen rink and in the other first round matchup, the Taylor/Peters rink will play the Stroulger/Gott rink.

The Wednesday Open League hosted two great games to open the playoff season. The Sidhu

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

League finals will go next week. Congratulations to the Michelle Davis rink on their win in the regular season of the Tuesday night Mixed League.

This year’s Writer’s Award, the “Hair of the Brush,” goes to Rick Nott. This grizzled veteran played in all three curling leagues this past season and win or lose, he always exhibited the spirit of the game.

— Submitted by Steve Taylor Cowichan Rocks Curling News

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Lepine rink readies to sweep their rock to bump the Royal City’s McFadden rink (who placed 2nd in the championship playoff.)

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Karen Lepine (far left) skipped her Langley rink — third Lorraine Jeffries, second Carol Martel and lead Agnes Sigurdson onto victory at the B.C. Masters Curling Championship in Lake Cowichan on Sunday, March 3.

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Wayne Saboe (far left) skipped his Kamloops Curling Club rink to victory.

The Saboe rink — third John Pisarczyk, second Vince Hunter and lead John Cox — posted a 1-2 record in roundrobin play before hitting the gas in the playoffs, recording four-straight wins en route to gold.

Local curling club hosts B.C. Masters and they were treated to some excellent curling with several of the games going into extra ends.

Thor Repstock, president of CRCC, praised the efforts of the CLSA staff who catered a fabulous dinner on Friday night and the maintenance crew who kept the ice and area in great shape for the entire event.

But it was the volunteers who made the difference he says, with volunteers from up island who were paying their own way as well as locals who did the officiating for the games.

CRCC worked very hard to make this event a success so they can hopefully draw more events in the future. The local

group was also pleased to say that many of the out of town people were amazed at the facility this little town has.

The organizers of the event would also like to thank the local business community for their excellent support of the event by purchasing ads in the official program.

This was a great community event as curlers from across the province saw and played in our fabulous facility and 64 curlers and their families had the spent a weekend here in the beautiful Cowichan Lake area.

The Canadian Masters Curling Championships will get underway on April 8 in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Greetings from Mexico!

Corinna Russell & Jason Toperowski Corinna Russell and Jason Toperowski took their hometown paper with them on holidays this February.

They are pictured here in Mexico enjoying the Gazette and some sun.

Just by booking their holiday with Sherri at Whittomes Travel they are now eligible to win $500 off the next trip they book with Whittomes Travel.

AROU ND

T

RLD WO HE

It was a busy weekend at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena as the Cowichan Rocks Curling Club, in partnership with Cowichan Lake Recreation, hosted the B.C. Masters Curling Championship event Thursday through Sunday.

The Masters Curling Championship had eight men’s teams and eight ladies’ teams — comprised of curlers who had to be at least 60-years-old — to play in the event.

It began with the opening ceremonies and continued through the weekend with the finals at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The championship event was well attended with a fair number of spectators throughout the weekend,

An enormous selection of new, semi- antique and antique rugs in all colours and sizes from Iran

“We love to travel!”

Keep in touch while you are away

www.lakecowichangazette.com

16

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

Lue’s Toll Bridge enables trekkers an easy cross Despite cool, and sometimes wet weather in February, the Retreads have enjoyed some fine hikes. The Marble Bay Park trail, developed by the CVRD, offers some lovely views across Cowichan Lake, especially from a rocky bluff near the summit.

It’s a fair climb up to this bluff and then a long descent right to the shore of the lake on the other side through some beautiful forest. We ate our lunches beside the water appreciating the peace and serenity. As usual when we began the long ascent back to the bluff, the trip upwards seemed much longer than our trip down.

Fisherman’s Trail (or Trout Trail as I have read that it is also called) is always a popular hike with our group since the beauty of this trail never grows dim.

Some members from the Duncan Outdoor Group joined a few of our Retreads for this outing. Unlike the last time we were on this trail, none of it was under water so bushwhacking around the soggy parts was unnecessary. The group followed the river to Mile 70.2 Trestle where they stopped on the shore for lunch before heading back through the lush green surroundings.

Our last hike this month was to Robertson River Falls, just a few

Willa Suntjens

Crossing ‘Lue’s Toll Bridge’ are ( L-R) Ellen Price, Kathryn Morrison, Bruce Champion, CLiff Suntjens, Lue Kerr.

kilometres from Mesachie Lake along the road to Port Renfrew.

The challenge of how to cross a small creek near the trailhead

without soaking our feet in icy water was solved by one of our members who brought along an aluminium ladder. Once this faux

bridge — which we nick-named ‘Lue’s Toll Bridge’ — was in position, we walked nimbly (or not) across the rushing water and

climbed the opposite bank.

The walk in is about three-anda-half kilometres, most of which is flat, and much of which follows the pristine Robertson River. A strenuous uphill climb near the end allowed us a panoramic view of the mountains around us.

We stopped half-way up this incline to fortify ourselves with energy orbs and dark chocolate that two members brought to share.

Then we followed a short ridge to the rocky bluff which overlooks the falls from above. After an early lunch, we made our way gingerly down a steep trail and into a gully that runs to the canyon at the base of the falls so we could view this impressive cascade from below. We estimated that the water drops at least 40 metres and at this time of year there is a large amount thundering down creating a mist in the air. Clambering back up to the ridge was a good workout but our walk back to the vehicles passed easily and quickly as we were all engrossed in conversations.

As we often, do we added a finishing touch to our day in the outdoors by retiring indoors to a local coffee shop to savour hot drinks.

— Willa Suntjens

Parker Jefferson

Stewardship community pushes for more local control of watershed

ONE COWICHAN As I may have mentioned before, I go fishing a lot. My most ambitious and exciting annual adventure is a trip to the Dean River on the Central Coast of B.C. Several years ago I was camped about 30 kilometres up the river with four friends. We had chartered a helicopter to get there and set up our camp by the river in a very remote location surrounded by beautiful wilderness and a few fortunately well-fed grizzly bears.

We had rubber rafts to float down the river to the mouth where we were to be picked up in a few weeks. We were fly fishing for summer-run steelhead, a highly prized game fish on one of the most famous fly-fishing rivers in the world. We had done this trip several times before and had our routines all worked out. One of those routines involved water for our camp. We had to use the river water and we had some filters and chemicals we used to kill all the bugs in it and make it safe for drinking.

The Dean drains a large part of Tweedsmuir Park, and that area was ground zero for the climate change induced pine beetle infestation that devastated our in-

terior forests. The trees in many of the tributaries of the Dean have been completely wiped out by the beetles and subsequent fires. This leads to erosion of the soils in the drainage and whenever it rains the river quickly turns from a lovely green to the colour of coffee with lots of cream in it.

One morning we emerged from our tents after a rainy night to find we were camped on a river of flowing coffee. There was no point in fishing in that so we set about our morning routine and needed some water for coffee. We soon found our filters were useless, as they clogged too quickly and so we just figured we would double the chemicals we normally used and we would be fine.

Later that day we all started feeling a bit queasy so we decided we had better start boiling our water, which we had hesitated to take on earlier due to limited camp fuel.

By evening we were all sick to varying degrees and one of us had developed a fever. Fortunately we all eventually recovered and were able to resume our enjoyment of the trip. It could have been much more serious, this was before the days of satellite phones and we had no communication with the outside world.

That was my first lesson on the effects of turbidity on water quality. As it turns out, the fine particles of silt that make water turbid are like little submersible vehicles for bugs taking a joy ride down the river. The number of bacteria in water goes up exponentially with increasing turbidity. Controlling turbidity and preventing contaminants from entering the

river during rain events is crucial to maintaining water quality.

The results of some very extensive water quality tests done last fall in our watershed were released this week and as expected, turbidity plays an important part in the results. These tests were done when the fall rains finally came after our prolonged drought last year.

This was a good time take the samples as all of the feeder streams and ditches draining into our river were full and flowing quickly. The samples were gathered once a week for five weeks by volunteers from our community. The samples were tested and the data was produced by the Ministry of Environment (MOE).

The results show that the Cowichan river is doing very well.

The turbidity and associated bacteriological contamination remained within acceptable limits. This is another quantifiable positive result of the Stoltz Bluffs remediation work done in 2006.

Before that work was done the bluffs were pumping tons of fine sediment and it’s joy riding bug passengers into our river and the results would have been much different. It also indicates our Joint Utility Board sewage treatment plant is working well.

The Koksilah River and Cowichan Bay, however, did not fare as well. The turbidity in the lower Koksilah was above acceptable limits on several occasions. Some of the feeder creeks in the Bright Angel Park area were well above acceptable limits.

E.coli contamination was the item of most concern as it can

affect human health. In relative terms, where about 80 E.coli per 100 ml is an acceptable limit for swimming and 380 is acceptable for other water sports (like paddling a canoe) some of the feeder creeks had values of 90,000. The Koksilah itself was often in the range from 100 to 350 in the lower reaches and some of the readings were in the thousands.

In Cowichan Bay, it was a similar story. Many of the feeder creeks draining directly into the bay had extraordinarily high turbidity and E.coli values. Readings in the bay itself were often well above acceptable limits.

DNA testing is being done on the samples with the highest E.coli readings and preliminary results indicate mostly cow feces are responsible for the E.coli.

There were indicators of human waste in some of the samples taken in the bay near the marina.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority has been made aware of these findings and is working on establishing long term sampling sites in the Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers and at beach sites in Cowichan Bay. MOE will be doing additional sampling and is continuing with testing the samples from last fall for DNA and metals.

It is the goal of our stewardship community, including Cowichan Tribes, to be able to harvest shellfish in Cowichan Bay. These results show that we have

a long way to go to achieve that objective.

Our stewardship community will continue to push for more local control of our watershed, which includes not only water levels and flow management but also contamination levels in our water. Clean, plentiful water is far too important to be left to cumbersome bureaucratic policies being administered by people not in our community and not accountable to local authorities.

We will be making local control of our water resources an election issue in the coming provincial election and we will be asking all candidates to support transfer of control of our water to local authorities if they want our votes.

We hope everyone will join us in this initiative.

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

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ALL YOU NEED IN PRINT AND ONLINE bcclassiďŹ ed.com FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS DEATHS

ELASCHUK, Sharon M. OCTOBER 12, 1945 - FEBRUARY 26, 2013

assed away peacefully at Cowichan District Hospital. Sharon was born in Eckville, Alberta. Beloved wife of 44 years to Lou. Loving mother to Pamela McKenzie (Robin) and Ken. Dear Gramma to Jennifer and Matthew. Sister of Gordon Payne (Linda) and a special friend to Gail Carson.

Sharon will be sadly missed by her many relatives and friends. There will be no service by request. Memorial donations to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Society would be appreciated by the family.

P

Online condolences may be offered at: www.hwwallacecbc.com

H.W. Wallace 251 Jubilee St. 250-701-0001

JOHNSON, Ellen Viola (nee Haldorson) Aug. 28, 1924 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 20, 2013 Ellen was born in Canwood, Saskatchewan and went on to be a long time resident of Lake Cowichan after moving here in her late 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Ellen married her husband Peter Johnson in 1952 and went on to have two daughters Faye Cameron (Doug Callsen) and Sharon Slack (Paul). Ellen was an amazing grandmother H.W. CREMATION & Todd, Stacy to allWALLACE of her grandchildren Christopher, (Jeff), Tysonx (Christine), Amy (Josh), and Micheal (Anna) AdSize:2 288.00 and cherished her two great granddaughters Raven and Zooey. Ellen was predeceased by her brothers Harry, 5888775 Roland, Olie, Melvin and Walter, and sister Ida and Elsie.

O:\DISPLAY_ADS\DROPBOX\5888775.pdf Mom was well known in the community for working at Waltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drive-In and kept herself busy being a long time member of TOPS, United Church womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group as well as the Hospital Auxiliary. Family would like to thank all of the staff at Carinsmore for all the care and compassion they showed over her stay as well as the second ďŹ&#x201A;oor nurses at CDH for all the support they showed during her last days.

A celebration of life was held at Multi Purpose Hall, Cowichan Lake Recreation at 399 South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan on March 2nd Saturday at 2:00 pm. Online condolences may be offered at www.hwwallacecbc.com

H.W. Wallace 251 Jubilee St. 250-701-0001

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18

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

A18 www.lakecowichangazette.com

Wed, Mar 6, 2013, Lake Cowichan Gazette

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

RENTALS

TRANSPORTATION

FUEL/FIREWOOD

ACREAGE

HOUSES FOR SALE

HOMES FOR RENT

AUTO FINANCING

SEASONED FIREWOOD Vancouver Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest ďŹ rewood producer offers ďŹ rewood legally obtained during forest restoration, large cords. Help restore your forest, Burndrywood.com 1-877-902-WOOD.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE AT LAST! An iron ďŹ lter that works. IronEater! Fully patented Canada/U.S.A. Removes iron, hardness, smell, manganese. Since 1957. Visit our 29 innovative inventions online at; www.bigirondrilling.com or Phone 1-800-BIG-IRON. BIG BUILDING sale... â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;?This is a clearance sale. you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss!â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;? 20x20 $3,985.

25x24 $4,595. 30x36 $6,859.

35x48 $11,200.

40x52 $13,100. 47x76 $18,265. One End wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422. www.pioneersteel.ca FOR RESTLESS or Cramping Legs. A Fast acting Remedy since 1981, sleep at night, proven for 31 years. Online: www.allcalm.com, Mon-Fri 8-4 EST 1-800-765-8660.

HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available.

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SAWMILLS FROM only $3997 - Make money & save money with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free Info & DVD online: www.Norwood Sawmills.com/400OT or call 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT. SOFA BED (Simmons Queen), like new, $200. Maple book case, 6 shelves, $50.

Call (250)932-7201.

STEEL BUILDINGS/metal buildings 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for balance owed! Call 1-800-4572206 or check us online at: www.crownsteelbuildings.ca

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HOUSES FOR SALE

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Incredible 5 acre treed PARK-LIKE PROPERTY with Well-Maintained Furnished Home 1500 sq.ft, 3-bdrm, 2 bath. Extremely close to Pristine Cowichan Lake, in the town of Caycuse.

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RE/MAX of Lake Cowichan

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$500 Studio suite 108-18 King George Furnished suite in well managed 55 plus strata bldg. Washer & dryer, secure underground parking. $500 Studio suite #3-68 Stanley Rd. Clean, small and central to everything in six-plex unit with coin laundry.

Small pet upon approval. $650 2 bdrm suite 309-18 King George Comfortable suite in well managed 55 plus strata bldg. Washer & dryer, secure underground parking. $650 2 bdrm + den suite 110-18 King George Comfortable suite in well managed 55 plus strata bldg. Washer & dryer, secure underground parking. $850 1 bedroom + loft 7Cowichan Ave. E. Compact older house, washer & dryer, large fenced yard. Pet upon apprl. $925 3 bedroom condo #27-215 Madill Rd. Completely refurbished unit in quiet popular strata. All new appliances, N/Smoking, N/Pets.

Check out rentals online www.lkc.ca To View Call:

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HOUSE FOR rent - Mesachie Lake. 3 beds, 2 baths, large garage. New kitchen w/stainless appliances & quartz counters. 1/2 acre fenced. Pets neg. No smoking. Available now. Rent neg. Call 778-9919169

LAKE COWICHAN: $600 suite with kitchenette all inclusive. Call (888)749-6482.

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LIONSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CLUB HALL for rent $75. Deposit required. Call Eileen 250-749-3345.

#40 - 102 Stanley Rd. $775 per month. 1Bdrm. & den in the heart of town, overlooking the park and the river. This upstairs unit is very nice and has lots of deck area which wraps around the entire living area. 2 baths, lots of closets, W/D, N/S, N/P.

276 South Shore Rd. $650 per month. 1Bdrm. with a huge walk in closet that might be suitable for a baby nursery.

New F/S, shared W/D. Nice big yard, close to the arena and high school. Includes heat and hydro.

Phone Sandy 250-749-6000

ďŹ l here please

www.lakecowichangazette.com

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

19

The inside back: A little of this and that ☞ Local businesses and services

° The Coffee Mill, 10063South Shore Road in Honeymoon Bay, is open Friday evenings until 7 p.m. for their Fish and Chips Friday. Call 250-749-3729 for information.

☞ Mammography mobile service

visiting Lake Cowichan

The B.C. Cancer Agency’s screening mammography mobile service will be visiting the Lake Cowichan Health Centre, 58 Cowichan Avenue West, March 14-15.

Mammograms save lives. “As a technologist, I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of breast screening. Mammograms are safe, effective and accessible.” says Nancy Aldoff of the Screening Mammography Program of B.C. Women ages 40 to 79 can book an appointment by calling 1-800-663-9203 or visit smpbc.ca.

☞ Lawn bowling rolls back into

Honeymoon Bay

The Honeymoon Bay Lawn Bowling Society is looking to strike-up some new memberships. After negotiating land use permit with the CVRD the society is ready to roll.

Their next project is to fence in the green which will cost approximately $7,00. The society is still about $1,000 short of funds and they ask that anyone who is interested in helping with this project ,or to buy a $50 annual membership, to call Guy at 250-749-4700.

From captivating images from the world’s finest wildlife photographers to a fascinating in-depth look at the 1911 1912 race to the South Pole, the Royal BC Museum is presenting exhibits truly international in scope this spring and summer.

☞ World awaits at the Royal BC

Museum

From captivating images from the world’s finest wildlife photographers to a fascinating in-depth look at the 1911 1912 race to the South Pole, the Royal BC Museum is presenting exhibits truly international in scope this spring and summer At the same time, both locals and visitors will also appreciate the detailed look at the cultural celebrations of Victoria’s own Chinatown, along with the many regular family-friendly exhibits for which the museum is renowned.

Learn more about these events and more in the Royal BC Museum Spring/Summer Guide. Inside, find details

about special lectures, Family Sunday activities, spring break and summer camps, coming exhibits and much more, designed to highlight natural and human history here at home and around the globe.

The guide will be available in select home delivery editions of Friday’s Victoria-area Black Press Community Newspapers and online through eEditions on individual Black Press newspaper websites. The Royal BC Museum will also have the guide available on-site and through its website, www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca “The Royal BC Museum is a world-class cultural attraction right in the heart of Victoria. We’re pleased to showcase this season’s exciting, innovative program for the Black Press readership,” says Penny Sakamoto, Black Press Victoria’s Group Publisher.

An iconic attraction on Victoria’s Inner Harbour, the Royal BC Museum brings alive British Columbia’s past, present and future with a collection of more than seven million unique objects and documents, along with special events and visiting exhibits. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with extended summer hours until 10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from May 23 to Sept. 28. The National Geographic Theatre is also onsite showing a rotating series of films from 10 a.m. daily.

For more information, visit www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

and

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CARPENTRY

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Quality comes first.

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

JOHN PORTELANCE

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A Guide to Professional Services in the Cowichan Lake Area

250-749-3174

73 South Shore, Lake Cowichan

Cowichan Lake SERVICE DIRECTORY

FOR ALL YOUR HEATING and COOLING NEEDS • Oil, Gas & Electric Furnaces • Heat Pumps • Refrigeration • Duct Cleaning

CHILD CARE

accurate air LICENSED CARE FACILITY

SERVICE, REPAIR AND INSTALL

at Palsson Elementary School, Lake Cowichan

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✎ Before and after school care (K-Gr.6) ✎ Kindergarten pick-up! ✎ Field trips on Pro-D days and Spring & Summer Break

250.746.1666 Visit www.accurate-air.ca for internet specials!

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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/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / //

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ELECTRICIAN

DAVID GALE

PACIFIC-WEST ELECTRIC

CONSTRUCTION

WANDA’S KIDS & CARE

For your free in home heating estimate

CONTRACTOR

250.749.7289 Ref. License #LSHP-6SW3K7

For ALL your renovation needs:

Advertise in the Service Directory

Call the Gazette 250.749.4383

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Trained Architectural Technologist

CALL Ian Balding TODAY

Shane Baker

Serving Lake Cowichan for over 20 yrs

MINI EXCAVATOR & BOBCAT SERVICES

Licenced ̰ Bonded ̰ Insured

Landscaping | Septic Services

20 years in the Valley Free estimates, Plans

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TIPTONS GAS BAR Gas • Diesel Boat Gas Confections • Bait • Ice

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

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TIRES

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•

the rest.

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

GUTTER Co. above Featuring: Crown Moulding FASCIA GUTTERS Call Steve for Free estimates!

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•

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//////////////////////////////////

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

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250-932-5552 Dr. Brenda Bernhardt

20

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE

www.lakecowichangazette.com

This offer stacks up.

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3

Offers available until May 6, 2013, where access and line of site permit, to residential customers who have not subscribed to TELUS TV or Internet in the past 90 days. Not available to residents of multi-dwelling units. Taxes extra. Not available with other promotions. Rates include a $5/month discount for bundled services, a $3/month digital service fee and a fee required by the CRTC as a contribution to the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF). See telus.com/satellitetv-lpif for details. Equipment and installation charges may apply. HDTV-input-equipped television required to watch HD. Minimum system requirements apply. Final eligibility for service will be determined by a TELUS representative. 1. Regular bundle rate of $32.90 per month will start on month 7 for Satellite TV Basic. 2. Regular bundle rate of $45 will start on month 7 for TELUS Internet 6. 3. A cancellation fee applies for early termination of the service agreement, and will be $10/month for the HD PVR multiplied by number of months remaining in the term. Current rental rates will apply at the end of the service agreement. Rental equipment must be returned upon cancellation of service. TELUS, the TELUS logo, TELUS TV and TELUS Satellite TV are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under licence. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Network logos and names are trademarks of their respective owners. All copyrights for images, artwork and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

All rights reserved. © 2013 TELUS.

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 250-733-2626

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