Bowen Island Undercurrent, March 07, 2014

FRIDAY MAR 07 2014 VOL. 41, NO. 09

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Cove Bay water

Saving wild salmon

From petition to placards

An opportunity to upgrade the system

The Sea to Sky Fisheries Roundtables petitions Canada’s Auditor General

Bowen group plans for protest against BC Ferries cuts

New owner of Bowen Island Sea The practical realities of a “walkable” village Kayaking won’t rock the boat

Council lays the groundwork for the development of public lands on lot #2

MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

The former and new owners of Bowen Island Sea Kayaking: Martin Clarke and Brent O’Malley.

Meribeth Deen, photo

MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

After one week as a Bowen Islander, Brent O’Malley is the proud new owner of Bowen Island Sea Kayaking. He says he has no major plans to change the business’s programming or schedule, but might change the name of the “947” deal which offers locals cheap rental rates after 5pm on weekdays.

“A lot of people don’t have 947 numbers who live here so...”

O’Malley says he and his partner came to Bowen from California because they were looking for a co-housing situation, and fell in love with the island immediately.

“We bought into Belterra after one week,” he says.

O’Malley says he grew up canoeing in Manitoba and Northern Ontario, and still takes yearly canoe trips in that part of the country with his brother.

He lived in California for 27 years prior to moving to Bowen, and says on the coast his love of canoeing turned in to a love of sea kayaking.

“Mostly just day trips,” he says. “But I love being on the water. A passion for paddling, and the desire to be my own boss... both of these things really appeal to me.”

When it comes to the idea of running a business on an island that is dependent on the ferry for customers, he says he’s not worried.

GIT UR GREEN ON!!

continued, PAGE 6

On Monday, municipal planning consultant Judy McLeod presented Council with her recommendations for zoning amendments pertaining to the development of lot #2 of Bowen Island’s “community lands” in the upper portion of Snug Cove.

While councillors seemed to agree on the overall plan, the issue of parking led to a debate on what it would mean to create a “walkable” Snug Cove.

Lot #2, as presented by McLeod, will be divided up into three parts: part one will be for mixed-use buildings, part two for residential townhouse units, and part three for a “community campus” that would likely house a municipal hall, a daycare and community recreation facilities.

While McLeod did recommend making additions to the Official Community Plan with regards to this land, the ideas of creating density, walkability and affordability within Snug Cove, as stated within the 2011 plan, remain intact.

Townhouse units would be one aspect of the housing development, but apartment buildings, as high as four storeys, could also built on lot #2.

Councillor Wolfgang Duntz mentioned that it was unlikely that there would be enough space on the lot to provide enough parking for every apartment unit.

Onlooker Don Youngson mentioned that parking could be critical, especially if the buildings are geared toward providing housing for seniors.

“My father is 91 years old and is frankly better at driving than walking,” said Youngson. “I think

we need to keep in mind that many older people are similar. They’re also going to have friends who want to come visit, and they’ll have cars as well.”

On that point, McLeod noted that in seniors residences in Surrey where parking spaces had been created for each unit, the spaces were not being used.

Councillor Daron Jennings said the geography of lot #2 makes it better for housing people than cars, and Councillor Alison Morse said that creating co-op car stalls has proven to be an adequate replacement for parking in other locations.

Councillor Andrew Stone argued that there are no co-op cars on Bowen.

“Comparing Bowen to places like Toronto, Vancouver or Surrey makes no sense,” said Stone.

“People in these places have access to huge public transportation networks that people on Bowen just don’t have.”

Councillor Duntz, who had previously stated that “we will never get affordable, convenient public transportation if we all insist on driving everywhere,” argued at length with Stone.

“If we want to be special, and not just another suburb of Vancouver then we need to be willing to do something different. We have to be willing to say, here are the limitations, if you’re willing to live with that. We need a bigger vision for Bowen... Is the walkable village just a fancy term we use, or do we mean it?”

Council will vote on amendments to the OCP and Land Use Bylaw suggested by McLeod at the next council meeting.

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Local salmon advocates seek explanation for government inaction on sockeye protection MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

The Sea to Sky Fisheries Roundtable has sent a petition to the Canada’sAuditor General demanding to know why the federal government seems to be ignoring recommendations made to protect wild salmon as outlined by the Cohen Commission.

Bowen Island’s Fish and Wildlife Club is a member of the Sea to Sky Fisheries Roundtable, but there is only one signatory to the petition, a realtor from Squamish named Dave Brown. Brown is also an angler, and he played a key role in setting up the Fisheries Roundtable.

The background to the petition explains that concern surrounding the low number of sockeye salmon that returned to the Fraser River in 2009 led to the establishment of a commission of inquiry to led by Justice Bruce Cohen. The purpose was to investigate the causes of the decline and the Department of Fisheries and Ocean’s policies in relation to salmon in the Fraser River. Over three years, Justice Cohen heard from members of the public at 10 forums and sat through 133 days of evidentiary hearings where 179 witnesses took the stand. At the end, Justice Cohen wrote a report and presented 75 recommendations for protecting wild salmon stocks to the federal government.

Dave Brown says the government has acted on only one of those recommendations: the money from salmon tags, which you purchase with your fishing licence, is being donated to the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

The Bowen Island Fish and Wildlife Club is a part of the Sea to Sky Fisheries Roundtable. President Tim Pardee says he was shocked to see a Vancouver Sun article last September quoting Fisheries Minister Gail Shea as Jim Bydak and Tim Pardee of the Bowen Island Fish and Wildlife Club releasing coho saying that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans would continue to take salmon fry raised from eggs at the Terminal Creek Salmon Hatchery into Davies Creek in action consistent with the recommendations of the Cohen Commission. the spring of 2013.

“I thought, what action? It had been a year since Justice Cohen presented Berni Claus, photo his report, and I wasn't aware that there had been any action at all,” says Pardee. “I think we need to B O W E N I S L A N D M U N I C I PA L I T Y know whether Shea’s comment was just a sound bite?”

Question eight of the petition to the Auditor General asks for specific instances where DFO NOTICE is hereby given that Bowen Island Municipal Council will hold a public hearing for the purpose of has taken action based on the recommendation, allowing the public to make representations on the following proposed bylaw: and how much money has been spent on each.

• Bylaw No. 345, 2013 cited as “Bowen Island Municipality Land Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 Amendment Pardee also points to question 16 of the petiBylaw No. 345, 2013” tion which asks how habitat protection can continue to be protected on the West Coast when The Public Hearing will be held on: DFO staff responsible for the enforcement of Monday, March 24, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. habitat protection on the coast have been cut.

“The Salmon Enhancement Team with DFO at Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC. has been an amazing partner to our work,” says At the public hearing, all persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed bylaw Pardee, explaining that this group worked with shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard or to present written submissions respecting matters the federal government in the 1980s to set up contained in the proposed bylaw. salmon hatcheries and start salmon enhancement programs, and that they continue to offer both Subject Property: funding and expertise. “But I know there have Purpose: been deep cuts in important locations within DFO, and those cuts include enforcement offiThe purpose of Bylaw No. 345, 2013 is to amend Land cers. I’ve been working on rockfish protection in Use Bylaw No. 57, 2002 by changing the zoning for the Howe Sound and I know that people keep reportlands shown outlined in a solid black line on Schedule A ing poaching, but I am concerned about the level of this Bylaw from Rural Residential (RR1) to Industrial and effectiveness of enforcement.”

Commercial (a) – IC (a). Use exception (a) would prohibit Dave Brown says that the actions of the federal the sale of propane under the IC zone on this site. government and DFO indicate the protection of wild salmon is not a priority, despite having spent A copy of the proposed bylaw and any background material $26 million worth of tax dollars on the Cohen that may be considered by Bowen Island Municipal Council Inquiry. in respect of the proposed bylaw, may be inspected at Bowen “I think people need to understand that the Island Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC clock is ticking for wild salmon,” says Brown. between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to “The health of sockeye in the Fraser is indicative Friday, inclusive, excluding statutory holidays, or on the BIM of salmon stocks elsewhere, and the policy affectwebsite at www.bimbc.ca commencing Friday, March 7, 2014. ing them affects all other salmon. Last year, we had such an abysmal run in the Fraser that DFO Written submissions may be delivered to: had to shut down all commercial, recreational and First Nations Fisheries. We supported that • Bowen Island Municipal Hall in person or by mail to 981 move, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good thing.”

Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2 or by fax: 604Brown says that salmon spawning occurs in 947-0193 prior to 11:00 a.m. , Monday, March 24, 2014; four-year cycles, so the abundant run of 2010 or should be coming back this summer.

• to Bowen Island Municipal Council at the Public Hearing “There’s no guarantee that the run will be a big at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 24, 2014. one,” he says. “But this might be our last opportunity to establish good policies and save what’s Inquiries regarding the proposed bylaw may be directed to left.”

Judy McLeod, Planning Consultant at 604-947-4255 or by Following the receipt of the petition by the email at jmcleod@bimbc.ca.

Auditor General and its translation into French, the fisheries minister will have 120 days to NO REPRESENTATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AFTER THE CONCLUSION respond in full to the 19 questions by the Sea to OF THE PUBLIC HEARING. Sky Fisheries Roundtable.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 604-947-4255

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FRIDAY MARCH 7 2014 • 3

Grant opportunity offers a chance to end Cove Bay water woes Funding from both the federal and provincial governments would make a water treatment plant a reality, but 100 percent buy-in by users needs to come first Also, the chlorine can react with naturally occurring organic compounds in water to leave byproducts that are dangerous to human health. Trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) are the most common byproducts. Their effects depend on the length of and quantity of exposure, but both of these compounds are associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Cove Bay water system user James Glave says while his family drinks tap water, the issue of chlorination byproducts is of particular concern to him. “I think it is a municipal responsibility to make sure the community’s water is of the highest standard,� says Glave. “And this is going to be one of the densest areas of the island, and clean and safe water is a baseline issue for liveability.�

A cheaper alternative to a water treatment plant?

Felicity Buskard holds her son, August, and a glass of water she says is drinkable thanks to her countertop filter.

Meribeth Deen, photo

MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

Felicity Buskard says she had heard that water in the Cove Bay system “wasn’t the best,� but was shocked by the reality she encountered when she and her husband moved to their new home on Miller Road last summer. “In the summer, there were often periods when the water had dirt in it, and there are days when there’s so much cholrine in the water you feel like you’re showering in a swimming pool, and I hate bathing my son in that water.�

Buskard says that after moving in she bought a $200 filter to improve the drinking water, but has not found a way to improve water in other parts of the house.

The Municipality’s Public Works Superintendent Bob Robinson says that the problem of brown colour in the water is caused by tannins, fine particles that are difficult to filter out. Currently, though, there is no filtration for the Cove Bay System. “The water-intake is about 120 feet from the swimming rock on Grafton Lake,� says Robinson. “From there, it’s

piped to a chlorination station behind the fire station.

We need to makes sure that at the end of our line, where Miller Road turns into Scarborough there are 0.2 parts of chlorine per million. Those tannins in the water eat up lots of chlorine, so if you’re closer to Grafton Lake, you’re going to have a lot more chlorine in your water.�

Municipal Councillor Cro Lucas, the liaison to the Bowen Island Infrastructure Committee, says that this system meets current standards, just. “The system has been grandfathered, in terms of acceptability,� says Lucas. “But it does meet the standards most of the time and the system has to go off-line until the issue is dealt with. There are also suspended organics in the water, and those can be mitigated by people who have some sort of home filtration system.�

While chlorine has proven to be a very effective way preventing the spread of waterborne diseases, there are also drawbacks. Firstly, a parasite known as Cryptosporidium parvum, cannot be killed by chlorine. If this were found to be in the Cove Bay water system, all users would need to boil their water prior to consumption.

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VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay

6:00 am** 7:00 am** 8:00 am 9:00 am †10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 2:25 pm 3:30 pm 4:30 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm * 8:30 pm 9:35 pm

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H:11 L: 7

0915 13.5 2355 13.1 0955 12.8

Sun. 0108 1047 Mon. 0212 1157 Tue. 0303 1322 Wed. 0345 1436 Thurs. 0419 1533

13.1 12.1 13.5 11.8 13.8 11.5 13.8 11.8 13.8 12.1

LOW FEET 0348 1637 0503 1733 0639 1833 0804 1935 0902 2032 0944 2122 1019 2204

9.8 4.6 10.5 4.9 10.8 5.2 10.5 5.2 10.2 5.2 9.5 5.2 8.9 5.2

Dear council members, I recently received the information about the necessity of upgrading the Cove Bay water filtration. If the municipality is responsible for delivering a certain quality of water, would it be an option to achieve this at the consumer end as opposed to the output end? There are only 650 users on the system. Many of us already do the necessary filtering in our homes. It costs about $35 a month. If the municipality paid for this for all 650 users, it would cost $273,000 per year. At that rate it would take 25 years to spend the $7 M estimated to upgrade the system at the source.

Even with modest growth in the number of users, this would still be a cheaper way of solving the problem. No doubt the new filtration plant would have significant ongoing maintenance and upgrade costs.

There may be some inherent reason why this isn't an option, but I thought I'd suggest it, in case there isn't.

Councillor Cro Lucas says the Municipality asked the province about this suggestion and they pointed out that as a supplier of water to in excess of 500 users, this idea is not an option.

A water treatment plant would eliminate all of the above-mentioned risks (as well as annoyances such as a brown colour to the water), and also allos new users to come on-line. Currently, the Cove Bay System serves 600 users. A water treatment plant would allow that number to be expanded to 900. continued, PAGE 6

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Rev. Shelagh MacKinnon

Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m.

Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork Minister of Music: Lynn Williams

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Clinton Neal 1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384 Service 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m.

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Mass: 10:30 a.m. Priest: Father James Comey

604-988-6304

CATES HILL CHAPEL www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260

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EDITORIAL

International Women’s Day on this tiny island MERIBETH DEEN EDITOR

When I looked on my calendar last week I noticed that Saturday, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. I recall hoping, when I noted the date, that I could get one of the indomitable, spirited and inspirational women I know on this island to write something to mark the occasion.

Then last deadline day, while I was unwinding at the pub a fellow patron started discussing his experience as a stay-at-home dad, and feeling utterly discriminated against in this role.

Interesting, and fodder for an article should plan A fall through.

Fast-forward past my “new-patient dental exam,” the endless task of sorting spam from actual email, an epic meeting at the Municipality (they all feel epic to me) and I realize that it’s deadline day and neither of these ideas have panned out.

That’s okay, there’s always plan C. I didn’t miss it, several months ago, when news that the BC Supreme Court ruled that it’s a mother’s right to keep her baby, even if she happens to be in jail when that baby is born.

Bowen Island lawyer Geoffrey Cowper worked on behalf of the two former inmates of the Allouette Correctional Centre for Women who took the BC government to court because their newborn babies had been taken from them.

Another local, Samantha Sarra, sat on an international roundtable looking into incarcerated women and their children. I asked her about the significance of the case.

“First of all,” she told me, “the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child states that the best interests of the child needs to be primary, something our current criminal justice system does not adequately take into account. But also, most of the women in Canadian jails are moth-

A nice team effort

The Write Stuff.

The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste.

Dear Editor, As a two-time Chamber of Commerce Booster of the Year recipient, I was particularly moved and impressed by the recent efforts of a number of individuals and local businesses for the manner in which they all got on board to support the Steamship Days group’s decision to spearhead a booth at the upcoming Vancouver Outdoor Adventure Show. Good on everyone for such a wonderful team effort to market and promote everything our community has to offer in the name of outdoor adventure and related commercial activities.

Against the backdrop of the concerns with the ferry changes, the demise of the local Chamber of Commerce and no other group promoting the wonderfulness of our community, which is Within Reach, Beyond Comparison, this spirited effort confirms “where there is a will, there is a way.”

At the expense of omitting some core volunteers, on behalf of the community I thank Alan Mills, Glenn Cormier, Susan Pratt and Maria Steernberg for their leadership efforts and as well the number of businesses who have kindly donated money toward the booth rental and items for the numerous prize raffle draw baskets. Last but not least, thanks to the volunteers who will be staffing the Bowen Island booth.

Let the show begin.

Here’s how.

To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com.

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The Undercurrent is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 1-888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.

ers, and most of them are single mothers, which means they are the sole providers for their children. Taking their babies away during that critical period not only hurts the women, but it also hurts their children’s chances at a healthy future.”

Sarra also says that research in the U.S. has shown that when men end up in prison, their kids end up in the care of family members 90 percent of the time. When women are incarcerated, there is only a 10 percent chance that her children will be cared for by family.

So women’s issue, yes, but wider issue that has a huge impact on society as a whole? Absolutely.

Personally, I think most “women’s issues” fall in to this same category.

So here’s plan C: it’s International Women’s Day, the perfect excuse for writing about the fact that there are people on this island doing great work that makes life better for women, for their kids, and for the world.

Yours truly,

Real action on ferry cuts

Booster Bruce Russell from our tiny island community. We should all be thankful for Andrew’s efforts and diligence.

Dear Editor, Hats off to Andrew Pietrow!

Here’s a man that did something positive against BC Ferries proposed service cuts to our island.

Andrew Pietrow personally arranged and collected 1,300 petition signatures in protest, no small feat

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Let’s get our community priorities straight Dear Editor,

FRIDAY MARCH 7 2014 • 5

This week in Undercurrent history MAUREEN SAWASY UNDERCURRENT HISTORIAN

As a relatively new Bowener (three years), I haven’t been a part of the planning for the new community centre, but I’ve heard the main components include a new municipal hall and a theatre. I find it disappointing that the plans don’t include more sports facilities, like a swimming pool and/or ice rink. Have these already been investigated and ruled out? If so, where can one educate themselves on the research that’s been done?

Despite being a professional musician and performer myself, I don’t believe yet another performance space should be the first priority for a burgeoning community attempting to attract more density. The performing arts are very important, but venues can always be found, and sometimes interesting spaces make the presentation that much more compelling.

How about a health clinic? Or an indoor swimming pool? Given that we live on an island, shouldn’t we make sure our children have easy access to swimming lessons? As much as we enjoy Tunstall Bay pool in the summer, it doesn’t quite fill the need year-round, so traveling to the city to access pools and rinks have now become a regular part of life. These are services that I wish my taxes would support.

Here’s a quote from Geoff Berner, a prominent Canadian folk musician, who recently commented on this very topic: “If anyone out there is thinking of building a new building for the arts, please stop. Spend the money on the artists, or just on housing for poor artists and their poor audience.

Edmonton blew 90 million on an arts centre and now there's no money for artists. Same is happening everywhere I travel. NO MORE WHITE ELEPHANTS!” While his views reflect his own perspective, I feel there is a commonality here. Building a new theatre will not necessarily make our arts community any healthier, but access to basic sports facilities and health services would strengthen the health of every member of this community and broaden Bowen’s appeal to a greater number of potential residents. It’s not a matter of either/or, but simply which should come first.

20 years ago in the Undercurrent •

•

15 years ago in the Undercurrent •

Sincerely, Mary Kastle

Mr. Weston, Aquaculture is illogical Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to MP John Weston’s insightful and interesting letter in last week’s Undercurrent. There were things in it I agree with and things I don’t. Let’s see what we can agree upon and go from there.

I agree, it is all about environmentally responsible and economically sound aquaculture. When considering the environment, we are most interested in what levels of aquaculture can be sustained without causing harm to the oceans and coastal waters. Sustaining here means not taking more from the sea or ocean than the organisms living in them can keep up with, and not polluting it so life becomes imposssible in it.

Even though Mr. Weston paints a pretty picture about aquaculture, not all aquaculture is the same. Some fish and shellfish species can be farmed in a remarkably sustainable manner. They can get by with the nutrients in the waters they are farmed in. However that is not to the case for salmon: salmon eat other fish and farmed salmon eat fish protein granules made from a base of fish oil and fishmeal. To provide for these fish proteins, fish stocks in the southern hemisphere are dangerously over-fished. The salmon farm industry has known this for a long time. It has always been the major flaw in their long term economic plans. Over the last years, and more so recently, the industry is nervously trying to come up with alternative food sources. All this initiated by rising prices for fish oil and fish meal, economically this means scarcity driving prices up.

All the time industry and governments have been promoting salmon farming, we would have been better off eating the fish, to be processed into farmed salmon feed, ourselves. After all, it takes 1.5 to 8 kilos of fish to grow 1 kilo of farmed salmon. Salmon farming has never really made any sense other than short-term profits.

While Mr. Weston’s economic arguments promote the expansion of the number of salmon farms, the economics behind it are simply ludicrous.

Shareholders return, quarterly profit forecasts are becoming vastly dated concepts in a world where every week brings us more experiences of rapidly changing climates and depleted oceans.

For some it still doesn’t seem to hit home. I’d like Mr. Hawthorn, board member of the B.C. Salmon Farmer’s Association: It’s not just about peak salmon ... it’s about peak food... The world needs to find ways to produce more food, seafood in particular. Especially as there are more people in the world but people are getting wealthier and more people can afford to buy seafood.

Salmon farming is just a beautiful example of how non-sensible and illogical capitalism can be when we consider the long-term viability of living on this planet.

Anton van Walraven

The Chamber of Commerce held its annual general meeting and a review of 1993 was included in the meeting. This review included the following information: CIBC suggested it was not viably economical for Bowen Island to have a bank machine; several meetings with Bowen’s elected representatives took place to highlight that Bowen needed attention too; the Light Up the Cove event and other Chamber initiatives served the Bowen Community in the upgrade and beautification of the Cove.

An anonymous islander reported to the Undercurrent an assault of two young boys by a teenage boy and a teenage girl while in the ferry lineup. The islander did not get any names of those involved but was pleading with the parents of the victims to come forward, so that charges could be pressed and the islander would stand up as a witness to the event. Any tips could be passes along through the newspaper.

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A second public information meeting was held regarding the potential for Bowen Island to become a autonomous municipality. About 50 islanders showed up. The main topic of discussion was which shape a potential Bowen Island governing body would take. There was room under the Municipal Act, the Islands Trust Council and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to create a system of government that existed nowhere else.

The next meeting would be held on April 3 however the public was invited to attend weekly meetings every Monday.

Tirnanog was featuring, “Oliver Twist” and “The Good Person of Szechwan” both on Saturday and Sunday March 6th & 7th.

10 years ago in the Undercurrent •

The Undercurrent reported on the Greater Vancouver Regional District Translink capital plan. The 10-year plan which was narrowly approved by a vote of 57 to 56 (in part due to a yes vote by islander Neil Boyd) focused on many measures aimed at decreasing traffic congestion including a

•

Richmond-Airport-Vancouver rapid transit line, new bridges and roads, increased bus service, expansion of car-sharing services and increased use of commuter ferries. In order to pay for the plan, homeowners were to be hit with a slight increase in property taxes but promises were in place from the federal government (then lead by Prime Minister Paul Martin) to return a greater portion of the gas tax collected by the government to TransLink, which had some directors nervous about banking on promises from the federal government. Concern also surrounded TransLink back up plan which included a much higher increase to property taxes should federal and provincial government financial commitment fail.

A group calling itself the Cape Roger Curtis Trust Society approached council in order to receive help in finding more time to raise more funds to stave off development of Cape Roger Curtis. Their timeline of five years to raise the funds would likely not work as development of the lands would probably start earlier then that.

5 years ago in the Undercurrent •

The Cape Roger Curtis Neighbourhood Plan was the topic for the Monday evening meeting of the Committee of the Whole. The owners of CRC expressed their frustration with the time it had taken for the Municipality to make a decision.

The plan had originally been presented in September 2008 but needed input from over a dozen Bowen groups. Monday’s meeting was to present the findings of the groups. While some of these groups approved the plan, others felt more review was needed. In the end, three emerging directions were summarized from the group input: parks and greenways components could be further enhanced; South Terrace could be included within the park amenity; and some groups offered suggestions on how land use and density could be improved.

A fond farewell to my business on Bowen Well, well, well. So, a Bowen rumour that has turned out to be true. After all this time, Bowen Island Sea Kayaking has been sold... game, set and match. And yes, I am out and Brent O'Malley is in. But more of that later.

As of now, it is my pleasure to say how much I have enjoyed being the boss of the little boats on Norma's dock. It has been a delight to offer so much fun and adventure on the water to so many of you in the community and especially to the kids of Bowen where we have the pleasure of teaching them new skills and introducing them to the delights of being on the ocean. But also, it was a gift for us to the many foreign students who paddled with us, especially those from the cities of Asia where sports on the water is not part of the culture. In fact, paddlers from all over the world have been with us and each year we can say that about paddlers from 40 countries are represented. In 2005 we had paddlers from 54 countries.

To all of you who gave your time, boats and culinary skills to support the Round Bowen Challenge, North America's longest one day kayak race, our many thanks. It is now a highlight for paddlers throughout BC and Washington.

And lastly, to my skilled, passionate and friendly staff, both past and present, I owe so much thanks.

And above all, I have to single out two women with great hearts who have been with me for the full 14 years, Karla Everitt and Tierney Crickmay, A huge thankyou for your commitment, humour, support and loyalty.

And so Brent O'Malley is the new owner. Up from California as part of the Belterra Co- Housing group, he will, I am sure, keep Bowen Island Sea Kayaking to the great company it is. Bowen will enjoy him as the new boss.

So now I am asked what I am going to do. I will not be teaching Jasper to fetch my slippers.

More kayaking seems the ready answer. But maybe that is just a rumour.

Martin Clarke

6 • FRIDAY MARCH 7 2014

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Water treatment plant would cost Cove Bay users $130 per year from PAGE 3 “A water treatment plant on Bowen is long overdue,” says Councillor Lucas. “And we are rare among municipalities because we lack this infrastructure.”

Lucas says the estimated cost for a water treatment plant is $7.5 million, a cost that other municipalities have been able to cover through Gas Tax funds. On Bowen, however, a majority of funds collected through the Gas Tax go to TransLink.

However, Lucas says that Infrastructure Canada has recently announced the “New Building Canada Plan,” which will dedicate $10 billion in funds to major projects of local or regional significance. If the Municipality’s application for this funding were approved, the federal government would cover one-third of the cost of the water treatment plan, the province would cover another third, and the Municipality would have to cover the rest. A similar grant helped Bowen upgrade its sewage treatment plant four years ago.

Currently, the Municipality has a $1 million reserve fund set aside for a water treatment plant, but would need to borrow another $1.5 million to cover the shortfall. To do this, Lucas says that all the current users of the Cove Bay water system would need to be supportive of the plan, and be

willing to cover the cost of borrowing.

“We’ve worked out that it would cost each user $130 per year,” says Lucas. “If we can move forward and build this plant, people would no longer have to treat the water themselves, so their monthly bill would actually go down.”

Lucas says the Municipal Infrastructure Committee has already started to work on its grant application, although the application details are yet to be released. In submitting the application (probably late summer) the Municipality will have to show that all the users of the Cove Bay water system are on-board with the plan and willing to pay for it.

“Building this thing is not rocket-science,” says Lucas. “If we can get this money, we would probably start construction in 2015, and have the water treatment plant up and running by 2017. I worry that because of the economy, that if we don’t get this, it will be a long time before another opportunity to get this kind of money comes up.”

Under the authorization of Transport Canada’s Navigable Waters Protection Program, these non-conforming mooring buoys and associated anchoring systems were removed from Mannion Bay on February 21, 2014.

Kayak shop has a new owner

Transport Canada, photo

“Based on the fact that this business has been here for so long, I feel good about its viability,” he says.

The business started in 1996 at Mount Gardner dock, with just a few boats. Martin Clarke started out as an employee of the business, and then moved up to manager. He bought Bowen Island Sea Kayaking in 2000.

“I’d say 95 percent of our business has come from people on the North Shore,” he says. “I’ve always done a lot of promotion in North and West Vancouver.”

Clarke also points to a poster with a map of

from PAGE 1

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the world on it on the wall of the kayak shop with pins marking where customers have come from.

“Last year we had people from 35 different countries,” says Clarke. “But I remember one year when we had people from more than 50 different countries.”

Now that he’s sold his business, Martin Clarke says he’s looking forward paying off his mortgage and doing more kayaking.

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FRIDAY MARCH 7 2014 • 7

Children’s Vision Vision and Learning It is estimated that 80% of learning comes from vision. Many children struggle in school and vision-related learning difficulties often go undetected even when eyesight is found to be 20/20. In fact, one out of six children diagnosed with a learning disability actually has a correctable vision problem! A routine eye assessment by an eye doctor can detect these conditions and correct them, usually through corrective lenese or vision therapy.

“I can’t remember what I read.”

Common Vision Problems in Children Several different vision skills mus work together for your childto see and understand clearly. Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are the most common visual conditions among children. Some eye condidtions, such asamblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (crossed eye), need to be corrected while the visual system is still maturing to avoid permanently reduced vision.

Be alert for signs of a vision problem, such as: • Avoiding puzzles, books or other near work • Covering one eye • Lack of concentration • Tilting the head or unusual posture • Lack of depth perception clues • Holding objects too close or sitting very close to the TV • Rubbing eyes, visible frustration or grimacing • Performing below potential, even with simple tasks like playing catch with a ball • Complaining of headaches, blurred or double vision

Your Child’s Eye Exam

This 8 inch x 8 inch mini masterpiece by an anonymous artist will be among 61 other paintings to be auctioned off at the Mini Gala on Saturday night.

Bowen Island Arts Council, photo

BOWEN ISLAND ARTS COUNCIL SUBMISSION

Find out the artists responsible for the 61 exquisite miniature paintings lining the walls of The Gallery at Artisan Square at the annual Mini Gala, the Bowen Island Arts Council’s biggest fundraiser. Fifty-nine artists contributed unsigned paintings in watercolour, oil, acrylic, encaustic, pen and ink, mixed media and digitally enhanced photography.

Paintings are sold by live auction at a gala event on Saturday March 8th. Doors open at 7pm and the auction starts at 8pm. Interested bidders are encouraged to sign up on the available bid sheets.

Paintings that have two or more interested bidders go to live auction. Paintings can be viewed before the event on Fri or Sat 12-4pm. Absentee bids are welcome. Contact the gallery at 2454.

For news, community links, and to vote on our weekly reader poll log on

www. bowenisland undercurrent .com .co m

Mini Gala guests sign up for a bid paddle at the door. Graham Ritchie will command the stage as our very able auctioneer. It’s a tough job as the bidding gets quite heated for favourite pieces.

The gala is always a sold-out event as everyone loves to dress up, be seen, schmooze, guess the identity of artists, outbid each other and enjoy the delicious food. Tickets are $15 and available at Phoenix or The Gallery.

Marc Gawthrop will provide musical entertainment. Wine will be on sale. Thank you to OPUS, Maynards, Movement clothing, Phoenix and David and Shirley Wrinch for their generous support.

The Mini Gala exhibition runs until March 16.

The Mini Gala Reception (tickets required) is on March 8, starting at 7pm.

Go to www.biac.ca or gallery@biac.ca for more info.

Small by design. Distinctly different.

Middle school matters most and kids like it here.

“My teachers completely blew my expectation out of the water and made school more fun than usual.

”

Devon Thomson IPS Alumni (’13)

Don’t miss out:

Only 4 spots left in Grade 6 for the 2014-15 school year.

There still time to apply.

Deadline: March 14, 2014.

Financial aid opportunities and bursaries are available to those in need.

For further info, please call 604.947.9311 or visit www.islandpacific.org

An eye exam by a doctor of Optometry does more than just determine the ability to see - it’s a vital part of overall health and development. Since children may not know how they should see or be able to tell you about their vision, it’s important to have their eyes examined well before they enter school.

Children’s Eye Exams • Exams for children are fully covered by MSP • Exams are about 20 minutes • A Child doesn’t have to read to have an eye exam • Eye exams are fun After the eye exam, the parent will know: • If your child’s eyes are working together and are healthy • If your child has good depth and colour perception • If your child’s eyes can see and focus well • If your child requires optical correction (glasses or contact lenses) or vision therapy

Our Service We are please to present this overview of children’s vision. If you have any questions regarding your rick or status, we would be pleased to discuss them with you.

For more information on this or other topics, please visit our websiteL www.optomeyes.ca Find us on Facebook: Optomeyes Eyecare Squamish and West Vancouver WEST VANCOUVER OFFICE LOCATION 210-1555 Marine Dr. West Vancouver BC V7V 1H9 Phone: (604) 922-0413 Fax: (604) 922-7065

8 • FRIDAY MARCH 7 2014

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Fish and Wildlife Club AGM

Protest planned for March 15 in Horseshoe Bay

BOWEN ISLAND FISH AND WILDLIFE CLUB

MAUREEN NICHOLSON

SUBMISSION

The Bowen Island Fish and Wildlife Club (BIFWC) was formed in 1967 and since the early 1980s our volunteers have implemented salmon enhancement programs on Bowen Island.

Our efforts are focused on three activities: • operating the Terminal Creek Salmon Hatchery in Crippen Park • streamkeeping to monitor the health of Bowen waterways and track returning salmon spawners • completing various salmon habitat restoration projects After quickly covering business matters and highlights of a busy 2013, we’ll discuss 2014 hatchery incubation and release of pink,

chum and coho fry, streamkeeping activities, and two important habitat rehabilitation projects: Explosives Creek/Tunstall Beach and Carter Pond.

Following the presentation portion of the AGM, attendees will be able to tour the Terminal Creek Salmon Hatchery and experienced volunteers will answer questions.

People considering membership in the BIFWC are welcome to attend our AGM at 2 PM, Sunday, March 9, in the Bill Rush Memorial Classroom in the hatchery.

Parking is available on Mount Gardner Road across from the Public Works Yard and Gas Station.

Refreshments will be available.

DEVELOPMENT OF A PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN # 701-002-14/19 Metro Vancouver has prepared a draft Pest Management Plan (PMP) for the purpose of controlling the larval stage of nuisance mosquito species that significantly impact quality of life in limited parts of the region.

Proposed treatment areas are: Metro Vancouver owned and/or managed lands and facilities; non-private lands within the City of Coquitlam, the District of Maple Ridge, the City of Pitt Meadows, the City of Surrey, and non-private and some private lands in the Township of Langley. Application of larvicide will occur annually between April and September in artificial waterbodies, standing water and areas prone to flooding. The PMP would be in effect for a five year period.

Products that may be used include: Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) – VectoBac – PCP# 18158 Bacillus sphaericus (Bsph) – VectoLex – PCP# 28008 These products are registered for use in Canada, are target specific, non-residual and non-toxic.

Chemical control of adult mosquitoes is expressly excluded.

Manner of application will be by hand, backpack blower, truck-mounted sprayer or all terrain vehicle- mounted blower and helicopter.

Applicant contact information: Rhea Leroux, Park Operations Technician, Planning, Policy and Environment Department, Metro Vancouver 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4G8 Tel: 604-432-6294 Email: rhea.leroux@metrovancouver.org A copy of the draft PMP can be obtained from the Metro Vancouver website: www.metrovancouver.org - search: Mosquito Control Program A person wishing to contribute information about a proposed treatment site, relevant to the development of the Pest Management Plan, may send copies of the information to the applicant at the address above within 30 days of the publication of this notice.

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BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE 604-947-9755 CATHERINE SHAW Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist u

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Dr. Utah Zandy 604-947-9830 CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OPEN TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS

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“Doesn’t Bowen care?”

That was the opening question at an informal March 1 community meeting on ferry schedule cuts and fare increases. After answering with a resounding “Yes!” we came up with a strategy, an action plan, and a name: Bowen Islanders for Ferry Fairness, aka BIFF. We believe that Bowen must be part of the wave of coastal community protests planned for March 15 from noon to 1 p.m. in Gibsons, Sechelt, Madeira Park, Campbell River, Salt Spring Island, Gabriola Island, Quadra Island, Bella Coola, and the Village of Queen Charlotte (Haida Gwaii).

We want to rally because of the lack of strategic planning and fake consultation on ferry service. We want to rally to put pressure on our elected officials to fight harder and more effectively to protect our ferry service and all coastal communities, some of which are being genuinely devastated by these cuts.

We want to rally because we care about our home.

The Bowen protest is intended to be peaceful and straightforward. On Saturday, March 15, we’ll head down to Snug Cove and catch the 11:30 ferry as walk-on passengers. In Horseshoe Bay, we may meet up with supporters from the Mainland and possibly the Sunshine Coast. We’ll walk over to MLA Jordan Sturdy’s constituency office to say hello, if he’s there. And we’ll head back home on the 2:25.

This Sunday, March 9, from 10 to 2, the Legion is opening its doors for our sign-making session.

We hope to see you there.

Some might argue that the schedule cuts don’t affect Bowen that much. We believe that Bowen Island needs ferry schedules maintained to protect the livelihood of many of us. Families and individuals moved to the island with the understanding that the ferry would be dependable, consistent, and affordable. As a result of the planned schedule

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revisions, at least 35 people expect to lose employment, according to an on-board survey conducted in December by the BIM Economic Development Committee. And we believe these cuts and hikes are only the beginning.

This week in the BC legislature, Adrian Dix, Leader of the Opposition, asked Transportation Minister Todd Stone to freeze all service cuts for a year so that the government can do an actual business plan for the BC Ferries. Stone’s response was essentially that he has to make “tough” decisions for the ferries to be sustainable.

But the decisions that the government is making seem far from fostering a sustainable service. The extraordinary fare increases and arbitrary service cuts, imposed with no clear rationale or analysis of impacts, will have obvious, predictable consequences: ferry use driven down even further; communities suffering and stagnant. Far from being on the road to sustainability, BC Ferries is being pushed by the provincial government into a death spiral from which only a significant policy change will ensure recovery.

Minister Stone needs to recognize that crippling the ferry service with fare hikes and service cuts is like tearing down the bridge to 36 percent of provincial tax revenue, 17 percent of tourist businesses, and 20 percent of B.C.’s population.

Bowen Islanders for Ferry Fairness supports the BC Ferry Coalition (www.bcferrycoalition.com) in its efforts to get the government to recognize the ferries are part of the provincial highway system, just as Premier W.A.C. Bennett intended when he established BC Ferries in the 1960s.

Please see our Facebook page (BIFF: Bowen Islanders for Ferry Fairness), Bowen Island Forum postings, and website (sites.google.com/site/biffonbowen) for updates.

Bowen Islanders for Ferry Fairness Organizing Group: Iris and Bill Carr, Richard and Brandon Goth, Bill Granger, Melissa Harrison, Dee MacCarthy, Melanie Mason, Maureen Nicholson, and Andrew Pietrow.

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To Advertise on the Bulletin Board, Call 604-947-2442

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Book review: A quiet coming of light SUSANNA BRAUND SUBMISSION

Jude Neale’s poetic memoir just published by Leaf Press, traces her journey from childhood, through motherhood, to the fulfillment of a joyous partnership. The poems start with a moment of ephemeral childhood delight and travel through loneliness and silences and depression into celebrations of passion, sex and love. She finishes with A Quiety Coming of Light, a word picture which is realized to perfection in the beautiful cover photograph of our Pacific rain forest.

Some of us were lucky enough to be present at The Gallery at Artisan Square last Sunday for Jude’s book launch. Poems, songs and more poems: a lovely event.

Jude offers this orientation at the start of the book: Great grief and indigo darkness are the places where you learn what is real. I spent my life searching for a fairy-tale ending to ease my despair. Then one morning the world was swollen with light so bright that I wanted to press it into a golden book of poems. I do not trust each shiny day but am cautiously grateful for my glimpse into the spectacular. These poems are linked by the articulated creature we know as love. They are woven from strands of hard shadow into a collection of observations of a woman no longer on her knees.

That’s a powerful piece of poetic prose, and if you like the wordsmithing here, you will love the poems too.

Jude crafts phrases that do the work that poetry is supposed to do: to invite you stop and take time to reflect. Some examples:

‘vinegar silences’ ‘gather my flock of pain to my breast like stray lambs’, ‘she’s a winter-winged sparrow always waiting for comfort’

FRIDAY MARCH 7 2014 • 9

leopard-print lingerie poem.)

She ranges from the bluntness of the woman re-reading her suicide notes, ‘squint[ing] at yesterday’s sorrow like it’s a mouse turd found under the sink’ (“Ties That Bind”) To her phantom pregnancy poem, “Wishful Thinking”: ‘One little problem I have been tied up in fallopian knots for decades to avoid all the fuss of spillage and leaks.’

Every word is weighed and does its work.

There is nothing superfluous here. The poem “An Avalanche” starts: She can’t close her eyes but to see him floating, hair caught with ice, anchored to this heartbreak like a star.

Her hands clamp shut silent pleas of if only.

Anyone who knows, or can imagine, such devastating loss will be grateful for the breathtakingly accurate crystallization of the experience in these few, well chosen words.

I think Jude’s poems appeal to women especially, because of their stark and knowing honesty and because they celebrate woman power: ‘I was the one who broke both your knees with one glance’ (“The Affair”)

One of 61 unsigned mini masterpieces that will be auctioned off this weekend at the Bowen Island Arts Council Mini Gala.

Bowen Island Arts Council, photo

It’s perhaps more impressive that they appeal to men too. Sir Andrew Motion, past British Poet Laureate, praises Jude’s blend of “formal control and emotional weight” and commends the apparent simplicity of the poems.

Jude admits in the very first poem of this collection to having a “weakness” for “hanging her childhood out to dry.”

We are grateful to her for this “weakness” in sharing her special vision of life with us.

Doors Open at 8:00 Presentation from 8:30 – 10:00 am

BIM Council Chambers

And from the poem “After Birth”, on the gulf between mother and grown-up child: ‘You sound so happy and full as a wren’s nest’ While unspoken mother-love is like ‘a small piece of grit in the eye.’

Jude’s trademarks are a tension between delicacy and power, between obliqueness and honesty, between unmawkish sorrow and ironic humour at her own expense. (Check out the

DOC MORGAN’S PUB & RESddy’sTADaUyRwitAhNusT! Celebrate St. Pa Irish dinner entrees Irish cocktails green beer decorations and Irish music Luck of the Irish prizes

Daily specials not applicable during holidays/events.

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Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club AGM Sunday, March 9, at 2 PM People considering membership in the BIFWC are welcome to attend our AGM at 2 PM, Sunday, March 9, in the Bill Rush Memorial Classroom in the hatchery. Parking is available on Mount Gardner Road across from the Public Works Yard and Gas Station.

Refreshments will be available.

The AGM will include a tour of the Terminal Creek Salmon Hatchery and experienced volunteers will be on hand to answer questions.

TUESDAY MARCH 11, 2014 8:00 AM – 10: 00 AM 2013 ANNUAL REPORT & 2014 ACTION PLAN PRESENTATION By the Economic Development Committee (EDC)

Coffee & Muffins Included

Share Your Ideas!

Be Part of these Exciting Initiatives for Bowen

Come learn what the EDC accomplished in 2013 and what the committee has planned for 2014. Council’s 2013 Strategic Plan states that there is a need to “create a climate for the private sector to do business in a way TUESDAY that generates local economic development and helps our local businesses to thrive.” March 11, 2014 Find out what the strategy of the EDC and Council has been to date and how they 8:00am - 10:00am plan to accomplish economic development goals and objectives in the years to come.

BIM Council

Please RSVP to ed@bimbc.ca

by Friday, March 7, 2014

Chambers

10 • FRIDAY MARCH 7 2014

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12 • FRIDAY MARCH 7 2014

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Gymnastics club hosts first meet DEBRA STRINGFELLOW CONTRIBUTOR

On Saturday March 1st the Bowen Island Gymnastics Club (BIGC) hosted their first ever invitational meet with 70 competitors participating from clubs such as Pemberton, Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver and of course Bowen Island.

Proud parents looked on as eighteen excited young islanders represented the BIGC showing off their skills while being judged for their efforts in a friendly competition held at the Bowen Island Community School gym.

The meet consisted of four events: floor, uneven bars, bal-

ance beam and vault.

“For many gymnasts it was their first competition ever and all gymnasts received recognition medals and outstanding event awards,” explains Lisa Bullock, Program Director.

BIGC was formed in March 2004 and currently has 120 members with a variety of programs to suit different levels of experience. This organization caters to ages starting as young as 2 right through to 18 years of age.

BIGC is a registered non-profit society who relies on volunteers and donations. This event was also a fundraiser for the club, they raffled-off 2 large gift baskets filled with

From bottom, clockwise: Megan Wall on uneven bars, Mikayla Moldova, Callie Brougham, Carmen Shea Debra Stringfellow, photos

local delicacies and had a fun airplane toss game which proved to be a hit with the kids.

Bullock says shewould like to thank meet volunteer coordinator Karen Shea for all her hard work, all the parent volunteers and junior teen coaches that made this great event possible.

For more information about the club and to register for any spring break camps (March 24, 25, 26 for ages 4-14) check their website at www.bowenislandgymnastics.com.