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Friday, July 4, 2014
Last one in the pool confirmed
Incinerator a burning question in Glenora
Tribes investigating: but a decision on if it even wants to pursue idea yet to be made
Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
Kathy Santini
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ake Cowichan residents are on board with the town’s council about its decision to pay into the Cowichan Aquatic Centre in Duncan. In a non-binding voting process that concluded Wednesday, 251 people were in favour and 63 against the plan to support the pool, amounting to 79.9%. One ballot was spoiled of the 315 cast. “This was such a split issue,’’ said Lake Cowichan Mayor Ross Forrest. “Our council was split on it, too. We just wanted some assistance with the decision. We wanted to ask the public.’’ Residents were given plenty of time to vote. The last day coincided with the deadline for paying property taxes. “They all had an opportunity for quite a long time, four or five months,’’ said Forrest. “When people came in to pay their taxes, they had an opportunity to vote,’’ said Forrest. “They didn’t have to make a special trip if they didn’t want to.’’ Typically, some people voted right away several months ago but many waited till the last minute. Council covered its portion with grant-in-aid money for this year. Next year, Lake residents will pay an additional 75 cents per $100,000 assessed value. Forrest has heard enough and so have many others of the two-tier pay debate. “I’m glad we don’t have to start the conversation over again,’’ he said. “This was decisive enough. The public has said we want to be in, which is good.’’
News Leader Pictorial
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Andrew Leong
Canadian women’s hockey legend and multiple Olympic gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser and Matt Irwin of the San Jose Sharks sign autographs for fans at Cobble Hill Country Grocer on Canada Day.
osters taped on mailboxes in East Glenora stating Cowichan Tribes is “days away,” from approving a garbage incinerator plant on Glenora Road, near the Cowichan Tribes elementary school are untrue, the band’s chief said Wednesday. “We’re just exploring it, we’re in the early stages, there’s nothing definite yet,” said Chief William Seymour. A News Leader Pictorial reader took a picture of the poster — the source of which is unknown — and posted it on Facebook. “The toxic effects from this plant would endanger human health; there is a First Nations’ elementary school and three large housing subdivisions in close proximity,” the poster reads. “Studies have proven increased lung cancer, birth defects and increased incidents of childhood cancers.” The poster encourages locals to send letters of protest to Seymour and Tribes general manager Maureen Tommy. “Children’s lives and your health are at risk,” the poster said. “This is being kept quiet. Cowichan Tribes members are also in the dark...” Seymour said the band is investigating the idea because of the rising costs of garbage removal. The band council is awaiting a report from the Khowutzun Development Corporation before making any decision.
“Tipping fees have gone way up. They’re increasing every three months,” he said. Currently, Cowichan Tribes garbage goes to the Cowichan Valley Regional District transfer facility at Bings Creek, where it is sorted and shipped to Washington state. Former band manager Ernie Elliott, who is steering the project for the KDC could not be reached for comment by press time. But the Cowichan Tribes’ chief said the idea was presented to the CVRD earlier this year. “Glenora Road was identified as a good spot, but we are exploring others,” Seymour said, adding that whatever site is chosen, it needs to be close to a hydro substation. “We’re waiting on the CVRD to see if they will support such a venture,” Seymour said. He added if the CVRD supported the idea, it would have to be reviewed by both the band’s land management and environmental committees before a decision was made. Glenora Area Director Loren Duncan, confirmed the subject had gone before the board earlier this year. “We’ve been discussing that in camera, which means I can’t talk about it,” Duncan said, adding the subject could be on the agenda for the CVRD’s next meeting, July 9. “I can’t tell you why they came to us. It will become evident at a later time.” Legal, land and labour issues usually go in camera, he added. more on page 3
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