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Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Economic-development boss leaving the office Geoff Millar: Plans to retire in September after 14 years of helping brand and grow Warm’s Land’s unique businesses and lifestyle Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
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Andrew Leong
The appropriately-named Cruz Lendrum, 5, would probably like to take a cruise while checking out a 1935 Chev Coupe, owned by Lloyd Neville of Victoria, with Nathan Erving, 9, at the 15th-annual Beverly Corners Show and Shine at the Cowichan Sportsplex Sunday.
Rock quarry raises concerns
Richards Trail: Council debates staff and citizen issues at a meeting today Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
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ust say ‘No’ to a proposed gravel pit on Richards Trail. That’s what some North Cowichanians are urging council to do during today’s board meeting — before handing their ruling to B.C.’s pit-licensing mines ministry. Local folks, and municipal planner Scott Mack’s report to council, lists concerns about Richards Trail property owner Catherine Pastula’s recent public notice of application for a mines permit to build a rock quarry on Pastula Farms. Mack’s report to council is being discussed at today’s 1:30 p.m. meeting. Council’s deadline for comments — about the proposed quarry at 7303 Richards Trail — to the Ministry of Energy and Mines is
Thursday (Aug. 21). Worries of Wedderspoon Organic Farm owner Sebastien Martin typify those of locals fearing quarry impacts. His letter paints pictures of an ongoing mess and past blastingexcavation at Pastula Farm while he imagines harm to the mountainside. “This apocalyptic scenario, I am sure, is just an aberration of my creative mind but I would simply dread the apparition of a moonscape that once was a productive, active farm,” Martin says. J. Richard Bryan supports a petition against the quarry. “In my opinion, the risks far outweigh the potential values of the (quarry) as outlined in the application,” Bryan says, citing safety and watershed worries, taxpayer costs for any clean-up, and more. Mack stresses the ministry has the final say on licensing the
Pastula quarry, though council’s comments were requested by Victoria — comments mines’ chief inspector may write into the licence, if approved. Mack notes North Cowichan’s bylaw controls quarrying of up to 300 cubic metres of sand, gravel or rock per land parcel, or 60 cubic metres per acre per year. But Pastula Farm owners plan to quarry upward of 100,000 cubic metres — 25,000 cubic metres per year — Mack notes. His report tells council of staff and citizen worries about blasting noise; the quarry being inconsistent with the rural, farming area; increased traffic and safety woes on the narrow rural road; potential harm to well drinking water and Richards Creek watershed; lost property values; impacts on Richards Mountain’s beauty; and a lack of public consultation. more on page 5
owichan’s economic development manager is branding himself ‘Retired.’ Geoff Millar, 67, has served notice to the Cowichan Valley Regional District — for which he helped engineer its logo brand — he aims to leave Economic Development Cowichan by September’s end. His 14 years with the region have seen Millar help form the EDC, expand his staff, and try to grow the Warm Land’s business climate to fertilize its tax base. “It’s just retirement time for me,” he told the News Leader Pictorial. “I’m looking forward to getting on with the next stage in life, holiday time with my wife and doing a bit of traveling in the province, then determining what’s next on the horizon.’’ With the EDC’s budget now at $836,354, including grants, Millar called his legacy “very broad-based.” “I like to think when I came here, the Cowichan Valley was really a group of fairly independent entities that didn’t have any strong economic development or tourism links,” said Millar, who earned $112,275 last year. “Bringing those connections together over the past 14 years has really paid dividends for the region.” So did the Cowichan brand. “Our branding has really been something that’s been exciting. “It started when I got there and continues strongly now. We have close to 200 community groups and local government using the Cowichan brand — and that extends our reach into many different areas and makes those who use it an ambassador for the valley.” He helped promote the valley in various trade shows while commissioning studies and economic strategies. “We have several projects under way which will continue to knit all the parts
Buy a Teen Burger ® on Thursday, August 21st and $1 will go to help end MS
Outgoing EDC manager Geoff Millar.
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of the region together,” he said, citing regional community profiles of Cowichan’s unique areas and sub-regions. By year’s end, those community profiles will help streamline governmentfunding criterion, he hoped. “We’re looking to get a really true understanding of each of our municipal and local areas, and First Nations, so we have a clearer understanding of what we’ve got in our region.” Understanding global-warming’s local effects falls under a climate-adaptation strategy. “It holds great promise for us to develop the agricultural economy in the Cowichan region.” EDC’s results, he said, are partly filtered through CVRD’s corporate strategic plan. “We report our efforts to (regional services manager) Jacob Ellis, and he reports back to the board on all accomplishments and goals achieved,” said Millar, as some residents and politicians question the EDC’s effectiveness under his watch. But Millar defended notions EDC studies just gather dust. “We can’t afford to do that (waste money) anymore, and it’s just not responsible.” more on page 5