THURSDAY December 18, 2014 Vol. 29• No. 101 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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City social media team shines during storm Terry Farrell
Record Staff
Eight-year-old Comox girl makes a CD ..... Page 3
The City of Courtenay’s new social media team was christened in the most critical of ways last week, and it came away with a top-notch effort. “The word ‘team’ kind of makes me giggle a little bit,” said Anne Guillo, whose full-time job is as the communications co-ordinator for the City of Courtenay. “It’s a small team. There are really only two of us – myself and my colleague, Lisa Zervakis.” Zervakis also has other responsibilities with the City, when not on social media “duty”.
Consistent and continuous connection with residents during state of emergency She is the community services clerk. “We have been using Facebook and Twitter since September – we launched (those accounts) along with the new website (www.courtenay.ca), so we have both been working on it for all that time – but this [storm] was the first crisis communication using social media,” said Guillo. Team; pair; duo – whatever term is used, they did a commendable job keeping the com-
munity informed during the Dec. 8-10 storms that put the city of Courtenay into a state of emergency. Guillo and Zervakis were responsible for getting the information from “ground zero” to the masses. As roads and trails closed, as flooding increased and as evacuation notices were issued, it was the city social media team’s responsibility to get the word out to the community.
COAT DRIVE
“You never can predict when something like this is going to happen,” said Guillo. “Our goal was to just provide the best information, as quickly as we could, using the information (sources) that we had.” Those sources included the likes of GIS (mapping) technician Julia Machin. “(She) was so helpful and quick with creating updated road closure maps, evacuation zones, etc,” said Guillo. “These maps were a great visual tool, which we posted both on social media and on the website.”
... see CITY ■ 45
‘Well-loved’ teacher hit-and-run victim Erin Haluschak Record Staff
Vandals target tree farm cross; huge reward offered for info ..... Page 7 The City social media team was nothing short of sensational in keeping Courtenay residents informed during the storms. Mother Nature is not being helpful at all to Vancouver Island skiers. Still no opening date in sight for Mount Washington.
BRIAN
PHOTO BY ERIN HALUSCHAK
Jade Hansen (middle) along with her sister and Brent Hobden from the Salvation Army are surrounded by the piles of coats and warm clothing collected Monday during their one-day outer clothing drive to give to those in need in the Comox Valley last month. Staff at Cumberland Regional Laundry volunteered to launder all of the donated items before they are passed along to the Salvation Army for distribution.
DL8379
McLEAN
Toyota cmyk
2145 Cliffe Avenue • Courtenay • 250-334-2425 • www.brianmclean.ca
The cyclist involved in a fatal hit-and-run Monday night in Fanny Bay has been identified as Paul Bally, a longtime teacher at Lake Trail School in Courtenay. The 48-year-old was travelling along Highway 19A near Curran Road when he was struck by a vehicle going southbound on the highway. Sherry Elwood, superintendent of School District 71, said resources were enacted for students, staff and the community as soon as they found out who was involved. A critical incidence response was triggered where the district gathers a team of professionals who have specific training, Elwood explained. “In this case, we deployed a team of school-based counsellors and some senior leaders and some leaders from other school buildings who were familiar with Lake Trail.”
... see BALLY ■ 9