Up front: RCMP increasing roadside presence over the holidays The big event: Nativity re-enacted in North and South Cowichan
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Friday, December 19, 2014
Andrew Leong
Conductor Carolyn Taylor, Ol’ St. Nick, and Engineer Ron Cooke greet waiting passengers as the train pulls into Alderlea Station Sunday during the ongoing Christmas Express event at B.C. Forest Discovery Centre. The train continues making its holiday-themed run until Dec. 23.
Iconic cross returning to Mount Tzouhalem lookout The people have spoken: Refurbished landmark headed back to peak after clear majority lobbies for its return John McKinley
News Leader Pictorial
T
he people have spoken. The Nature Conservancy of Canada has listened. The cross is being returned to its perch high atop Mount Tzouhalem. The NCC announced its decision Tuesday after taking a few weeks to consult with the community. “There was definitely a strong indication from the community that this is what they wanted,” NCC B.C. communications manager Lesley Neilson said. “It verified our common feeling on the ground.” Jack Pearce, who helped get the cross repaired last month, was happy to hear about the decision. He said it was the decision he expected, especially when he heard the type of
feedback the NCC had been getting. “I didn’t see any problem with it,” he said. Neilson said more than 150 individuals contacted the NCC about the cross. The clear majority — about 80% — were in favour of reinstalling the stark white metal icon. “Not everyone had the same reason for wanting to see the cross go back up — some value its religious symbolism, some see the cross as an important community landmark, and others enjoy having it as a unique destination to hike to,” Neilson said. “Those opposed to restoring the cross also had varied reasons for their perspective. Preferring to see a natural site unadorned, wanting a different symbol to top the cliffs and suggesting interpretive signage were the most frequent alternatives
John McKinley/file
The silhouette of the Tzouhalem cross is expected to make its return for photo ops in the near future. offered.” cross to many of the Tribes’ memThe NCC also approached members,” Neilson said. bers of the Cowichan Tribes, includShe added there is no firm timetable ing Chief William Seymour, directly for the return of the cross. It will be for their opinion. relatively soon, but probably not “(Seymour) strongly stated and before Christmas — whenever the spoke about the importance of the weather and Pearce’s schedule allow.
“We’re really following his lead. We’re not the ones driving this initiative,” she said. “It needs to be warmer and drier.” Pearce, who hasn’t been up to the site since installing the cross nearly 30 years ago, said it is ready to go and he has all the help he needs. Installation is just a matter of getting everyone together when Mother Nature co-operates. Members of Cowichan Tribes and the St. Ann’s Church parish are expected to join Pearce and Nature Conservancy staffers to deliver and mount the icon. Pearce said work will basically entail reworking the concrete base, pouring new forms and affixing the cross. Everything is being done through donated parts and labour. The cross toppled from its perch during a November windstorm, not long after members of the public had expressed concern about its deteriorating base. more on page 9