Lake Cowichan Gazette, February 24, 2016

Mardi Gras: Students man grills for schoolwide pancakes PAGE 8

Forum: CVRD, First Nation lay common ground PAGE 3

Gazette

Health team: It’s not all kale and spinach says dietician PAGE 9

The Lake Cowichan

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2016

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2 Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | www.lakecowichangazette.com

Arts Council for Lake draws little interest JAMES GOLDIE GAZETTE

Painters, actors, calligraphers, weavers, carvers — if it’s an artistic medium, there are likely practitioners in the Cowichan Lake district. And soon area artists will have access to new funding from the Cowichan Valley Region District, although first they must come together and form an arts and culture council.

On Feb. 22, the CVRD hosted its first public meeting on the plan to establish a Cowichan Lake Arts and Culture Council.

John Elzinga, general manager of community services for the CVRD, presented an overview of the arts council idea, which took root last year.

“In April of 2015 a report was brought to the CVRD board proposing the establishment of a single arts and culture authority for the entire region. The board liked the proposal but not that way. They preferred to move more toward a sub-regional approach,” he said.

Consequently, new arts councils will be formed in the Cowichan Lake and South Cowichan districts, adding to the three existing arts councils in the Cowichan

Kirsten Schrader, manager of the CVRD’s arts and culture division.

Valley in Ladysmith, Chemainus and Duncan.

By the end of 2015, a new arts and culture service was adopted by the CVRD and has a maximum tax requisition of $130,000 annually, which will be drawn from all nine electoral areas and four municipalities. Of these funds, $50,000 will be divided between the five sub-regional councils based on the property assess-

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the CVRD’s arts and culture division, acknowledged culture can be a problematic term to define.

“There isn’t enough time or funding to cover all of culture.

Sport is culture, language is culture — it doesn’t go that broad for the purposes of this project at this time,” she told the audience.

“It’s the cultural arts. It’s the arts side of culture that we’re limiting this to.”

Some of the people present were members of the Kaatza Art Group, and Pauline Thompson (the group’s treasurer and also a member of the Cowichan Valley Community Radio Society) expressed her excitement about the possibilities the arts council presents.

She emphasized that the Kaatza Art Group is not a registered society, it’s a collective of about 15 artists who organize and host local events.

“We figured, well gee whiz, there are enough artists in this area that we could possibly get something on the go like this,” she said.

The next public meeting about the arts council initiative is Monday, Feb. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena.

◆ ON AIR

JAMES GOLDIE GAZETTE

Country Grocer Conference Room

A Special Hwy 18 Thanks!

ments from their areas.

Ladysmith and District will receive $8,500; Chemainus Valley will received $5,000; Cowichan Valley (the central council, based in Duncan) will receive $19,000; South Cowichan will receive $12,000; and Cowichan Lake will receive $5,500.

But accessing those funds in the Cowichan Lake district means establishing a suitable

arts council.

“We can’t just hand a group a pot of money without having some criteria or expectations,” said Elzinga.

The Cowichan Lake Arts Council must be a non-profit society, include a range of members (people from all around the lake area, not just Lake Cowichan), work with children, offer at least one free event for the community each year, and collaborate with the other sub-regional arts councils.

The council must incorporate programming from at least three different artistic genres (for example: music, visual arts, theatre), and also operate a permanent space somewhere in the region.

Turnout at Tuesday’s meeting was low with six community members (including Area I director Klaus Kuhn) in attendance.

One audience member asked how the CVRD is defining “culture” for the purposes of these councils.

“For each of the arts councils, the definition of culture is going to come from that community,” said Elzinga.

Kirsten Schrader, manager of

The Town of Lake Cowichan wants the provincial government to reinstate a program aimed at helping rejuvenate local business areas.

At the Feb. 9 economic and sustainable development committee meeting, committee members approved a resolution for the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities to petition the province to re-implement a grant prog ram that provided financial assistance to businesses.

The funding — up to $20,000 annually per local g ove r n m e n t — wo u l d enable small businesses to undertake improvements to building facades, signage and siding.

The prog ram is still offered to municipalities and regional districts in the province’s northeast, northwest, Prince George and Cariboo-Chilcotin/Lillooet regions.

AVICC’s annual general meeting will be held in Nanaimo from April 8 to 10.

The town hopes the return of such a program would incentivize local business

Coun. Tim McGonigle owners to spruce up the exteriors of their buildings and improve the overall appearance of downtown Lake Cowichan.

H owe ve r, C o u n . T i m McGonigle did acknowledge some businesses are renting space and therefore have no control over the actual building.

In 2011, the town implemented a tax exemption program to encourage similar downtown improvements. “[The town] saw this as an opportunity for properties that made improvements to their buildings, they would then get a tax exemption for five years for that portion that was improved,” said Joseph Fernandez, chief administrative officer.

But the program flopped with no businesses signing up.

“I’m not sure if it was misinformation or not actually understanding the program,” said McGonigle, stating it was designed to alleviate fears of property owners who worry that improvements would result in a higher property assessment which, in turn, would result in higher taxes.”

“This was an avenue to afford them the [ability] to enhance their appearance without seeing that impact.

And I don’t think businesses understood the program,” he said.

There are currently no plans to bring back this tax exemption program.

Grade 4 and 5 students recorded radio plays that will broadcast this week. [GAZETTE FILE]

Radio plays hit the air Wednesday, Saturday The radio plays performed

by Lindsay Hartshorn’s Grade 4 and 5 students and recorded

by Radio Cowichan at the end of January will air this week on 97.5 FM. T une in on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. or Saturday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. to hear their renditions of Bob the Snowman and Snowflake Bentley.

Radio Cowichan, which is located on the Lake Cowichan School campus in the former band building, offers opportunities to work with students of all ages who have an interest in radio.

www.lakecowichangazette.com | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | Wednesday, February 24, 2016 3

◆ B.C. PARKS

Lake camp spot one of priciest in the province

◆ COMMUNITIES CONNECT

JOHN MCKINLEY BLACK PRESS

The Cowichan Valley Regional District presented the Lake Cowichan First Nation with a photograph of the lake as part of the Community to Community Forum held Feb. 19. From left: Chief Cyril Livingstone, Coun. Carole Livingstone, Coun. Melanie Livingstone, CVRD board chairperson Jon Lefebure. [AARON HAMILTON PHOTO]

Forum lays common ground JAMES GOLDIE GAZETTE

The Lake Cowichan First Nation and the Cowichan Valley Regional District have laid the foundation for what both groups hope will be a healthy future working relationship.

“I think it’s important to have relationships with your [regional] counterparts for the very reason that we all live in the same area,” said Aaron Hamilton, operations manager for the Lake Cowichan First Nation.

“As you progress on any developments — whether it’s economic developments, a stand on land use planning, whether it’s to do with cultural awareness — you want to have that awareness of each other so you know you have support when required.”

On Friday, the First Nation and the CVRD came together for a Community to Community Forum with the goal of identifying their shared values. This process will ultimately contribute to establishing a protocol document later this year on how both groups work together. Such a document will inform new employees, councillors and directors at both organizations.

“More than anything this is just to formalize a process that’s already existed,” said Hamilton.

According to Hamilton, the Lake Cowichan First Nation had been

meeting with the CVRD for similar discussions in 2014, but changes in staff put those talks on the back burner.

Brian Carruthers, the CVRD’s chief administrative officer, said while he and Hamilton have since been meeting administratively, they felt it was time to bring together elected officials from the First Nation and the regional district.

“We just felt this was a great opportunity to bring our elected bodies together and for them to get to know each other and for them to start talking as governance bodies,” said Carruthers, noting that there wasn’t one specific issue acting as a catalyst for the forum.

“We’re just fleshing out some opportunities that we could pursue, some mutual interests in terms of parks and economic development opportunities, that kind of thing,” he said.

The CVRD gave a presentation, sharing its strategic plan and priorities and outlining its organizational structure, responsibilities and services. The Lake Cowichan First Nation provided a similar presentation about their own organization and community.

“We just hope both parties leave with a better understanding of each other as to what our goals are,” said Carruthers.

The Community to Community Forum program was first launched

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B.C. is home to a dozen “premier” provincial family campgrounds.

A quarter of them are within a three-hour drive from each other, right here on Vancouver Island.

The new B.C. Parks fee schedule for 2016 was released last week. It shows three Island campgrounds on an exclusive list of the most expensive camping stays in the province.

Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville, Gordon Bay on Cowichan Lake and Goldstream just north of Victoria each charge a B.C. provincial park high of $35 per party per night. Miracle Beach, partway between Comox and Campbell River, just missed the cut at $33.

“The three parks mentioned are amongst the most developed and popular in the system,” Ministry of Environment officials said in an emailed statement. “Their fees are in line with other top-tier flagship parks.”

The ministry states 21 million B.C. park visits — including day trips — per year create an increased demand for services and the fees help sustain the expected visitor experience. A $60 million investment in improvements during the past five years was also pointed to as a factor.

“The appeal of British Columbia’s treasured parks is reflected in the growing number of visitors who come from around the province, and the world, to enjoy them,” Minister Mary Polak said. “We are ensuring BC Parks continue to offer a high level of service, as well as enhanced facilities, for the public to enjoy now and for many generations to come.”

Longtime Nanaimo NDP MLA Leonard Krog said demand is no excuse for high fees. “[Camping] fees were never designed for that, just like MSP was never designed to cover the cost of health care,” Krog said.

“It should be available to the public at reasonable or no cost,” he said. “I just think it’s outrageous that B.C. families can’t afford to camp at B.C. parks. That was always the cheap holiday for low-income families.”

Krog said a succession of NDP and Social Credit governments always understood the parks system was about providing a public amenity, something he thinks has been forgotten under the B.C. Liberals.

“Instead, they have just become another commodity,” he said. “Clearly, they just aren’t the priority they once were.”

The new fee schedule arrives with several hikes affecting many B.C. parks — a majority of them $1 or $2. The most significant Island increases involve group camping fees.

The basic family rates at some of the Island’s most popular parks, including Goldstream, Rathtrevor and Gordon Bay are not affected by the 2016 wave of increases, but each had rates jacked up by $5 in 2015. The government says the hikes are expected to generate an additional $410, 000, which will be used to subsidize operating and maintenance costs.

2016 overnight fees for other popular provincial family campsites on the Island include Morton Lake, Newcastle Island ($18 per night), Bamberton, Cowichan River, Elk Falls, China Beach, Loveland Bay, Buttle Lake ($20 per night), The reservation system opens again March 15, the same time the fee hikes take effect.

in 1997 with the goal of helping local governments and First Nations better connect. It is funded through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities with support from the provincial government.

The Town of Lake Cowichan and the Lake Cowichan First Nation held a Community to Community Forum in 2013. Hamilton attributed what he described as a “strong relationship” between both groups in part to this forum. He said the town and First Nation still meet annually to keep each other up-to-date with any current or forthcoming projects.

“It gives that heads up so you’re not going into [a project] blind,” said Hamilton.

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4 Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | www.lakecowichangazette.com

TO COMMENT

We welcome your original comments on editorials, columns, on topics in the Lake Cowichan Gazette or any subjects important to you. Only letters that include name, address and day and evening phone numbers and that are veried by the Lake Cowichan Gazette can be considered for publication.

Got a news tip? Email us at: editor@lakecowichangazette.com

OPINION

Letters to the editor and articles submitted to the Lake Cowichan Gazette may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms and will be edited for clarity, grammar and length. Publication is not guaranteed.

Email your thoughts to editor@lakecowichangazette.com or fax it to us at 250-749-4385

Trash: we still throw out too much garbage

While it is great news that the Meade Creek Recycling Centre has been granted $2.56 million in federal Gas Tax Funds for much-needed upgrades to the facility, it is also a reminder that the Cowichan Valley as a whole, including Cowichan Lake, does not have a good, efcient way to dispose of the garbage we produce that cannot be recycled.

In Cowichan, we’ve managed to signicantly cut down on the amount of waste that goes to the landll.

It’s a huge accomplishment for all of our local governments and all of our residents.

But there’s still a big problem with where that landll is located.

For years now we have been sending our garbage to the United States. Quite aside from the problems that can create when the dollar uctuates as it is now, it can also create an out-of-sight, out-of mind attitude.

In 2015 the Cowichan Valley Regional District completed a waste reduction study. Results included the nding that in 2013 “total waste generation rate from all sources in the CVRD was 286kg/per person.

This is the lowest disposal rate ever recorded for the region and 63 per cent lower than the 1990 disposal rate (770kg). In fact, the most recent provincial studies show that the CVRD has the lowest per person disposal rate in B.C.” This is very encouraging news, but by no means should we become complacent.

The study also noted that while the CVRD achieved and even exceeded its goal of reducing per capita waste by 50 per cent by the year 2000, things since then haven’t been as promising.

“Unfortunately, our per capita disposal rate has uctuated in recent years and we haven’t been able to consistently maintain those levels of waste reduction.

Instead, our most recent gures show that people are, on average, throwing out more waste now, than they did 10 years ago,” the report states.

There also remains a big problem in the region with illegal dumping, particularly in rural areas.

The study clearly shows that universal curbside organics collection would make a big difference in diverting a big piece of the waste stream. This is a good, reachable next step in achieving the CVRD’s ultimate goal of zero waste.

Letters to the editor: YOUR SAY

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Letters to the editor are welcome, but writers are requested to keep their submissions to 350 words or less. Keep it local — letters raised in response to issues raised in our pages get top priority. Letters will be edited for clarity, grammar, length — attack the issue, not the individual. All letters must contain the name, address and signature of the writer, and a phone number where they may be reached during business hours. Thank you letters will not normally be considered for publication. editor@lakecowichangazette.com

Complaint about arena upgrade makes no sense Sometimes I am forced to wonder if there is a logic gene that some people are born without.

Mr. Bert Lievre, for example, seems to hold Lake Cowichan’s leadership at fault for finding the funds to upgrade the arena some years ago because today we need a new municipal water filtration system. Am I missing something here?

Yes, less than 100 per cent of our population uses the arena, but the referendum passed pretty handily. We the citizens chose to spend that money, so how does it become the fault of councils past or present? As someone who owned multiple

properties in town at that time I voted with the majority and am more than satisfied with the result.

Further, how can Mr. Lievre complain that council does not spend on infrastructure because of the arena work? That IS infrastructure! One thing that has impressed me in the decade I have lived here is how effectively council has worked to upgrade and improve the fabric of the town itself. I own property in many municipalities and feel that Lake Cowichan is run as well as any of them. If Mr. Lievre disagrees with me he is welcome to examine the stats gathered by the B.C. municipalities that support my position.

Perhaps the problem is that

Mr. Lievre expects instant gratification of every need, but that will not happen without a significant increase in taxes that I doubt he would be prepared to support.

Yes, we need an improved water system, but anyone who actually attends council meetings knows that they are working on the problem, and based on past performance they will find an affordable solution that serves us well. If that is not enough, perhaps Mr. Lievre can take comfort in the knowledge that the solution will undoubtedly cost me more than it does him.

David Lowther Mesachie Lake

Caycuse • Honeymoon Bay • Lake Cowichan • Mesachie Lake • Youbou

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www.lakecowichangazette.com | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | Wednesday, February 24, 2016 5

Street Beat

With Malcolm Chalmers

The Gazette asked: Would you like to see some more snow at the lake before winter is over?

Sian Wagner “Totally, for the kids and the idea that the water has to come down from the snow pack in the spring.”

Brent Harrison “No, because I work in the bush and if it snows we have to work in it.”

Vi Harmon

Kaj Sorensen

Amber Andrews

“Yes, we need it up in hills to help the fish in the spring.”

“Yes I most certainly would, because if we don’t we’ll be having a drought come summertime.”

“It is barely winter here at all, I think we could do without it this year.”

Letters to the editor

Time to take MSP off life support

Wish lists or the health of the community?

T

Thank you for publishing my letter to the editor last week.

I would like to expand on the comments I made.

The mayor and council have often said that they welcome opinions, so I write this letter to offer a suggestion to perhaps address the shortfall in funds to upgrade our water system.

1. Council could publish a list of all the town’s priorities with the dollar figure attached.

2. Council could ask the residents which priority tops the list. (Clean water?)

3. Then council could go to the priorities that they have started saving for and transfer all the

Politicians should be boiling mad about water In the shadow of yet another boil water order, Lake Cowichan town council’s reticence to fund a water treatment plant on the public dime is rightly prudent.

In fairness, the cost of correction should really be borne by the perpetrators of the damage.

When TimberWest acquired the assets of Pacific Forest Products and Fletcher Challenge, they also inherited a portfolio of environmental liabilities.

Cowichan Lake continues to

Pot tax revenue could be even more than stated Re: City wants slice of future pot tax windfall, Citizen, Feb. 19.

I was amused by the comment of Councillor Jackson that “If Colorado is any indication, taxes from these operations in Canada could be in the tens of millions of dollars.”

Actually, a new report from CIBC World Markets says “Can-

monies saved to the top one picked by the residents.

All other “wish list” items should go on the back burner.

For example if the town has a fund to replace the town hall it could be put off for another 10 years or more.

If the town offices are too small I would suggest that one of the many empty commercial building be rented to augment office space.

In simple terms, save and pay (without taxing the residents into the poorhouse) for one important undertaking.

Your call! Wish lists or the health of the community?

Bert Lievre Lake Cowichan

receive sediment loads far out of proportion to what might be expected if the hills were cloaked with healthy forests.

Peripheral feeder stream deltas are dammed with debris.

The lakebed is cloaked in fines.

Downstream, the river is choked with accumulated materials.

Our local politicians should be boiling mad about us having to boil our drinking water and pay for endless remediations!

Roger Wiles North Cowichan

ada’s federal and provincial governments could reap as much as $5 billion annually in tax revenues from the sale of legal marijuana.” That seems a reasonable estimate based on the fact that the government collects in excess of $10 billion per year from liquor sales and $8 billion from cigarettes.

Gale Ludvigsen Duncan

he B.C. Liberal government made a big show of selectively easing Medical Services Plan fees in its budget for the coming election year.

In what is becoming a pattern for Premier Christy Clark, the biggest beneficiaries are single parents. The new MSP is calculated for adults only, so a single parent with two children saves as much as $1,200 a year.

Premium assistance is expanded, with discounts for single people making up to $42,000, rather than $30,000. But for singles, couples and seniors who don’t qualify for discounts, the rate is going up another four per cent effective Jan. 1, 2017.

Indeed, with population growth, the finance ministry expects its take from MSP premiums to rise every year, reaching $2.5 billion in the coming years.

MSP revenue covers about 17 per cent of B.C.’s health budget, and Clark and Finance Minister Mike de Jong insist that Canada’s only direct health care charge is a vital signal to people that health care isn’t free. This argument has failed.

One seldom-discussed fact is that for half of the people charged MSP, it’s paid by their employers. In private sector terms it’s a hefty payroll tax, creating one more obstacle for businesses to hire full-time staff with benefits.

So most full-time employees don’t receive this supposedly vital signal, unless they get laid off because their employer is

Bylaw exemption implies noise I said in my letter to the paper last week [Lake Cowichan Gazette, Wedensday, Feb. 17] that there were 10 generators being placed to pump water over the

By Tom Fletcher

BC Views

losing money.

Also note that politicians and public sector employees have never paid MSP premiums.

Their employers, taxpayers, pick up the tab for them.

People who have to pay out of pocket are what the bureaucracy calls “pay direct accounts.” Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation recently revealed that nearly 400,000 of these accounts are currently in arrears by more than 30 days, owing a grand total of $457 million.

Of course this is Canada, so even if you haven’t paid or even registered for MSP, you still get treatment at the hospital.

Another potential signal lost in the noise.

For people who lose their jobs, MSP is like being kicked when they are down. Their employer stops paying, and the slow-moving bureaucracy charges them based on their income from the previous year.

There was a fuss in 2004 after the B.C. Liberals contracted out MSP administration to a Virginia-based back-office specialist, delightfully named Maximus Corporation.

Now Maximus goes after delinquent MSP accounts with collection agency tactics, and attempts to keep up with the

weir [at Cowichan Lake].

I believe that there is one generator and several pumps that will be running 24/7.

The fact that the town lifted the noise bylaw to accommodate Catalyst still implies that the noise will be loud.

comings and goings from other provinces and countries.

Opposition parties decry the continued inequity of the MSP premium system, which charges the same for a single person making $45,000 or $450,000 a year.

NDP leader John Horgan rails about inequality and accuses Clark of using MSP revenues to establish her prosperity “slush fund,” but he stops short of calling for the elimination of MSP premiums.

One would expect the NDP to lead another “axe the tax” campaign, as they did with the carbon tax and the HST, but they aren’t. Perhaps this is because workers for this unnecessary Maximus machine remain members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union.

Green Party leader Andrew Weaver has it right. He staged a popular petition drive to roll MSP premiums into income tax. If the government wants to send a message, it can interrupt its continuous “Jobs Plan” advertising.

Scrapping MSP and raising income tax rates on higher brackets to compensate would fix the private sector payroll deterrent, make salaried employees (including me) pay their share, and end a tax break for the wealthy.

Don’t hold your breath.

Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press.

Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca Twitter: @tomfletcherbc

By lifting the ban on the noise bylaw there will be no control over the loudness produced by these machines.

I still object to this process!

Georgie Clark Lake Cowichan

6 Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | www.lakecowichangazette.com

HOMETOWN Hero

Animal rescue pair are heroes to the community PAULINE CAMPBELL SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

W

ell, it’s that time again. Time to celebrate another local Radio Cowichan Hometown Hero. February’s Hometown Heroes are Mick and Barb Bedard, from the Lake Cowichan Animal Rescue.

Mick and Barb have been with the Lake Cowichan Animal Rescue since six months shy of the society’s inception, 10 years ago. Mick was raised in the Lake Cowichan area and Barb in Youbou.

They have been married for 41 years and are parents to two children. They are also the proud pet parents to five cats and two dogs.

Mick and Barb single handedly oversee all aspects of the organization and are helped by approximately nine active volunteers.

In the almost 10 years the couple has worked with the organization between 1,000 and 1,500 animals have been placed in forever homes.

The duties that fill the Bedards’ and the volunteers’ time include fostering, vet visits, the spay and neuter program for both feral and low-income subsided animals, transporting animals to Pet Smart in Duncan where the animals are showcased for public adoptions, bookkeeping, and fundraising to name a few.

Barb does the bookkeeping for the society and her favorite thing to do is to care for newborn kittens. Mick enjoys running the errands and dealing with all aspects

of the Pet Smart adoption programs. You will see them rain or shine with their raffle table at the entrance of Country Grocer on a regular basis along with volunteers and their daughter Terrie. For Mick and Barb the Lake Cowichan Animal Rescue has become a full time job and a lifetime passion.

Other than the endless commitment to this important cause, most impressive is the scope of services the Lake Cowichan Animal Rescue provides to its footprint area, which extends from Skutz Falls through Lake Cowichan to Youbou, Honeymoon Bay and Mesache Lake. It is worth one’s while, not only to check out the society’s website at www.lakecowichananimalrescue.com or its Facebook page, but also to support this incredible grassroots society with cash, donations, or volunteer hours.

A big thank you to Lake Cowichan’s Pet Emporium, your local destination for your pets needs and for a generous donation to the society under the Hometown Hero umbrella.

A belated thank you to Country Grocer for their donation of a gift card to last month’s Hometown Hero. Don’t forget to give a listen to Radio Cowichan on its new location, 97.5 FM, which can now be received throughout Lake Cowichan, Youbou, Honeymoon Bay and Mesachie Lake.

Pauline Campbell staffs Radio Cowichan’s Public Affairs desk.

Alistair MacGregor

Member of Parliament Cowichan - Malahat - Langford

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Michael Bedard, left, and his wife, Barb, and their canine companions Buffy and Jasmine.

[JAMES GOLDIE/GAZETTE]

CVRD moves to axe print ads ROBERT BARRON CITIZEN

A proposal by the Cowichan Valley Regional District to change the way it advertises its public notices is raising concerns in the local seniors community.

The CVRD wants an amendment to the Local Government Act that would replace the mandatory requirement to place public notification advertisements in local newspapers.

The district is recommending that the province adopt a new policy that would enable local governments to choose their own manner of providing public notice “tailored to best serve their local communities.”

The rationale behind the proposed amendment, which will be sent to the next convention of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities for consideration, is that advertising the notices in local newspapers “can be very challenging” for regional districts, since newspaper circulation areas do not necessarily align with regional district boundaries.

The ongoing closure of many regional papers is also a factor in this initiative, the CVRD says.

But many local seniors, who aren’t computer literate and rely on their local newspapers for information, are concerned about the move.

Vicki Holman, executive director of the Cowichan Seniors Community Foundation, said the proposed amendment indicates a “disregard” by the CVRD of the seniors in the district.

“Many seniors are not connected online and still look to the newspapers for information that’s important to them,” Holman said.

“If they take the public notices out of the local newspapers, many of our seniors will be oblivious to what the regional district is doing, including its hospital development programs which are very important to seniors.”

But Ian Morrison, the CVRD’s director for Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls, said the intent of the initiative is not to constrict the availability of public notices, but to make it easier for the public to access them.

“I don’t know if the intent of this is stop the mandatory requirement that all public notices must be placed in local newspapers,” Morrison said.

“There is a high readership of newspapers here, so it makes sense to continue placing public notices in the newspapers where it’s practical. But it’s a fact that some local papers, like the Nanaimo Daily News, are now gone and we have to consider other means to get these notices out there.”

Morrison said using online and other sources would greatly enhance the district’s communication abilities.

He said the initiative still has to get through several layers of bureaucracy before any changes are considered in the Local Government Act. It must first be debated and passed by the AVICC and then the Union of B.C. Municipalities before any negotiations with the government would begin.

www.lakecowichangazette.com | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | Wednesday, February 24, 2016 7

MINOR HOCKEY

Lakers capture tournament gold Host Lake Cowichan squad beats Semiahmoo Arrows 12-10 in high-scoring championship final JAMES GOLDIE GAZETTE

T

he Daly’s Auto Centre atoMc Lakers won gold Sunday at the Lake Cowichan and District Minor Hockey Association’s invitational atom tournament.

The Lakers beat Semiahmoo Arrows 12-10 in the gold-medal game at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena.

A total of eight teams from across Vancouver Island and the mainland took part.

“It’s awesome. I’m just proud of the kids. They’ve all worked really hard all year,” said Lakers head coach Erik Andersen, who attributed the team’s success to the players’ dedication and perseverance.

“I always tell them it’s 90 per cent hard work and 10 per cent talent. You gotta work hard. If you don’t work hard you won’t win games. That’s our whole motto. And they just play hard, they all do.”

The Lakers and the Arrows both made it to the final round Sunday afternoon undefeated, and while it was a fast-paced, with the Lakers capturing the title in the high-scoring final.

“They almost came back on us there in the third period,” said Andersen. “They had a couple of quick goals there and I got a little worried at that point, but our kids came through in the end.

So it worked out OK!” The Lakers have not lost a league game yet this year and have just one more before playoffs start at the beginning of March.

“The kids all work hard. They all have fun,” said Andersen. “I’m just really proud of the kids.”

Team manager Connie Vaughan echoed Andersen’s sentiments.

“They played as a team once again and that’s how they got where they are. Hard work and dedication and team work,” she said.

Vaughan said she was also very impressed with the other teams.

“The sportsmanship of the entire tournament, all the teams, it was great seeing all the kids on the ice playing together and then off the ice being in the arena

The Daly’s Auto Centre atoMc Lakers pose with the trophy and medals after capturing top spot in the Lake Cowichan and District Minor Hockey Association’s annual invitational atom tourney on Sunday at Cowichan Lake Sports Arena. The Lakers defeated the Semiahmoo Arrows 12-10 in the championship game. [PHOTO SUBMITTED] together,” she said.

The tournament was, in part, to raise money for the atom team’s year-end tournament in Comox.

Each game both teams select a most valuable player and a “digger” (chosen for their persistence throughout the game).

The Lakers’ MVP for the final game was goalie Tyler St. James.

The digger for that game was right wing Jakeb Shand.

Shand, who scored four times during the weekend, was thrilled with the team’s performance and the opportunity to raise the tournament trophy overhead.

“It feels great,” he said.

Shand said he and his teammates have been working on their passing skills all season.

“We weren’t good at doing that to start with, so I think passing was the biggest [improvement],” he said. His personal highlight from the weekend: breaking out of a slump.

“I had a four-game slump before our second game so that made me pretty happy,” he said.

Daily Auto Centre atoMc Lakers forward Richard Bergman fires a shot during a 12-10 win Sunday over the Semiahmoo Arrows at Cowichan Lake Sports Arena. [JAMES GOLDIE/GAZETTE]

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8 Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | www.lakecowichangazette.com

School-wide pancakes for Mardi Gras STORY AND PHOTOS BY JAMES GOLDIE

Mauricio Martinez quickly becomes a pancake-flipping pro.

Above, left: Ronaldo Huang, is an international student from China and his classmate, Ander Lopez, is from Spain.

Above, right: Teacher Beverly McCarron, in a white mask and green feathers, poses with her international students in the Lake Cowichan School kitchenette where the group is making pancakes as part of a Mardi Gras celebration.

On Feb. 9, students at Lake Cowichan School donned bright masks and shiny, colourful beads in celebration of Mardi Gras — also known by its English translation “Fat Tuesday” — a wild, carnival-like party held every year in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Once a Christian holiday, Mardi Gras takes place just before the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday during which many observers give up a vice or perform some other act of penance.

Today, Mardi Gras is primarily associated with costumes, music and partying. Many people eat pancakes on this holiday, which originally represented a kind of final fatty treat before the self-imposed restrictions of Lent.

Hosting a school-wide pancake lunch was the idea of teacher Beverley McCarron.

“I did this with the international students about four years ago and it’s just a really great way to build community,”

she said. “I proposed the idea to my international students [this year] and so they are making and serving pancakes for the whole school today.”

McCar ron said her international students — who come from China, Japan, Mexico and Spain — have worked hard to bring the Cajun festivities to LCS. “I think the whole school got to enjoy free pancakes and learn about a different tradition that maybe is their first time to understand what Mardi Gras is because definitely the town of Lake Cowichan wouldn’t be celebrating Mardi Gras.”

Ronaldo Huang, an international student from China who arrived in Lake Cowichan last February, said he enjoyed the day’s festivities.

“This is my first time [making pancakes],” he said. “It’s not easy and not really difficult.”

His classmate, Ander Lopez, is from Spain and began studying at Lake Cowichan School in September. He was also making pancakes for the first time and echoed Huang’s sentiments.

Scouts thankful for community support JAMES GOLDIE GAZETTE

Lake Cowichan’s Boy Scout troop was only formed in 2015, but thanks to the generous support of community members and area businesses, the group now has equipment it would have otherwise taken years of fundraising to purchase.

Most recently, the g roup received two large wooden boxes built by South Shore Cabinetry and decorated by a local artist.

“When I was a scout we had tool boxes, so it was just an idea,” said Dave Mountain, the troop scouter for the 1st Lake Cowichan Scout Group. “Everyone in this town’s been helping us so I asked the cabinetry shop and they said they’d be more than happy to make two for us.”

Mountain found the designs on Pinterest and knew right away it would be perfect for his group’s camping trips. The boxes open on both sides, with both doors folding down and functioning as countertops — one for the camp stove, the over for a wash basin where dishes can be cleaned.

Inside the box is a series of small compartments to hold all the troop’s camping necessities, par-

“It’s part of the reason I brought the company here, to give everybody a little bit of an idea of what we can do in private business to be able to help out the community.”

STEPHEN LEES, South Shore Cabinetry

ticularly cooking implements.

“It’s an easier way to pack-in and pack-out, instead of having all these different boxes of pots and pans and things. Everything is stored in there, so when you’re camping all you have to do is grab that and go,” said Mountain.

He said he gave the designs to South Shore Cabinetry and they did the rest.

Owner Stephen Lees said offering his support to the Scouts was a no-brainer.

“We typically like to do things for the community as sort of a community service thing,” he said. “It’s part of the reason I brought the company here, to give everybody a little bit of an idea of what we can do in private business to be able to help out the

community.”

South Shore Cabinetry has been in Lake Cowichan for three years, during which time its space has doubled in size and its staff has grown to 13 people.

Lees said that while it was their first time building something like the utility boxes, it wasn’t difficult.

“I think it will be a versatile unit for the kids,” he said.

The boxes were decorated with 1st Lake Cowichan Scouts’ logo by artist Zak Stolk who donated his time and services.

Mountain expressed his gratitude to Lees, Stolk and all the other community members and businesses that have donated goods and services to the troop.

He also commended several larger companies outside of Lake Cowichan for their donations.

“Everything for the kids to use.

We’ve got 30 fishing rods to take the kids fishing. We’re going to be getting archery equipment from them. We got paddles and lifejackets and emergency kits for the canoes,” said Mountain.

“They’ve been phenomenal.”

Later this month the troop heads to Mount Washington for a winter camping trip.

South Shore Cabinetry built two special boxes for the local Boy Scouts for use during camping trips. [JAMES GOLDIE/GAZETTE]

www.lakecowichangazette.com | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | Wednesday, February 24, 2016 9

HEALTH Team

Bronwyn Coyne is a registered dietitian with the Cowichan Lake Primary Healthcare team. She works with clients to set and achieve their nutritional goals.

[JAMES GOLDIE/GAZETTE]

Dietician: It’s not just all kale and spinach JAMES GOLDIE GAZETTE

B

ronwyn Coyne has had an interest in nutrition since high school when she was involved in sports.

“I’ve always loved food. It’s an area that meets all aspects of a person’s life, so you can really affect change in a lot of different ways by changing your diet or just having those conversations with people around nutrition,” she said.

“I just love talking about it. I like to know what people think about food and ways you can help them change that.”

This is a big part of what she does as a registered dietitian with the Cowichan Lake primary healthcare team: one-on-

one counselling, during which Coyne starts by learning who her client is.

“You want to find out what’s going on in their whole life a little bit because those things affect food,” she said. “Then usually I try to get an idea of what they eat in a day or a week. And from there we try to work on what their goals are because not everyone has the same goal around nutrition and eating.”

Coyne and her colleagues take a team-based approach to healthcare, with each team member providing a different perspective on a client’s health and wellbeing. Their services are free and available to any adult living with a chronic disease or condition — anything from arthritis to dia-

Meet the team: Following the loss of Lake Cowichan’s only doctor, a primary healthcare team was set up to help fill the gap. Over the next three issues, the Lake Cowichan Gazette will feature profiles on each of the team members. betes to anxiety and depression.

The team wants to keep barriers to accessing their services as low as possible, and clients don’t need to be referred by a doctor, they can come to the Kaatza Health Clinic themselves and ask for an assessment for the program.

Coyne has been working in

Lake Cowichan as part of the primary healthcare team since September 2015.

One recurring nutritional problem she’s observed during her short time here has been access to healthy foods.

“Income hasn’t gone up with the cost of food in the region so it can be hard for people to afford a lot of those healthier foods,” she said, adding that she can work with clients to figure out the best way to maximize a limited food budget in terms of healthier options.

Coyne and other dietitians are encouraging Canadians to take the “100 Meal Journey” in March, which is nutrition month in Canada.

“It’s all about the little chan-

ges you can make because we eat about 100 meals a month.

So it’s all about the small things you can change that can have a big impact,” she said, suggesting switches like white bread for whole grain or lentils instead of meat once or twice a week.

Coyne said clients often tell her they don’t like nutritious snacks or meals.

“But when you actually start hearing what people eat, they do like healthy foods, they’re just convinced that because they like it, it’s not good for them,” she said.

“You don’t have to only eat the kale and spinach if those are your two most hated vegetables.

You’re not going to stick with it if you don’t like it.”

10 Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | www.lakecowichangazette.com A10 www.lakecowichangazette.com

Wed, Feb 24, 2016, Lake Cowichan Gazette

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www.lakecowichangazette.com | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | Wednesday, February 24, 2016 11

COWICHAN LAKE

With Malcolm Chalmers

Smile FILE

FIRST BABY GETS SORORITY WELCOME

Name: Therese Vincent Occupation: supervisor at Tim Hortons Hometown: Lake Cowichan I’ve always wanted to: ride a motorcycle Most people don’t know that: I collect old cameras Favourite food: chicken and salmon Best thing about living here: its peacefulness and the people Favourite activity: walking Proudest moment: my grandchildren How do you define down time: chilling with a glass of wine If I was stuck on a desert island I would definitely need: red wine Favourite time of day is: mornings peace and quiet My guiltiest pleasure is: chocolate and wine My go-to wardrobe staple: jeans and T-shirts In my car I listen to: country music In my fridge you’ll find: fruits and vegetables If I had a $1,000,000: set up my kids, and give them a head start

Therese Vincent

Check out our Facebook page: ‘Lake Cowichan Gazette’ Find us online at lakecowichangazette.com

Better late than never! For anyone wondering who the first Lake Cowichan baby of 2016 was, wonder no more — Rylie Van Herwaarden and Dakota Holstein welcomed their daughter Ayla Holstein on Jan. 5, 2016.

Every year the Xi Gama Cappa sorority provides a hamper filled with gifts for the first baby born from Lake Cowichan. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]

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QUALITY COMES FIRST. • RENOVATIONS • INSTALLATIONS • FRAMING • ALL FINISHING CARPENTRY • CUSTOM KITCHENS • LAMINATE FLOORING • DECKS • FENCES • SHEDS • ADDITIONS • WINDOWS & DOORS

JOHN PORTELANCE

250-749-3174 JOHNPORTELANCE@SHAW.CA

Cowichan Pet D.B.G. PAINTING Emporium (1996) Interior/Exterior • Fish • Pet food/supplies • Otter Co-op Livestock Feed • Wood Pellets • Grooming

MONTHLY VET CLINIC with Dr. Nancy Holling

170A Cowichan Lake Rd.

250-749–4454

TIPTONS GAS BAR • Gas • Diesel • Boat Gas • Confections • Boat • Ice

250-749-6133

OPEN: Mon.-Sat: 5am to 10pm Sun: 7am - 8pm

14 North Shore Rd. Lake Cowichan

Residential/Commercial

TO BOOK ADVERTISING SPACE AND EXCELLENT SERVICE CALL

Lauri

Seniors Discount

Dan Gardner 250-510-0289 INSURED | FREE ESTIMATES

SOFA

250-748-2666 Lauri.meanley@ cowichanvalleycitizen.com

and

Chair

Do You have Saggy, Old, Tired Furniture??

Come In and See Our Extensive Selection of Quality Canadian Leather and Fabric Furniture at Great Prices!

On Sale Now!

www.sofaandchair.ca

1059D Canada Ave, Duncan

250-748-4446 - North of Beverly

12 Wednesday, February 24, 2016 | THE LAKE COWICHAN GAZETTE | www.lakecowichangazette.com

You’ll Feel Like Family.

Midweek Specials Wed. thru Sat. February 24 - 27, 2016

Proud to be serving the Cowichan Valley since 1985

Schneider’s Juicy Jumbo

SunRype

Pure Apple Juice

.77

Original Wieners

LIMIT 8 Total

Dairyland

Salted Butter

1

EACH

EACH

Cheese Kaisers F 00 O

In our Bakery...

25

In our Deli...

2

President Chunk or Crumbled

Feta 150-200 g

8 Pack

Reg. 4.99

LIMIT 4 Total

Mexican Grown Hot House

On The Vine Tomatoes

1

97

FREE

Mexican Grown Hot House

Hills Bros. Canadian Roast

Long English Cucumbers

708 g

2 300

F O R

Buy One Get One

R

F O R

2 700

600 g

97 EACH

Coffee

4

97

LIMIT 2

EACH

EACH

Frozen Fruit

Smooth or Crunchy 750 g

Reg. 6.49

97 Snowcrest

Peanut Butter

97

LIMIT 3

LIMIT 3

Reg. 6.49

Skippy

250 g

1

450 g

1 L or 5x200 ml

lb 4.34 Kg

ENTIRE

Nutrition Dept.

10%

OFF AT CHECKOUTS

Offers valid at Lake Cowichan and Cobble Hill Country Grocer locations only

WATCH FOR OUR

FLYER THIS FRIDAY in the Citizen Newspaper

1400 Cowichan Bay Rd, Cobble Hill • Open Daily 8 am - 9 pm 83 Cowichan Lk. Rd, Lake Cowichan • Open Daily 7 am - 9 pm All items while stocks last.