Comox Valley Echo, February 26, 2016

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ISSN 1196-9954 9

771196

995005

COURTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA • Friday, February 26, 2016

FIIN N AL CLE ARANC E 29

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Courtenay 2937 Kil Victoria 3501 patrick Ave 250-871-6007744 Sa Nanaimo 3200 anich Road 250-382-5226699 North Island Hwy 250-756-41144

PRICE: $1.25 PLUS GST

VOL. 22, NO. 9

HUNT FOR HISTORY

NEWS

29. How Cape

08. SD 71

Lazo got its name from Spaniards

superintendent says close school

LENGTHY RD DEBATE ON RECORDING VOTES.32

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03.COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR WALK BIG SUCCESS

2

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

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Left to right, Sales Reps Alex Campbell, Denis Racine, Anna Anderson and our winner Christina Vinneau.

Denis has been living in the valley for 37 years now, with wife Amanda and four children. (aged 7-13)”People always told me that I should be a salesperson so I’m at Courtenay KIA now to prove them right!”

UFO SIGHTING AT LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP! Vehicles have been disappearing at Courtenay KIA. An unreliable source spotted a weird light in the sky around the dealership. Cars have been disappearing regularly from the car lot. That could be because of the amount of people getting great value for their dollar, from a product with a full 5 year warranty. Alien abduction has not been ruled out. Go down to 1025A Comox Rd and see for yourself.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

3

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Comox Valley Weather Friday Periods of rain.

Low 3°C. High 9°C.

Saturday Periods of rain.

Low 7°C. High 10°C.

Sunday Rain. Windy.

Low 6°C. High 9°C.

Monday Cloudy with 60% chance of showers.

Low 4°C. High 11°C.

Tuesday Cloudy with 60% chance of showers.

Low 3°C. High 9°C.

For the latest Comox Valley Weather visit: www.comoxvalleyecho.com

Dawn to Dawn and the Comox Valley Transition Society partnered for the Comox Valley’s first Coldest Night of the Year event.

Both organizations raised money to support the housing and practical needs of men, women and families in the Comox Valley.

In the six years since its inception, the Comox Valley received top marks for achieving the best ‘firsttime community’ in the event’s history. Of 92 registered communities, the Valley placed 18th overall beating out every other team in the province raising $54,850.91. A remarkable feat considering it trailed only slightly behind larger city centers including Lon-

Ariana stands proudly with her family, Nichole and Jarett Krentzel and younger brother Dawson (4) who also felt inspired by big sister and collected a little money of his own for his grandmother’s team, TOPLEE. More images and videos of the event are available on the Comox Valley Echo Facebook page.

Valley walkers surpass fundraising goal and beat out province’s team, reach all-time achievement

BY MARY LEE Echo Staff Canada’s National Walk for Homelessness held another successful event Saturday, February 20. In the Comox Valley, first time walkers, all 397 of them, joined in on the family-friendly Canadawide fundraiser.

Among the walkers was Araina Krentzel and her

family.

With a subtle hint dropped by mom, young Ariana felt inspired to donate half the money collected from guests at her recently celebrated sixth birthday to support the cause.

Her $50 was donated to one very important team registered for the Coldest Night Walk, a team organized by her

grandmother, Janice Pritchard.

“We feel very proud she agreed to our suggestion to donate half her birthday money,” said Jarret Krentzel, father. “She agreed this is a very good cause to donate to.”

The Coldest Night of the Year raises money for the hungry and homeless from within the participating communities.

Feb 29th is National Cupcake Day Hurry into Van Isle Veterinary Hospital to get your delicious cupcakes

don, Hamilton and Salut Ste. Marie.

Since 2011, Blue Seal Philanthropy has raised $7.9 million through the Coldest Night of the Year Walk, a testament to the tireless efforts of the local partnering charities.

In total, 51 teams registered raising a combined total of $54,850.91 breaking the goal of $50,000. The top team for the Valley, ranked 27th overall were the Probo Walkers (Reg Crone, Probus Club) raising $7,415 between 31 walkers.

Heather Ney and her team from the Comox Transition Society also placed in the top 200 teams Canada-wide with their $3,285 in donations.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Communication plan to inform public about major road works Council wants to reduce surprises and inconveniences once construction starts

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff

The roads in Cumberland are going to be extra busy this year.

It’s not because there’s going to be a higher volume of traffic but it’s mainly due to two major road construction projects that will soon get underway in late spring.

The two projects, totalling almost $4.6 million in road work and service upgrades, are the second phase of the rebuild of Cumberland and Bevan Roads and reconstruction of Dunsmuir Avenue from 2nd Street to 7th Street.

The village is expecting these projects to cause significant disruptions in the quality of life of residents, businesses and visitors to the community.

To reduce surprises and inconveniences, Cumberland council plans to implement a communication strategy to inform the public in advance about these projects.

Zinc Strategies was

Village council chose this message for construction work planned this summer

Council rejected this signage as being too close to a beer label, or advertising another craft brewery opening

This sign reminded one councillor of a shootout at the OK Corral

hired to come up with an overall plan that includes provision of a brand to be used to make the public aware of the scheduled construction works that involves upgrades to underground services such as sewer and water, and surface components the include sidewalks, walkways and public spaces.

On Monday, Marci Hotsenpiller and Colleen Dane, presented to council an overview of the communication strategy and also branding options for consideration.

The plan entails initiation of a sixmonth communication program that will start in March up to the end of August.

One of the goals is to assist residents and visitors to understand specifics, benefits and also the rationale behind undertaking two major projects simultaneously during summer.

To minimize inconveniences, the

project team will need to engage neighbours nearest to the construction sites as well as businesses to share project information.

As well, creation of a central point of contact for those who have questions will be established.

The dissemination of accurate information about the project during each stage either through signage where possible, and also through the media would be needed.

Using positive and future-focused messages and images to emphasize the longterm gain achieved with this disruption would help as well as it would relay factbased and enthusiastic information.

The use of a unified project brand image and slogan will provide the public a visual cue on all information materials and also serve as a signpost for those seeking information online. Council looked at

some design examples that features the use of font and catchphrases such as “Cumberland Recrafted,” “The Great Dodge Dust-up” and “Village Upgrades.”

Council favours the simplicity of the Village Upgrades message that incorporates the three road projects.

“I like it because it tells it just like it is,” said Gwyn Sproule.

They didn’t like Cumberland Recrafted.

“It looks like a beer label and people might think we’ve opened up another brewery,” said councilor Jesse Ketler.

Nor did they favour The Great Dodge Dustup, which was quickly shot down. Sproule said it gives the impression it’s a shootout out at the OK coral.

Council decided to allow staff to get the communication plan going as soon as possible. “The key is to get the message out now and not wait too long,” said Sundance Topham, CAO.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARDS. Pharmacist Tim Cowan and his wife Suzanne hand over to the new owners, Catherine McCann and Darryl Hunt, the reins of the Medicine Shoppe, the pharmacy they established from scratch in the heart of the Town of Comox 15 years ago. The Cowans have decided to hang up their lab coats for good. Tim said he will miss the staff that he has grown attached to as well as the customers he has met over the years. Tim and Suzanne have no immediate plans now that they’re retired. Tim said they’re just going to kick back and relax for now. However, they’re looking forward to getting more involved in charitable and humanitarian work.

Free workshop on ‘6 Must Have Conversations with your (pre)Teen’

CASEY (Community Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth) is pleased to announce that Kerri Isham will be presenting a FREE workshop, ‘6 Must Have Conversations with Your (pre)Teen’, on Tuesday March 1, 2016 at Wachiay Friendship Centre from 6-8:30 pm.

Kerri is a knowledgeable, experienced and passionate educator and facilitator.

Her primary goal is to make exploring sexual health fun and meaning-

Courtenay Fish and Game’s annual banquet fundraiser is Saturday, February 27, at the Florence Filberg Centre.

ful, and to alleviate the shame and embarrassment sometimes associated with this topic.

She taught in School District 69 for 14 years, including 10 years as a sexual health educator at the middle school level.

Kerri completed the Sexual Health Educator’s Certification program in June 2011 with Options for Sexual Health in Vancouver.

(Continued on page 6)

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RETRACTION NOTICE The Superstore ad from page 19 of the February 19th, 2016th Comox Valley Echo edition, contained an offer for 4 times Superbucks for prescriptions.

Superbucks are no longer available on prescriptions as of January 27, 2016.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Spring Comox Valley Recreation Guide has a new look, new name, and new publication day, but the same great programs!

Look for the Guide with the CV Echo on Friday, March 4 Or, pick-up starting March 4 at: • Comox Community Centre • CVRD’s Sports or Aquatic Centres • Courtenay Recreation’s Lewis or Filberg Centres • Cumberland Recreation Centre

or go online to our websites or social media: #CVrecguide

CVRD’s Sports & Aquatic Centres 250-334-9622 Feb 26 - Mar 3rd

www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/rec

CAPTIVIEW AVAILABLE IN THEATRE #1 & THEATRE #4

Dead Pool14A: coarse language, violence, sexually suggestive scenes, nudity THEATRE #1 Fri–Sun Nights: ...................6:40 & 9:25 Mon–Thu Nights:.................5:40 & 8:25 Sat & Sun Mats: ................12:50 & 3:30

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THEATRE #2

Fri–Sun Nights: ...................6:50 & 9:35 Mon–Thu Nights:.................5:50 & 8:35 Sat & Sun Mats: ..................1:00 & 3:40

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THEATRE #3

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Fri–Sun Nights: ...................5:30 & 8:40 Mon, Tue & Thu Night: .........5:30 & 8:40 Weds Night:.....................................9:05

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Sat & Sun Mats: ................12:40 & 3:20 Box Office & Concession Hours Fri–Sun: 6:00–10:00 • Mon–Thu: 5:00–9:00 Sat & Sun Mats: 11:30–4:30

Courtenay Recreation 250-338-5371 • 250-338-1000 www.courtenay.ca/rec

THEATRE #4

Fri–Sun Nights: .........6:20 (in 2D) & 9:15 (in 3D) Mon–Thu Nights:.......5:20 (in 2D) & 8:15 (in 3D) Sat & Sun Mats: ......12:20 (in 3D) & 3:10 (in 2D)

5

Comox Recreation 250-339-2255 www.comox.ca/recreation

6

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016 (Continued from page 5)

The VIU ‘Where is Here’ mapping team - ready for action

‘Where is Here?’ coming to Courtenay

Public invited to participate in unique downtown mapping project

Which location in downtown Courtenay makes you feel most connected to the community?

That’s a question a team of researchers from Vancouver Island University will be exploring with members of the public on March 5 as part of a unique community mapping project called “Where is Here?”

The mapping team will join small groups of Comox Valley residents on walking tours of downtown Courtenay throughout the afternoon on March 5.

Each resident will be asked to identify a place in the downtown area that makes them feel most connected to the community, and will speak about their reasons when the group visits that location.

The walking tours will be videotaped, and the videos uploaded to an online map that is accessible to the wider public.

The map will contribute to an overall project that examines the question of vibrancy in downtown areas.

Anyone who is interested in participating should send an e-mail to project coordinator Sharon Karsten at sharonkarsten@live.com.

The message should include your name, your downtown ‘connect spot’ (note – this must be within a 15-minute walking radius of the Comox Valley Art Gallery), and a brief description of why this spot is important to you.

(Continued on page 7)

Currently, she runs her own company called Power-Up Workshops specializing in sexual health education from preschool to Grade 12. Her three main areas of focus are sexual abuse prevention, puberty education and gender/sexual orientation advocacy.

Some Kerri’s conversations include, consent, sexual harassment, sexting, and gender violence. Members of the public, and specifically parents, teachers and service providers are encouraged to attend.

CASEY (Community Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth) is comprised of staff from the LINC Youth Centre, Wachiay Friendship Centre, John Howard Society of the North Island, Comox Valley Family Services and Comox Valley Transition Society. Together, they promote the ‘Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week’, March 14-20, 2016. The week recognizes the importance of supporting communities to develop prevention, education, enforcement and intervention strategies to address the sexual exploitation of children and youth.

Fuchsia coloured ribbons will be handed out, which symbolize efforts in preventing the sexual exploitation of children and youth. Fuschia has been chosen as it is a combination of red, for red light districts and purple, the provincial colour for violence prevention.

For more information, please search ‘CASEYCV’ on facebook.

CASEY would like to thank the Comox Valley Drug Strategy Committee for their generous grant which has allowed us to bring Kerri to our community.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JFEBRUARY 26, 2016

(Continued from page 6)

You should also indicate your availability for an hour-long time slot, at either 1, 2 or 3 p.m. Similar video walkabouts will be conducted in Nanaimo and Port Alberni as well. “We know that small cities are struggling to survive in a changing economic landscape,� said Karsten. “We know that downtown areas in these cities are ‘beacons’ of civic identity and they can offer opportunities for economic, social and cultural development. Making our downtowns more vibrant requires knowledge of what residents value about them. We want to know what people love about their downtowns, and what keeps them there.�

Karsten noted that in Courtenay the project dovetails with the larger Downtown Revitalization conversation being activated by the City of Courtenay.

The video walk-abouts are the ďŹ rst step in a larger project that includes a major symposium in Courtenay in July.

Courtenay-based partners include the City of Courtenay, the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association, North Island College and the Comox Valley Art Gallery.

For details about the project visit “whereishereculturalmapping� on facebook, or www. whereishereculturalmapping. com

7

Downtown Courtenay dreamers wanted Community consultation for the Downtown Courtenay revitalization process continues next month, and will feature a number of community workshops in early March.

Please join the City of Courtenay at the Native Sons Hall upper level for three opportunities to have your say in the creation of a vision for downtown.

On Monday March 7, from 5:30 to 9pm, the public is invited to participate in small working group discussions.

Participants will develop ideas for an assigned area, such as a public plaza, a riverfront district, housing opportunities and park and trail connections, to name a few. Illustrators will be on-hand to draw the ideas in the working groups.

On Tuesday, March 8, from 6:30 to 8:30pm, pop in to see the designers’ work in progress.

Finally, on Thursday March 10 from 5:30 to 8pm, attend a community presentation led by Michael Von Hausen of MVH Urban Planning and Design.

This presentation will feature the culmination of work done to date, including public engagement sessions from October 2015.

Childminding for children one year and older is available upon advanced request for the Monday and Thursday ses-

sions. Please book by February 29 at planning@courtenay.ca or 250-334-4441. “We’re excited to be embarking on the next, more detailed phase of the Downtown Revitalization Plan,� stated Ian Buck, the city’s director of development services. “The community workshops last fall generated a lot of good ideas and enthusiasm.�

Some of the major proposals that emerged from the October workshops include more housing downtown, improving access to the rivers, and ensuring that the downtown core is well connected to surrounding areas for pedestrians.

Participants also noted some of the top things they found special about downtown Courtenay, including the variety of shops, restaurants and services, the personal customer service, the aesthetics of the river and glacier setting, as well as the civic and park amenities nearby.

Things that were noted to be missing from the downtown include a central all-weather plaza, better connectivity for walking and cycling, and housing.

Following the March consultation, an action plan will be developed with next steps, including timelines and priorities. “We’re looking for ongoing

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support from the community to help implement this plan and ensure downtown remains a community priority,� said Buck. “The City will have a strong role to play in coordination, implementation of public infrastructure and working with development applicants, but there is a role for everyone to play in this plan whether you are a stakeholder with a big project, or someone who shops downtown.�

In conjunction with the

city’s events, the Comox Valley Art Gallery is holding a “Where is Here?� video project on March 5 to engage residents on places they feel most connected to their community. Find out more at www. whereishereculturalmapping. com .

For more information on the Downtown Revitalization planning process and the March events, please visit www.courtenay.ca/downtown or visit the City’s Facebook and Twitter channels.

RCMP looking for witnesses The Comox Valley RCMP are seeking witnesses to an incident that occurred near 26th Street and Willemar Avenue, late last week.

On February 18th, an indecent act, and assault was reported to the RCMP. At approximately 1:00 pm, a male in a black panel van, stopped and called the victim over to his vehicle, where he propositioned her and exposed himself.

The female started to walk away, but the male got out of the van, grabbed her around the waist and pressed himself against her back. The female was able to get away and

started yelling, while running down the street. The suspect got back into the van and was last seen driving north on Willemar Avenue.

The suspect is described as 40-45 years old, darker skin complexion and approximately 300 lbs. He was wearing a blue t-shirt and dark blue jeans, driving a black panel van.

RCMP are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who can identify the suspect to contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250338-1321, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

8

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Recommendation says close Puntledge School

BY MARY LEE Echo Staff Months after receiving the School District 71’s Long Range Facility Plan Summary on October 27 which resulted in five distinct consultation processes, some often heated and emotional, Acting Superintendent Tom Demeo finally delivered his much-anticipated report back to Board Trustees.

His recommendations differs little from the proposed recommendations identified in Phase Five - Macro Boundary Plan of the Long Range Facility Plan released October 2012.

The summary report proposed several significant changes to SD71 of which the most contentious recommendation is to close Ècole Puntledge Park and relocate the elementary school into Lake Trail Middle School.

“It is recommended that the Board of Education proceed with the closure of Ècole Puntledge Park Elementary School effective June 30, 2016 (2016/17 school year) by adopting the School Closure Bylaw No. 2016-1 Ècole Puntledge Park Elementary School herein attached,” read out Demeo “And further that the existing school/ programs be relocated to Lake Trail School effective the same date.”

Other Macro Boundary Plan action items include

incorporating French Immersion Dual Track, converting Arden, Ècole Puntledge Park (Lake Trail) and Courtenay Elementary to K-7; transferring West Courtenay 8-9 students to GP Vanier; expanding Courtenay

Elementary boundaries into Arden and Ècole Puntledge; creating regular English boundary for Ècole Robb Road by adjusting Aspen Park and Brooklyn boundaries; adjusting Isfeld boundary to include area around

Queneesh; and adjusting Highland Secondary into Isfeld Secondary boundary.

Tom Weber, Board Chair, reminded attendees at Tuesday’s Regular Board Meeting that receipt of the report is only

the first step toward rendering a decision among Board Trustees.

Public input will be sought at an upcoming public hearing scheduled for March 8 before voting on the SD71 management’s final recommen-

dations at the March 15 Board Meeting.

The final report presented by Demeo can be found in its entirety online at www.sd71.bc.ca and clicking on the “Long Range Facilities Plan” button.

Gardens in Bloom Tour to return June 18-19 For the first summer since 2014 the Comox Valley Horticultural Society is running Gardens in Bloom, a showcase of the best private gardens the valley has to offer.“We have a great committee working on this year’s Gardens in Bloom tour,”

says GIB committee chair Joanne Gesell. “It’s a great thing for any gardener, whether you’re a novice looking for inspiration or a veteran who’s looking for something new.”

The two-day event is a self-guided tour that will run on June 18 and

19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets are $15 to see ten different gardens, with a member of the CVHS on hand to greet guests as they arrive. Visitors spend as much or as little time as they wish at each garden, and a map and guide comes with the ticket.

“The gardens are usually quite varied – rural, urban, small or large, gardens that specialize in

shade plants or veggies.

There’s a lot to see over the two days,” Gesell adds.

Money raised during this two-day event goes back to the community.

In the past Gardens in Bloom has supported horticultural work at Glacier View Lodge, The Views, Cumberland Lodge, Gardens on Anderton, Beachcombers Community School, Dawn to Dawn

Community Gardens, and Green Sprouts School Garden Program.

Gesell said that right now the committee is figuring out how this year’s Gardens in Bloom will be special and which gardens will be featured. Members of the public are invited to suggest featured gardens by contacting the CVHS at gardensinbloom@comoxvalleyhortsociety.ca

New Additions to our Team

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY MIKE MURRAY AND KYLE FAST MIKE MURRAY, Mike has over 20 years of Journeyman Recreational Vehicle Technical Experience.

He had been a successful owner and operator of a highly regarded RV repair shop in Leduc, Alberta. He is also the

Members of the public are invited to suggest featured gardens

YIKES! Comox Valley Senior Peer Support has a wait list for service. WE NEED YOUR HELP. If you can spare an hour a week to visit a vulnerable, lonely senior – please call or email: 250-871-5940; seniorpeercounselling@shaw.ca We are looking for volunteers who are 50 plus.

Training is provided. Help make an elder’s life easier.

The next training is March 7,8,14,15: 9:30 – 12:00.

Provincial Apprenticeship Boards. Mike is a great addition to our team and his knowledge is a wonderful asset to our clients. Please help us welcome Mike to the Valley and our Service team at Sunwest RV.

KYLE FAST, We are happy to announce the arrival of our new Parts Manager Kyle Fast.

He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him from his years in the RV and marine industry. Kyle looks forward to helping you with all your accessories and service parts needs in the future.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

9

ECHO

OPINIONS

LETTERS

Stop BC Hydro’s plan to spray pesticides

B.C. HYDRO recently put Britsh Columbians on notice that they’ve been given a licence to spray 2.4 Dinitrophenyl and other herbicides throughout BC, and the Comox Valley is on their list. 2.4D by the way, is a well documented and powerful carcinogen.

I had just finished reading about a new study in Japan that discovered a pineapple pesticide (heptachlor) has found its way into the Hawaiian milk supply and men who drink it are more likely to develop Parkinsons than other population groups.

This pesticide has been taken off the market but is obviously still causing neurological damage. And now?

We read that BC Hydro has permission to spray, over the next 5 years, some very dangerous chemicals and the Comox Valley is to be a part of their program.

Why do we care? We lived in a rural area in the Alberta foothills for 20 years and in the mid-70’s, without any warning, Trans Alta heavily sprayed our ditches to control vegetation that might eventually reach overheard lines. (Given the growth rate in that area that might have taken a half century or more to happen!)

An angry response from our community seemed to stop the spraying - at least for awhile.

Dioxin was one of the ingredients in their spray, a chemical used in Agent Orange which was used as a defoliant during wars.

Our vegetable garden was unusable after that,

and the ditches which were a bountiful source of wild raspberries and strawberries were black for years.

There were many areas in Canada (Gagetown and Ontario) (sprayed during the mid-70’s and the devastating fallout for the people exposed compares to what we’re suffering in our family.

Our oldest daughter has MS and our youngest daughter has early-onset Parkinsons. Our oldest daughter worked in a high school with kids at risk and developmental differences and loved her job, and our youngest was a Daycare worker who is now in a care home in the Valley.

Neither will ever work again, enjoy the sports they were passionate about or experience a normal social life.

The lives of so many people have been destroyed by the spraying of pesticides to control vegetation and we hope that you’ll do everything you can to stop the spraying here. There are options.

To read more on what’s happening currently in Canada in regard to court cases regarding pesticide damage and individual stories please google these websites. We don’t ever want others to go through what our family has suffered. w w w. n b c n e w s . c o m / pesticides&Parkinsons www.agentorangecanada. com/forum.php Rosemary Baxter Courtenay

COMOX VALLEY ECHO A division of Black Press Ltd.

407-E Fifth Street, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1J7 www.comoxvalleyecho.com Phone 250-334-4722 • Fax 250-334-3172 Classifieds 1-866-415-3535 Circulation 250-334-4734 E-mail: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com Publisher Keith Currie Editor Debra Martin Office Administrator Deb Fowler Production Manager Ryan Getz Circulation Manager Elaine Berringer

The Comox Valley Echo is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith, B.C. V9G 1A9. For information, phone 1-888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org. All original content in this publication is copyright material belonging to Black Press. Any re-use or reproduction without the expressed, written consent of the copyright owner is strictly prohibited.

OTHER COSTS IN CITY

OOPS

Re: Your article on the first reading of new DCC bylaw in Feb 12 paper.

I thought it was well written but actually only told the public what Courtenay City staff would have you believe.

The figures printed are correct but do not include 2 other charges imposed by the City of Courtenay for all lots developed: 1. Affordable housing fee starts at $1,500.00 per lot 2. Parks and amenity fees stating at $1,500.00 per lot Parks and amenity fees are in addition to land developed and turned over to the City for parks.

As these are imposed on all lots developed in the City; they must be DDCs, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it must be a duck?

The chart printed shows Campbell River to be much less than Courtenay and Comox is reported to be lowering theirs by about $4,000.00 so that leaves Courtenay as the most expensive place to develop new lots in the area by a large margin.

Is there a thought by staff or Council that they would like to slow or stop growth altogether.

This is not a well thought out long-term strategy and on top all of this rumor has it that the Regional District plans a massive DDc increase in the near future.

Lawrie McIntyre Area B

“In My Letter to Editor that ran in the February 19th paper, now after seeing it in print, I see I made a rather significant error.

It’s not huckleberry that is reported to be fast disappearing on the hillsides above the Valley.

Instead, (according to reports received by my source, a Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science) it’s actually the wonderful wild blueberry patches that once flourished above us in the hills that have now become very scarce what with the loss of so much 1st and 2nd growth timber in these Privated Managed? Forest Lands.” With apologies, Rick James Courtenay

A PUMP STATION PLAN Re: Croteau Road Proposed Pump Station The controversy surrounding the proposed Croteau road pump station continues. I have a suggestion.

The community also continues to consider a 29th street bridge crossing and possibly a McDonald Road connection. I propose these two issues could be related.

It may be advantageous to locate one central pump station at 29th street on the dike road which could possibly replace the other three pump stations.

The majority of wastewater from Courtenay flows by gravity to the pump station located adjacent to the old Fields Saw Mill site. If

that pump station was removed the flow may be able to reach 29th street without additional pumping.

The wastewater from Comox collects at the Jane Place pump station. There is already a pipe in place leading back to 29th street on the dike road. There may be adequate pressure for the waste water to flow back to 29th by itself.

A master pump station could be located at 29th street and a pressure line could be installed up a new McDonald Road connector.

It could then flow by gravity down Guthrie to the treatment plant. This may be simpler than the proposed route through Comox.

The flow from west Courtenay passes under the river at 20th street. At some point this pipe may need to be upsized. If an additional pipe is installed on a proposed 29th street causeway it may negate the need to upsize the 20th street crossing. It would also expand capacity in west Courtenay and extend the coverage south of Courtenay. The waste water system is complicated and there are many factors to consider. However this concept may be worth further exploration.

Ian Farquharson PEng. Courtenay

POLITICALLY CORRECT Re “Offensive Quote” from Greta Jansen and “Sincere Apology” from Val Macdonald - February 19, 2016 Of the above two letters,

I do not know which is the more disturbing.

Greta Jansen appears to believe that the purpose of art is to massage and confirm the politically correct ideology of the present, and thereby omit any provocative representation of past attitudes and practices that people today might find offensive, or even historically interesting. Also, the art of social satire, of which Woody Allen is a recognized master, is a very effective weapon against the very attitudes that Greta Jansen finds so repugnant. Perhaps if she had attended the reading, as she was invited to do, she could have made a more informed comment on the language from the play.

Val Macdonald, as president of the Courtenay Little Theatre, has a responsibility to defend art and educate those members of the public who raise questions regarding the artist’s purpose and methodology. I commend her for accepting this difficult role but I find her accommodation of Greta Jansen’s position to be supinely apologetic. Why be so apologetic to someone who won’t even attend the reading to learn if her criticism is justified? The Courtenay Little Theatre does excellent work and should be steadfast in the face of politically correct whining and all other mob utterances that attempt to eviscerate art.

Phyllis Baldwin Comox

10 FRIDAY.FEBRUARY26, 2016

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

BEEFS & BOUQUETS BOOYAH ... a great big bouquet to the local RCMP on taking down one of the valley’s biggest drug dealers .... and to all you people on Craigslist saying he’s such a great guy: you should be concerned about what,s going to happen, not what did happen, because if you

SAVE $5.00 on ALL Bareroot Fruit Trees Mon-Sat 8:30-5 Sundays 9:30-5 www.artknappcourtenay.ca know anything about big drug busts he’s singing like a canary right now... oh well his kids will have something to say at parent kid day at school.

www.nic.bc.ca

A GREAT BIG BUNCH OF ROSES to the couple concerned. Last Tuesday my wife and I and friend were having a meal at Boston Pizza. Adjacent to us was a young couple who ďŹ nished their meal and left. Shortly after the waitress came to us and said your bill has been paid by the young couple.

The waitress did not seem to know why but thought he might have recognised me as an exsoldier. If that was it Sir, you were right, I served 22 years from WWII on.

So accept the grateful thanks of the three of us, and I will look in the future to see some way I can pass your gesture on.

THE COMOX VALLEY’S FIRST AND BEST READER’S FORUM Email to: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com CONGRATULATIONS to all of you that have helped the Comox Valley achieve the second worst air quality in B.C. Make sure that you burn your creosoteladen woodstoves so that you get as much smoke as possible. Don’t burn hot! Add a little plastic or other garbage, unseasoned wet wood or driftwood. Damp it down so that your smoke billows into your neighbour’s yard. Keep that outdated woodstove. Don’t worry about upgrading.

A special thanks to those who burn coal. Way to go! If we can just add a little more slash burning, we might be able to beat Vanderhoof next year for the worst air quality in B.C. Burn a little more garbage in your backyard for the win.

MY HUSBAND AND I had errands to do in downtown Courtenay late morning (Tuesday 23rd) and we were really shocked by the volume of the music played over the speakers on 5th. Not only too loud, but inappropriate for the age group who were shopping or window gazing. The majority were older, not teenagers, and we wondered if they were inching like we were. Our request is directed to the Board of the Downtown Business Association – please take the time to ďŹ nd out what music will make patrons enjoy their shopping and maybe linger for awhile. This isn’t the ďŹ rst time we’ve noticed a similar situation, but today it was so loud it was hard to ignore. Our daughter came through a few hours after we were there and made the same comment. If it continues we don’t plan to spend time on 5th street OR take our visitors there. Â

PARENTS WITH SMALL CHILDREN: When ordering in a fast food place, no one really wants to see your kid’s butt sitting on a counter where food is being served.

A BOUQUET of new scissors, hairclips and foils to Jenna at the Headshed.

You are such a talented and kind professional who always manages “Quality Lumber for Quality People�

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to do something good with very challenging hair. Â You take amazing care of all members of my extended family, from age 3 to 89. Â Interacting with you always makes our day a little more full of sunshine. Â PINK BOUQUETS of friendly kindnesses and considerations and empathies I received from CAPITAL GLASS on replacing my windshield made my days. Other popular glass companies on Cliffe Ave did not have the time of day to get out of their comfy chair to even look at my car, nor have a friendly smil , nor greeting. Thank you Tony!

BOUQUETS to the Comox

Valley Echo. Sure hope it survives. Last week’s paper was full of issues that Comox Valley residents should think, consider, maybe talk about. Some big expensive projects - beneďŹ ts? Only one taxpayer, so where should the money go?  MANY BOUQUETS OF ROSES to David and Bernadette Da Silva, Brenda, Shirley and the patients of David Da Silva Physiotherapy Clinic for 24 fun-ďŹ lled years. I am retiring Feb. 29. Come and have a slice of retirement cake and help Liz say goodbye.   TO THE LADY with the big black dog in the North East woods who was walking this big creature without a leash. A hundred bags of stinking dog doo doo on your front porch. Your dog bit my wife while she was going for an afternoon run. She was smart enough to stop running as she approached you, but as your dog jumped up on her then proceeded to bite her on her side. What do you do? You pull your dog off of her, and without as much as an apology you walk away. It’s people like you that make people report this stuff. Next time ďŹ nd out if the person your dog bit is o.k. You don’t deserve to own a dog. Obviously you and your dog need to be trained.

WE WANT TO SEND A BOUQUET of crocuses to our grandparents.  We can’t imagine what we would do without you (our parents agree).  Thank you for taking care of us through all the unexpected illnesses, and on the PLC days when our parents have to work. Thank you to wonderful grandparents everywhere who teach us so much; and to all the child-care provid-

HARDY DRYWALL For all your drywall needs!

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John Jenkins Proprietor ers in the Comox Valley who help us out when our parents cannot.

A BOUQUET to Dunn Right Towing for handling my complaint promptly and professionally. I had a traffic near-miss caused by one of their drivers, and when I called to report it, the owner called me back quickly, took my complaint very seriously despite no actual damage being done, and the driver called to personally apologize. I’m very happy with how it was all handled. We all make mistakes; the judge of a person (or business) is how we ďŹ x them. I didn’t need a tow today, but if I do in the future, I know who I’ll call.  -Heather LOW RISK DRIVERS should not be paying a 5% increase in ICBC basic auto insurance rates which are increasing 3 times the rate of ination. Everyone should know that lower mainland drivers cause most of the accidents with their bad driving habits, past licensing tests in 20 or more languages, which

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a blitz on the Malahat they nab 80 speeders in a few hours and they seem amazed. Once in awhile the RCMP set up radar on local roads and nab drivers going more than 40 over. Speed combined with drugs , drink, kills.

ICBC is doing little to change this, just raising rates on everyone.  RE: 10 TIPS FOR DRIVING in the Comox Valley. I really enjoyed your tips up until number 6 “stop at

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

11

BEEFS & BOUQUETS (Continued from page 10) green lights to let pedestrians cross”. Here is where you’ve demonstrated that you are also one of these dumb valley drivers trying to run me, the pedestrian, over when my walk sign is on. When your light is a green globe and not an arrow it means you can go but you do not have the right of way if you are turning left. When the arrow is gone it’s MY TURN to cross. So stopping at a green light to let pedestrians cross is actually what you’re supposed to do. Since your list was

Feb 26 STEAK NIGHT for $12,

Meat Draw & Jam from 5 pm

Feb 27 Meat Draw & Dancing to Crosstown Express 2 to 5pm Mar 1 Euchre 1:30pm

Mar 2 Drop-In Darts 1pm Mar 3 Crib & Gucci 6:30pm, Pub Darts 7:30pm

Mar 4 FISH & CHIPS for $8,

Meat Draw & Jam from 5 pm

Mar 5 Meat Draw & Dancing to Crosstown Express 2 to 5pm

EMAIL rclbr17@shaw.ca

meant to be sarcastic I thought you should know that Tip number 6 was actually something you’re supposed to do when you don’t have the right of way. It’s called yielding.

It’s in your driving book... that none of you have probably read.

COURTENAY COUNCIL should stop complaining about the high cost of policing and do something constructive. Focusing the RCMP on removing impaired drivers from our roads will save lives.

Daily nabbing just 5% of the Comox valley’s drinking and drugged drivers will cover the cost of the policing budgets. Our roads will be much safer including highway 19, the 6th deadliest in BC.

A BIG BOUQUET of wild Irish roses to Jeremy at TD Canada Trust, who went above & beyond the call of duty to quickly resolve a trust issue that had been frustrating me for months. Thanks Jeremy!

THE COMOX VALLEY’S FIRST AND BEST READER’S FORUM Email to: echo@comoxvalleyecho.com BOUQUETS to letter writer Fred Bates on his quest for a Regional approach to local government.

Credit where credit is due – the CVRD decided to zone grow ops on commercial property, some time ago - ahead of the curve. Well behind the curve, the city of Courtenay decided this week that grow ops should be zoned on ALR land - likely Area B where water metered customers receive 2 surcharges. Comox Valley taxpayers spend $4 millions dollars on 4 planning departments, 4 OCPs, and 4 sets of bylaws. Divided and backwards, the Rick James “Comatose Valley”, or simply unaffordable?

BOUQUETS to Courtenay Council for asking fairness in police funding. By asking our local RCMP to daily intercept excessive speeding drivers, the high risk drivers could fund half the Courtenay policing budget. All it would take is to ticket 20 high speed drivers a day. Let the high risk drivers fund policing, it will make our roads safer.

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on and recently there was a boo boo with my car and they were very quick to repair it and to say that I was given the “Royal Treatment” would be an understatement!!! Nice to have such personal service typical of yesteryear when we were all neighbours. Reminds me of the way things used to be. - Grateful customer

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in a play offensive. What is wrong with you people.

It was a play!!! I remember seeing, “Play it again Sam,” many years ago and don’t remember any complaints then.

And don’t give me any of that, “This is 2016”, crap. I suppose you don’t watch any movies these days that have all kinds of swearing, nudity and drug use in their content.

I find them offensive but don’t make a big deal about it. If you find one single quote offensive then you should give your head a shake. I am tired of all the political correctness in Canada. Relax, enjoy a play and quit your complaining. Ridiculous that the Courtenay Little Theatre had to apologize to a few complainers.

They should ban those few from attending any future theatre events.

MANY THANKS to the crew at Complete Auto Care on Anderton in Comox.

They always provide a ride back and forth as my vehicle is being worked

HUGE BASKETS filled with red hearts for the “Next Wave” Comox Valley business networking team, who so generously supplied all our needs (and more) for our Friday Sonshine Lunch Club Vaentie dinner. They even filled all our “Mugs of Love” full with gifts for our lunch guests to take home. Thank you, Next Wave team, you brought so much joy and love to our soup kitchen, you made our lunch guests feel very special. Thank you for sharing your heart with our community.

BOUQUETS to Rick James for his views on our Wa-

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THIS WEEK’S WINNER, DRAWN AT RANDOM FROM SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED UP TO TUESDAY, IS: Jesse and Annika Tran, of Courtenay Winner of two classic cheese baskets from Dairy Queen Winners, you may pick up your prize certificates at the front desk of the Echo, 407-D Fifth Street, during regular business hours. Thanks to everyone for the great submissions- keep ‘em coming!

tershed. Indeed Comox Valley residents appear comatose as the local politicians throw our money at more studies and a water treatment plant on what used to be a pristine and plentiful Comox Lake water supply. Indeed, Project Watershed and many other environmental and activist groups, who do great work here, are also going to pay the price for watershed mismanagement by the Province. Who will fund “blue carbon credits” as cash is diverted to the $62 million water treatment plant and more CVRD studies?

And. .. we will continue to have stage 3 emergencies because of BC Hydro‘s inability to manage inflows.

It could be the “Comatose Valley”- still the best place on earth. Rick is right - most here won’t get it until they get the tax and water bills. They are on the way.

JUST GOT BACK FROM THE MAINLAND where their bad drivers put the Comox Valley to shame. Some

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS! Our weekly feature, Beefs and Bouquets, is intended to be a light-hearted forum for you, our readers, to express brief views on issues and events in your lives.

It’s not intended to hurt people or make unsubstantiated and libelous comments.

Names won’t be published with the beefs and bouquets; however, we do need your full name, mailing address and telephone number for verification purposes.

Each week someone will win a 2 Classic Cheese Basket Meals from Dairy Queen.

Have fun with this!

Vancouver drivers excel at excessive speed, blowing stop signs, tailgating and illegal left turns. They have far more accidents per driver than the Valley.

No visible enforcement of traffic laws there, either.

Why? Car crashes are big business and the BC Liberal Government benefits every time that ICBC raise their rates - and 80% of the rate increase is due to car crashes.

ICBC is an unending source of taxes and cash for the BC Liberals – and innocent victims are paying the price.

THANK YOU TO THE STAFF at Courtenay Veterinary Clinic. You saved Bo’s life. We are certain he wants to thank you so we will on his behalf. You were supportive and professional throughout this

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whole horrible ordeal.

A HUGE BOUQUET of gratitude to Tsolum and Tsable Environmental on 8th Street for their excellent work and great customer service! They provided lab analysis for building materials but over and above, they were very supportive of this homeowner in “wading” through disposal issues. Bravo to Gillian Helpard and her staff !

WHAT MAKES THE DND think it is OK to invite other groups from around the world to play in our drinking water. With their gas powered boats, wetsuits and guns. Their response to me when I enquired was for “interoperability”, and referred me to the article in the paper. In all of Canada there were no other lakes or rivers they could use for their exercises. And there is plenty of ocean that I’m sure would be adequate for training purposes.

12

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016

end of

SELECTED ITEMS

50%

winter price meltdown meltdown

INTERNATIONAL REEL YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL SEEKS LOCAL YOUTH FILMS Today’s youth are becoming ever more aware of the power that they can wield with the use of digital media, and of the international audience that is waiting to hear what they have to say.

On Saturday April 23rd, the Reel Youth Film Festival, in partnership with Cumberland Community Schools Society (CCSS), will provide a stage for young filmmakers to show their stuff in Cumberland.

CCSS, in conjunction with Reel Youth, is currently seeking film submissions from Comox Valley youth. Films must be under ten minutes in length, and created by youth 19 and under.

All local films will be shown in Cumberland and winning films will be added to the travelling festival.

Submission forms and additional information can be found by email-

ing Kate Ashton at ccss. youthcoordinator@gmail. com. Submission deadline is March 30th.

The Reel Youth Film Festival (RYFF), which premieres at the Vancouver International Film Festival, is being hosted

by CCSS as a fundraiser for the Youth Centre. The event will take place Saturday April 23, 7 PM at Cumberland Community School. Tickets are $15 or $8 (youth 18 and under) and are available online at Eventbrite or at the door.

Thank you to our local sponsor Shoreline Orthodontics for supporting this event.

Reel Youth’s mandate is to empower young voices through the media arts.

Their facilitators deliver issue-based animation and video production programs to youth groups throughout Canada and the world. Reel Youth is a project on Tides Canada’s shared platform, which supports on-theground efforts to create uncommon solutions for

OFF

IN ASSORTED SIZES/COLOURS

the common good. Tides Canada is a national Canadian charity dedicated to a healthy environment, social equity, and economic prosperity.

Major sponsors of the festival include the V ancouver Foundation and the Vancouver International Film Festival.

MUSEUM AGM SET FOR MARCH The Alberni Project Society will be holding the 2016 AGM at 7:00 pm on March 7 at the HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial.

The Alberni Project was founded in Seattle, Washington in 2000 as a memorial for the crew of the World War II Canadian warship HMCS Alberni that was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of the Isle of Wight in 1944 with the loss of 59 crewmen.

The memorial project moved to the Comox Valley in 2002 and now consists of a year round museum and memorial as well as a mobile me-

morial that is displayed around Vancouver Island throughout the year.

Though mostly centred around WWII history, the Society also focuses on events for veterans of all ages, educational school programs related to the Canadian Forces from the Great War to the present day, and collection and preservation of artifacts and stories from those who have served Canada during time of war and peace.

The Museum has also sponsored guest exhibits such as One War: Two Victories (subject of Chinese Canadian Veterans o WWII), Anne Frank: A History for Today, and this summer will be host to WAR BRIDES: ONE WAY PASSAGE in honour of the 70th anniversary of the arrival of WWII war brides.

Reports on The Anne Frank Exhibit and the upcoming War Brides exhibit will be part of the agenda.

Light refreshments will be served.

Membership forms can be found on the Society’s website or will be available at the AGM. For more information please call the museum at 250-339-4322, visit www.alberniproject.org, or email k103museum@ alberniproject.org

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR VIREB COMMERCIAL BUILDING AWARDS Which company has built the best commercial, industrial and revenue producing buildings on Vancouver Island north of the Malahat in 2015?

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 Vancouver Island Real Estate Commercial Building Awards, set for Thursday, April 21 at the Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo. The 9th annual celebration of the best in commercial and industrial construction is for buildings completed between Jan. 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2015 from the Malahat to

Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. The 2015 Judges’ Choice Award Winner for Best Overall Entry was the Broadstreet Properties & Seymour Pacific Developments building in Campbell River.

“This event is all about celebrating what these individuals and companies have built, which make our Vancouver Island communities so vibrant,” says Mark MacDonald of Business Examiner Vancouver Island, which stages the event for VIREB. There are 11 categories for these awards: Mixed Use (Commercial/Residential), Seniors Housing, Community – Institutional, Community – Recreational, Retail, Industrial, Multi-Family, Hospitality, Commercial Renovation/ Restoration, Office and Green.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from www. vireb.com, or contact Sue Lessard at slessard@vireb.com for a copy of the submission forms. The deadline is March 3, 2016.

“WORRY FREE TRAVEL” Friday, March 11th, 10:00am - 11:30am Best Western - Westerly Hotel 1590 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay Please join us for a morning of travel talk and learn about our exciting new tours and cruises. With over 250 destinations to choose from our fully escorted group tours include airfare, hotels, health and cancellation insurance, all tipping, all taxes, excursions, home pick-up from many cities and most meals. Admission is free but registration is required. Please call 1-800-268-3492 after 5:00pm to confirm your attendance.

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604-647-0100 OR 1-800-268-3492 www.seniordiscoverytours.ca 160-1333 West Broadway Vancouver V6H 4C1

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JFEBRUARY 26, 2016

13

NDP secures study on Comox Coast Guard NDP MP Rachel Blaney and Fin Donnelly announced this week that they have passed a motion at the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans to have the committee study the implications of the planned closure of the Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centre in Comox.

“The NDP has worked tirelessly to keep the Comox MCTS Coast Guard open,” said Blaney. “I’m glad to be bringing this issue back to Ottawa. We need to study this closely and make sure the safety of our coastal waters and the public is not at risk.”

The closure is part of the Conservatives’ cuts to the Coast Guard in BC. Shore-based readiness, marine communications and traffic services and search and rescue were all cut.

New Democrats are concerned that closing these centres puts our coast and mariners at risk.

“The Coast Guard are the eyes and ears of the water,” added Donnelly, the NDP Critic for Fisheries and Oceans.

“By closing the Comox MCTS centre, we will put lives at risk. The Liberals promised to restore the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to marine emergencies, but they have not yet made a definitive announcement about the MCTS centres, leaving the communities in limbo.”

The NDP motion adopted at the committee read: That the committee undertake a study to review the imminent closure of the Comox MCTS station of the Canadian Coast Guard; and that the committee report its findings to Parliament.

COMOX VALLEY UNITED SOCCER CLUB SPRING HOUSE SOCCER For youth players born 1998-2011

Season runs April 16 - June 18, 2016

Ballroom dance couple qualifies for Canadians

This past weekend local dance couple John Burke & Doreen Thompson competed at the Crystal Ballroom February Dance Fest ballroom and Latin dance competition in Vancouver on Feb 20th. This competition was a qualifier competition for the 2016 60th Annual Canadian Closed Championships to be held this year in Toronto on March 18-19th. The couple placed 2nd in both Sen 2 & 3 Championship Latin and will be competing in Both Championship Standard & Latin at their next competition in Toronto.

Shoppe Talk February 2016 Goodbye

The French novelist Alphonse Karr said “The more things change, the more they remain the same”. This is especially true as it applies to the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy. Although the owners are changing, the values and care for its customers will remain the same.

Tim and Suzanne are gently retreating from the ownership and day to day operation of the business and passing the torch to Catherine McCann and her husband Darryl Hunt. We (Tim and Suzanne) chose Catherine and Darryl as our successors because of their passion for patient care and their assurance that customer service will remain a priority in the on-going legacy of the Medicine Shoppe. They, along with our stellar staff, will make it business as usual. Expect to see my shiny head and hear those corny jokes from time to time. Come in and meet Yue Yan, the newest mascot for the store.

We sincerely thank all of our patients who have become like family for the past 15 years. Your patronage has put food on our tables and clothes on our backs and we thank you for that. There are many choices out there for health care and we appreciate your choosing the Medicine Shoppe and hope that you will continue to do so.

Register before the early bird deadline of Feb 29 to reserve a spot on a team and save $25.

For more info, please visit our website at www.cvusc.org or contact us at cvuscsoccer@gmail.com Phone: 250-334-0422

e m o c l e W Back ! e c i n e l G Finneron Hyundai is thrilled to welcome back Glenice Neal to our Sales Team.

Glenice has 17 years experience in the automotive world and she looks forward to catching up with all her past and future customers.

Remember

"Free Hugs with Every Purchase" DLR#30993

www.finneronhyundai.com

14

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

We are proud to present this year’s show on Sunday February 28th, 2016 at the Florence Filberg Center from 11:00am to 3:00pm. We invite you to meet with top wedding professionals and organize every aspect of your wedding in one day. We are a Vancouver Island owned and operated company and have hosted the Bridal Exhibition for over twenty years. Each registered couple who attend the show will have the opportunity to enter the draw for GRAND PRIZE WEDDING PACKAGE and door prizes are drawn ever hour. All couples will also receive a free Wedding Experts Bridal Resource Directory and the new issue of Vancouver Island Wedding Ring magazine.

Couples will also receive a complimentary Bridal Rewards card when they attend our show which entitles them to all types of savings from our participating Bridal Exhibition Vendors. There will be fashions shows showcasing some of this year’s gorgeous gowns & stunning formal wear as well as men’s fashions, and multiple stage presentations.

We would like to thank our media sponsors: Comox Valley Echo & The Wolf as well as our GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY sponsors: The Bride’s Closet, RSM Productions DJ Services, Younique, and LoveWinx

We look forward to seeing all the soon to be newlyweds and their guests and family at our show and encourage all couples to pre-register at www.bridalexhibition.ca Tickets can also be purchased through our site at www. bridalexhibiton.ca Advance tickets are $12 and are $10 at the door.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attends the Courtenay Bridal Exhibition and wish much happiness on your wedding day.

Our website is also an online Bridal Guide to help you organize your special day. For exhibitor

information, bridal resources and wedding planning guides please go to www.bridalexhibition. ca or call us at 1-888-5019696 Sincerely, Rick Scheffers: Owner / Producer Beckie Ross: Co Producer

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

BRIDAL REWARDS All in One Special offer!!! Contact All in One Party Rentals for your exclusive Bridal Party Shop Reward discount offer!

Rentals value up to $1000 receive $50 off/Rentals value from $1001 to

Always Invited $2000 receive $100 off/Rentals value from $2001 to $3000 receive $200 Event Rentals Arbonne Crown Isle Resort Expedia CruiseShipCenters – Comox Valley LoveWinx Outer Island Photography

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off/Rentals value from $3001 to $4000 receive $300 off

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Receive $35% off any orders over $100

RSM Productions DJ Services

10% discount on Wedding Packages booked by March 31, 2016

Complimentary six hour DJ package with lighting ($500)

$50 discount per couple on booking on $2000 or more

Younique $50 gift certificate

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RSM Productions Wedding Package with RSM Productions / Book both RSM Productions & Top DJ Services Hat Photobooth and receive a free memory book

Takes the Cake Receive a 10% discount on any cake ordered in 2016 The Bride’s Closet Free Veil (valued up to $100) with purchase of a wedding gown over $800 Book a four or six hour package and receive one hour of additional service free

Top Hat / Book both RSM Productions DJ Services & Top Hat Photobooth and receive Photobooth a free memory book!!

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 11:00 am Show Opens

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

RSM PRODUCTION – DJ SERVICES for Event & Runway Music

12:00 pm Fashion Show - The Bride’s Closet with floral by All in One Party Shop

ALL IN ONE PARTY SHOP for Stage Décor

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virtual tour: courtenay.ca/nativesons 250-338-1000 This stack log building adds an historic feel to a special occasion.

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18

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

MONEY MATTERS SHOULD INVESTORS WORRY ABOUT INFLATION?

By Robyn K. Thompson

Q

– I’ve read that one of the factors to take into account when deciding on a target rate of return for your investments is the rate of inflation. But according to Statistics Canada, the rate of inflation for December was actually down -0.5%. With inflation rates low or declining everywhere, do I really have to be concerned about the impact of the consumer price index on my investments? – Gerry S., Peterborough, Ontario

A

– “Inflation” is simply the term used to describe the rate of increase in the price of goods over time. If the price of goods that you purchase every day rises and your earnings or investment returns do not keep pace, then your “purchasing power” has decreased. Yes, it’s true that annual inflation rates are currently low everywhere in the developed world. In some places, such as Japan or, from time to time, in the eurozone, inflation is even negative (that is, a general decline in price levels), which can become a “deflation” if it persists over time.In Canada, the most recently monthly figures show a month-over-month decline in both the allitems and the core (with energy and food components removed) consumer price indices for both December and November. The annual rate for all-items CPI, however, edged up to 1.6% from 1.4% in November, while the Bank of Canada’s preferred measure, the core rate, slipped slightly, to 1.9% from 2.0% (the Bank of Canada’s target rate).In the media release accompanying the Bank of Canada’s January 20 rate announcement, it

said, “Inflation in Canada is evolving broadly as expected. Total CPI inflation remains near the bottom of the Bank’s target range as the disinflationary effects of economic slack and low consumer energy prices are only partially offset by the inflationary impact of the lower Canadian dollar on the prices of imported goods. As all of these factors dissipate, the Bank expects inflation will rise to about 2 per cent by early 2017. Measures of core inflation should remain close to 2 per cent.”So inflation seems well contained. Is it still a threat to your longer-term investment returns? In a word, yes. Here’s a simple example: According to the Bank of Canada website, $10,000 in 2005 would have a purchasing power of $8,244 in 2015, with an average annual inflation rate of 1.6% (just about where it is now).

That “low” rate of inflation would have cost you $1,756 in investment value if you had failed to account for it in your investment planning.When it comes to investments, it’s still important to factor in inflation, especially if you’re an ultra-conservative investor seeking safety. Consider, for example, that a one-year Treasury bill was yielding about 0.51% at the end of December. With inflation running at an annual 1.6% rate, your real return (after inflation and taxes) on the supposedly “safe” T-bill after one year would be negative – you will have made no money, and you will also have lost purchasing power.

Over 25 or 30 years of investing and saving, the erosion of purchasing power through inflation can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in lost returns. So when you update your financial plan this year, be sure to readjust the inflation rate you use, so that you’re

consistent with the Bank of Canada’s target rate. And you should always set your desired investment return to be greater than the rate of inflation plus a cushion percentage to allow for future changes – inflation may be low now, but it won’t always be. You financial advisor can help you set a longer-term target return rate, taking into account inflation and taxes, that’s suitable for your risk level and financial objectives.

Robyn Thompson, CFP, CIM, FCSI, is the founder of Castlemark Wealth Management,a boutique financial advisory firm specializing in wealth managementfor high net worth

individuals and families. Contact her directly byphone at 647-352-5735, or by email at rthompson@castlemarkwealth.com fora confidential planning consultation. Follow Robyn on Twitter and Facebook.

Notes and Disclaimer

© 2016 by the Fund Library. All rights reserved.Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without prior writtenpermission is prohibited.

The foregoing is for general information purposesonly and is the opinion of the writer. No guarantee of investmentperformance is made or implied. It is not intended to provide specificpersonalized advice including, without limitation, investment,financial, legal, accounting or tax advice. Please contact the author to discuss your particular circumstances.

Do it RIGHT the First Time!

- T4 Slips - Personal Taxes - Small Business Taxes & Full Bookkeeping

Speakers:

Cecil Baldry-White, CIM®, CFP CEO Alitis Investment Counsel Sean Roy, BA, MCP, RPP President & CEO Ironclad Developments

Private Real Estate in Your Portfolio Announcing the launch of Alitis Private REIT - Target Return of 7-10% Do you want to earn excellent returns without worrying about the volatility of the stock market?

Kevin Falcon Executive Vice President Anthem Properties

Join us for an informative lunch presentation and learn how adding private real estate can bring your portfolio to the next level.

Space is limited!

To reserve your seat, please RSVP Natalie Nguyen at nnguyen@alitis.ca or call 1-800-667-2554

Presentations

Date

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Monday, March 7th

Courtenay, BC

Tuesday, March 8th

Edmonton, AB

Tuesday, March 15th

Calgary., AB

Thursday, March 17th

Victoria, BC

Wednesday, March 23rd

Nanaimo., BC

Thursday, March 24th

Powell River, BC

Wednesday, April 6th

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Wednesday, April 13

Vancouver, BC

Tuesday, April 19th

George Ganas, CFA, MBA Senior Vice President Timbercreek Asset Management

All Professionals, Financial Advisers, Private and Institutional Investors Welcome.

New Client Minimum Investment: $100,000

REIT Minimum Investment: $25,000

th

1 800 667 2554

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JFEBRUARY 26, 2016

19

POLICE BLOTTER Comox Valley RCMP responded to the following incidents between Feb. 16 and 22: ■ While conducting cell phone enforcement, on February 16th, in the 2100 block of Cliffe Ave, Courtenay, a traffic stop was conducted with a driver using a cell phone.

It was soon discovered that the driver was driving while prohibited and the vehicle insurance had expired. The driver was arrested for driving while prohibited, then released on a promise to appear for a court date in May. The driver was also issued a violation ticket for no driver’s licence, use electronic device while driving and no insurance. The vehicle was also impounded.

(2016-1763) ■ February 17th was extremely busy for the Comox Valley RCMP dealing with impaired drivers.

That day alone, 5 vehicle stops were conducted and the investigations revealed that the drivers had been driving after drinking alcohol. Four drivers received 90 day immediate roadside prohibitions and 1 driver received a 24 hour driving prohibition; all vehicles were impounded.

February 18th and 20th saw two more intoxicated drivers located and issued 90 day driving prohibitions and 30 day vehicle impounds.

■ On February 18th the Comox Valley RCMP were advised of a mischief that occurred on the 1500 block of Lerwick Rd, Courtenay. Between 2:15 pm and 2:45 pm, while the vehicle was parked, a window of a vehicle was broken. If you had witnessed this mischief or have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321, or to stay anonymous, contact Comox Valley Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

(2016-1857) ■ While conducting speed enforcement on Lake Trail Road, on February 22nd, a Comox Valley Traffic Section member observed a vehicle travelling at 77Km/h through a 30 km/h zone. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was issued a violation ticket for excessive speed and the vehicle was impounded. (2016-1987) ■ On February 22nd, the Comox Valley RCMP were advised of a theft/mischief on the 2600 block of Dunsmuir Ave, Cumberland.

(Cont. on page 22)

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Haley is pictured with her former principal, Jeff Taylor, receiving her award on December 31st, 2015.

Isfeld’s Haley Richardson wins Governor-General’s Award

The Governor General’s Academic Medal is the highest award offered to a high school student, and is based on all grade 11 and 12 courses.

The calculation is done

only after all provincial exams have been marked, so schools will not know the final result until late August. By this time, the recipient is often off to university, and the presen-

tation of the award must wait until a break from studies.

This year, Haley Richardson placed first in Mark Isfeld Secondary based on her academic average of 96.75%!

— TRAVEL INSURANCE —

t a H ome l e e F A nyw here You R oam

Only On y Pac aciÀ iÀÀc Blu ue Cr Co osss gi g ve es yo y u th he mo most s rec st e og ogni n ze ni zed tr trav avell hea e lt lth h co ove era rage ge g e wor o ld ldwi dwi w de de.. So o tra rave ave el w wiith ith h con o ÀÀde d nc de ce a an nd av avoi oid co cossttly cost y me m edi d ca c l bi billls ju j st lik ke a att hom o e in n BC. C One e cal a l ge g ts ts you ou a pla lan bu buillt fo for or y yo ou urr nee eeds eeds d and d bud udge dge ett.. Are you u a Mem mbe b rr? ? Sa avve an an exxttra a 10% 0 %.

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The Governor-General Award is always a close competition, and a gap of half a percentage point is considered a decisive margin.

The second place student had an average that would have been good enough to win in most years, and Haley surpassed that mark by a full 1.2%.

In fact, Haley’s mark is the highest of any Governor-General Award recipient in recent memory.

Even more surprising, this is not the first exclusive achievement Haley has attained this year.

Months before her graduation, Haley was recognized for winning the Grand Prize in the Arts and Entertainment Channel’s Essay Writing

(Continued from page 19)

Sometime over the past few days, an unknown person(s) had cut copper tubing from a refrigeration unit, causing extensive dam-

contest.

In this Canada-wide competition, Haley placed first overall and received the $3000 top prize to put toward her education.

Haley is presently studying Sciences at Queens University, and will likely specialize in Biology.

She has continued her academic excellence at Queens, and feels that Mark R. Isfeld Secondary has prepared her for the learning challenges she is currently undertaking.

The staff of Mark R. Isfeld Secondary congratulate Haley Richardson on winning this distinguished award and applaud her continued academic success at the post-secondary level.

age.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) (20161990)

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

1.56%

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Nature goes Hand-In-Hand with Comox Recreation

There are many benefits connecting young children to play based environments. Too often children are not given the opportunity to connect their early learning with meaningful interactions with the natural world.

With nature as teacher, there is a world of possibilities at the fingertips of each student.

The Town of Comox Recreation Department is very pleased to announce a partnership with HandIn-Hand Early Years Nature Education Program to offer spring break nature camps for children three to five years old.

Recreation Director Mandy Johns is excited about the opportunity for children and parents, “Filberg Park and McDonald Wood are the perfect home for a preschool nature program. The woods and beaches are close by

and the Hands on Farm is a perfect children pick up and drop off point for parents.”

Nature preschools are growing in popularity as parents want their children to unplug and to experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Hand-In-Hand Director Jarrett Krentzel sees the benefits first hand, “Children come alive when they’re in nature’s classroom.”

What do parents of children who have never participated in nature preschool programs need to know? Contingency plans are in place for extreme weather situations and program leaders always have safety foremost in mind. Children dress for the weather, bring snacks and are led by experienced educators with outdoor backgrounds, criminal record checks and a love

Kids ages 3-5 will enjoy spring break nature camp with Comox Recreation and Hand-in-Hand of children and nature. But most of all, expect your children to be outside as much as possible.”Boots are meant to get muddy,” says Jarrett, “It means your child had a great day with us.”

There are more plans afoot.

Hand-In-Hand, the Town of Comox

bchonda.com

and the Vancouver Island Health Authority are in the planning stages to provide licensed nature preschool programs starting in September 2016.

Call the Comox Community Centre at 250-339-2255 to secure your child’s spot in Hand-In-Hand

Spring Break Nature Education Program. Sessions run March 21-24 and March 29-April 1. Each week is just $88.

For more information on the benefits of preschool nature programs visit www.hand-in-handeducation. com

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59 INTE R •

BC

†Based on Global Automakers of Canada New Vehicle Registrations for calendar year 2015 for the Intermediate Car segment. *Limited time weekly lease offer and all other offers are from Honda Canada Finance Inc., on approved credit. #The weekly lease offer applies to a new 2016 Civic 4D LX 6MT model FC2E5GE/Accord 4D L4 LX 6MT CR2E3GE for a 60-month period, for a total of 260 payments of $58.99/$71.97 leased at 3.99%/3.99% APR based on applying $211.20/$501.60 “lease dollars” (which are deducted from the negotiated selling price after taxes). ‡Down payment of $0.00, first weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $15,337.40/$18,712.20. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. **MSRP is $20,485/$25,845 including freight and PDI of $1,595/$1,695. License, insurance, registration and taxes are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. */#/**Prices and/or payments shown do not include a PPSA lien registration fee of $30.31 and lien registering agent's fee of $5.25, tire/battery tax of $25, or air conditioning tax (where applicable) of $100, all of which are due at time of delivery. Additional charges for waste disposal fees, environmental fees and handling charges (all of which may vary by dealer and/or vehicle) may apply. Offers valid from February 2nd through February 29th, 2016 at participating Honda retailers. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details. £None of the features we describe are intended to replace the driver's responsibility to exercise due care while driving. Drivers should not use handheld devices or operate certain vehicle features unless it is safe and legal to do so. Some features have technological limitations. For additional feature information, limitations and restrictions, please visit www.honda.ca/disclaimers and refer to the vehicle's Owner's Manual. ¥Only compatible with certain devices and operating systems. Cellular data and/or voice charges may apply, including roaming charges and/or other amounts charged by your wireless carrier.

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PACT CAR I OM

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ER

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FEATURES AVAILABLE ON SELECT MODELS INCLUDE: • Available Real Time AWD™ with Intelligent Control System™ • Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ • Easy fold-down 60/40 split rear seatback

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MSRP $20,485** includes freight and PDI.

BC's #1 SELLING INTERMEDIATE CAR†

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INCLUDES FEATURES LIKE: • Apple CarPlay™ & Android Auto™ £¥ • Multi-angle rearview camera£ with dynamic guidelines • HandsFreeLink™-bilingual Bluetooth® wireless mobile interface£¥

PA C T C A R

††Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).†Based on Global Automakers of Canada New Vehicle Registrations for calendar year 2015 for the Subcompact Car segment. *Limited time weekly lease offer and all other offers are from Honda Canada Finance Inc., on approved credit. #The weekly lease offer applies to a new 2016 CR-V LX RM3H3GE1/Fit DX GK5G3GE for a 60-month period, for a total of 260 payments of $72.01/$43.98 leased at 1.99%/2.99% APR based on applying $0/$281.60 “lease dollars” (which are deducted from the negotiated selling price after taxes). ‡Down payment of $0.00, first weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $18,722.60/$11,434.80.

Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. **MSRP is $27,885/$16,325 including freight and PDI of $1,695/$1,595. License, insurance, registration and taxes are extra and may be required at the time of purchase.

24 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JFEBRUARY 26, 2016

Convincing tribute artist brings Tina Turner to the Valley and raises PTSD awareness for troops and firefighters

BY MARY LEE Echo Staff

She’s hailed as the tribute artist whose act and appearance is so compelling even the real artist is convinced.

Luisa Marshall, a.k.a Tina Turner, will be bringing her persuasive act on stage this spring opening her Canada-wide tour at the Sid Williams Theatre, March 3.

Marshall’s latest tour ‘Hope Beyond the Thunderdome’ is titled after her memorable experiences performing for United Nations Peacekeepings through war-torn Bosnia, Sarajevo and for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Israel and Egypt.

The favorite Tina Turner title song made popular by the movie Mad Max Thunderdome in the mid 1980’s was the most requested song on both military show tours.

Marshall claims that it took her years to realize that ‘thunderdome’ was a metaphor for the state military troops were in at the time and ‘hope’ was what they needed to get through their mission.

While on those tours Marshall spent time meeting with and talking to peacekeepers about their mission and the role they played in helping others in these war-torn regions of the world.

“I feel so blessed that I had the opportunity to be there and tour with a wonderful cast and crew on the Canadian

Military Show,” shares Marshall. “It was really unforgettable, an eyeopener.”

The impact peacekeepers and first responders had on Marshall’s life continues to influence her today. In the past three years, Marshall became acutely aware of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In particular, she is drawn to the use of therapy dogs and the work done by the Veterans Transition Network and has discovered that few people support it, let alone made aware.

Marshall hopes to take the message on tour with her in an awareness campaign about PTSD concerns within the Canadian Military and among firefighters and first responders.

To raise funds for mental illness she has committed $5 from the sale of each ticket to go directly to the Veterans Transition Network.

“If we can help one veteran through one dog that would be awesome. I want to encourage people to give more,” shared Marshall.

“It’s been well accepted so far so I think we are

12763.44 16431.78 1249.70 0.7246

going the right way. We have to try.”

Marshall has rocked several theatres in Canada performing Tina’s signature dance moves with her live band and dancers. From small community events and Legions to large venues, her show has made it to the international stage including Bermuda, India, Florida, Ohio, St. Louis, Seattle, and Amsterdam.

Her uncanny resemblance has drawn attention to live television audiences as well.

(Continued on page 26)

69.63 52.18 54.79 58.73 21.97 32.73 16.01 9.09 13.38 32.82 50.83 8.29 16.55

15.83 24.09 101.58 4.47 18.95 0.59% 1.10% 1.90% 2.56%

HOME TRUST COMPANY B2B Bank NATCAN TRUST COMPANY

25

1yr: 1.450% 3 yr: 1.860% 5 yr: 2.170%

37.00 14.28 41.19 25.68

Commissions, trailing commissions, management tees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Rates and prices as of February 23, 2016 . Rates and prices subject to change and availability.

RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. © 2016 Royal Bank of Canada. All rights reserved.

YOU PLAN EVERY MILESTONE IN YOUR LIFE Why should funeral planning be any different?

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tonefffunerals.com • 250-338-4463

26 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016

CVAG seeks nominations for Milne Award

Nominations are open for the Comox Valley Art Gallery’s annual Milne Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts.

This is the second year CVAG has offered the award, which is named in honour of the late Nonny Milne, a former president of CVAG and a lifelong supporter of the arts.

CVAG established the award is to recognize people who have made an outstanding and prolonged

contributions to the visual arts.

The deadline for nominations is March 25.

“We want to recognize people who have dedicated a great deal of their life to promoting and supporting the visual arts in our community,” says local artist Robert Moon, a member of CVAG’s Membership Engagement Committee.

Moon said CVAG will present the award once

(Continued from page 25)

Marshall appeared on Oprah twice and recently made a special appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show in October 2015. The similarities are so indistinguishable that when Marshall walked out onto Ellen’s stage she received a 25-second standing ovation by an audience unaware they were not witnessing the real mccoy. She also had a few celebrities on stage with her rather convinced.

Marshall’s live tribute show is claimed to be an experience for audiences of all ages. Along with ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)’ Marshall will belt out the lyrics with her powerful vocals to several other of

a year to an individual, a couple, or a collective that has made a significant, long term contribution to the arts.

“The recipient may be an artist or not, provided that they are an engaged member of the arts community and have worked to promote, support and enhance artistic life in our community,” said Moon.

To make a nomination, or to get more details, please contact Glen San-

Tina Turner’s greatest hit songs such as Proud Mary, The Best, Better Be Good To Me, Private Dancer, and What’s Love Got To Do With It to name a few.

Husband Steve Marshall, a Legion member in Victoria, encourages fellow Legion members, serving members and retired veterans to come out and support a worthy cause that the Hope Beyond the Thunderdome tour is promoting.

To learn more about the services of the Veterans Transition Network visit vtncanada.org Hope Beyond the Thunderdome kicks off on Vancouver Island and concludes in St. John’s. For tickets and more information visit www.luisamarshall. com or contact the Sid William Theatre online at sidwilliamstheatre.com, or by

Award named for the late Nonny Milne

ford at admin@comoxvalleyartgallery.com, or call the gallery at (250) 3386211.

Your nomination should include the name(s) of the nominee, one or two sentences on why they deserve the award, and your own contact information.

A jury established by CVAG’s Membership Engagement Committee will review the nominations, and may contact the nominators for more information before selecting a winner.

The award will be presented at CVAG’s volunteer appreciation party on Saturday, April 9, at noon.

Check out our Dine Around menu!

FOOD TRUCK SURVEY The City of Courtenay is seeking feedback on potentially increasing opportunities for food trucks in the community.

Survey deadline:

An online survey is available at:

email courtenay@courtenay.ca or call 250-334-4441

www.courtenay.ca/foodtrucks

Friday, March 11, 2016 Questions?

Hard copies are also available at Courtenay City Hall, 830 Cli΍e Avenue.

Free Event - Registration Required Email or call to Register: uiwona_elders@shaw.ca 250-334-9591 Hosted by: Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry Presentation & Discussion by Julie-Anne Richards M.A.,R.C.C., C.C.C.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JFEBRUARY 26, 2016

A great classical line-up for Sunday show

Once again, in our continuing series of Sunday Afternoon Concerts, we are delighted to present a stellar lineup of local professionals to entertain our musical sensibilities at A Lighthearted Afternoon of Classical Music on March 6 at 2 pm, St. John’s Anglican Church, 579 - 5th St., Courtenay.

The five performers are all well known in the area through teaching, accompanying and solo performances.

Our prestigious lineup consists of Lynn Robinson on piano, well known as a former music teacher and more recently accompanying choirs and singing groups, and even spreading some of her talent to Summerland.

(Continued on page 28) Pianist Lynn Robinson and cellistl Helena Jung

Ask The Dentists!

Drs. Manny Karamanis & Brett Burry

What Do Dental Patients Really Want?

- As a regular guy I do my comparative shopping on anything from a big screen TV to a roofing repair. Its past due, but I'm trying to get a handle on what I need to spend to fix my teeth. In the past month I've seen two different dentists with opinions about my condition that are worlds apart. .. One guy wants me to spend a fortune and rebuild my mouth. The other fellow says he has to do all kinds of 'bite tests' to see what I really need. What do most of us really want and need?

Dear Doctors

Answer - Firstly, unlike your big screen TV,

The Strathcona Big Band (formerly Little Big Band) returns March 3 at The Avalanche

Strathcona Big Band returns to the Av

As the Georgia Straight Jazz Society enters its eleventh year, the spring season of big bands continues at The Avalanche Bar & Grill this Thursday, March 3rd, when we present The Strathcona Big Band (formerly the Little Big Band).

These talented musicians, many well known to jazz lovers in the region in their own right, combine to create Campbell River’s flagship 19-piece swing and jazz big band.

The band, largely comprising Campbell River musicians with a sprinkling of saxes from Courtenay, has become a regular favorite as part of the mid-Island jazz scene during the past few years.

This performance ends a two-year absence from the Thursday Night Jazz Series.

In those two years the band has refocused its sound with a rebuilt

27

rhythm section and added punch with its huge 15-piece horn section!

In addition to inspired and energetic solos by familiar and respected musicians, Roger Kirk, Jay Havelar, Carrie Fowler and Suzie Christensen, newcomers Evie Kenny, Colin Massie, Tom Tinsley, Kolya Kowalchuk and Dave Johnson also light things up on the expanded Avalanche stage.

Cozy? Yep for sure!

When you stack 19 musicians onto any platform the sound is big, the rhythm is hot and elbow room is at a premium!

Rounding out the sets is the simply amazing Amy Lelliot on vocals.

Please come on down to the recently renovated Avalanche lounge to catch the new sound and tunes, and find out firsthand why Courtenay has become the hottest jazz venue on Vancouver Island. Bet-

ter still, bring a friend!

And remember to come a little earlier if you want to grab a good table for a pre-show dinner with friends. Showtime is 7:30 pm. Admission is $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers.

For more information about the jazz society and its forthcoming events, as well as a wonderful photographic archive of previous performances, visit us at www.georgiastraightjazz.com or follow us on Facebook.

Open 11-3 Every Day • 250-337-1941

dentistry is not a commodity. Whether you go to Best Buy or Walmart, as long as you know the model TV you're looking for price is usually the only consideration. Of course buy it for the least amount of money you can. Dentistry however, is a highly intricate healthcare service delivered by trained professionals with different levels of training, experience and potential outcomes. Ask 5 Dentists for their opinion about what treatment you need and you will most likely get 5 different answers. Most patients want the straight truth about their condition – nothing more and nothing less. It gets more complicated however as to what treatment should be rendered. It's easy to get caught up in clinical dental lingo, and we stay as far away from that as possible. We've found that patients want to know the difference between necessary treatment and optional treatment – and varying costs for each. There is no point in discussing a complete cosmetic rebuild for a patient who has no interest in it. Finances are a big factor in many cases. When our vehicles go in the shop we want to know 'how much – and how long'? The service manager knows from experience we want options including all costs. Although fixing a car and treating one's dental problems are vastly different, dental patients deserve nothing less.

Structural and functional problems need attention first, and some are closer to the front of the line than others. Cosmetic issues are secondary. Choosing what one 'has to have' for good oral health, versus what would be 'nice to have' is important. Cost of treatment should never be hidden. That would be a major insult to any patient. Find a dentist you trust.

Ask him/her what you need to get your mouth in healthy shape – how long it will take – and what the complete investment will be. Ask which treatments may be assisted by your dental insurance plan, and which are going to be extra. Determine a staged treatment plan you can afford – and continue to be a thorough shopper!

Acreview Dental 750 Comox Road, Courtenay, BC

1-800-617-2936 (Dental Hotline) www.AcreviewDental.com Services are provided by General Dentists

28 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Herb Alpert Tribute ensemble at The Little Red Church this Saturday

The Bates Beach Farm Music series continues this Saturday Feb 27 at 7:30, with a tribute to “Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass”, one of the most successful bands of 20th century music, selling more than 72 million albums worldwide.

Some 50 years later, the Tijuana Brass sound remains fresh today. Take in a great evening of music and enjoy the sounds of Herb Alperts greatest hits, like “Spanish Flea”, “The Lonely Bull”and “Taste of Honey” ...to name a few.

This band has some of the Valleys finest musicians and has been performing to full houses, so get your tickets early.

On Guitar is Rick Husband, who has performed extensively in Big Bands and Combos including Indigo Jazz, the Jenn Forsland Group, Jazztet, Jazz Noir and the CR Big Band.

On Keyboard is Michael Eddy, holder of the distinguished “Associate of Piano Performance” .

On Drums is Neil Clark, who has worked with some of the best jazz musicians in the Victoria Jazz

scene. The band is honoured to have Neil contributing his wealth of experience and skill on the drums, in support of this special performance.

On Bass is multi-talented Grahame Edwards who is a major contributor to the local music scene and well known for his fine musicianship with The Wire Choir, Jenn Forsland Group, Just in Time Choir, to name a few.

On Trumpet is the very talented Jake Masri, who drew early years inspiration

from the music of the Tijuana Brass.

Also featured on Trumpet is Jay Havelaar, an exceptional musician who works perfectly with the band to recreate that authentic “Tijuana Brass” sound.

Featured on Trombone is the enormous talent of Jeff Agopsowicz, recently retired from a military career with the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy.

This music series is made possible by the generous financial support of the Obal

family (Grace, Mike and Ben), owners of the beautiful Bates Beach Farm.

This year’s concession beneficiary is the Comox Valley Child Development Association. Sunwest RV generously matches all net profits raised at the concession.

Doors open at 7:00. Performance begins at 7:30.

Tickets at the door $12 with advance tickets $10 available at Bop City Courtenay and Red Carpet Boutique in Comox.

(Continued from page 27)

Dagmar Kilian is a performance graduate via U. Vic. and the Netherlands, plays regularly for Rainbow Theatre, and occasionally for Co-Val and CYMC, in addition she is Choir Director and Organist at St. John’s Church.

Helena Jung on cello needs scant introduction to the Valley music scene, playing regularly in concert halls locally and abroad.

She is a member of both the C.V. Piano Society and Teachers Music Assoc., plays with the Victoria Symphony and is leader of V.I. Cello Ensemble, in addition to her own recital series “Cellobration” since 2007.

Eve Mark is a dramatic soprano and both a voice and piano teacher.

She has much musical experience in churches with choirs, and collaborations with Tom Tully and Lynn Robinson covering classical, art songs and opera arias. Eve’s accompanist for the past nine years has been Dagmar Kilian, who will be meeting up once again for this concert.

Tom Tully is a well known baritone soloist and has sung with Bel Canto and Island Voices Chamber Choir, North Island Choral Society and CYMC summer choir, keeping him much in demand and expanding his repertoire yearly.

All our artists are a delight to hear perform.

The proposed musical programme is eclectic, light hearted, intricate, challenging, and will give great pleasure to our listening audience.

Please mark March 6 as your “must go to concert” on your calendar.

Visit us online

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

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29

HUNT FOR HISTORY WITH JUDY HAGEN

How Cape Lazo got its name from the Spanish explorers a more complete survey of the coast 75 years later.

It is unfortunate that neither the log for the Saturnina nor an account of the Narvaez journey have been located though DuďŹ&#x201A;ot de Mofras cited in Walbran said â&#x20AC;&#x153;in 1840 at Guadalajara, in New Spain, Jose Narvaez showed him his original journal and charts of this interesting voyageâ&#x20AC;?.

In 1792, when Galiano entered Port of Cordova (Esquimault) he noted: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is in this port that the schooner â&#x20AC;&#x153;Saturninaâ&#x20AC;? had to ďŹ re upon the canoes of the inhabitants to defend the launch of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;San Carlosâ&#x20AC;? which came in her company and of which they obstinately endeavoured to take possessionâ&#x20AC;? ( cited in Walbran).

It must have been an exciting time for the young sailor born in CadizSpain in 1768, to chart unknown territory and to be present when the Spanish turned the fort at Nootka over to the British on March 23, 1795.

Narvaez died in GuadalajaraMexico in 1849 at age 73. His surveys in the Museo Naval in Madrid are important early charts of British Columbia.

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â&#x20AC;?Santa Saturninaâ&#x20AC;? from Land of Plenty p. 12

FINAL WEEK! Sale ends Feb. 29/16 sent two ships out to explore and chart the coast starting from the south up Juan de Fuca Straits.

Narvaez, only 20 years old, had been in the crew to Alaska, now he was to be the â&#x20AC;&#x153;pilotoâ&#x20AC;? or sailing master in command of the seven gun schooner, Santa Saturnina while Lieutenant Commander Eliza commanded the sixteen gun â&#x20AC;&#x153;Santa Carlosâ&#x20AC;?. They left Nootka on May 5, but in August scurvy had beset the Saturnina.

Commander Galiano wrote in his journal â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eliza entered the channel 27 May 1791, and remained in it until the 7 August, when he found himself obliged to retire because part of his crew had the scurvy, and he had not the necessary diet for them. During this time he caused plans to be made of some of the harbours and had part of the coast examined by Don Joseph Narvaez being unable to do so himself on account of ill-healthâ&#x20AC;? (cited in Walbran. British Columbia Coast Names).

So it was to be the young 23year old Narvaez who continued explorations along the coast of the mainland and the east coast of Vancouver Island. He named Porlier pass, between Galiano and Valdes Islands but it was originally â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coca de Porlierâ&#x20AC;?.

The islands were later named in 1859 by Captain Richards of the H.M.S. Plumber, to commemorate the two Commanders who had met with Captain Vancouver in 1792 Narvaez named the east end of one island, Punt de Gaviola, but the English adopted the name as Gabriola. The west point of Saturna Island remains as Narvaez Point remembering this ďŹ rst explorer in the eastern waters of Vancouver Island.

Lasqueti Island was named for Joan Maria Lasqueti, a prominent naval officer, and Texada Island for Felix de Tejada, a rear-Admiral.

Sailing around Texada Island,

Narvaez travelled over to Vancouver Island at the point of land he would name Punta de Lazo de la Vega, because he felt the land off the headland had the appearance of a snare for trapping animals, thus â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lazoâ&#x20AC;?, a Spanish word for snare and vega for the open plain of â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Spitâ&#x20AC;?, at the entrance to Comox Harbour. The British Navy would revise the name by reducing the Spanish to Cape Lazo.

This was the furthest he explored on Vancouver Island.

On the last days of August 1791, Narvaez returned to Nootka travelling south through the Straits of Juan de Fuca. The northern area remained uncharted until the British made

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Have you noticed that lately some familiar names have been changed, often for political correctness? The Georgia Straits we now call the Salish Sea. Y ou might ďŹ nd it interesting and be glad that the name was changed from the original charts made by the Spanish explorers in 1771. The vast stretch of water along the east coast of Vancouver and Quadraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island was called  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gran Canal de Nuestra Senora del Rosarioâ&#x20AC;?, which may come easily off a Spanish tongue but was awfully long for everyday use.

Comox Valley history tends to begin with the arrival of settlers in 1862, but there are naval records of this area that begin as early as 1628 when Sir Francis Drake noted on his map of Albion that he had entered â&#x20AC;&#x153;a Bay of Small Shipsâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which some historians believe was Comox Harbour.

It was not until Russian traders began a lucrative sea otter trade with Chinese merchants that there was any interest in the northwest coast of North America.

Spain believed they had a monopoly on any commerce in this area because of the Papal bull of 1493, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;iner Caeteraâ&#x20AC;? signed by Pope Alexander VI which divided the New World between Spain and Portugal which gave Spain authority over all the land 100 Leagues west and south of the Azores or Verdes Islands. Â This was only a year after Columbus had â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;discoveredâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; America and no one had any idea of the vast amount of land Spain would claim.

By the mid 1700â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, British, American and Russian businessmen did not recognize a Papal decree made three hundred years earlier.   In 1774, Spain realized she would have to exert her sovereignty over any PaciďŹ c Coast trade, so when the Viceroy of new Spain, Antonio Bucasrel y Ursua Conde de Cordova sent supplies to the Spanish ports in California, he ordered the ships to also carry out expeditions of exploration along the coast.

On July 2, 1789, Estaban Jose Martinez established a Spanish outpost at â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nu-tkaâ&#x20AC;?, believing that he had â&#x20AC;&#x153;taken possessionâ&#x20AC;? of the north PaciďŹ c coast and the lucrative fur trade.  Spanish control would be short lived, but during the next ďŹ ve years Spanish ships would explore the coast, charting the area with names, some of which are still recognizable as having Spanish origins.

Martinez took his assignment seriously and began to send ships out to explore the west side of Vancouver Island up the coast as far north as Alaska. In 1791, charting was incomplete, and sailors believed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nutkaâ&#x20AC;? was on the mainland. There had been some exploration north and south but no one had done a thorough enough survey to indicate that Nootka was on an island.

When Francisco Eliza was sent to command Nootka in 1791, he

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IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

Levi Jones

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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INFORMATION

PERSONALS

IF YOU want to drink it is your business. If you want to stop it is ours. Phone A.A. 250-3388042 Call anytime 24/7

Sicco Johannes Posthuma

SEPTEMBER 17 1989 FEBRUARY 28 2014

passed away on February 19, 2016 at the age of 93

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on every corner Every turn and twist Every old familiar spot Whispers how youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re missed You are with us still, in our hearts forever

DEATHS

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DEATHS

Larry Blaine Elgood 1938-2016 Larry Elgood, 77, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at Glacier View Lodge in Courtenay. Larry was born in Salmon Arm on July 29, 1938. He grew up in Victoria and spent most of his life on Vancouver Island. Larry worked as a marine mechanic and ďŹ sherman.

He liked cars and racing. Larry also enjoyed driving, tennis and spending time in the sun, particularly in Maui. Larry will be missed by his three children and their spouses, Anna & Derek, Coco & Matthew, and Hud & Paula, his seven grandchildren, and his sister, Charmaine. Larry was predeceased by his wife Jennie. The family would like to thank the staff at Glacier View Lodge for the home and care they have provided for Larry for the past eleven and a half years.

Born in The Hague, The Netherlands on June 26, 1922. Eldest son of Johannes Frans Posthuma and Helena de Langen, his early years were influenced by the Great Depression and by living through the German occupation during World War II. He immigrated to the United States in 1958, and to Canada in 1972.

Professionally, he worked for a number of years as a chemical engineer at Lederle Laboratories. His education included a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Chemistry from the University of Utrecht, a masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Chemical Engineering from New York University, and additional training in Computer Programming. He was certified as a Professional Engineer in the Province of British Columbia in 1972. His work in Canada included being a real estate agent.

Sicco had a wide variety of interests, ranging from strong passion for economics and the stock market, to a life-long interest in gardening.

He was a scientist and an intellectual by nature, and loved researching and discussing topics such as health, politics, religion and history.

A competitive rower in his youth, he took up square dancing and round dancing in his 60s. During more than 30 years of dancing, he reached the Plus Level in square dancing, and was a constant feature at Vancouver Island dance events.

His personality was a unique mix of being sensitive, highly opinionated, loving, frugal, romantic, strong-willed, critical, and a true gentleman.

Predeceased by siblings Janna, Jan and Heleen.

Will be much missed by children Anne (Ed), Titia (Tom), Hans (Linda) and Els (Glenn); grandchildren Triona (Mike), Lia (Dean), Sarah (Brennan), Claire (Shawn), Ruth, Eric, Christy, Heather and Laura; and great-grandchildren Anna, Ava and Ben. Beloved partner of Sherran McWillis. Also survived by his first wife Anne Marie and his second wife Regina.

An opportunity for family and friends to remember Sicco will take place on February 27, 2016 at St. John the Divine Anglican Church, 579 5th St., Courtenay, starting at 2:00 p.m.

0)%2#9 3 ^ -4 7!3().'4/.

Mabel Edith (Anne) Hilliar

WWW PIERCYSMTWASHINGTONFUNERAL COM

July 12, 1918 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February 11, 2016

We are sad to announce that our Mom, Mabel Edith (Anne) Hilliar died on February 11, 2016. She was 97. She was predeceased by her husband Wilf (1993).

Mom was the matriarch of our family, outliving all but one of the relatives of her generation in both the Hilliar family and her own Heywood family. She is survived by her cousin Stan in Ontario, nieces and nephews in England and Canada, her two sons, Ralph and Chris (Molly), and grandchildren Anna and Graham.

Mom worked as a Red Cross nurse during the Second World War and received the British Empire Medal for her service. She helped nurse our Dad (Wilf) back to health after he was hospitalized in Wales.

They immigrated to Canada in 1947 after marrying in Manchester England. They traveled to New York on the Queen Mary and then across Canada by train to Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home on Salt Spring Island. The next year they came to the Comox Valley and bought a farm on Condensory Road where they lived until 1974. On Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retirement they moved to Powerhouse Road and enjoyed various world travels with friends.

Mom had a great voice and sang in various choirs. She was active in the United Church Women, the Eastern Star and the War Brides Association. She continued to meet with war bride friends well into her 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and they gave her great comfort.

In Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final years she lived at Casa Loma and The Views at St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. We want to thank her many caregivers from both establishments for their care and attention. We also want to thank Dr Woldnik, Dr. Tancon, Dr. Nap and nurse practioner Erica Maynard for their care.

A memorial tea will be held on Sunday March 13th from 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4pm at the Florence Filberg Evergreen Seniorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lounge in Courtenay. If desired, donations can be made to â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Viewsâ&#x20AC;? at St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Foundation.

IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

Ben

Alex

LOST AND FOUND

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FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

CELEBRATIONS

CELEBRATIONS

Singing Her 50th Birthday Song

1981 1998

Tock...

Tick, Tock At dead of night...,

Love, the Family

Your spirit shadows take to ďŹ&#x201A;ight, Carried on the soft moonbeams, You ďŹ ll our minds with beauteous dreams.

Those smiling eyes we see once more, As you come walking â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cross the ďŹ&#x201A;oor, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Please do not leave, stay safe inside, Tarry long at our bedside.â&#x20AC;?

But soon into the mists you fade, Your future dreams the world betrayed.

Two gentle souls, ran thruâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clock, Robbed of time...

Tock... Tick, Tock

DEATHS

DEATHS

HOPKINS BRUCE REDMOND Bruce Redmond Hopkins of Comox, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria. He is survived and will be dearly missed by his daughter Joanne (James), son Graham (Cindy) and daughter Constance (Dominique) as well as his grandchildren, great grandson and extended family. Bruce was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who had a heart of gold.

Private cremation arrangements.

For Ben and Alex With all our love The Bellamy and Salmon Families.

Ben and Alex were killed by a reckless driver, 21 Feb. 1998

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26 FRIDAY PROSE AND POETRY READINGS â&#x20AC;˘ Comox Valley Writers Society and the Courtenay Library invite the public to our Monthly Reading Series. New and published writers will read their work at the Courtenay Library Events Room from 11 am to 12:30 pm on Friday, February 26th, 2016. FMI and to sign up to read please call 338-0965. Everyone is welcome. This is a free event, refreshments will be served.

FILM â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE PRICE WE PAYâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ Comox United Church will present the film â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Price We Payâ&#x20AC;? on Friday, February 26, 2016 at 7 pm. Admission is by donation. This 2014 film by Canadian director Harold Crooks shows how multinational corporations avoid taxes by keeping profits in offshore tax havens, downloading the national tax burden onto the middle class and the poor.

COURTENAY LEGION â&#x20AC;˘ Meat draws every Friday, 5-7 pm.

COMOX LEGION â&#x20AC;˘ Meat draws every Friday, 3 p.m. Open to all Legion members and signed in guests. Friday is still drop in darts night 7.30 pm toe line, $2.25 per person.

27 SATURDAY COURTENAY LEGION â&#x20AC;˘ Meat draws every Saturday 2-5 p.m. in the lounge.

COMOX LEGION â&#x20AC;˘ Meat draws are held every Saturday 3 p.m.

29 MONDAY PLEASURE CRAFT THEATRE â&#x20AC;˘ presents a zany ongoing improvised play which is a satire of school themed storylines such as Archie, Footloose, Glee and Gossip Girl. Recurring characters and plots carry on throughout the six episodes of the show, which creates itself as it goes along, with on the fly lighting, music and direction. The show is suitable for all ages, costs only 5$ and runs every Monday night from Jan 18th to Feb 29th. Show starts at 7pm sharp! At the Cumberland Masonic Hall, 2687 Dunsmuir.

CRIBBAGE â&#x20AC;˘ Every Monday night, 7:00, at the Royston Hall, corner of Old Island Highway and Royston Road.

LADIES AUXILIARY DROP-IN BINGO â&#x20AC;˘ Comox Legion Ladies Auxiliary Drop-in Bingo, upper hall. Doors open 6 pm, bingo 7 p.m. All money goes to charities. Free coffee and tea.

1 TUESDAY This home has been well maintained inside and out but has not been updated inside. It features: 3 bdrm, 2 baths, family room, livingroom, dining room, and eat-in kitchen. Master bdrm has 4 piece ensuite. Includes all 5 appliances, underground sprinklers and storage shed.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW, PLEASE CALL GLEN AT: 250-338-0666

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FRIDAY.JFEBRUARY 26, 2016

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;COFFEE WITH THE CHAIRâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ March 1st at the Wandering Moose Cafe in Cumberland from 9:00 am - 10 am.

Bring your business concerns and comments to the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Chair Andrew Gower.

PEARL ELLIS GALLERY IN COMOX â&#x20AC;˘ Presents: â&#x20AC;&#x153;PEARL ELLIS GALLERY MEMBERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; SPRING SHOW & SALEâ&#x20AC;? from February 23rd â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 13th. Open Tues â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sat from 10 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 pm, Sun 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 pm, Closed Monday. Free Admission.

Located at 1729 Comox Avenue. FMI and to see a virtual gallery of the current show go to www.pearlellisgallery.com COMOX VALLEY WOOD CARVERS â&#x20AC;˘ If you are interested in any type of wood carving please join us at the Royston Community Hall every Tuesday from 9:30 AM to 3 PM for a day of carving and learning about carving. No experience necessary.

FMI call Al at 250-331-0156 or Jim at 250-339-5350.

31

2 WEDNESDAY

DO YOU RECEIVE A PENSION FROM THE MUNICIPAL PENSION PLAN? â&#x20AC;˘ The next North Island MPRA meeting will be: Mar. 2nd at 1:00, at the Comox Legion, 1825 Comox Ave.Our guest speaker is: A Johnson Insurance Rep, to speak on: - Medoc Travel insurance,-Home insurance, Pet insurance. The focus will be on the Retiree Benefit Plan. If you have any questions please contact Sandy (250-331-1048) or Iris (250-338-4969) BINGO â&#x20AC;˘ Play and support the Cumberland Community Schools Society! Running every Wednesday at the Cumberland Legion with proceeds for CCSS. Doors open at 6:30. Game starts at 7. Beginners welcome!

MINDS IN MOTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED â&#x20AC;˘ WHEN: Wednesdays 12:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3:30 pm WHERE: Native Sons Hall. Minds in Motion is a program for people experiencing early stage memory loss and their carepartners. Volunteers are needed to assist in a 45 minute fitness class and then in 45 minutes of games and activities.For more information, contact Shanan (the Minds in Motion Coordinator) at 250 734 4170 or email: sstlouis@alzheimerbc.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

3 THURSDAY

THERAPEUTIC RELAXATION PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH CANCER IN THEIR LIVES â&#x20AC;˘ Thursdays, 3-4 p.m., Nursing Centre, 615 10th St., Courtenay. Free. Sponsored by BC Cancer Foundation, BC Cancer Agency, Pacific Therapy and Consulting.

FMI: Diane Davies 250-338-2700.

THERAPEUTIC RELAXATION PROGRAM FOR PERSONS EXPERIENCING CHRONIC PAIN OR ILLNESS â&#x20AC;˘ Thursdays, 1:15-2:30 p.m., Nursing Centre, 615 10th St. Free.

Sponsored by the Nursing Centre. FMI: Diane Davie 250-338-2700.

4 FRIDAY

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE IN COMOX â&#x20AC;˘ Friday, March 4, 1:30 pm, St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anglican Church, 218 Church St., Comox. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Receive children. Receive me.â&#x20AC;? Christian Women in Socialist Cuba. On March 4th Christians in more than 170 countries and in 2,000 communities across Canada will gather to learn about, pray for, and celebrate Cuba in solidarity with the women of Cuba through the World Day of Prayer. Please join us and invite your friends and family to attend.

5 SATURDAY

COMOX COMMUNITY CENTRE PRESENTS THE 4TH ANNUAL SPIN-A-THON â&#x20AC;˘ March 5 & 6 with proceeds benefiting Canadian Tire Jumpstart and St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Foundation.Get a team together and register by calling 250-339-2255.

LADIES LEARNING CODE â&#x20AC;˘ Presents HTML & CSS For Beginners on Sat. March 5th, 10am-4pm, at North Island College in the Tyee Room. Have you ever wanted to dip your toes into the world of programming, or to build your own website? Ladies Learning Code will get you started with this totally beginner level, hands on introduction to HTML & CSS. No programming knowledge or math skills required! This friendly, collaborative workshop offers a 4 to 1 learner to mentor ratio. Tickets are $55 per person, and include a yummy catered lunch! Get yourself and your friends registered now at Ladies Learning Code Courtenay

32 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016

CVRD to start recording all votes during meetings

BY MICHAEL BRIONES Echo Staff

Future votes made by board members of the Comox Valley Regional District will now be recorded automatically in the minutes.

That was endorsed by the board on Tuesday night but it was not unanimous. It was a close 5-4 in favour.

Chair Bruce Jolliffe had to excuse himself from the head table to express his opposition to the request initiated by Courtenay director Mayor Larry Jangula at the Committee of the Whole held last Feb. 16.

It was recommended to promote transparency on how CVRD directors vote during committee, commission and board meetings.

Jolliffe feels the board might not have completely understood what it meant to change from optional individual vote recording to a compulsory vote recording.

“We no longer would be

a true board,” said Jolliffe.

“Instead we would become a partisan local government. This procedure detail is not an oversight.

It was intentional. It was done to ensure we truly are a board. It was not intended to reduce accountability. It was intended to improve board accountability and properly show that you’re a true board.

How so? We are the Comox Valley Regional District board. The key here is board. We are not a parliament, not a legislator, not even a council. We are a board with three elected members and seven municipal appointees.”

Jolliffe said regardless on how each member voted, the resolution belongs to the board and everyone takes ownership of it.

“This is reflective in the board’s record, its minutes,” said Jolliffe. “Only the resolution, not the debates are recorded.”

Electoral Area B director Rodney Nichol was in favour of the recommendation but had a change

We no longer would be a true board.

Instead we would become a partisan local government.

This procedure detail is not an oversight.

It was intentional. It was done to ensure we truly are a board.

It was not intended to reduce accountability.”

BRUCE JOLLIFFE CVRD board chair

of heart.

“A vote whether you win or lose, I accept it and that’s the way it goes,” said Nichol. “Recording it takes the opportunity for me to stand up and say ‘no, I still object.’ It’s an important tool for me to have because sometimes some things happen in the regional district in my area and do not agree with. It’s an important statement. We lose if you

record all the votes and it becomes divisive. I do not agree with this and I will not be supporting this motion.”

Electoral Area C director Edwin Grieve said this issue has been brought up in the past.

“This has been the fifth or sixth agenda this has appeared on and deserves the Rene Levesque award for bringing something forward enough times and finally you’ll get your way,” said Grieve. “This was brought forward under the guise of promoting transparency and really it leaves everything in a vacuum. A simple yes-no is certainly like black and white TV because we got the who. We’ll know the who. We’ll know what, but what we’re lacking is the why. There is no record of debate. And with all the greatest respect for our loyal scribe over there we don’t even always have the media presence here. So there is nothing to record.

We don’t record the discussion and the rationale

how you vote.”

Grieve researched other regional districts on Vancouver Island and other jurisdictions to find out what their voting procedures are. Most are similar with CVRD’s procedures with the exception of Powell River, which started recording all opposing votes recently.

“We should move together as a board because we have enough divisiveness here in the Comox Valley and we have enough people working contrary to our purposes as it is,” said Grieve.

Courtenay director Manno Theos pointed out the Town of Comox and City of Courtenay register votes both ways and have not had any issues with it.

The difference is council meetings from both municipalities are videotaped for the public’s benefit.

“It doesn’t cause any of these concerns that you’ve been mentioning,” said Theos. “I haven’t heard it to be honest with you.”

Comox director Ken Grant indicated that when Comox decided to record all votes, the same concerns were raised.

“All the fears that I have been hearing around the table, not one came true,” said Grant. “The public has been asking for this and I hear it all the time.

What goes on in the regional district, who is voting which way, all of that.

None of the fears I am hearing never came true.

I would be supporting this. It’s well past time we started doing this.”

Five directors — Theos, Grant, Barbara Price, Erik Eriksson and David Frisch voted in favour of the recommendation. Those who opposed it were Jolliffe, Grieve, Nichol and Gwyn Sproule.

Jangula and Courtenay director Bob Wells were not present at the meeting. Staff will now work on amending the CVRD’s procedural bylaw. They are also going to be looking at the potential for video-taping meetings in the future.

New marker for pioneer clergy, The Rev. Jules Xavier Willemar

The first resident clergyman of Comox District will be getting a new marker placed at St. Andrews Anglican Cemetery where he was buried in 1935.

The Rev. Jules Xavier Willemar was born in France in 1842, and immigrated to Canada in 1867.

He arrived in the Comox Valley in 1871 as a missionary to the First Nations people.

Originally a Roman Catholic priest, he later joined the Anglican church and was instrumental in the building of St. Andrews Anglican Church, the oldest church in the Comox Valley.

For forty-two years, until his retirement in 1913, he ministered to the area working out of St. Andrew’s Comox District Church and providing services at Courtenay, Comox (formerly Steamboat’s Landing), and Cumberland (formerly Union).

When time permitted he would canoe to Denman Island to give services and he would attend church meetings in Nanaimo travelling the distance in 2 days by canoe then returning on the steamer Douglas which ran from Victoria to Comox every two weeks.

He is credited with having major impact on the religious and social development of the Comox Valley.

Please join the family on March 2 at 2 pm at St. Andrews Cemetery located behind the church at the intersection of Dingwall and Highway 19a to pay tribute to one of our original pioneers.

It always seems too early until it’s too late ...

The Rev. Jules Xavier Willemar

Regardless of your age, have you considered who would speak on your behalf for medical care if you were ever unable to speak for yourself? It always seems too early until it’s too late!

The Comox Valley Hospice Society is urging people in our community to embrace the topic of Advance Care Planning by having the conversation about their wishes. In doing so, each of us can provide a wonderful gift to our loved ones by completing an advance care plan. It’s the perfect time to make sure your voice is heard and that your loved ones have the confidence to speak on your behalf if you cannot speak for yourself.

“Imagine, one day, without any warning, you find yourself in a hospital in a life-threatening situation, unable to communicate,” says Lynn Brandon, President of CVHS. “Who would speak for you and make

health care decisions on your behalf?

We never know when our circumstances might unexpectedly change. And, research shows that advance care planning significantly reduces stress, depression and anxiety in family members and caregivers who know your wishes and can act with confidence on your behalf.”

You are cordially invited to learn more about advance care planning at 2 hour introductory workshops on Thursday March 3, 2016 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm or Tuesday March 8, 2016 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Both workshops will be held at the Courtenay Public Library.

Please call 250.339.5533 to reserve your space and visit www.AdvanceCarePlanningCV.ca for more information and resources. The Comox Valley Hospice Society gratefully acknowledges the support of the Comox Valley Community Foundation.

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

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34 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Beachcombers Academy completes $260K renovation

Beachcombers Academy & Little Oysters Preschool has just wrapped up their large renovation.

The project included the building of a new preschool room, a new custom play structure and playground, landscaping and host of new extra’s.

The total project cost was $267,000.00 of which $218,000.00 was funded through a grant awarded by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development.

“The school is lovely,” said enthusiastic parent Amy Rowes. “If you want to provide your children with a great education, in a pristine environment, with small class sizes then Beachcombers Academy is the school for you.”

“We are very pleased with our new preschool facility and playground,” said Principal Wendy Preston. “It is truly beautiful with the ocean views from the remodelled playground, the stunning new stained glass window and our lovely garden mosaic.

It is an inspiring place for children to learn. We are so grateful to our sponsors and the Province for making this possible.”

The garden mosaic was created by students and staff with funding from the Comox Valley Horticultural Society. It is a

beautiful centre piece to the school garden. The stained glass is a large 2-panel installation by stained glass Master Ted Goodden and visual artist Nicole Tritter that was installed with financial assistance from the Comox Valley Regional District and Mac’s Oysters.

It depicts a cedar forest rustled by the wind, and it is a perfect complement to the school’s coastal curriculum.

“The playground got a complete make over,” said President, Zoe Lambert.

We installed a new fall zone, added more swings, a slide, some landscaped play areas, and the very popular play structure that has a small climbing wall.”

“The play structure is situated between two trees, and so students have begun calling it the tree house, although it actually sits on the ground. It was designed by our older students a few years ago. Students made a presentation to the Home Depot who provided a substantial donation of materials. A very big thank you to the Home Depot for making the tree house and climbing wall possible!”

The school renovation also included the addition new student ‘cubbies’, a new preschool of-

Students enjoy Beachcombers Academy’s remodelled playground. fice, a new upstairs staff and storage room, and an upgrade to the schools earthquake and emergency supplies. The school prioritized a seismic upgrade during its initial

The new exterior of Beachcombers Academy and Little Oysters Preschool.

renovation six years ago, so this time focussed on improving its emergency supplies.

“I love working here,” said preschool Teacher Cheryl van Ierland. “It is

a beautiful environment to work in and we have such a nice school community.”

Beachcombers Academy offers preschool to grade 7 and is operated by Beachcombers Education

Society, a non-profit society. For more information about Beachcombers Academy & Little Oysters Preschool please see their website at www.beachcombersschool.ca.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JFEBRUARY 26, 2016

Valley’s community-based heart and lung program promotes benefits of a healthy diet and exercise

BY MARY LEE Echo Staff During February’s Heart Month the CardioPulmonary Services team at St Joseph’s Hospital was busy promoting health and wellness, educating patients and the greater Comox Valley population how to implement simple lifestyle choices to keep their ticker ticking.

Lifestyle choices are a year-long commitment but important reminders are part and parcel of wise preventive medicine.

Heart health, however, is closely intertwined with the healthy functioning of the lungs. Heart and lung diseases are often governed by the same underlying biological issues and depend on the same rehabilitative strategies for preventive or recuperative measures.

Given the strong interrelationships between cardiovascular and pulmonary health, education and prevention methods that address both are vital for developing and delivering an effective chronic disease management strategy.

“Lung and heart failure go hand in hand,” explains Craig Dickson, Clinical Chief Respiratory Therapy at St. Joseph’s General Hospital. “Disease control for congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pul-

Craig Dickson holds up a sign reminding residents that proper nutrition is one of many heart-wise tips for maintaining good cardiovascular health. Nutrition is part of the cardio-pulmonary program offered to Comox Valley residents through the ‘Take Heart and Breathe Well Program at Comox Community Centre. Half of the proceeds raised during the community centre’s 4th Annual Spin-A-Thon will go to the Hospital Foundation.

(Source: Katie Maximick, St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation)

monary disease is paramount with gold standard treatment being a mixture of structured medication / exercise regime and lifestyle changes.”

Years ago, discussion happened between Dickson and Barb Paulson (Registered Nurse experienced in cardio rehabilitation) who recognized that in the Comox Valley, with an aging demographic, there is a growing need for a safe, supervised education and exercise program for residents compromised by either chronic cardiac or pulmonary disease and for residents recovering from post cardiac procedures.

Partnering with Pulmonary Specialist Dr. Sudhakar Dawadi and Internist with cardio experience, Dr. Pedro Camacho, the committee created a Cardio-Pulmonary Wellness Program for residents referred by their doctor.

One of the missions for the program was to find a suitable location to facilitate the delivery of safe educational and preventive services. In January 2015, the Comox Valley Cardio-Pulmonary Wellness Program found its home at the Comox Community Centre.

Now in its second year, the program has been rebranded the ‘Take Heart and Breathe Well Program’ since partnering with Island Health and is achieving much success.

“Having a local program in the community is very helpful,” shares Dr. Dawadi. “The local benefits include reducing complications from the disease, improving quality of life, and building a better understanding of one’s own capacity with the disease.”

Benefits go beyond the

35

individual and impact the community by reducing the number of visits to ER, acknowledges Dickson.

The 12-week program involves two two-hour sessions a week. The first hour is dedicated to education sessions on topics such as nutrition.

The second hour focuses on an exercise program under the supervision of a certified exercise physiologist and fitness leaders that is tailored to each participant’s situation and circumstances.

“Many who have graduated come back saying how they feel better,” adds Dr. Dawadi. “Objectively the results show it too from the tests and assessments taken before and after the program.”

Dr. Dawadi hopes the program will continue on for the long haul realizing that with more participants going through, more results can be gathered to show its worth to the community.

Until now, the program has had little promotion in the community because participation had largely come on a referral basis with some clients registering on their own initiative.

This March, St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation and the Comox Community Centre is broadening awareness about the program through the 4th Annual Spin-A-Thon.

Comox Recreation Director Mandy Johns says 100 percent of the proceeds raised will be split equally to support Canadian Tire Jumpstart and first time recipient St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.

(Continued on page 36)

Upswing in sexually transmitted infections on the Island Island Health officials are hopeful a new online testing program will help curb trend

BY JOHN MCKINLEY Black Press Remember the height of the AIDS scare, when people were basically bombarded with the message of “wear a condom or die?”

Today’s young adults don’t.

That may be factor in the gradually increasing rate of sexually transmitted infections on Vancouver Island and it certainly is playing a part in a new promotion being launched by Island Health.

“For me, the emphasis is to promote it for our youth populations, and for people to start thinking about (testing) as part of their regular health care,” Vancouver Island medical health officer Dee Hoyano said.

Between 2005 and 2014, chlamydia — the most common of the diseases being

tested for — has risen from 216 cases per 100,000 people to 288 per 100,000.

Cases in the south and central Island roughly mirror those numbers, while on the north Island they are a little higher.

Other sexually transmitted infections are less common, but also seem to be on the upswing. Hoyano points to two factors.

“Our tests have gotten better, so when we do test, we pick up more; and changes in sexual behaviour, particularly around safer sex practices like using a condom,” she said.

As part of its emphasis on increased testing, the health authority has launched getcheckedonline.com a new service that allows you to get tested for chlamydia, hepatitis C, syphilis, gonorrhoea and HIV without ever having to visit a doctor’s office.

Island residents can create an account through the website, take a quiz on their sexual history, print a laboratory requisition form, then get tested at a participating LifeLabs outlet.

Negative results will lead to an online notification. Positive or inconclusive results will lead to a call from a nurse to arrange treatment.

Health officials hope the increased privacy the program offers will combine with youth culture’s comfort online to result in more people getting tested.

The program is primarily being offered to residents of Victoria, Langford and Duncan because that is where the participating labs are.

However, Hoyano said residents of communities further up-Island are also welcome to participate if they don’t mind making the drive.

She is hopeful the service can be expanded fully into other Island communities, if the numbers of this initial program seem to warrant it.

Public health officials recommend B.C. residents get tested for HIV once every five years, regardless of their behaviour.

People are told to consider testing for the other diseases based on factors like new sexual partners, or signs and symptoms.

“It’s kind of what makes sense of the individual,” Hoyano said. “Some who are potentially at higher risk might want to do more.”

A similar pilot program was launched in Vancouver focused on men who have sex with men. Visit getcheckedonline. com for more information. john.mckinley@blackpress.ca

36 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Comox accepts church’s community garden proposal

BY MARY LEE Echo Staff A sagging Loonie is largely to blame for the higher prices Canadians paid for groceries in 2015. The trend will continue throughout 2016, according to the Food Institute at the University of Guelph in their annual Food Price Report, and at a rate expected to outpace inflation.

Meat, fruits, vegetables and nuts will continue to experience the largest price hikes.

Add the fact that fruits and vegetable are further susceptible to the effects of climate change and the California droughts and consumers are becoming more conscientious of their buying habits and of food security Here in the Comox Valley, the agriculture industry is thriving and with temperate conditions all year round, conditions are ideal for a selection of produce throughout the various growing seasons. Locally grown produce whether commercially or for one’s own household, is an attractive option to combat the supermarket prices.

Where space or basic skills are lacking, shared garden spaces offer an excellent solution to benefit from locally grown food and builds a sense of community.

Erin Gregory and Esther Stubbs are members of the Comox Pentecostal Church who hope to bring the benefits of community gardening into Comox by optimizing an unused portion of land along the property line adjacent Plateau Gardens on Guthrie.

“We have such a great season than other parts of Canada,” expressed Gregory. “Gardens bring together people from a wide variety of backgrounds and ages to share common interests.”

Stubbs and Gregory engaged the public including residents at the adjacent multi-family complex with the garden proposal last July and received resounding support.

Now the Town of Comox has expressed promising support for the garden initiative after receiving a presentation during the February 17 Regular Council meeting.

“Kudos to you,” said Councillor Hugh McKin-

(Continued from page 35)

“We are also thrilled to be the recipient of funds raised through the upcoming Comox Recreation Spin-A-Thon – what a great way to improve our cardiopulmonary health and support much needed equipment for this service,” said Jane Murphy, St. Joseph’s Hospital President and CEO. Proceeds raised will help St Joseph’s Hospital Foundation continue to subsidize low-income participants, as well as invest in much needed equipment to not only continue this communitybased program but also to support the critical function of the Cardio-Pulmonary Services team at the hospital.

Last year, St. Joseph’s Hospital celebrated the opening of the Cardiopulmonary Lab made possible by the generous donations received from within the community tot he Hospital Foundation. The team includes physicians, cardiology technologists and assistants, Respiratory Therapists and clerks, supported by many other hospital departments such as nursing and Nuclear Medicine Technologists. A huge investment in terms of expertise and personnel to ensure the effective delivery of cardio-pulmonary healthcare for the Comox Valley.

“We are very proud of our Cardiopulmonary team. They provide an incredibly valuable service to our community, including diagnosing heart and lung disease and supporting patients and their families to manage their particular cardiopulmonary illness,” explains Murphy.

The Comox Community Centre is accepting team registrations for the Spin-A-Thon March 5 and 6. Each team typically has 24 riders, each one cycling an hour. Entry is $300 per team. For more information or to register call 250-3392255

Let Us Share the Harvest (LUSH) located at the corner of Sixth Street and Harmston Avenue in Courtenay is one example of how gardening as a community in the Comox Valley offers up several benefits from food security and sustainability to engaging individuals of diverse backgrounds for networking and sharing knowledge. (Source: Lush Valley Food Action Society) non. “This is a great example to create community let alone a sustainable way of growing food.”

The Town’s current zoning bylaw does not give clear allowance for community gardens and interprets these spaces under the definition of Assembly Centers that impose setbacks that are overly restrictive to allow space for gardens.

Following staff recommendation, council passed the first and second reading to a bylaw to rezone 1919 Guthrie Road to permit a community garden.

Accepting the proposed amendment to the bylaw now gives way to increased ability to have community gardens in the Town of Comox and make proposals for future gardens much easier to approve.

“I am delighted that council is moving ahead streamlining the regulations around community gardens,” said Counc. Barbara Price. “I’m optimistic that demand will grow as the joy of gardening coupled with the increasing cost of fresh vegetables, creates more gardeners”.

While Bylaw 1832 will reduce the

rear setbacks enabling a community garden, a screening requirement along the shared property line still exists.

Through a Development Variance Permit, the Church can apply to have that requirement removed but at a hefty fee of $1,075.

Gregory cited aesthetics, safety issues and limitation to community involvement as reasons why the screen would be problematic.

Although an application has yet to be made, council passed a motion to reimburse the Church to offset the variance fee.

Gregory indicated that once the bylaw is adopted they will begin fundraising efforts to build greater awareness.

She is also developing ideas around educational seminars on food preservation.

“People are growing up without knowing how to prepare healthy meals,” explained Gregory. “We want to show how easy it is with a little effort and knowledge.”

A public hearing will be held before the bylaw can go before council for a third and final reading.

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Comox amends DCCs to reflect road use in various areas

BY MARY LEE Echo Staff

Comox Council unanimously accepted the Town’s draft Development Cost Charges (DCC) Bylaw 1526 update at the February 17 Regular Meeting, passing a motion for first, second and third reading.

The vote follows the presentation and feedback session with the development community held in December in which proposed changes to the DCCs were well received.

Overall, Comox will see reductions on most of its DCC rates.

(Continued on page 37)

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JFEBRUARY 26, 2016 (Continued from page 36) The purpose of DCCs is to provide funds to assist local government in paying costs of infrastructure. DCCs are based on the development growth projections over the coming 10 years during which time the Town’s population is projected to increase by 1,654 (approximately 1.15% per year), requiring the construction of 752 dwelling units (75 per year).

Richard Kanigan, Chief Administrative Officer explains that reductions are a result of adequate reserve funds for water and storm drains required for the upcoming capital project list. Of the five municipal services for which DCCs can be applied (transportation, water, sanitary sewer, storm, and parks), charges are proposed for only three. The Town’s reserve fund allows reduction in the categories that are being funded, namely roads.

By eliminating water and storm drainage charges, DCCs decrease for single family residential ( 41%), multi family residential ( 44%), congregate care ( 30%), and industrial land uses ( 71%).

Secondary suites and coach houses are exempt DCCs. In response to the Town’s 2012-2014 strategic plan, land-use categories have expanded from six to 14. The new categories include the

Downtown Vitalization area, created to increase the social and environmental vitality of downtown by encouraging mixed-use commercial and residential development.

For commercial properties within the downtown core, the Town has calculated lower road DCCs to reflect reduced vehicle use in that area and more reliance on public transportation, cycling and walking.

“I think it’s important to notice that our Downtown Vitalization area is also seeing an 11% decrease, which relay fits in nicely with trying to get our downtown moving along,” remarked Councillor Kent Grant. “I think this is a good step, whereas most of the other communities are actually raising theirs.”

Commercial construction outside the downtown core, however, and institutional land-use rates will increase by 69% and 74% respectively in response to an increase in road infrastructure works.

The Bylaw must be forwarded to the Inspector of Municipalities for final review.

Should it receive approval and meet ministry standards, a final report will be prepared by a third party engineer and present to councillors for adoption. New DCC rates can then be implemented. Kanigan informed council that he expects a response within a month.

37

Auxiliary gives $218,000 to hospital The St Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary was pleased to present a cheque for $218,000.00 to hospital CEO, Jane Murphy, representing the Auxiliary contributions for 2015. This is not a cash contribution but response to requests from the Hospital for a variety of needs such as Music and Art Therapy, furnishings, colposcopy program, specialized equipment, and staff training programs to mention a few.

Can we help?

This money is raised through the Cottage Thrift Shop, the Gift shop in the Hospital lobby and other activities.

The community support of the Thrift shop by donations as well as the Gift Shop, book sales, collectible sale are greatly appreciated. Picture; LTOR Carole Dickson, Treasurer, Caroline Hoon, President, Jane Murphy, Pat Cutt, Secretary

Since 2011, the Marine Harvest Canada salmon barbeque has cooked up $106,000 of support for local charities from the Comox Valley to Port Hardy.

If your charity or society is interested in applying for the Marine Harvest Canada salmon barbeque for the 2016 summer season, please see our guidelines and application at www.MarineHarvest.ca.

38 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.COURTENAY,BC FEBRUARY 26, 2016

New look, new name for Valley Recreation Guide

Comox Valley recreation centres present the updated Spring Comox Valley Recreation Guide available on Friday, March 4 with the Comox Valley Echo.

The new guide features an updated look, name, and publication day.

The guide, formerly known as the Comox Valley Recreation Reporter, includes Comox Recreation, Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Sports & Aquatic Centres, Courtenay Recreation,

Cumberland Recreation and various community groups.

The guide’s name and style may have changed, but it still offers the same great programs and events.

Leah Knutson, Cumberland’s Manager of Recreation, said the update is a positive step forward for recreation services in the valley. “We like to present Comox Valley recreation centres together in one guide as it’s more convenient; many people

participate in programs throughout the Comox Valley,” noted Knutson.

“This fresh new look has been designed to make it simpler for people to find the information they are looking for and tell each community apart.”

Each community’s recreation programs will be identified by special colours and graphics to help readers easily navigate through the guide.

As part of the changes, Comox, Cumberland, and Courtenay Recreation will now start their quarterly registration on Mondays so participants will have time to look at the guide over the weekend prior to registration. For the spring session, registration starts Monday, March 7.

Please note the following, CVRD’s Sports and Aquatic Centres offer registration on an ongoing basis, Comox Recreation also offers contract registration starting Friday, March 4, and Cumberland Recreation has new online registration.

For more information please visit the friendly recreation staff at a recreation centre near you or contact: Comox Recreation: 250339-2255; CVRD Sports and Aquatic Centres: 250-3349622; Cumberland Recreation: 250-336-2231; Courtenay Recreation: 250-338-5371 or 250-3381000 or through social media with the hashtag #CVrecguide

LOOKING FOR FAMILY IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES The Campbell River Genealogy Society is pleased to welcome back Joyce Young to the March seminar. Researcher and Vice-president of Programs with the Vernon and District Family History Society, Joyce inspired the 2013 seminar with her innovative research ideas. This time she will show participants how to dig even deeper into their families.

Topics include: An update of Familysearch.org; A case study searching for living family members; Adding history to your family history; and The things you can learn from newspapers. All level of researchers are invited to join us.

Cost $50 with lunch available for an additional $10 Register before Monday, Feb 29, 2016. contact Janice 250-203-0585 http://www.rootsweb. ancestry.com/~bccrgc/crevents.html

Philosopher’s Cafe: Are we ready to reengage with Iran?

On September 7, 2012, Canada closed its embassy in Tehran and also expelled the Iranian diplomats from the Canadian soil, officially declaring the suspension of diplomatic relations with Iran.

Then-Foreign Minister John Baird said Iran was the world’s “most significant threat to global peace and security”, adding that the Canadian government would list Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. During the election campaign, Prime Minister Trudeau promised to reopen the diplomatic mission to Iran under certain conditions – a main one being the recently concluded nuclear arms agreement.

What do you think? Is it important to maintain a dialogue, even with those with whom you violently disagree? Should we have a diplomatic mission with the likes of Iran and North Korea? What about Russia? What about ISIL or

Bob Hillier the Taliban?

Join us as Bob Hillier leads us into this topic which could have an important impact on political and economic relations in the coming years. Bob retired in 2010 from the then Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAIT) now “Global Affairs Canada”, he served in a technical capacity in many areas of the world.

MP Gord Johns opening multiple commuity offices On Monday, Gord Johns, NDP Member of Parliament for CourtenayAlberni, announced the official opening of new Community Offices to occur at the end of February and beginning of March.

Johns’ main office will be in Parksville, with satellite offices in Courtenay and Port Alberni.

“This will be the widest service area ever achieved by an MP from this region,” said Johns, “We’ve had to be innovative in order to reach more people and hear from more voices in different communities.”

While the riding of Courtenay-Alberni is 8,751 km2 it receives roughly the same resources for MP services as much smaller ridings, including those in Vancouver which are less than 20 km2. Johns also announced that he has hired a full staff compliment that will operate out of the Community Offices.

“I’ve brought together an energetic community team that has a deep understanding of the people in our riding as well as the issues they’re facing,” Johns said, “I couldn’t be more excited about our ability to serve the people of Courtenay-Alberni.”

Johns and his staff will continue to outreach to community groups, local businesses, and governments, as well as offering individual casework services for constituents.

Those services include support for existing applications with Citizenship and Immigration, Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Pension Plan and OAS, Employment Insurance, Canada Student Loans, as well as birthday and anniversary greetings.

A full schedule of openings and hours of operations for each Community Office can be found below.

Parksville Community Office (Main), 12A-1209 East Island Highway.

Regular Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10:00am3:00pm. Opening: Saturday February 27, 2016, 1:00-3:00pm Courtenay Community Office (Satellite), 357 4th Street. Regular Hours: Mondays, 10:00am4:00pm. Opening: Monday February 29, 2016, 4:30-6:30pm Port Alberni Community Office (Satellite), 4841-A Johnston Road.

Regular Hours: Tuesdays, 10:00am-4:00pm. Opening: Tuesday March 1, 2016, 4:30-6:30pm

He is currently giving a course with the CR Elder College on Canadian Foreign Affairs called “Canada and the World”.

Once a month a speaker will introduce a theme to the Café, and then all who attend can join in respectful, non-partisan conversation, or just sit back and listen.

You are welcome to propose topics and introduce them at future Cafés. Themes should be of broad interest and national significance, and have an element of controversy to them.

As with each Café, Mr. Hillier will have just 10 minutes to introduce the topic, and then the floor is open for 50 minutes of moderated discussion.

When: Wednesday, March 2, 7:00-8:00PM Cost: Free Location: Berwick Comox Valley, community room 1700 Comox Ave, Comox, BC V9M 4H4 More Info: peter@peterschwarzhoff.ca

Chalk-In to save schools set for Saturday

Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary is at risk of closure, and until we stop the budget cuts no school is safe!

Children and their families are invited to spell out their feelings about our government’s chronic underfunding of neighbourhood schools.

The Save Our Schools Chalk-In starts at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27th on the Art Gallery Steps on Duncan Avenue (rain or shine).

Refreshments, live music, and sidewalk chalk in groovy neon colours will be provided. Every school in the Valley is affected by the cuts to education, and people from every neighbourhood are welcome to come write messages in chalk.

This ritual for Public Education will be a practice run for the outcry needed at the school district’s Town Hall event on March 8th at 6:30 p.m. in Puntledge School’s gym (401 Willemar), the public’s first chance to speak to Trustees before the decision on school closure is made the following week.

ChairLift to Success is a local fundraising event which will take place at Mt. Washington on Saturday, March 12 to benefit our local athletes. In partnership with Vancouver Island Mountain Sport Society (VIMSS), all the money raised from ChairLift to Success will go towards grants for young athletes competing in mountain sports. The grants help cover travel and related competition costs for the athletes.

Nineteen-year-old Spencer Hay, the creator of ChairLift to Success, is the driving force behind this event. “I wanted to raise money to assist individuals and make a direct impact on our community. VIMSS is the perfect charity as it helps local mountain athletes pursue and excel at their sport.” Due to the poor snow conditions over the past few years in the Comox Valley, the organization has not been able to raise as much money for athletic grants. This realization inspired Spencer to start ChairLift to Success, with a goal of $2,000 to be put directly into these grants to help Valley athletes to grow in their sport.

On March 12th, Hay will ski for 12 hours straight at Mt. Washington, being the first person on the chairlift in the morning and the last person off the lift at the end of night skiing, all with no breaks in between.

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www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.JFEBRUARY 26, 2016

39

12-Hour Ski-A-Thon to help young athletes Many events and surprises are planned for the day to get supporters involved and to keep Spencer busy, and the whole experience will be filmed for a video to be shown to supporters and to raise more awareness of the fundraiser.

One of VIMSS’s mandates is to provide yearly grants to athletes from Vancouver Island who compete in mountain sports on the Island. Money raised from the ChairLift to Success fundraiser will provide additional grants.

“It’s amazing when someone approaches you with a new and unique idea, and then has the skill and dedication to carry out the initiative”, says Karen Bonell, chair of the Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society.

“We are very grateful that Spencer is volunteering so much of his time, and chose our charity for his fundraising event. We look forward to working with him in the future”, Bonell continues.

“We need the help of the community to support our locals”, says Hay. “Our goal is to reach $2,000”.

To support this event and its cause, go to: www.chairlifttosuccess.com or contact Spencer at chairlifttosuccess@gmail.com Spencer Hay plans ‘ChairLift to Success’ fundraiser

40 www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 26, 2016

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