Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, March 13, 2019

17 ON PAGE 15 - TIDE TABLES PAGE 3 AND MORE VISITOR INFORMATION: COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

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ISLAND SOCCER Pacific FC opens pre-season in Tofino

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Housing pressure

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‘Hidden homeless’ spilling into hospital ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

Tofino’s housing crisis is pushing the town’s ‘hidden homeless’ population into the forefront.

Dr. Carrie Marshall said residents with nowhere else to go are seeking emergency shelter at the Tofino General Hospital.

“We have patients that come in that we are providing accommodation for, essentially, and food. There’s no medical need. We admit them for social reasons.

There’s not a criminal element to not having a fixed address, so police don’t want to be taking them to cells,” Marshall Josie Osborne told Tofino’s municipal council during their Feb. 26 regular meeting.

“We are increasingly getting more and more patients that there’s literally nowhere for them to go…Usually they are transient, or no-fixedaddress patients, that fall between the hospital and criminal cells.”

Frustrations and concerns over the lack of housing in town have been a perpetual mainstay on council’s docket and the issue was a key point of emphasis during October’s municipal election campaign.

Continued on A11

NORA O’MALLEY PHOTO

ARTSPLASH! ARRIVES: Ucluelet Secondary School art teacher and winner of the 2018 ArtSplash! Peoples Choice Selection Shannon McWhinney celebrates with students Kyri Peel and Rueben Williams during Friday’s ArtSplash! 2019 opening reception. Presented by the Pacific Rim Arts Society (PRAS), ArtSplash! is on now until March 17 in the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort lobby. The free exhibit features original work by over 60 local and regional artists. See more photos of opening night on Page 14.

SPIRIT OF WHALE FESTIVAL LIVES ON

ISLAND B-BALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Events planned this month

Maaqtusiis earns bronze

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Thank You!

Huge thanks to Chef Ian and Anthony at Heartwood Kitchen for continuing our annual Valentine’s Day dinner tradition! With your support, we were able to raise over $3,000. Also a shout out to Chef Warren at Pluvio for pitching in. Cheers to all you locals for coming out!

See you next year, UVFB

Elder Richard Mundy speaks at a Parks Canada information session in Hitacu last week.

Parks Canada seeks contractors for trail NORA O’MALLEY nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

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PARKS CANADA PHOTO

Parks Canada hosted several information sessions last week to share updates on the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s Upscheek Tashee trail.

Tender notices for the trailbed construction as well as environmental monitoring are posted publicly on the Government Buy and Sell website. Closing date is noted as April 4, 2019.

The trailbed construction tender includes a mandatory Indigenous Benefits Plan portion, which requires the successful contractor to work directly with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Ucluelet First Nation provide training, employment, and subcontracting opportunities.

The building of the trailbed is expected to begin this spring, once both the construction and environmental monitoring contracts are awarded. The hired contractor will be expected to maintain the trail for two years, according to Parks Canada.

The timeline for completion of the 25-kilometre paved multi-use path has shifted from 2020 to 2022. In Nov., Parks Canada announced an additional $17 million of funding would be invested in the infrastructure project, putting the project cost at about $51 million.

Parks Canada project manager Jackie Hicks said at the March 5 information session in TyHistanis that she is confident the $51 million project estimate is accurate.

The trail is located in the traditional territories of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Ucluelet First Nation. Parks Canada has been

“No relationship is more important to the Government of Canada than the one with Canada’s Indigenous peoples.”

– Catherine McKenna

working closely with both Nations through an Elders Working Group. Over the past two years, the Elders Working Group has been involved in: blessing the path site, determining a route that does not disturb culturally sensitive sites, and identifying opportunities for economic benefits for First Nations.

The Working Group also chose the name for the multi-use pathway, naming it [Upscheek Tashee] which translates into “going in the right direction on the path”. In many ways, the name speaks to the direction Parks Canada is taking to improve their relationship with local First Nations, notes Parks Canada.

“No relationship is more important to the Government of Canada than the one with Canada’s Indigenous peoples,” said Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, in a news release. “The close collaboration with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Ucluelet First Nation is part of our government’s ongoing efforts towards reconciliation. This new trail is a wonderful opportunity to reintroduce visitors to the beauty, history, and culture of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.”

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

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Wednesday, March 13, 2019 A3

Spirit of Whale Fest still robust March packed with activities ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival’s impressive run of 32 consecutive annual appearances will come to an end this month, but that doesn’t mean the West Coast is prepared to miss out on an opportunity to celebrate the roughly 20,000 grey whales swimming past its shores.

“There are many wonderful events happening in the area for March,” said Ucluelet chamber of commerce manager and municipal councillor Lara Kemps. “Many groups and individuals have gotten together and built a pretty great calendar of events to share to the community and our guests.”

The Vessel Parade and Blessing of the Fleet, a popular festival feature, is still a go at Tofino’s First Street Dock, sponsored by the Tofino-Clayoquot Heritage Museum, and is scheduled for Monday, March 18, beginning around 9 a.m. The blessing will see Pastor Jennifer Marlor and Reverend Roger Poblete using water guns to spray Holy Water onto the vessels parading past along with offering a liturgy.

“It’s something that is very meaningful to the whole community and I am really excited to be involved in it,” Marlor told the Westerly News. “[The ocean] is such a central part of who we are and how me make our living here and just to know

WESTERLY FILE PHOTO

The Thornton Creek Hatchery’s Rubber Fish Race is one of several popular Pacific Rim Whale Festival events still scheduled to take place this month. and visitors to help put it together “There are many while learning about whale biology, anatomy and more at two Buildwonderful events a-Whale events. The first will be happening in the area held at Tofino’s Long Beach Lodge Resort on March 19 from 1-4 p.m. for March.”

The skeleton will then travel to Ucluelet for a March 24 event at – Lara Kemps Big Beach beginning at 10 a.m.

The full menu of March events that there is a Holy One that is looking out for us and blessing is up for perusal at www.tourismthe work that we do so that we can tofino.com, www.discoverucluelet. be a blessing for others is really com and www.westcoastnest.org.

Other events, like the Parade of important.”

The Thornton Creek Hatchery’s Whales and Wonders and the anannual Rubber Fish Race still nual Spout Ball challenge, look plans to flow through the creek unlikely to return without the on March 17 from 11:30 a.m. to festival this month, making this 1 p.m. the first March that mayor Josie The Strawberry Isle Marine Re- Osborne will not be leading the search Society is bringing a fasci- Tofino-based parade since being nating, eight-metre, offshore killer elected in 2013.

“I will miss the Whale Festival whale skeleton to the West Coast and inviting young West Coasters this year—particularly the parade

which I have always enjoyed because of the amount of effort that local organizations and businesses put in to their floats,” Osborne told the Westerly. “But, I do understand why the board of directors decided a hiatus was the most appropriate way to regroup and reformulate the festival as a sustainable, community-driven event. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, so I hope the festival returns next year reinvigorated and full of West Coast spirit.”

The Whale Festival’s steering committee announced the cancellation of this year’s festival in November, citing a lack of volunteers willing to put the work in to keep it alive as the cause of its demise. Kemps hopes to see the festival return in 2020.

“Just like the whales return every year, my hopes are that the Whale Festival will as well,” she said.

“Some things just need a break to regroup and recharge and my feeling is, if the community stands behind something and really believes in it, it will come back even stronger.”

She added the festival was a strong economic driver and community connector during the West Coast’s spring shoulder season.

“The Whale Festival, like our other community festivals, has an impact that goes well beyond what can be measured in economic terms, by strengthening our community, providing fun and educational programs and events and builds awareness of our area and also acts as a source of community pride,” she said.

Wolf in Ukee brings danger to pets Conservation Officer says animal is not a threat to humans ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

Pet owners are being urged to keep their dogs and cats secured after a wolf was spotted in Ucluelet last week.

Andrew Riddell of the Conservation Officer Service said the COS has received reports of wolf sightings and is monitoring the situation, but does not believe the animal is a threat to public safety.

“I haven’t gotten any information that would cause any kind of concern for the residents in Ucluelet,” he told the Westerly News, adding the COS has “zero intention” of euthanizing or relocating the wolf based on its reported behaviour so far.

He added, though, that pets should not be left outdoors unattended.

“Haze them to save them.”

– Carla Anderson “It’s always best practice and safe practice to keep your pets on leashes,” he said.

Carla Anderson of Ocean Pet Supplies told the Westerly that pet owners must be extra vigilant when wolf activity is being reported.

“If there’s a wolf sighting in town like this, I don’t let my cat out. She’s inside 24/7, much to her disgust…She can suck it up and just stay inside,” Anderson said.

“Keep your dog on a leash when you’re in conspicuous areas like trails and things like that. Check behind you when you’re walking

and just be aware of your surroundings. Don’t let them [dogs or cats] free-roam.”

Riddell said anyone who spots a wolf in the community should immediately report their sighting to the COS at 1-877-952-7277.

He said many residents are posting about their wolf sightings on Facebook, but aren’t taking the important step of calling conservation officers as well.

“People do talk on social media and that’s great that they’re warning each other, but it would also be nice if, at the same time, they took a little bit of time just to give us a call and make that report so we can track the wolf,” he said.

“A lot of work is going on into researching wolf activity and behaviour on the West Coast. We

want to know if they’re coming further into town or more frequently into town or if they’re having more interactions with people on trails and on beaches.”

Anderson said that if the COS does not receive reports of a wolf in time, they might not be able to haze the animal out before it becomes habituated and comfortable enough around humans to pose a threat.

“The importance of reporting sightings and encounters to the COS is so that when the animal makes that switch from a sighting, which is normal behaviour, to an encounter, which is the start of habituation, the conservation officers can step in and haze that animal and keep it safe,” she said.

“My motto is: ‘Haze them to save them.’”

MID ISLAND REALTY Ucluelet / Tofino midislandrealty.com

250-726-2228 250-725-2038

TIDES & WEATHER 7 Days Tidal Predictions Provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Ucluelet THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2019 TIDE 05:15 12:24 19:00

Metres 3.1 1 2.5

Feet 10.2 3.3 8.2

8°/5° Cloudy

FRIDAY MARCH 15, 2019 TIDE 00:04 06:27 13:42 20:25

Metres 1.8 3.1 0.9 2.6

Feet 5.9 10.2 3.0 8.5

8°/6°

Some sun

SATURDAY MARCH 16, 2019 TIDE 01:32 07:45 14:51 21:30

Metres 1.8 3.2 0.7 2.7

Feet 5.9 10.5 2.3 8.9

8°/8°

Rain; drizzle

SUNDAY MARCH 17, 2019 TIDE 02:50 08:57 15:49 22:22

Metres 1.6 3.3 0.5 3

Feet 5.2 10.8 1.6 9.8

12°/9° Rain

MONDAY MARCH 18, 2019 TIDE 03:54 09:59 16:39 23:07

Metres 1.4 3.5 0.4 3.2

Feet 4.6 11.5 1.3 10.5

17°/9°

Sun; high clouds

TUESDAY MARCH 19, 2019 TIDE 04:50 10:56 17:25 23:48

Metres 1.1 3.6 0.3 3.4

Feet 3.6 11.8 1.0 11.2

13°/7°

Sun; high clouds

WEDNESDAY MARCH 20, 2019 TIDE 05:41 11:49 18:09

Metres 0.9 3.6 0.4

Feet 3.0 11.8 1.3

11°/3°

Rain; drizzle

www.460realty.com

A4 Wednesday, March 13, 2019

OPINION

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

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The Westerly News is published every Wednesday

by Black Press Ltd. 102-1801 Bay St., Ucluelet Phone: 250-726-7029

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B.C. VIEWS

Get up earlier, Americans control your clock too So how was “spring forward” for you this year?

The annual ritual of giving back the hour you borrowed from the green gods of time last fall isn’t popular, especially with parents.

As the Associated Press reported last spring, it’s not popular with cows either. Dairy farmer Katie Dotterer-Pyle and her husband David Pyle milk 350 cows on their Maryland farm, and she says they are also creatures of routine: “A few of them are just a little confused about what’s going on.”

I cite an American source for a reason. Just as U.S.-backed environmentalists decide our aquaculture and oil and gas policies for us, and their lumber barons keep our forest industry on a short leash, American governments control our time too.

Premier John Horgan confirmed this again last week, sending letters to the governors of California, Oregon and his anti-pipeline pal Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, asking them to keep him in the loop

on their efforts to move to daylight ing to the south, there wasn’t much he saving time all year around. B.C. could could do. He was concerned about kids do it tomorrow on its own, but U.S. going to school in the dark, though. states are subject to federal law. The He feels you, as Horgan does today, three western states have legislation and that means exactly what it usually in process to seek an exemption from means. Daylight saving time was first the Donald Trump administration proposed in 1907, when British builder to adopt Pacific Daylight Time perWilliam Willit circulated a pamphlet Tom Fletcher manently. called “A Waste of Daylight.” It was “We have too many economic ties, first implemented during World War I too many social and cultural ties to have one or two to save fuel. But critics argue it’s a false economy, jurisdictions out of sync with the others,” Horgan costing more in the morning. said. The Americans decided to move “spring One prominent critic in 2005 was UBC professor forward” backward in 2005. B.C.’s then-attorney Stanley Coren, an expert in sleep effects. His study general Wally Oppal surrendered to the American of Canadian traffic accidents in 1991 and 1992 will, moving “spring forward” from April to the found an eight per cent jump on the Monday second Sunday in March effective in 2007. after clocks were moved ahead. Coren’s research Oppal said he would consult the public mood suggested that time change effects on sleep can first, but with Ontario and Manitoba already salut- persist for up to five days.

Regular readers will know I am not a fan of Americans controlling our politics and culture.

It is now almost 50 years since a fellow named Pierre Trudeau decided Canada should get with modern times and adopt the metric system. Perhaps you’ve noticed that this has failed. Our ever-vigilant national media, for example, have given up even trying to use metric. We all talk American now, which is fine, because as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has explained, Canada is the world’s first “post-national state.”

I have this on the authority of The New York Times Magazine, which lovingly profiled our prime minister in 2016.

So you can forget this idea of setting our own clocks. Get up and get the kids to school in the dark, until Trump says differently.

Read more at www.westerlynews.ca

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E-mail: Andrew.Bailey@westerlynews.ca Deadline: Sunday at 2 p.m.

MEGAN HALLIWELL-DAVIES PHOTO

SpringTide Whale Watching & Eco Tours naturalist Megan Halliwell-Davies captured this shot of a sea otter scrubbing its face off the coast of Victoria, BC. Do you have a photo of your local surroundings that you would like to share? Send it to us at Andrew.Bailey@WesterlyNews.ca.

The Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, a division of Black Press, respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available by calling 250-905-0018. The contents of this newspaper are protected by copyright and may be used only for personal, non-commercial purposes.

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Are you in favour of banning plastic bags and straws?

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YES 83%

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LETTERS

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Letters to the Editor Deadline: Sundays 2:00pm Andrew.Bailey@WesterlyNews.ca

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TRENDING ONLINE

PIPELINE A BAD INVESTMENT Re: Killer whales are the new polar bears of politics in B.C., March 6, Westerly News.

Tom Fletcher’s opinion piece in the March 6 Westerly leaves no doubt where he stands on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and the purported impact it may have upon Southern Resident Killer Whales.

His message: the orcas are fine, just give us our oil tankers please. Infused with political hot-buttons, he trots out old, ill-informed, and well-worn simplistic messages.

Yet, his piece misses the bigger picture—we soon will be the species at risk.

Climate change is real. It’s impacting lives, and our economy now.

Pouring more taxpayers money into oil and gas infrastructure is a losing game.

Our stewardship over our fellow species isn’t going so well as the plight of the orcas poignantly shows us.

Courageous political leaders, who see the big picture deserve our support.

B.C. WOMAN LOST FOR THREE DAYS ON TRAIL URGES FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE FUNDING The headline should say, “Woman lost in woods blames government.”

Brad Johnston SAR definitely needs provincial funding as getting lost is a fact of the backcountry. Not sure why she just didn’t use her map and compass, or signal the helicopters with her emergency signal mirror and at least she had a knife, trail mix and a nalgene bottle with a rope to retrieve drinking water, her bivvy bag would have helped keep her warm at night until SAR could find the injured hiker.

Jason Hayes-Holgate

Jeanne Keith-Ferris Ucluelet

Read the full story online at:

westerlynews.ca

TRENDING ONLINE B.C. WOMAN TIRED OF HAVING TO PROVE SHE IS BLIND Most service dogs wear a jacket or identifying gear.

People should take one look and accept the dog and owner without question. Why would a stranger ask her where she got her dog harness? Would he have spoken to her otherwise? Why are people so rude and nosy?

Dakota Graham I think part of the problem is that there is sooo many fake service dogs. I’ve met at least 4 fake service dogs in Nanaimo...

Carla Anderson

TRENDING ONLINE ERRINGTON FARMER RECEIVES DEATH THREATS AFTER TWO DOGS SHOT, KILLED ON HER PROPERTY The dogs attacked his live stock however I agree he should have been honest about it.

Tammy Root-Byers She did what she felt fit and people giving death threats?

That’s messed up.

Dev Bou Her shooting the dogs snd keeping it a secret while the family searched for them is horrible.

Andrea Burger

YOUR VIEWS www.facebook.com/WesterlyNews Letters to the editor must be signed and include your full name, home town and contact number. Those without these requirements will not be published.

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The Westerly News is a member of the national newsmedia council which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour.

If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact: editor@westerlynews.ca or 250-726-7029. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019 A5

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A6 Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

DISTRICT OF TOFINO Box 9, 121 Third Street Tofino BC V0R 2Z0

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING (Rezoning) Lot B, District Lot 116, Clayoquot District, Plan 35285 680 Industrial Way

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing pursuant to Section 464 of the Local Government Act will be held in the Council Chambers of the Tofino Municipal Hall, 380 Campbell St., Tofino, B.C., on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 9:30 AM to hear representations from members of the public who deem their interest in property affected by the following bylaw: BYLAW No. 1250: “District of Tofino Zoning Map Amendment Bylaw No.1250, 2018” (amending Tofino Zoning Bylaw No. 770). A bylaw to rezone the subject property from Heavy Industrial District (M3) to Light Industrial District (M2); and to permit a second residential dwelling on the property.

This application will facilitate the development of two residential dwellings.

All persons who deem their interest in property affected by the proposed bylaw will be given an opportunity to be heard on matters contained in the bylaw. The application and further information may be inspected at the Tofino Municipal Office, 121 Third St., Tofino, B.C., during regular business hours (8:30 am - 4:00 pm) between March 13, 2019 and March 25 except weekends and statutory holidays.

Written submissions may be mailed to the District of Tofino, P.O. Box 9, Tofino, B.C., V0R 2Z0, or emailed to pthicke@tofino.ca. Please submit any comments or concerns you may have regarding this application before noon, March 25, 2019. A public information session will be held prior to the hearing at 9:00 am in Council Chambers, March 26, 2019.

For more information, please contact: Peter Thicke, Planner (T) 250.725.3229 ext 703 | (E) pthicke@tofino.ca

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PHOTO COURTESY OF MAAQTUSIIS SCHOOL

Maaqtusiis player Synaizjah Swan earned Player of the Game honours in her team’s morning bout against Gold River at the Island Championships last month. Swan was named First All Star of the tournament.

Maaqtusiis B-ball girls place third at Islands NORA O’MALLEY nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

Maaqtusiis senior girls basketball team placed third in the Island Championships on Feb. 22 and 23.

Head coach Amy Jack said their playoff opening game against host team Duncan Christian School (DCS) was the toughest loss of the season.

“Beginning of the season, we had met up with Duncan Christian at the home opener, where we beat them for the first time ever. We knew what were up against. And, that’s who we played our first game against in the playoffs, we literally played point for point. Unfortunately, that game we come up short, losing by only one point with final score of 57-56,” said Jack.

The narrow defeat instantly put Maaqtusiis in the losers’ bracket, meaning they would have no chance of competing for first or second place.

“School ball is very different than, native ball per se,” said Jack. “Other tournaments we play double knock out rounds, which gives teams a chance to climb your way back to the championship ‘through the back door’ as we like to say. Rules are even different for the boys division in school ball. Girls only have the one berth, no chance of challenge. Boys, however, have two berths, and first berth, you have chance to challenge for better placing.”

Maaqtusiis went on to smash Gold River 85-28 in their next game.

They played DCS again for third and fourth place.

“I swear the whole gym was probably holding their breath.”

– Amy Jack Maaqtusiis came out victorious in the end, beating DCS in overtime 62-59.

“I swear the whole gym was probably holding their breath,” Jack recalls.

“End of the fourth [quarter], it’s tie game, I remember one of girls making a foul, sending the girl to the free throw. The girl missed both shots. I immediately called for a time out once we gained possession. With only 17 seconds left, we went through what to run, but missed our shot and got no fouls called. Sending us into overtime again. It was a hard fought battle, but the girls pulled it off.”

Young Maaqtusiis player Synaizjah Swan, Grade 8, took home a tournament All-Star.

Jack said Swan posted over 45 points for her team throughout the playoffs.

“Her All-Star was very well deserved. I couldn’t more proud of all them, they are all All-Stars in my eyes. Looking forward what they bring next season,” said Jack.

On the Ucluelet Warriors side, team manager Jason Sam told the Westerly it’s been a struggle of a season for the Warriors. Neither the girls nor the boys participated in the Vancouver Island Championships this year.

“Our girls team folded, a couple of girls quit at the end and we didn’t have enough players to compete. Our boys were in the same boat,” Sam said.

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PROFILE

Wednesday, March 13, 2019 A7

Do you have something to say?

Andrew Bailey, Editor 250-726-7029 • andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

PACIFIC FC PHOTO

Vancouver Island’s brand new professional soccer team Pacific FC opened their 2019 pre-season with a four-day training session in Tofino. The team played soccer at MacKenzie Beach and Wickaninnish Community School.

Pacific Football Club takes shape in Tofino NORA O’MALLEY nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

With the sun on their backs and sand in their toes, Vancouver Island’s newly minted professional soccer team Pacific FC opened 2019 pre-season with a special four-day training camp in Tofino.

From March 7 to 10, the Canadian Premier League (CPL) club played beach soccer on Mackenzie, went for beach runs, and laced up at the Wickaninnish Community School field to kick the ball around with the local kids.

Coming together as a team on – and off – the field was the goal.

“The energy in Tofino is magical so we thought it’d be a great place to start the pre-season,” said Pacific FC co-owner Rob Friend, adding that the players were not allowed to try surfing due to liability issues. Visiting different communities about Vancouver Island will be weaved into Pacific FC’s busy 28-game regular season that kicks off with a home opener on April 28 against the HFX Wanderers FC of Halifax and ends in mid-October.

“The energy in Tofino is magical.”

– Rob Friend “This is a team for the Island,” touts Friend.

“Whether that’s here in Tofino or Nanaimo, Comox, wherever, we want to represent this Island, not the city, that’s why we are here in Tofino. Most of our players are from B.C. They respect this region and the West Coast region and they want to represent it. It’s important that we really dive into the communities around this Island to make this Island proud and have something to support from a professional sports level.”

Friend, a former professional international soccer player and member of the National team, said it took about three to four years for the Canadian Premier League to take flight.

“I never had the opportunity to play professionally in Canada. I had to leave. So we wanted to create an opportunity for Canadians.

We are really the last developed nation to have a professional soccer league. Finally we have

started one,” Friend told the Westerly News.

Comox goalkeeper Nolan Wirth will wear jersey number one for the Island.

“All I can ask for is for the Island to recognize how important and how big this is for the Island and for Canada. We needed a professional league for years and now we are finally getting one. It will only help develop the soccer culture in Canada,” said Wirth.

The Tofino training camp was led by Pacific FC’s head coach Michael Silberbauer, the club’s director of sports science Randy Celebrini, and assistant coach James Merriman.

Merriman, who grew up in the small community of Cedar near Nanaimo, thinks Pacific FC can make a real positive impact on youth throughout the Island.

“That’s very important to us. That’s one of the reasons we’re up here [in Tofino]. We’re going to continue to get into all the communities throughout the Island. That’s one thing we’re going to make sure we do. The players are going to have a positive impact in different ways,” said Merriman.

Seven teams will compete in the CPL’s inau-

gural season. Pacific FC will play out of the Westhills Stadium in Langford.

“A couple of the ownership teams are actually CFL clubs, you got the Hamilton Tiger Cats and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, they actually own a soccer team now. They will be playing out of their stadiums,” Friend said, adding that all the CPL games will be contested outdoors.

Soccer is a beautiful sport, notes Friend.

“It’s the most popular sport in the world.

Canada doesn’t have a soccer culture like the rest of the world, but we’re excited to change that. Anyone can play it. All you need is a ball.

There’s a reason it’s the most popular sport in the world and we’re excited to bring it here on the Island,” said Friend.

The CPL rulebook was written to give Canadian players more opportunities. For example, each team roster of 22 has a limit of seven foreign nationals. The League also announced it will be hosting a series of open tryouts in cities across Canada for players over 16.

“Hey, maybe one day there will be a kid from Tofino playing [professional] soccer,” Friend said.

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SHORELINE

The Wreck of the Vanlene A West Coast cautionary tale SHIRLEY MARTIN Special to the Westerly

It bordered on miraculous that the Vanlene made it across the Pacific from Japan to the coast of B.C. And, it was not surprising that she ran aground in dense fog on Austin Island, about ten miles south-east of Ucluelet.

On March 14, 1972, the captain sent out a distress signal stating he was somewhere off the coast of Washington State. Like so many others, he had missed the entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait and come to grief in Barkley Sound.

Luckily, the tug Neva Straits pinpointed the ship’s correct location and rescued the crew of 38.

Lo Chung-Hung, the Vanlene’s 29-year-old captain, related details of their voyage. He had guided the 473-foot, 8,500-ton freighter across the Pacific using a magnetic compass, after the owners of the Panama-registered vessel refused to repair the ship’s navigational equipment. The ship’s owners later disputed his statement, but rescue personnel confirmed that none of the equipment was working when he ran aground.

The ship’s owners hired Seaspan to salvage the cargo, consisting of 300 new Japanese-built Dodge Colts. However, the Federal Government saw the urgent need to deal with a potential ecological disaster, so that became Seaspan’s priority. An estimated 250 tonnes of diesel fuel and bunker oil was spilled, covering miles of Barkley Sound shoreline. 150 tonnes still had to be removed from the ship.

The disaster generated much rhetoric in parliament about who would cover cleanup costs. Getting money from an off-shore shipping company wasn’t viable, leaving Canadian taxpayers footing the $169,00 bill. Who paid for cleanup attempts was no doubt a moot

ALBERNI VALLEY MUSEUM PHOTO PN5248, PHOTOGRAPHER: PATRICK POWER

The 8,500 tonne Vanlene ran aground on Austin Island in 1972. All 38 crewmembers were rescued thanks to a nearby tugboat. point for oil-soaked birds dying on Barkley Sound shorelines.

The Federal Government was criticized for taking three days to circle the ship with a containment boom. Some of the mop-up equipment proved inadequate for rough West Coast seas. Ultimately, Mother Nature was credited with protecting beaches and intertidal zones, when heavy seas, torrential rain and an extreme high tide helped break up the fuel and take it out to sea. In this case, pollution was still a reality, but considered the lesser of two evils.

Those same heavy seas delayed the salvaging of the cars, but eventually 131 cars were lifted by helicopter, one at a time, and flown over Effingham Island to a barge anchored a mile away.

Each car took about ten minutes to lift and transport; they were eventually barged to their intended destination of Vancouver. 169 cars,

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damaged by salt water, were left aboard the ship.

Once Seaspan had finished their retrieval mission, salvage continued, but on a smaller scale. Many West Coast residents visited the wreck, finding useful items or fanciful treasures to take home.

A Port Alberni RCMP member deemed it acceptable for scavengers to take what they wanted once Seaspan had finished its salvage commitment. Another RCMP requested that people declare the items they removed from the wreck. Some people took engines and car parts from the Dodge Colts, despite the corrosive nature of salt water.

I explored the wreck of the Vanlene several times that summer while home from university. By then, she had shifted considerably from the power of the waves. Dad and I went over from Ucluelet in our 14-foot boat and tied along-

side. We had to leap quickly onto the slanted deck before the next big wave washed up. It was an eerie experience wandering through the ruined vessel. On my first visit, the sound of banging and clunking kept me on edge, nervous that the ship would tip over and pitch me into the sea. But, it was thrilling and fun; when we left, I was eager to return. I coined the tongue-incheek phrase “wreck-onnoitering” to describe my adventures on the Vanlene. A little Chinese-English dictionary I found in one of the deserted cabins remains my treasured keepsake.

Over the next few years, gales and heavy seas continued to wear her down, until eventually the Vanlene slid under the sea, another victim of the Graveyard of the Pacific.

Her story is a cautionary tale.

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Wednesday, March 13, 2019 A9

WESTERLY FILE PHOTO

The abandoned boats and boat trailers left at Wickaninnish Community School’s field will be towed next month.

Abandoned trailers to be towed by school ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

The abandoned boat trailers that are currently clogging up the Wickaninnish Community School field’s parking area will be towed at the end of the month.

School District 70 issued a statement last week warning the owners of the roughly 12 trailers that they are parked at the Fourth Street location illegally.

“Considering the December storm, SD70 recognizes concerns with unsanctioned parking of boats and trailers,” the statement reads.

“We also recognize that finding suitable storage for boats and/or trailers may be challenging. Therefore, this correspondence is to notify owners that you have until the

end of the month to remove your property prior to them being towed.”

The statement adds that anyone requiring further information can contact the school at 250-725-3254.

Tofino’s Manager of Protective Services Brent Baker told the Westerly News that some of the trailers have been parked at the site for over a year, most have no proof of insurance, and he doubted any would be claimed.

He said the area is private land, so the district did not have authority to remove the trailers itself, despite requests from residents to clear the area.

“We have no jurisdiction over it,” Baker said. “It’s a private matter.”

Baker said he was happy to

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see the school “move forward to deal with it,” and added that talks are ongoing between SD70 and the Tofino Harbour Authority to put a system in place where boaters would be able to purchase permits to temporarily park their trailers on school property.

“It solves the harbour’s problem and it provides some money for various programs for the school,” Baker said. “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity. I’ve spoken with both parties about it and tried to give some suggestions on how it could work.”

Baker said there are no concerns over the trailers being moved to the district’s coveted downtown parking spots.

“If they were to end up there, they would be towed immediately,” he said.

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Wednesday, March 13, 2019 A11

Catastrophic moult at Ukee boat launch ANDREW BAILEY andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

In an act of either bravery or naivety, an elephant seal caused a brief stir in Ucluelet on Sunday when it picked a particularly busy area to haul out for its annual catastrophic moult.

The moulting seal was spotted by a Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society staffer on a rocky shoreline roughly one metre away from the Pat Leslie Memorial Boat Launch.

“This animal picked a pretty busy place to haul out of the water—a mere 5 feet from a busy boat launch,” read a Facebook post from SIMRS on Sunday. The area was immediately cordoned off with police tape and two information bulletins were posted on-site to advise residents and visitors to leave the large animal alone.

“Please keep your distance. It may look slow and harmless, but it is capable of moving very quickly and could be dangerous if it feels threatened,” the bulletin read.

It explained that all elephant seals take about a month off each year to haul out on land and go through the moulting process, where they shed their fur and underlying of their skin.

“For just over a month, the seal is confined to land and spends most of its time dozing and lazily flip-

STRAWBERRY ISLE MARINE RESEARCH SOCIETY PHOTO

An elephant seal picked a busy spot near Ucluelet’s Pat Leslie Memorial Boat Launch to haul out for its annual catastropic moult on Sunday, but had moved on by Monday morning. ping sand onto itself to stay cool. It doesn’t eat and may lose up to 25 per cent of its body weight,” the bulletin read. It added that moulting sea lions are often mistaken for animals in distress, but assured that “moulting is

a natural process and should not be interfered with.”

Sunday’s seal appeared to have second-guessed itself and chosen another location for its annual shedding as it had vanished from the boat launch

by 6 a.m. Monday morning.

Elephant seals can weigh up to 2,300 kg and measure as long as five metres. They are routine sights on the West Coast and also frequent the Strait of Juan De Fuca and Haida

Gwaii, the bulletin explained.

Anyone who sees a marine mammal in distress is urged to stay clear of the animal and to report it to Fisheries and Oceans Canada at 1-800-4654336.

Absence of housing reaching a boiling point From A1

During their Feb. 12 meeting, council reviewed a letter from Petra Hansman who wrote that she is a “concerned rental citizen of Tofino,” and is frustrated by what she believes has been a lack of action by council to fulfill the promises made during the campaign trail.

“There has been a palatable hush over talk of creating affordable housing, I fear that district and council have lost momentum in this very important issue,” she wrote.

She suggested developers could be interested in creating housing projects, but council “needs to be more flexible and create more allowances” while working with developers to find solutions.

“You as councillors and mayor were employed by the townspeople to alleviate this issue. Our town is desperate for solutions and shovels in the ground today. It’s time for investments made and solutions implemented. Please act before our gross population moves to Ucluelet and beyond. Enough is enough,” she wrote.

Tofino mayor Josie Osborne told the Westerly News that the district conducted a housing needs assessment in 2015 that highlighted a significant need for housing, but did not quantify or describe in detail the gap of suitable housing for the com-

“You as councillors and mayor were employed by the townspeople to alleviate this issue.”

– Petra Hansman munity’s most vulnerable residents.

“Until Dr. Marshall reported to us in the Council meeting, I did not know that the hospital has admitted people overnight so that they have a place to stay—presumably a safe, warm and dry place to sleep,” she said. “Dr. Marshall has highlighted an absolutely critical need that clearly must be addressed but, for me, this news also indicates the need to build more awareness and dialogue about the issue of homelessness and ‘living rough’ on the West Coast, an issue that is practically invisible to mainstream society.”

She said Tofino’s housing shortage is well known and is impacting distinct segments of the town’s population in different ways.

“Some people can afford market rents or mortgages, but they simply cannot find a place to rent or a home to buy. Many, many, others simply do not make enough income to afford market rents and mortgages—should

they be so fortunate as to even find a vacancy or a home for sale,” she said. “This group is often called the ‘missing middle’ and is likely the gap that is affecting local businesses and Tofino’s economy the most.”

She added the town’s most vulnerable residents need “deeply subsidized” housing, of which there is little in Tofino.

“We need to fill the housing gaps at all levels, but there are different strategies and partnerships needed for each type of housing,” she said.

She said council is working on creating “the best conditions possible” for affordable housing development through local government tools, like zoning, allowing increased density and removing minimum home sizes.

She added council is also lobbying the provincial and federal governments for desperately needed funding and policy changes and suggested Tofino’s was a key voice in the province’s decision to allow taxes collected by AirBnB rentals to go towards affordable housing initiatives last fall.

“A third category of action is actually building housing and, while that is relatively rare for a B.C. municipality, we are in the thick of it with the Tofino Bible Fellowship and the Tofino Housing Corporation preparing for a new residential neighbourhood on DL 114,” she said referring

to the district’s collaborative project to create 50 new housing units, which received $500,000 from the provincial government last March.

She added Tofino could also look into potential taxes being used in other municipalities, “Like the vacancy tax in Vancouver and the so-called speculation tax,” she suggested. “These taxes are controversial, but should we be considering them in Tofino to help cool market prices or to at least add extra funding to our affordable housing reserve?”

She cautioned the community against expecting affordable rentals and homes to spring up in short order.

“I’d like the public to understand that as frustrating as it is that things move slowly, it helps to ask questions, listen to Council, staff and developers and try to understand the trade-offs and compromises that we consider when we make decisions about housing. It took decades for B.C. to get into this serious affordable housing [crisis], and we won’t be able to solve it overnight,” she said.

“There is no single ‘best way’ to tackle Tofino’s housing issue, rather it’s a combination of many things— from increasing supply directly through the Tofino Housing Corporation and indirectly with willing developers, moderating the need for

new staff accommodation by carefully considering any new commercial development, lobbying the provincial and federal governments for funding and policy changes, to enforcing and reviewing short-term rental rules, to using zoning tools to create better conditions for affordable housing.”

She added that “unless we are willing to compromise on density, parking requirements, and setbacks,” the cost of land, building materials, labour and service infrastructure will continue to push “even modestly sized and appointed homes” out of the financial reach of average Tofitians.

“If we truly want people of all income levels and stations in life to have dignified, affordable and adequate housing, there is likely no possible way to build affordable housing without increasing density in ways that Tofino is not entirely comfortable with. This is not easy for people to understand and accept, and I had to learn a lot about the true costs of development before I realized and accepted it myself,” she said. “Such changes will change the rural nature and feel of some streets and sites, but we are quickly approaching a point where we have to live with change in the community we love so we can support the people who make this such a great place to live.”

A12 Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

WEEKLY CROSSWORD

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Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

HOROSCOPE CLUES ACROSS 1. Employ 4. Not a starter 7. Matchstick game 8. One who receives a gift 10. One shows highlights 12. Open sore 13. Within 14. __ Caesar, comedian 16. Investment account 17. A negatively charged ion 19. Immoral act 20. Cheek 21. Lacking in vigor or vitality 25. Partner to flow 26. Ink 27. “Mad Men” actor 29. A taunt 30. Single 31. A very large body of water 32. A configuration of stars as seen from the earth 39. Herringlike fish 41. No (Scottish) 42. White-breasted N. American auk 43. American time 44. Adult female 45. Singer Horne

46. Pronouncements 48. From a distance 49. Indian term of respect 50. One from Utah 51. Never sleeps 52. Type of bulb

27. Covers the engine 28. Commentator Coulter 29. Mousse 31. Witness 32. Unlikely to be forgotten 33. Bar bill 34. Morning 35. City south of Moscow 36. Highly incensed 37. Intricately decorated 38. Drew closer to 39. Beers 40. Central China city 44. Touch lightly 47. Habitual twitching

CLUES ACROSS 1. Hard to believe 2. Used as a pigment in painting 3. Induces vomiting 4. Fifth note of a major scale 5. Written in a majuscule script 6. Brews 8. Misfire 9. Amounts of time 11. The act of perceiving THIS WEEKS ANSWER something visually 14. Female sibling 15. First 18. Sodium 19. Brother or sister 20. Satisfy 22. The lands of an estate 23. Antiballistic missile 24. Taxi

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Your thoughts and actions may be spurred on by your emotions this week, Aries. It may be better to wait a few days to make decisions until things quiet down.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you could be in for a roller coaster ride this week, especially as it pertains to spending. Money could fly out of your wallet faster than you can earn it. Exercise caution.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, as long as you have a solid team in your corner, you can adapt well to the changing environment. However, even a superhero needs a break from time to time.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Overcome your resistance and listen to another person’s side of the story, Cancer.

Embrace letting this person take the lead on something at work or in your home life.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Friends are lining up to be helpful over the next few days, Leo. Take advantage of their generosity, especially if you find yourself feeling under the weather.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, the personalized touches you put on any project will showcase your personality and passion. Think about embracing a crafty task to really display your talents.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, on the surface, it may seem like you have your act all together. But beneath your emotions may be roiling. You may want to let some close people in on your secrets.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 So many things hinge upon balance, Scorpio. Make a concerted effort to balance things in your life. You may have to make some changes and experiment.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Your inclination to meet the needs of others this week is commendable, Sagittarius. Just be sure your generosity does not come at the expense of your own well-being.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, there is nothing wrong with seeing the world through rose-colored glasses from time to time. Such a positive perspective might change your outlook for good.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 You are adept at staying on track when you need to, Aquarius. This makes you an ideal fitness guru. Try to inspire others to be regimented as well.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, do your best to honor requests from friends, associates and family this week. If you pull it off, take some time to recharge.

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INDEX IN BRIEF FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS ..............1-8 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS....9-57 TRAVEL .......................................61-76 CHILDREN ...................................80-98 EMPLOYMENT .........................102-198 BUSINESS SERVICES ...............203-387 PETS & LIVESTOCK .................453-483 MERCHANDISE FOR SALE........503-587 REAL ESTATE...........................603-969 RENTALS.................................703-757 AUTOMOTIVE...........................804-862 MARINE...................................902-920

Employment Community Annoucements

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Information

INDEX IN BRIEF

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SAY NO to FAKE NEWS! 63% of Canadians can’t tell the difference between real and fake news. Support reliable LOCAL journalism. Join the list www.newspapersmatter.ca.

TROUBLE WALKING? HIP or KNEE REPLACEMENT, or other conditions causing restrictions in daily activities? $2,000 tax credit. $40,000 refund cheque/rebates.

Disability Tax Credit. 1-844-453-5372

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Parks & Recreation Department

PLAYSCHOOL ASSISTANT Casual Responsible for assisting with the planning and supervision of the playschool program and to provide a safe learning environment for playschool children.

Term: Tuesday or Thursday mornings - 4 hours, September - June Wage: $17.68/hour, less 10% during probationary period As per current CUPE contract Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2019 Please note: Casual employees are those who are employed on an irregular or intermittent basis. There is no guarantee of hours or schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS: t 3FTQPOTJCMF "EVMU $FSUJGJDBUF JT SFRVJSFE t $PNQMFUJPO PG (SBEF PS FRVJWBMFOU t 7BMJE -FWFM 0OF 'JSTU "JE $FSUJGJDBUF t -FBEFSTIJQ TLJMMT BOE QSFWJPVT FYQFSJFODF XJUI DIJMESFO t "DDFQUBCMF .JOJTUSZ PG +VTUJDF $SJNJOBM 3FDPSET $IFDL Qualified applicants should submit a covering letter & resume by Q N 5IVSTEBZ .BSDI UP "CJHBJM , 'PSUVOF .BOBHFS PG 1BSLT & Recreation: District of Ucluelet P.O. Box 999 Ucluelet, B.C. V0R 3A0 200 Main Street afortune@ucluelet.ca phone: 250-726-4780 I fax 250-726-7335 *Please note only those short listed will be contacted.

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities

YOUR NEW CAREER

WITH BLACK PRESS STARTS HERE Black Press Media is the leading North American local news champion with operations across British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, Washington State, California, Alaska and Hawaii.

Over 2,000 talented employees work with us delivering unique community news and information across a full suite of digital and traditional media channels. We value diverse viewpoints, new ways of thinking and a collaborative approach to delivering results.

FLYBOY (LADYSMITH)

There is an immediate opening for a full time Flyboy for a night shift at our Ladysmith location. Duties include lifting papers from stacker to skids, helping the Pressman with repairs and learning to operate a forklift to use when needed. Must have your own mode of transportation and the ability to work nights.

PRESS HELPER (LADYSMITH)

Black Press, Ladysmith Press Division, has an immediate opening for a full-time Press Helper. You’ll be working as part of a diverse team while helping with repairs, using a forklift and pallet jack. You must have excellent communication skills and attention to detail.

MULTI-MEDIA JOURNALIST (PARKSVILLE, PORT HARDY, LADYSMITH)

The right candidate will have outstanding and diverse writing abilities, specifically suited for both online and print with the ability to work well under deadline pressure. This position will be a key contributor to our websites and social media engagement. Advanced video and photography skills will be key attributes, along with an extensive knowledge of social media best practices and a strong understanding of how to tailor online content accordingly. You will have a diploma/degree in journalism, including training in broadcast media and be comfortable working in a variety of environments.

APPLY today WITH YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO CAREERS@BLACKPRESS.CA , BE SURE TO REFERENCE THE JOB AND LOCATION YOU’RE APPLYING FOR. PLEASE NOTE ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. For more information on these vacancies and other regions throughout BC visit: www.blackpress.ca/careers

A14 Wednesday, March 13, 2019

A14 Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News Wed, Mar 13, 2019

Employment Education Employment

Merchandise for Sale Employment

Business Opportunities

Auctions

HomeEmployment Business Services

Financial Services GET BACK ON TRACK!

Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money?

We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify.

Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com

Counselling IF YOU want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, we can help.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Ucluelet/Tofino 1-800-883-3968

2 Online Auctions Of Food & Restaurant Equipment - Opens March 12th - Closes March 19th View Online at activeauctionmart.com Onsite Viewing One Day Only - Complete. Restaurant - Formerly Jacksons Grill in Chilliwack, BC plus Surplus Grocery Store Equipment in Langley BC - Lots incl: Auto Slicers, Hobart Mixer, 7 True Refrig units, Smallwares, Robot Coupe, Blendtec Blenders, Complete Booths, Tables, Chairs PLUS 3 x 30 Quart Axis Mixers, 5 Henny Penny Combi Ovens, Slicers, Cook & Hold, Vacuum Sealer , Savage Bros Fudge Makers and MORE. For Viewing Times & More Details Visit www. activeauctionmart.com email buyit@activeauctionmart. com - Tel 604-371-1190 Catalogs Avail.

Misc. for Sale SAWMILLS from only $4,397 - MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension.

In stock ready to ship.

FREE Info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT 1-800-567-0404 Ext:400OT.

9OURÖ.%7Ö#!2%%2ÖBEGINSÖHERE XXX MPDBMXPSLCD DB

In Need Of Selling Your RIDE? Vehicle Package

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

www.westerlynews.ca

IN FOCUS

Looking for all the greatest local deals?

ARTSPLASH!

Iconic West Coast artist and Reflecting Spirit Gallery owner Signy Cohen smiled alongside her father artist Didymus Bernadotte while enjoying a warm ArtSplash! opening reception at Ucluelet’s Black Rock Resort.

AT BLACK ROCK

Presented by the Pacific Rim Arts Society, ArtSplash! is the largest non-juried Annual Art Show on the West Coast, featuring art work from over 60 local and regional artists. After perusing the art display, onlookers are welcome to cast a vote for their favourite work of art in the coveted ‘Peoples Choice Selection’ contest. All artwork is for sale. Come out and support the arts community between 11:00am – 7:00pm in the Black Rock lobby. There is also a daily ‘Artists in Action’ from 1-4pm. Visit www.pacificrimarts.ca for information. For more photos of community events, check out our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/WesterlyNews

Exclusive local specials and promotions in your community NORA O’MALLEY PHOTOS

Spe cials* 10.00

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3 lines/ 3 Neighbouring papers/ 2 Weeks

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BCClassifieds.com

...in your community, online and in print

ONLINE bcclassifieds@blackpress.ca IN PRINT 1.866.865.4460

Visit your local community Black Press Media newspaper website & click on the E-EDITIONS button at the top of the page.

Ucluelet pyrographic artist Kelly Deakin stands beside her creation the ‘Pond Bar Table’.

Port Alberni artist Nigel Sutcliffe posed with his painting ‘Breaking Wave’ during the ArtSplash art show at Black Rock Resort.

Giovi Corlazzoli was the Peoples Choice Selection in 2015 for a painting he did of a Chinook salmon in kelp.

TALKING ABOUT CANNABIS CAN GO MANY WAYS PRACTICEKIDS.CA

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

www.westerlynews.ca

Wednesday, March 13, 2019 A15

C O M M U N I T Y

events

CALENDAR events

ARTSPLASH! 2019, On display in the Black Rock Resort lobby until March 17.

Free art exhibit featuring over 60 local and regional artists.

WPT BOARD MEETING, Wednesday, March 13. 7pm at the UCC. Members of the public are invited to attend, observe and learn about one of the West Coast’s top attractions.

RES SPEAKER SERIES: ORCAS AT RISK?, Thurday, March 14. 7-9pm in the Tofino Botanical Gardens.

In this lecture, cetacean research biologist Dr. John Ford describes the importance of cultural traditions in the lives of orcas $5 at the door.

PUBLIC BEACH SEINE, Saturday, March 16. 3:305pm at Terrace Beach in Ucluelet. Ucluelet Aquarium staff and volunteers will be collecting for our 2019 season and you can watch!

BLESSING OF THE FLEET, Monday, March 18. 9:30-9:40 am at Tofino’s 1st Street Dock. The choir will be there to sing for the boats as they go by!

MOVIE NIGHT, Monday, March 18. Doors at 7:15pm show at 8 in the Clayoquot Theatre. ‘Free Solo’.

STITCH N BEACH, Tuesday, March 19. 5:308:30pm at Tofino Botanical Gardens. Join Surfrider in a community evening of making reusable bags!

Free event with snacks, equipment is included and no experience is necessary.

FEATURED EVENT OF THE WEEK

ongoing WEST COAST AA GROUP, Mondays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. 1663 Peninsula Road, Ucluelet.

MARCH 17

UCLUELET ALANON GROUP, Wednesdays, 7:30pm. 1663 Peninsula Rd. Ucluelet.

KARAOKE AT THE LEGION, Wednesdays, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tofino Legion.

BADMINTON, Sundays, 7-9pm. USS Gym. $2 drop-in.

DARTS, Fridays, 7pm.

Tofino Legion.

FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION DAY, Tuesdays, 1-3pm at the Seaplane Base.

service

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH, Sunday Mass 10 am. Weekday Mass: Wed 9:30 am and Fri 7 pm.

Ucluelet.

RUBBER FISH RACE Come check out the Thornton Creek Hatchery and predict the winners of the West Coast’s annual Rubber Fish Race. The hatchery will be open to visitors from 11:30am – 2:00pm.

Tickets $5/fish and race starts at 1:00 pm. Free hot dog BBQ! Prizes sponsored by Ucluelet Petro-Can.

service

service

ST. COLUMBA CHURCH Sundays, 10:30am.

GRACE BIBLE CHURCH, Sundays at 10:30am at UCC.

TOFINO BIBLE FELLOWSHIP Sundays, 10:30am. Tofino Legion.

CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL, Sundays, 10:30 am. 1419 Peninsula Rd, Ucluelet.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH Saturday, 5pm.

To submit your activities, e-mail: office@westerlynews.ca, fax: 250-726-4248 or drop by: #102-1801 Bay St, Ucluelet. We accept your Arts & Entertainment, Service Group, Non-Profit Organization, Church, Library, Fundraiser, Open to the Public Notices on a first come, first served basis.

March 14 . Will Ross March 21 . Lonnie Glass March 28 . John Muirhead

15% off Food Fetch Restaurant & Float Lounge 10% off Drift Spa Services

westerlynews.ca

Every Ad You Place Runs in Print and Online

Call 250.726.7029 or email nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca

Notice of Tofino Co-op Director Election Notice of Tofino Co-op This is the first notice of the Director Election for the Tofino Consumers Co-operative, which will be held at the Annual General Meeting of Tofino Director Election Co-op on Wednesday May 22nd, 2019.

There Co-op are three director positions Notice of Tofino

for election at this meeting. The meeting will be held at the Wickaninnish Elementary School at 7:00 PM. This is the first notice of the Director Election for the Tofino Consumers Co-operative,

which will be held at the Annual General Meeting of Tofino Co-op on Wednesday May 22 ,packages 2019. There are are three available director positions election at this meeting. TheOffice meeting (140 First Nomination atfor the Administration at of the Elementary School at 7:00 PM. This iswill thebe firstheld notice theWickaninnish Director Election for the Tofino Consumers Co-operative, Street) of the Tofino Co-op for interested individuals. which will be held at the Annual General Meeting of Tofino Co-op on Wednesday May 22 , 2019.

There areare three director at positions for election at this meeting. meeting Nomination packages available the Administration Office (140The First Street) of will bethe heldTofino at the Wickaninnish Elementaryindividuals.

School at 7:00 PM. Co-op for interested Please Note Nomination packages are available at the Administration Office (140 First Street) of • Candidates meet the criteria set forth in the Rules of the Pleasefor Noteelection must the Tofino Co-op for interested individuals.

Tofino Consumers Co-operative Association, Rule #76. This information is Please Note for electionpackage.

Candidates must meet the criteria set forth in the Rules of the Tofino included in• the nomination Consumers Co-operative Association, Rule #76. This information is included in • Candidates for election must meetby 4:00 the criteria setPM, Wednesday, forth in the Rules of the TofinoMay 8th, 2019 to • All nominations must be presented the nomination package.

Consumers Co-operative Association, Rule #76. This information is included in • All nominations must be presented by 4:00 PM, Wednesday, May 8 , 2019 to the the Administration Office of the Tofino Co-op. the nomination package.

Administration Office of be thepresented Tofino Co-op.

• All nominations must by 4:00 PM, Wednesday, May 8 , 2019 to the • Nominations willAdministration not be taken from floor at Annual the Annual General Office the Tofino Co-op.

• Nominations will not be of taken fromthe the floor at the General Meeting as Meeting as • Rules Nominations will not Consumers be taken fromCo-operative the floor at theAssociation, Annual General Meeting per: Rules ofper: the Tofino Consumers Co-operative Association, of the Tofino Rule #79 as “A Rule #79 per: Rules of the Tofino Consumers Co-operative Association, Rule #79 “A Member may nominate candidate for Director no later than 14later days before an14 days before “A Member may nominate a acandidate for Director no Member may nominate a candidate for Director no later than 14 days before than an AnnualAnnual General Meeting which Director elected.”

General Meeting whichthe thethe Director isis toto bebe elected.” an Annual General Meeting atat atwhich Director is to be elected.”

Director Election

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www.tofino.ca/cannabis

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NEWS TIP? Contact the Westerly newsroom at 250-726-7029 andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca

A16 Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

www.westerlynews.ca

Deceased Island huskies celebrated at vigil A celebration of life was held Sunday for two Errington huskies that were killed on Christmas Eve. Kodi and Tigger, the pair of dogs owned by Mafawnwee Olivia Kenton, went missing on Dec. 24 and after an extensive two months of searching it was announced last week the dogs had been shot and buried on an Errington farm for attacking a pregnant goat.

The bodies of the dogs were retrieved on Friday.

A vigil was held on March 10 at the Errington Community Park and was attended by close to 40 people. There were many hugs, tears, and words of condolence for Kenton and her family.

Kenton told those in attendance stories of her “loving boys” and said her four-year-old son still asks when his brothers are coming home.

“I wish I could tell him they’re coming home,” Kenton said through tears.

Now that the dogs’ remains have been cremated, Kenton plans to spread their ashes at some of their favourite spots, including the family farm.

“I feel a bit of closure,” Kenton said.

“I’m sure thankful for this community, they’ve healed me a lot and gone out of their way. I’ve had nothing but positive messages.”

Farmer Wendy Glover, whose partner shot the dogs on their property, said she is still receiving death threats via social media.

“I have been far from perfect, but this

ISLAND IN BRIEF

RCMP. By about noon, gas workers from Fortis BC were emptying gas from a line ahead of repairs on the broken meter and shutting down gas to several affected buildings.

– www.campbellriver mirror.com

KARLY BLATS PHOTO

Supporters gather to remember Errington huskies Kodi and Tigger who were shot on Christmas Eve. A celebration of life was held at Errington Community Park on March 10. is a nightmare that I don’t deserve,” Glover said. “They write me the most hateful vitriol. I don’t know where to take my children and animals where we can be safe.”

Glover hopes now that the bodies have been released that both families can move on, but she said she would be “naive if after all I have seen and documented if I believed that we can recover our reputations.”

“We would never have done it if we had any other choice and still save our animals,” Glover said.

– www.pqbnews.com Gas leak closes highway after vehicle crashes into Campbell River store A vehicle hit a building in Campbell River on Sunday morning, causing a gas leak that led to the closure of the Island Highway in both directions, ac-

cording to Campbell River Fire Rescue.

A driver was taken to hospital after the vehicle crashed into Island Collateral at 870 Island Hwy., said Cpt. John Baker.

“When it impacted the building, it came in contact with the gas meter and sheared it off,” Baker said.

Firefighters responded to the incident shortly before 8 a.m., and arrived onscene with BC Ambulance workers and

Western Forest Products to shut Alberni sawmill for a month Alberni Pacific Division Sawmill in Port Alberni will be closing for a month starting on March 18. Western Forest Products owns and operates the mill.

“We are temporarily suspending operations for a four-week period starting on March 18,” WFP director of communications Babita Khunkhun confirmed late Friday, March 8.

“This decision is directly related to market conditions. Our APD facility mainly produces products for the Japanese market, so it’s related to market demand for that product.”

Khunkhun said employees at APD have been advised of the shutdown.

“We have advised our employees that it will be for a four-week period.”

– www.albernivalleynews.com