Bowen Island Undercurrent October 24 2019

FIREFIGHTERS’ DISPUTE: the latest developments

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019

RUN FOR NYC

VOL. 45, NO. 43

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Islander to run in the NYC Marathon for Komera PAGE 8

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CAO Lalonde takes a leave MUNICIPALITY APPOINTS AN INTERIM CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO PHOTO

GRANDFRIENDS: Aubin van Berckel (right) and Bowen Island Community School students take in some literature at

the weekly Grandfriends program at Bowen Island Community School Oct. 18. For more photos see page 7.

Weiler wins Sea to Sky riding WHILE NOT A LANDSLIDE, THE LIBERAL CANDIDATE WEILER ENJOYED A DECISIVE VICTORY MONDAY BEN BENGTSON & JEREMY SHEPHERD

North Shore News

The country may be divided but the North Shore was unified on election night as all three ridings remained Liberal red.

Newcomer Patrick Weiler is set to represent West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country after notching 22,135 votes, edging Conservative challenger Gabrielle Loren by more

than 5,000 votes.

A crowd of jubilant supporters and campaign volunteers gathered at Amici Restaurant on Marine Drive in West Vancouver to celebrate after election polls closed Monday evening.

Weiler emerged to greet his supporters shortly after. Weiler, whose campaign focused on touting the Liberals’ $55-billion national housing strategy and bringing effective public transportation options connecting Sea to Sky

and across Howe Sound, has stated that the most pressing issue facing the Canadian economy was transitioning from a fossil fuel-based economy to a clean energy economy.

“Transportation and housing are major priorities throughout the riding, and so that’s really what I’m going to be focused on,” Weiler said in an interview after addressing his supporters. “For me, I’ve been very, very encouraged to see the progress of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Bowen’s chief administrative officer Kathy Lalonde has taken a personal leave as of Oct. 22.

A Bowen Island Municipality news release Monday afternoon said that BIM is appointing Dennis Back as interim CAO in Lalonde’s absence.

Though the release doesn’t go why Lalonde is taking leave, in a letter to the community last week, Lalonde said that her husband is very ill. In the same letter Lalonde described being on the receiving end of personalized harassment during the firefighters’ dispute.

Mayor Gary Ander wouldn’t get into why Lalonde is taking a leave, only saying that it was her decision.

“There’s just a lot of stuff going on in her world,” said Ander. “That’s all.”

While chief financial officer Raj Hayre usually acts as CAO while Lalonde is away, Ander said that for Lalonde’s prolonged absence, council felt it necessary to hire someone for that position. “It probably is the most important job as far as the administration is concerned,” said Ander.

Back, who has a long history in municipal administration, started as interim CAO at the municipality Oct. 22.

“We’re extremely happy to have him and we’re very fortunate because he’s a very talented individual,” said Ander.

Since 2009 Back has worked all over B.C. as an independent contractor, frequently filling in as CAO for municipalities and temporarily taking responsibility for day-to-day operations.

Before his contracting days, Back worked for the District of North Vancouver for more than a decade, including a stint as its CAO, and in Vancouver, Powell River, Penticton and Oliver municipalities.

Only a couple of days into his new role, Back says that he’s glad to be able to come over and offer his assistance to the municipality and that it seems like a great place so far.

The release says that Lalonde intends to return to work Jan. 6, 2020.

2 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019

Event Calendar October 24, 2019 3:00 pm Fire Hall Facilities Steering Committee Meeting

October 24, 2019 7:00 pm

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

Short Term Rentals Open House

Seeking Public Comment DVP-12-2019 (1791 Frances Walk)

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Come check out the draft policy, discuss any questions and have your say. The draft is scheduled to go before Council for adoption end of November. www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/str

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A Development Variance Permit application has been submitted for 1791 Frances Walk (shown on map) to demolish an existing residence and build a new dwelling in a similar location.

The variance application is to reduce the setback of the sea from 30m to 15m to allow for the new building. The proposal will also involve removal of select trees, some of which are also within the setback.

Public Art Advisory Committee Meeting

October 26, 2019 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Hazardous Waste and Paint Recycling @ Bowen Building Centre

Regular Council Meeting

October 29, 2019 7:00 pm Mayor’s Standing Committee on Community Lands Meeting

October 30, 2019 6:00 pm Bluewater Park Water System Information Meeting

7:00 pm Bluewater Park Water System Local Advisory Committee Meeting

November 1, 2019 9:30 am

Compost on Bowen?

Did you know? The green waste collected from Bowen Island travels all the way to Pemberton to be composted. This is expensive and not very sustainable. Disposal fees for green waste have increased substantially since 2016, from $65/ton to $95/ton. Another increase to $120/ton is proposed for next year – that’s almost DOUBLE! We’re looking into whether a composting facility would be easy, cost effective and efficient to operate on Bowen Island.

We’d like to hear from you! Take a quick survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/bowen-compost

Housing Advisory Committee

TIMELINE:

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME: Written submissions may be delivered to Municipal Hall (contact information below): • In person • By mail • By fax • By email to bim@bimbc.ca Submissions may also be made to Mayor and Council at the meeting:

6:15 PM on MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019 in Council Chambers, Municipal Hall To ensure a fair process, submissions cannot be accepted after the meeting has begun.

Meeting

November 1, 2019 1:00 pm

Questions? Please contact Jennifer Pierce, Planner I at 604-947-4255 or jpierce@bimbc.ca

Economic Development

Halloween Fireworks

Committee Meeting All meetings are held in Council Chambers unless otherwise noted.

Thursday October 31, 2019 7:30 pm @ The Causeway

Council and Committee meetings are open to the public. We encourage you to attend in person or watch online.

Firefighters will be serving hot chocolate afterwards

General Enquiries

Contact Us

Phone: Fax: Email:

Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca

MORE INFORMATION AT MUNICIPAL HALL: The application may be viewed at Municipal Hall between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding statutory holidays) or on the municipal website at https://www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/ planning.

Find us on Facebook Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, excluding statutory holidays October 24, 2019

Bowen Island Municipality

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

October 28, 2019 6:15 pm

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019 • 3

ISLAND NEWS

Firefighters’mediation on pause Timeline: how did we get here?

B.I.F.D. VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS SEEKING LEGAL REPRESENTATION BEFORE RETURNING TO TABLE WITH BIM

SOME OF THE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE FIREFIGHTERS AND BIM

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

July 15 Derek Dickson starts as BIM’s new fire chief.

Sometime in Aug. Representatives for the volunteers meet twice with Dickson to “express and seek to resolve our concerns,” according to Oct. 7 letter from firefighters.

Sept. 10 Firefighters deliver a petition signed by 23 volunteers “indicating a vote of no confidence.”

Editor

The recent rains haven’t dampened Bowen’s fiery dispute.

Last week, Bowen Island Municipality hired Southern Butler Price, a law firm that focuses on workplace dispute resolution, to mediate the dispute between the island’s volunteer firefighters and the municipality.

Southern Butler Price coordinated a task force, comprised of firm co-founder Lisa Southern; firm lawyer Jessica Bowering, who has Bowen roots; and fire service expert Lorne West, to facilitate the process.

The firefighters’ representatives met with the task force on Oct. 17. However, upon reading the contract between Southern Butler Price and BIM, the firefighters say they’ve decided to get legal representation before they return to mediation.

An Oct. 20 letter from firefighter Ian Brown says that the volunteers have “serious concern regarding the proposed task force process.”

The letter says that the firefighters were not given the opportunity to interview lawyers in advance and that they take issue with the contract between BIM and the task force, that it is a “terms of reference for an investigation” rather than a “mediation/conflict resolution process.” The letter also says that the agreement states that the lawyers will provide information and advice to BIM while there’s no similar provision for the firefighters. The letter ends by saying that the firefighters are seeking legal advice and are raising funds to that end.

In a written response to the firefighters, Ander said that BIM does not understand the task force to be conducting an investigation despite the title of the terms of reference. Ander says that while the terms of reference state that one of objectives is that BIM “rely on objective findings and legal advice if needed, in order to inform its decisions related to the Department,” this legal advice to make department decisions would not be from the task force other than what is shared with all the parties.

“I’m very sympathetic to the fact that [the firefighters] don’t feel that they’re equal partners in this fact-finding process,” Ander told the Undercurrent.

“We’re not getting a benefit that they’re not getting,” he said, calling the investigation wording “legalese.”

“We just want to get all the information and have someone make a report and deal

with it one way or another,” said Ander.

Southern, one of the members of the task force, clarified the relationship between BIM and the task force in a letter to firefighters.

“We were hired by the Municipality because they are responsible for the department. We do not represent the Municipality nor are we advocates for any particular interest or perspective,” she wrote. “We were asked to assist in designing and leading a fair and timely process in relation to the concerns that you have raised. That is our only interest in this matter.”

Brown said that he thanked the mayor for returning his email but the firefighters won’t return to the table just yet. “We need to get legal representation,” said Brown. “We won’t be contacting [BIM] until then.”

On Oct. 18, the task force released its phase one report.

“It is clear from the Phase 1 participants that there are widely varying perspectives and a perception that all of the information has not yet been heard or considered,” reads the report. “There is also a consistent concern about the tone and tenure of the discussion, including descriptions of serious incidents of disrespectful comments and conduct directed towards people who are perceived to represent one side of the debate or the other.”

The report says that the task force needs to gather more information from more people “in a manner where all participants feel safe in providing honest information” and proposes that the task force conducts “an environmental scan to identify the factors relevant to the concerns raised by volunteers.”

This scan is to include interviewing on a volunteer basis all current firefighters, former BIM fire chiefs, volunteer firefighters identified as “social” or “alumni” members “who have participated in events relevant to the current concerns,” BIM councillors, BIM Human Resources Committee, Bowen community members and a follow-up with the fire chief.

The task force proposes to start interviews with involved parties Oct. 24 and 25 to give the firefighters time to get representation.

The task force is scheduled to deliver its phase two report to the parties involved on Oct. 31, though that could be pushed back if the firefighters don’t return to the table.

Phase two may end with a final report or recommend next steps in the process.

Mayor Gary Ander wouldn’t say how much BIM is paying for the task force, he just said “it just needs to be done.”

love, peace, and remembrance

Sometime in Sept.

•

• •

The entire volunteer membership meets with Dickson in early Sept. according to firefighters’ Oct. 7 letter.

Representatives meet twice with the BIM Human Resources department according to the Oct. 7 letter.

Firefighters stop attending practice and training sessions, according to the Oct. 7 letter, which says, “we [the firefighters] believed it was necessary to underline the importance of the issues we had raised.”

Sept. 30

Council holds a closed council meeting in which they resolve to hold an independent core review, which was to include “evaluating fulfillment of Provincial training regulations,” “assessing compliance with Occupational Health and Safety regulations” and “reviewing current compensation methods,” among other duties.

At the same meeting, council resolves to request that BIM auditors “review the Bowen Island Fire Department’s social fund.”

Oct. 1 Council sends a letter to the firefighters notifying them of the previous evening’s resolutions.

Oct. 7 The firefighters deliver a letter to the municipality signed by all 26 volunteers saying that they were suprised by the focus on training in BIM’s letter and all the volunteer firefighters would resign as of 4 p.m. Oct. 10 if the fire chief remained in his position. Word gets out on Facebook that there is a conflict between the fire chief and the firefighters and public tension builds over the following days.

Oct. 9 •

Ander writes a letter to the fire department that says that they (BIM) “strongly support our Fire Chief in his mandate.” It asks the firefighters to reconsider their position on resigning and commits to hiring a third party neutral facil-

itator for the dispute.

Volunteer firefighters’ spokesperson Mike Hartwick says that the firefighters stand by their commitment to resign if the chief stays.

Oct. 10 A contingent of islanders and media gather in front of Municipal Hall starting at about 11 a.m. Some islanders are there in support of the volunteer firefighters, others are there out of concern that they wouldn’t have a fire department as of 4 p.m. Emotions run high as Mayor Gary Ander takes questions and as islanders confront Ander and CAO Kathy Lalonde. At 4 p.m. Mayor Gary Ander announces to media that Dickson voluntarily temporarily stepped aside. The firefighters don’t quit but Hartwick says that they’re still working for Dickson’s dismissal or the firefighters will once again be poised to resign.

•

Oct. 14

BIM chief administrative officer Kathy Lalonde reads an emotional letter out to council decrying the personalization of the BIM-firefighters dispute. Lalonde describes her experience with “an escalating level of verbal aggression, personal attacks and other humiliating actions.” In the same letter Lalonde says that her husband is critically ill.

Oct. 15 Volunteer firefighters meet with acting fire commissioner Jay Brownlee and a member of WorksafeBC. Oct. 16 BIM announces that it has hired Southern Butler Price.

Oct. 17 The task force meets with Ander, Lalonde, Dickson, members of BIM staff and firefighters’ representatives.

Oct. 18 Southern Butler Price submits its phase 1 report to BIM.

Oct. 20

• •

Firefighters write a letter to council to express their concern over the mediation process.

Ander and Southern respond to the firefighters to clarify their positions and the nature of the “terms of reference for an investigation.”

Oct. 21

•

•

BIM announces Lalonde is taking a personal leave and Dennis Back will take over as CAO for the next three months.

Firefighter Ian Brown says that the firefighters in the process of engaging a lawyer and that they stand by their letter to not meet with the task force until they have representation.

If you have a story or someone to remember for the Undercurrent Remembrance Day edition please email your submission

by Monday November 4 to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

4 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019

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VIEWPOINT EDITORIAL

Tabloid traditions

What an October!

Between the firefighters and the election, I’m shamefully behind on the latest Netflix releases (has anyone seen Living With Yourself yet?) but uncomfortably up to date on national party leaders’ penchant for talking over one another.

As a break from the real life drama, I saw Theatre on the Isle’s production of Blood Relations last weekend. As an adaptation of the tabloid sensation of the 1890s, Lizzie Borden’s story couldn’t help but remind me of the layers of social and political complexity in any tough story. The play is a lesson in psychology and compassion. Not to mention an enjoyable couple of hours engaged in the marvellous performances of our local (mostly) amateur actors. Though Friday is sold out, there are a few seats left Saturday. Check in at Phoenix.

On another note, next week is our Halloween edition.

If you’re at costume parties this weekend or have scary stories to share, send them in to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com. Also if you have costume ideas for a small-town reporter, I’m still struggling to figure out who I want to be. (Or is that an existential question?)

In times of division, events like Halloween, the upcoming Remembrance Day commemorations and then holiday festivities are opportunities to build community connections. On a smaller, everyday scale, there are the twice a month Legion lunches, spending ferry crossings in the lounge rather than car deck, or hunkering down at a coffee shop and greeting every single passerby. (That’s where the most local reporting gets done, though don’t tell my boss.)

Turning to explosive community traditions, the municipality is advertising that there will be Halloween fireworks at 7:30 p.m. at the causeway.

See you at the coffee shops!

––Bronwyn Beairsto, Editor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A proposal from the Bowen Seniors Tent City DEAR EDITOR: Our homeless numbers have increased since we began in the rain more than 40 nights ago at the Bowen Seniors Tent City.

The homeless issue on Bowen Island needs immediate and sustained political leadership. As it has needed for more than seven years.

Seven years ago the municipality threw theirs hands up in the air and said the problem was too big, read expensive, for Bowen Island Municipality to solve alone.

But things have changed in Victoria and in Ottawa, and we have a rare opportunity to take advantage of senior government funded programs that can take us forward right now. Not in another seven years.

Homelessness on Bowen has gotten big-

ger and will continue to grow, until our local government steps up and actually makes an effort to support our entire community.

No one chooses to be homeless on Bowen. But the fact they are speaks volumes to the lack of real action by our elected councils for the last two election cycles.

Time for talk is over.

We need real tangible action. Shovels and hammers.

Here is a simple two-part plan: 1. Mayor and council immediately contact BC Housing to arrange the temporary placement of modular homes on our community lands. Say 10 of them. Right now.

2. Identify community-owned land near the Cove to offer up and into a partnership with BC Housing to build permanent low

income housing. Twenty units with consideration for future growth. Building costs and operations paid by BCH under their low income housing programs for both steps.

It really is that simple. With the excellent team of professionals we have hired to run our municipality, these solutions can be processed quickly and efficiently.

Thanks to all the community whom supported us over these wet and cold nights with kind words of support, hot tasty food and tent, blankets and other essential items so generously offered. Love. Care.

Compassion.

Thanks, Michael Chapman on behalf of past and present residents of Bowen Seniors Tent City

THE WRITE STUFF. The Undercurrent encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. You must include your full name and a daytime phone number (for verification only). The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity, legality, brevity and taste.

HERE’S HOW: To submit a letter to the editor, fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to #102, 495 Government Rd., PO Box 130, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0 or email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

Bowen Island Undercurrent Subscription Rates: Mailed 1 year subscription on Bowen Island: $45, including GST. Within Canada: $65 including GST

Newsstand (Single Copy) $1 per copy, including GST ISSN 7819-5040

New poetry series starts LISA SHATZKY

Contributor

We are starting up a poetry series on Bowen “ Poetic License” on the last Monday of the month. The first one will be Oct. 28 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Cove. This will be a welcoming reading space where you can come to share a favorite poem you have loved for years or just discovered last week or one of your own. Don’t be shy. Beginner or seasoned poets, everyone is welcome. All that is required is a love of words. This is also the perfect place if you simply enjoy hearing poetry spoken out loud and want to come and listen. There will be coffee and tea.

And great energy. No cost. “Poetry is eternal graffiti written in the heart of everyone.” (Lawrence Ferlinghetti) All Advertising and news copy content are copyright of the Undercurrent Newspaper. All editorial content submitted to the Undercurrent becomes the property of the publication.

The Undercurrent is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, art work and photographs.

#102–495 Bowen Trunk Road, PO Box 130, Bowen Island BC, V0N 1G0 Phone: 604.947.2442 Fax: 604.947.0148 bowenislandundercurrent.com DEADLINE for all advertising and editorial: Monday, 4:00 p.m.

Correction: last week’s story “Get help with personal planning for end of life, incapacity, health issues and more” from Bowen Island Library was written by Marysia McGilvray, not Tina Nielsen. The Undercurrent regrets the error. Sorry!

National NewsMedia Council.

EDITOR BronwynBeairsto editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent.com

CARTOONIST Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Peter Kvarnstrom publisher@bowenisland undercurrent.com

2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

The Undercurrent is a member of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please email editor@bowenislandundercurrent. com or call 604-947-2442.

If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019 • 5

Letters between firefighters and Letters for BIM CAO Kathy Lalonde Bowen Island mayor Gary Ander LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor’s note: Bowen Island Municipality chief administrative officer Kathy Lalonde wrote an open letter published in the Oct. 17 Undercurrent denouncing the personal harassment she says she and other BIM staff have experienced over the course of the firefighter dispute (she’s clear that this negative attention is not from the firefighters). Lalonde also says that her husband is very ill, which has made this situation even more stressful. Lalonde has since gone on leave (see page 1) but before that was announced, the Undercurrent received a flurry of emails from concerned locals.

We need civil conduct and discourse on Bowen Island DEAR EDITOR: I am one of the many who was shocked and saddened with the verbal and physical abuse recently directed at Kathy Lalonde. No one is deserving of such rude and unthinking treatment, especially a classy, highly respected professional individual like her who has served our community in an exemplary manner for such a long time. It is indeed very sad that some feel it their right to publicly express themselves in such an unacceptable, rude and uncivil manner. It is even sadder that social media has made it so easy for such classless conduct which unfortunately is becoming more commonplace. There certainly is no place for it in our small community. We pride ourselves on differences of opinion but please, let’s not stoop to such a low level of communication when expressing ourselves.

Over the course of a couple of decades I have had the pleasure of dealing with Kathy on a number of initiatives and issues. While we have not agreed at all times, she always conducted herself with

the utmost respect and decency while discharging her public duties in a firstclass manner. We should be so lucky to have such a quality and caring person as our chief administrative officer. I have always found her to be courteous, thoughtful and polite be that in agreement or otherwise. How anyone could choose to treat her in such an ugly manner at any time, let alone when her husband has life-challenging health problems, is a mystery to me. Hopefully those who chose to be so unthinking, hurtful and disrespectful will reflect on their conduct and after giving it some serious thought will apologize to her in the same public manner. She deserves nothing less. As many have said, this is not the community that so many of us have enjoyed. It is certainly not the one I have experienced for 77 years. Surely those who are guilty realize that the Bowen Island Tourism tagline, “Tell your friends it’s awful over here” was just tongue in cheek! Come on you misguided few, we can surely do better.

––Bruce Russell

‘This is not the Bowen that I have known all my life’ DEAR EDITOR: I am so upset that the dispute with the firemen has gotten so incredibly nasty.

Please take the time to watch the first four-to-five minutes of last week’s council meeting and hear read last week’s letter to the editor by the amazing Kathy Lalonde.

This is not the Bowen that I have known all my life. This is not the community I have volunteered in a number or organizations for the past 20 years.

This is just NOT Bowen! We should be ashamed. Kathy has worked tirelessly for our community. I’ve actually been shocked to receive replies to emails on a Saturday or Sunday! I admit I do not know the internal workings of the muni but hope that the mediation/arbitration process that is been undertaken will encompass the entire operation, not just the firemen. Let us all have patience and respect for one another.

––Murray Atherton

Bullying not way to solve conflicts, ask any 4-year old DEAR EDITOR: In my professional capacity, I have spent a lot of time teaching children to be safe, how to hold a safe space for their friends and to solve conflicts with respect. I was devastated to read in the Undercurrent that Kathy Lalonde had been the recipient and a target of bullying. I was appalled to know that this had happened to someone who has served the Bowen Island commu-

nity with such deep caring and respect for many years––obviously whoever is responsible does not know Kathy!

I have not doubt she will, with dignity, tact and intelligence deal with any situation that comes up. However, to do this she needs a climate of support and respect––stop the bullying and think what you are doing. This is not a way to solve conflicts. Ask any four year old!

––Ann Silberman

Folks need to treat others as they wish to be treated Dear Editor: What a sad, heart-felt plea from someone who has given more of her energy and time to this island by far than the vast majority ever will. Is this what Bowen has become? Polarized by politics, polarized by ideology, polarized by development, polarized by the environ-

ment, polarized by religion, polarized by ethnicity?

People, look in the mirror. Do you like what you see? Can you honestly say to the person in the mirror, “I pray that others will treat me as I treat them?” If not, accept it–– we’re a flawed species.

––Jerry Kaehne, Bluewater

THANK YOU FOR RECYCLING THIS NEWSPAPER.

Editor’s note: Ian Brown submitted the firefighters’ letter to the Undercurrent as a letter to the editor. We’re printing Mayor Ander’s response published on the BIM website Oct. 21.

Letter from Ian Brown on behalf of the volunteer firefighters Oct. 20 and submitted to BIU Dear Mayor Ander: I am writing on behalf of the volunteer firefighter membership to express our serious concern regarding the proposed task force process which was introduced to us on October 17 when we met with lawyers retained by the Municipality.

In your letter to us, dated October 15, you stated: ”I am writing to confirm that we agreed to the following in good faith in our discussions on October 10:…The municipality and the fire hall membership will enter into a mediation/conflict resolution process with a mutually acceptable facilitator.”

Your letter went on to identify a law firm, members of which would act as facilitators if we agreed.

We were not given an opportunity to interview the lawyers in advance, however, on the basis of your letter, representatives of the membership attended a meeting with the lawyers on October 17. At that meeting, our representatives were handed a copy of an agreement between the law firm and the municipality dated October 16.

The members’ representatives participated in the meeting understanding that it was the beginning of a mediation, and that the lawyers present were there as neutral facil-

itators.

However, following the meeting, members were able to read the October 16 agreement, only to learn that, rather than an agreement providing for a “mediation/conflict resolution process,” the agreement actually establishes ”Terms of Reference for an Investigation” for the municipality. Further, the agreement states that the lawyers will provide information and advice, including legal advice, to the municipality to aid decision making. There is no equivalent provision in the agreement for information and advice to the membership.

The fact that, a day after confirming our agreement to enter into a mediation/conflict resolution process, the municipality instead entered into an agreement with a law firm to conduct an investigation is unacceptable.

Further, that the lawyers retained by the municipality are seeking to interview firefighters who have no legal representation is also unacceptable. Accordingly, the membership is seeking legal advice and raising funds for that purpose. Undoubtedly, this will delay any mediation process, but we have no choice under the circumstances.

––Ian Brown Captain BIFD

Letter from Mayor Gary Ander to firefighters Oct. 20 and published on the BIM website “I want to emphasize our intentions here are in good faith. The task force members are acting as facilitators and we do not understand them to be conducting an “investigation.”

Although the October 16 Terms of Reference do refer to an “investigation” in the title, this was originally contemplated to task them with looking into the matter generally so that the task force could recommend its own process going forward. The content of the actual terms (attached for reference) are very clear that the task force would be undertaking a phased approach to its work that would include specific process recommendations.

We wanted to leave it to the experts.

As you know, we have now received the Phase 1 recommendations (October 18) which Council has accepted and which, in the interests of continued transparency, have been shared with you. Their recommendations are very clear and do not describe a process that would be an investigation. They have recommended an environmental scan in order to identify the factors relevant to the concerns raised by the volunteers and to the objectives so that they can make recommendations for addressing and resolving those factors.

You have said in your letter that “the agreement states that the lawyers will provide information and advice, including legal advice, to the municipality to aid decision making.” To clarify, that is not what the Terms of Reference (October 16) say. The Terms of Reference (and repeated in the Phase 1 Recommendations) set out BIM’s objectives, one of which is to permit BIM to rely on

objective findings and legal advice if needed in order to inform its decisions. It is entirely proper that BIM would seek to do that however it does not mean that such legal advice would be provided by the task force.

To be clear, we are committed to proceeding in good faith and with transparency in this process and therefore commit to the following: • Sharing with the volunteers any reports, recommendations or advice that is provided by the task force, subject only to privacy obligations of BIM. This is consistent with the recommendation of the Task Force that the Report they will prepare in Phase 2 be provided at the same time to BIM, the volunteers, and the Fire Chief; • Any legal advice we seek will not be from the task force other than that which is shared with all the parties. If individual participants or the Volunteers as a group wish to obtain their own legal advice we understand and would not stand in the way of this. We do wish to emphasize that this needs to occur in a timely way so that the process, which as recommended by the Task Force will permit those with concerns to be heard, can proceed.

We believe the task force to be a talented and balanced team that has the ability to assist us in these challenging circumstances.

We trust you will continue to engage constructively in this process.

I have forwarded a copy of your email with your letter to the Task Force, and copied them on this email, so that they can further clarify and respond as necessary.”

––Gary Ander, Mayor

on Bowen Island

6 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019

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Squint and breathe

Bentalls and friends throw concert to support Bowen Island Trail Society

NEXT UP AT THE GALLERY AT COVE COMMONS IS PLEIN AIR WORKS IN OIL AND WATERCOLOURS BY JOSE L. DE JUAN

ALICIA HOPPENRATH & JES SLATER

Bowen Island Trail Soceity

JOSE L. DE JUAN

Artist

MARY LYNN MACHADO PHOTO

Jose L. De Juan painting on Bowen Island.

me to the painting outdoors. In front of the wider world, all concerns about being “special” were quickly vanquished . The outside world refused to merely be copied, it refused to stay still, and it refused to just hand me the answers straightaway. The outside world is a brat.

Cut to today. I’m still -humbly- trying to make a “career” out of this painting business.

Many museum visits, sunburnt noses, downpours, workshops and paint-caked clothes later, I have landed on a particularly beautiful landscape. That of Vancouver and Bowen Island. Turns out the world was there mostly to be looked at, not fought, and it is inexhaustible. I’ve also learnt to squint. When you squint you get the gist, the difficult bits dissolve, you sweat the small stuff just the same but you can barely find it. Something else happens when you squint, you are halfway gazing inside yourself where another source of light helps along. Miracles happen, you sell a painting, you stop lamenting that you can’t to go to Tuscany on a painting trip because this new landscape is even better, you paint because it can’t be helped. Squint, and breathe.

Plein air works in oil and watercolour by Jose L. De Juan. runs Oct. 23 to Nov. 17 at the Gallery @ Cove Commons. The opening reception is Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Sunday Mass: 9:30 a.m.

Administration Office: 604-682-6774

CATES HILL CHAPEL

www.cateshillchapel.com 604-947-4260 (661 Carter Rd.)

10:00 a.m. Worship Sunday School: Tots to Teens

Pastor: Phil Adkins

On December 25, & January 1 service will begin with the 8:35 am sailing from Bowen Island and the 8:00 am sailing from Horseshoe Bay.

▼

BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove

5:20 am^ 6:20 am< 7:30 am< 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50 am 12:00 pm 1:10 pm 2:55 pm 4:00 pm† 5:10 pm 6:15 pm 7:25 pm* 8:30 pm 9:30 pm 10:30 pm

VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay 5:50 am< 6:50 am< 8:00 am 9:05 am† 10:15 am 11:25 am 12:35 pm 2:20 pm 3:30 pm 4:35 pm 5:45 pm 6:50 pm 8:00 pm* 9:00 pm 10:00 pm

Distance: 3 NAUTICAL MILES Crossing Time: 20 MINUTES

Leave Horseshoe Bay

Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Tina Overbury Service and Sunday School 10:30 am Collins Hall Bookings: Helen Wallwork Minister of Music: Lynn Williams

Schedule in Effect: October 15, 2019 to March 31, 2020

Leave Snug Cove

Vernon Lee, the English author, wrote of her deceased friend John Singer Sargent that any biographer could just sum up his life as :“he painted.” Such was the constancy with the brushes that consumed the master for most of his life. Lee added a clarification: “ . . I recognize that his life was not merely in painting, but in the more intimate understanding and enjoying of the world around him, and which the work of his incomparable hand enables some of us, also to understand and enjoy, if only in part. “ In other words, Sargent’s way of enjoying life was to squint at the big print of the world and jot it all down. And really, who could be so lucky? To find the kind of work that allows someone to meditate and work at the same time. Moreover, to make it your profession and allow others to enjoy the discovery if they are so inclined. I used to look for reasons to keep on painting. Maybe because I couldn’t stop.

To be so lucky. To feel the hours go by as if they are the only hours that count. Any person that has a hobby or a job they love has these moments. It is not always, and it is not guaranteed but most of us get hints here and there. Beyond “therapy,” or “stress-relief,” or the worn-out-by-use: “telling your truth,” art is reaching out for recognition. As anybody who paints would tell you, taking up the brush can be quite the stressful endeavor and your “truth” might turn out to be a muddy mess.

If hanging “therapy” on the walls sounds a bit odd, it is.

I always enjoyed painting. Initially, I’d want to see on paper what worlds I could imagine, I painted a lot of dragons attacking sailing ships for some reason. I had just discovered the magic fluidity of watercolors. Materials insinuate themselves; I know that now. Then, like all adolescents with their basic needs covered, I set off to try to prove myself to others by showing off with drawing. Soccer was another popular option for rising stars in my native Spain but I was as gifted with the ball as penguin in a sarong wrap. I learnt perspective to make things fall into place. I went to school to draw from the nude. My father introduced

On Friday night, the Bowen Island Pub was packed full of folks taking in some amazing talent, all for good cause.

Barney Bentall and his son Dustin creatively planned “Cover Your Trail” to support the Bowen Island Trail Society.

The idea came to Barney well over a year ago but finally came to fruition last weekend. Barney and Dustin were joined by artists Tom Taylor, Wendy Bird, Shari Ulrich, Trixie, as well as his daughters Jess, Sacha and son Cody Bentall. It was a truly a family affair!

Barney touched on how important the trails are and how experiences in the wilderness create lasting memories.

All proceeds from ticket sales went directly to the Bowen Island Trail Society, and at the end of the night people from the crowd were invited to make additional donations by way of buying cover songs from a very enticing list including Pink Floyd, Spirit of the West, The Tragically Hip, and more. And although Barney wanted to stick to his guns by keeping it a cover song event, they played some of Dustin’s originals by popular request.

What a fabulous night of music it was.

Barney, Dustin and friends raised $4,535 for and awareness about the trail society! The society is a volunteer organization dedicated to building and maintaining a well-integrated community trail network for non-motorized trail users on Bowen Island.

These funds will increase accessibility, safety and sustainability of the Handlogger’s Trail and enhance navigation on Mt. Gardner.

Working collaboratively through the

Bowen Trails Coalition on Crown projects of joint interest, the society is an independent voice striving to keep our vision clear, valuing safety, accessibility, sustainability and connectivity of the Crown trails for non-motorized use.

Through the Bowen Trails Coalition, the trail society has authorization from the Crown to enhance the Handlogger’s Trail by improving the grade, drainage and overall resilience of the trail. Work will commence later this year and into 2020. We will update accordingly.

This year, trail society volunteers have been busy planning and executing the navigation project on Mt. Gardner. The first phase of this project was to re-blaze the crown trail network. Now that Mt. Gardner trails are clearly blazed with reflective orange diamonds on trees, they are moving into the next phase of the project: signage. The goal is to have 6”x6” wooden sign posts in the ground at each intersection from Hiker’s Trail Road to the summit along Skid Trail before 2020 and continuing along the other Mt. Gardner trails in the new year. Each post will state the trail name, distance from trail heads or junctions, and arrows to clearly show direction of the named trail. Local sign maker Craig Pearman is working to realize the vision of navigation project lead, Bob Schultz.

Pearman is creating red cedar signs with engraved CNC lettering.

Thank you again to everyone who was part of such a once in a lifetime event for our trails and community.

A special thank you again to the Bentall family and all the amazing performers, to trail society members and volunteers, and the community for coming out.

You’re all making Bowen’s trails safer and more accessible to enjoy!

* DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS

< EXCEPT DEC 25 & JAN 1 ^ EXCEPT SUN AND NOV 11, DEC 25, JAN 1 & FEB 17 † DC WEDNESDAY SAILINGS WILL BE REPLACED BY DANGEROUS CARGO SAILINGS. NO OTHER PASSENGERS PERMITTED.

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BOWEN BEAT

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019 • 7

Generations of readers

The Bowen Island Grandfriends Reading Program in the BICS Library sees islanders who are 55+ taking some time Friday afternoons to read with Kindergarten and grade one students. The program is seeking volunteer readers.

The program is hosted by the community school coordinator and the BICS teacher librarian. Contact Sarah Haxby at BICS for more information.

PHOTOS BY BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Irene Styles with a couple of young book enthusiasts.

Basia Lieske in deep discussion with a young reader.

Linnea reads with a BICS student.

A special concert at Bowen Island Pub Oct. 18 saw Barney and Dustin Bentall joined by artists Tom Taylor, Wendy Bird, Shari Ulrich, Trixie, as well as his daughters Jess, Sacha and son Cody Bentall.

They played cover songs for an appreciative audience (audience members could “buy” covers later in the evening). The event raised $4,535 for the Bowen Island Trail Society. See the story on the page opposite.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALICIA HOPPENRATH

Kat Stephens (left) and Morgan Darcy (right) play “the actress” and Lizzie Borden respectively in the Theatre on the Isle production of Blood Relations, directed by Calder Stewart. The final two shows in the twoweekend run of the play are Friday and Saturday.

Friday’s show is sold out but a few tickets remain at Phoenix for Saturday.

CALDER STEWART PHOTO

Sam Nosek (left), Tobyn Ross and Dan Roden at the island’s new disc golf course in Veteran’s Park. The grand opening for the course is set for Nov. 3. Read all about it in next week’s Undercurrent.

TOBYN ROSS PHOTO

8 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019

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Islander to run in New York City Marathon for charity that sponsors Rwandan girls’education BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Amid the more than 50,000 people running the New York City Marathon Nov. 3, there’ll be at least one face in the

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Patient of the Week MEET DIGIT Digit visited the clinic for his annual exam, rabies vaccine and a nail trim. He was a little anxious so instead of stressing him further, Dr. Midge sent him home with some medication designed to reduce stress and create a calm feeling.

These medications can be very helpful for nervous dogs for events such as fireworks, thunderstorms and the sometimes dreaded visit to the Doctor’s office! Contact Bowen Vet if you have a furry family member that experiences this.

crowd familiar to Bowen Islanders.

It’ll be just the second time Damian Leverton’s visited New York and the first time he’s run a marathon. The islander is undertaking the feat to raise money for Komera, which sponsors girls’ education in Rwanda. (If the organization sounds familiar, the annual Rotary Run for Rwanda on the morning of Bowfest also raises money for Komera).

This is the second consecutive year that Komera has been a charity partner of the famous marathon and as a partner it has a guaranteed 15 spots in the marathon. So when the organization sent around an email looking for runners, a friend forwarded the call out to Leverton.

“I’ve been a runner for quite a long time and I gradually stepped up to the point of doing half marathons,” explains Leverton, “But I never really stepped up to doing a full marathon.”

“And my first reaction was, yeah, great thing I’d like to do it one time, but I’m not sure I’m really ready to do it now,” he says. But it so happened that that weekend he was running a half marathon.

“I guess in the end, the endorphins and euphoria of having finished the half, I was like…yeah, I’ll do it.”

Leverton also says that the cause resonated with him as he has a university-age daughter.

“It was one of those, what would it be like, if she didn’t have that opportunity, or it be so hard for to get that opportunity,” says Leverton.

He also knew that this could be his one shot at running the New York City Marathon.

“The sort of times you need to qualify, do that run on your own, it would be very challenging for me to train

COURTESY OF DAMIAN LEVERTON

Damian Leverton plans to run the NYC Marathon Nov. 3.

enough to get there,” he says. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to run a very major run.”

The catch for Leverton is that as he’s running through a charity partner, he needs to raise $4,000 CAD for the cause.

While when he talked to the Undercurrent, Leverton hadn’t yet reached that threshold, his crowdfunding campaign has since passed $4,000. However, any money donated still goes toward Komera and girls’ education in Rwanda. People can donate at crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/2019-new-yorkcity-marathon/damianleverton.

“The support I’ve had from Bowen is great,” says Leverton. “If it’s people stopping on the street and saying I hear you’re doing this, congratulations to the people who’ve donated on the site or, or who make positive comments on Facebook.

“Just as with everything else on Bowen, the community support is probably one thing I just wanted to emphasize because it’s been really great.”

10 years of Knick Knack Nook: bursting at the seams JOHN LAWRENCE

Knick Knack Nook

The following is part of a series of articles celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Knick Knack Nook.

As the Nook prospered, the growing volume of donations placed more and more demand on storage space.

It might not appear to the casual observer why so much stuff has to be stored. However, think of all those seasonal celebrations: Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, The Children’s Christmas Shopping Day. And of course there are the many charitable institutions in the city that we support with clothing, and the changeovers when winter becomes spring and the woolies have to be put in storage for six months.

So with these pressures to contend with, an extension

became inevitable.

In the planning one of the biggest hurdles to overcome was the requirement that water piped to the building for a flush toilet had to be potable.

Municipal water would require an expensive new line on to the property, so two other options were explored: a well, or rainwater collection from off the roof.

Coastal Health’s numerous restrictions on the collection of water off the roof were going to be so expensive that in the end the well was the choice.

The well fills with water in the rainy season and is subsequently pumped into a large storage tank for the dry summer months when the well runs dry. It was a risk that paid off as there has always been plenty of water.

Visitors using the back door of the new building will have noticed volunteers working in the adjacent “chlorine” plant.

To protect Islanders from e-coli and other lurking pathogens in our water, it has to be chlorinated.

Volunteers have taken on the task of unpaid chemists to collect samples of the water on a daily basis for analysis in the city. Visitors to the Nook can now use the toilet, wash their hands, and drink a glass of sweet water, in perfect safety!

The Nook’s tenth birthday is coming up soon. The date is November 9 at the Legion.

Online bidding is at auction.bowenhealthcentre.com is up and running.

Remember that all proceeds will go to our new health centre, a much needed facility from which all Islanders will benefit.

HOURS: Tuesday through Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm.

Dr. Midge Ritchie and veterinary assistants are also available 24/7 for urgent care.

Call the regular line at 604.947.9247 and press “1” to be forwarded to the doctor.

To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

Hello Sailing Community We’re wrapping up our 2019-year with the BIYC Annual General Meeting, which will be held at the Tunstall Bay Community Association at 1666 Tunstall Boulevard November 12 from 19:30 to 20:30.

Many have contributed to the vision of “building a community of sailors” and because of this we would like to extend an invitation for you to attend the BIYC AGM so we can share a review of the year’s activities and what the compass looks like as we prepare for the next leg of our journey.

With kind regards, Simon Fowler, Secretary, BIYC

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019 • 9

Over the campaign period ‘we kept our respect’: Loren CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

It’s an incredible foundation to build from and I really look forward to working with the rest of the party … to really take this to the next level,” said Weiler.

The outcome was a disappointment for former West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce president Gabrielle Loren, who spent the evening chatting, joking and occasionally comforting disappointed supporters at her campaign headquarters in Park Royal.

By 10:30 p.m., with Weiler’s lead growing and the Coors Light and Jackson-Triggs wine running dry, Loren attempted to call Weiler to concede. Not able to get him on the phone, Loren hopped into her daughter/campaign manager’s VW bug and made a beeline for Weiler’s Marine Drive gathering.

While she was too late to catch Weiler, Loren was greeted outside by a team of Weiler’s supporters as well as his parents, UBC law professor Joe Weiler and former Sechelt municipal councillor Beverly Tanchak.

Standing under the restaurant awning as drizzle fell on West Vancouver at 11 p.m., Tanchak smiled as she discussed the moment when she realized her son would be the riding’s next MP. “I don’t think you can describe it,” she said. “I’m inspired.”

Joe embraced Loren, thanking her for keeping the mud on the ground during the campaign.

“It was such a relief as his father that it wouldn’t be like that,” he said.

“We’re all going to be living in the riding at the end of the day,” Loren replied.

“These are great people that step up to serve their community,” Joe said. “Which is a magic that we want to keep going.”

Discussing political division throughout Canada, Loren said other candidates could’ve learned from the campaign for West Vancouver.

“We kept our cool. We kept our respect,” she said.

The sidewalk discussion was briefly interrupted when a Conservative voter asked about the result.

“Patrick won. There’s only one winner,” Loren told her.

The supporter thanked for having such a good spirit.

“That’s the Canadian way.”

Following the meeting, Loren and Samantha drove back to campaign headquarters, discussing the need for sleep and the job of cleaning out the office and picking up campaign signs. “That was quite the endeavour,” Loren said.

“But worth it?” her daughter asked.

“I think so.”

With 266 of 267 polls reporting, Green Party candidate Dana Taylor was in third place after taking 22.1 per cent of the vote, the party’s best ever showing in the riding. “We were all hoping for something better but third place is an improvement over what we did in the past, so that we’re certainly grateful for,” said Taylor.

NDP candidate Judith Wilson finished fourth with 13.9 per cent of the vote. She said that although her party didn’t win, the overall result would be good for Canada. “We’ve got a minority government and a minority government is a time when things get done,” she said.

The riding was once considered a Conservative stronghold but during the past 15 years it has swung between the Conservative and Liberal parties.While the federal Liberals won the riding in 2015 as well, there was no incumbent candidate this election after Liberal MP Pamela GoldsmithJones announced in May she wouldn’t seek re-election.

Political newcomer Weiler, flanked by family, addressed supporters after it was apparent he’d won the riding. “This is where the real work starts,” he said.

People’s Party of Canada candidate Robert Douglas Bebb ended with 1.5 per cent of the vote.

Voter turnout in the riding was 67.2 per cent, a six per cent dip from 2015. With a population of 119,000 – more than a third of whom live in West Vancouver – the demographically and geographically diverse riding includes the communities of West Vancouver, Gibsons, Sechelt, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and Bowen Island. All vote counts are unofficial until certified by Elections Canada.

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Disc Golf Course Grand Opening Sunday November 3rd at 12 noon At Veterans Park on Bowen Island At the event: • Discs will be available to borrow or purchase • Professional disc golfer, Leanne Fulton, will be providing lessons • Light refreshments

Bring the whole family and check it out! Everyone is welcome.

Disc Golf is a fun activity. It’s free to play. All ages can enjoy.

Available year round in any weather. Just grab your discs and go.

Big thanks to our sponsors, contributors and volunteers!

10 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019

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Bowen Island Community

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HEALTH & WELLNESS Dr. Susanne Schloegl M.D.

Appointments Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, 9am - 5pm ECG and HOLTER monitoring Artisan Square

604-947-9986

Bowen Island Chiropractic

Dr. Tracy Leach, D.C. Certified provider of Active Release Techniques Artisan Square Tues. & Fri.

778-828-5681

www.drtracyleach.ca

Dr. Dana Barton

Naturopathic Physician 596 B. Artisan Square

604-730-1174 Natural Family Medicine

Dr. Gloria Chao HOLISTIC COUNSELLING Brooke Evans, MSW, RSW 604-781-3987

brooke@becounselling.ca becounselling.ca

SHIATSU Shiatsu massage therapy follows traditional Chinese medicine to restore your body’s health with flow and relaxation.

Vicky Frederiksen

Certified Shiatsu Practitioner.

778-881-9012 call or text email: v.gathe@gmail.com

BOWEN ISLAND WELLNESS CENTRE 604-947-9755

Located in Artisan Square

MARY MCDONAGH

Dr. Alea Bell, ND

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RMT, DCH Registered Massage Therapist

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HEIDI MATHER

Registered Acupuncturist, Homeopath, Doula

Mary Coleman, MSW, RSW Compassion minded counselling

778-233-4425

MARY MCDONAGH RMT HARMONY SHIRE RMT ALICIA HOPPENRATH RMT KIM HOWDEN RMT

Celebrating 29 years

Registered Acupuncturist Registered Nutritionist

Julie Hughes, RPC

Book online bowenislandwellnesscentre.ca

778-858-2669

Community Healthcare

SOMATIC CENTRE

Psychologist

Lifelabs

Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt PhD, R.Psych #1484

Dr. Zandy’s former office

INHABIT

Alternate Fridays 10am - 4:30pm

Massage Therapy Matthew van der Giessen

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RMT

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778-891-0370

Registered Physiotherapist

SANDY LOGAN

604-281-3691

On Bowen Island @ Caring Circle West Vancouver

Naturopathic Doctor

Courtney Morris, R.Ac

Artisan Square 604-947-0734

Horseshoe Bay 604-921-8522

Online Booking: www.birchwellness.com

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@ Artisan Square

Dr. Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncturist

Family Dentist

Call us at

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At entrance to Artisan Square Suite #597

CATHERINE SHAW

BOWEN ISLAND

MASSAGE THERAPY

(778) 952-3757 566 Artisan Square www.inhabitcentre.ca

Breathe Move Touch

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604-376-9801 www.CarolynNesbitt.com

Tues - 6:45 - 8:45 a.m.

Thurs. - 6:45 - 8:45 a.m.

For routine lab tests.

Specialized tests & children may be referred to the mainland.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019 • 11

Patrick Weiler will be Bowen’s new Member of Parliament

DAVID BUZZARD PHOTO

Liberal Patrick Weiler celebrates with supporters following his party’s win in West VancouverSunshine CoastSea to Sky Country Monday night.

Though the Undercurrent has mostly used sister paper North Shore News’ coverage of Monday’s election, we thought we’d re-print some of Weiler’s response to last week’s Undercurrent questionnaire sent to all West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country candidates.

Undercurrent: What do you see as the most pressing issue facing Bowen Islanders and what will you do to address it?

Weiler: I see the most pressing issues for Bowen Island residents as affordability and climate change. As housing prices continue to increase across this riding, it is important that any potential developments on community lands are supported by the federal government so that our seniors and families have access to more housing options. I recognize that there is a need for more rental options in particular on Bowen, and if elected, I would advocate for federal funding to support this. As the seasons change we’re reminded of how much energy our homes use. That’s why I’ll make sure Bowen Island residents have access to $40,000 interest-free loans to retrofit their homes to make them more energy efficient.

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Landscape Lighting Irrigation

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Cell: 604-329-3045

Accounting Bookkeeping Taxation Virtual CPA

Leila Swann, CPA, CA 604-318-5414 leila@greenbooks.ca www.greenbooks.ca

Window Blinds On Bowen 778-995-1902

live the life you love To reserve a spot on this page, contact us at 604-947-2442 or ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

12 • THURSDAY OCTOBER 24 2019

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR THURSDAY OCTOBER 24

NIDUS Personal Planning Live Q&A Webinar, “Myths & Realities of Planning.”

Bowen Library Annex Please arrive early—webinar starts promptly at 7pm. NIDUS.ca

care-givers

Bowen Island Pub A frightful night featuring Almost Famous. Prizes for best male, female, and group costumes!

Tickets $10 at Door

Youth Centre Drop-In 4-9:30 p.m. bowenyouthcentre.com Dinner at the Legion Doors at 5:30. Dinner at 6:30 Members and guests welcome.

Duplicate Bridge Bowen Court 6:45 - 10 p.m.

Info call Pat at 778-288-7090

Friday Night Live at the Pub Bowen Island Pub 7-10 pm Live music. Dinner specials.

No cover.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 25

Storytime for 2-4 year olds Bowen Island Library 10:30 am A free drop-in program for 2- to 4-year-olds and their

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26

Bowen Pub Fright Night!

Black Molly Halloween Dance!

Bowen Island Legion 8 midnight Tickets $15 at Phoenix or the Legion Hall Costume prizes!

Yogathon Bowen Island Community School Drop into the gym 2-5 pm to do some sun salutations- maybe 108 - with

yoga instructors on Bowen.

Water stations provided by Mctaggart and power ball healthy snacks from Sweet Stand available. All proceeds go to the BICS PAC. $10 at door. Free for students.

Youth Centre Drop-In 6-9:30 p.m. bowenyouthcentre.com

Open House for Bowen/ Nexwlélexm Marine Atlas Project BICS room 2 1-3 p.m. If you have stories or questions, we want to hear them.

Notice of Public Hearing HAVE YOUR SAY. Public Hearing October 28, 2018

5:15 pm

Council Chambers

Municipal Hall

981 Artisan Lane

Questions?

Contact Daniel Martin, Manager of Planning and Development

Land Use Amendment for Medical Clinic Bylaw No. 468, 2018

Council is considering a rezoning application to add “medical clinic” as a permitted use in the Village Commercial 1 (VC1) zone, and to apply parking and other standards consistent with other VC1 uses.

604-947-4255

bowenisland municipality.ca /planning

Bowen Island AA Collins Hall 7:15 pm

1st reading

2nd reading

Public Hearing

Sep 2018

Sep 2019

Oct 28 2019

WED. OCTOBER 30

3rd reading

Final decision

How to get more information

The proposed bylaw and background material may be viewed at Municipal Hall, 981 Artisan Lane, during office hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays), or on the Municipal website at www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning

dmartin @bimbc.ca

MONDAY OCTOBER 28

Seniors Keeping Young (SKY) 1270 Miller Road “Exercise at 9 a.m., coffee at 9:45, Maria Neys speaking about Painting Techniques at 10, and yoga at 11:15. Yearly membership is $20, drop-in fee is $3 for first time and $2 for members.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 29

Bylaw timeline

Sep 2018

Tales from the Heart: Brian Hoover book launch Library Annex 4- 6 pm with special guest story teller Allice Bernards.

Consent—What is BC law for health care? Time to update ideas & practices.

7- 8:30 pm Nidus.ca Personal Planning Live Q&A Webinar,

The VC1 zone applies to properties along the south side of Bowen Island Trunk Road and on the east side of Miller Road as shown on the zoning map.

Internal review

SUNDAY OCTOBER 27

Outdoor Meditation Circle Meet at the picnic tables at the entrance to Crippen Park 11 a.m. No cost. More info at lisa.shatsky@gmail.com

“Poetic LIcense” Poetry Series 7:30 - 9:30 pm Share a poem you love or just discovered or one of your own. Everyone welcome. No cost. Meeting at the cabins at USSC marina.

Email Lisa Shatsky for directions. lisa.shatsky@gmail. com

About the bylaw

Application

Artist Reception: Jose L. De Jaun Gallery at Cove Commons 6 - 8 pm Lightscapes: Plein air works in oil and water colour.

Show runs Oct 23- Nov 17

Ways you can Have Your Say •

Speak at the Public Hearing: Monday, October 28, 2019. 5:15 PM at Municipal Hall.

•

Write to the attention of Mayor and Council: E-mail: mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca Mail: 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2 To ensure a fair process, Council cannot consider any submissions received after the Public Hearing has ended.

Carved-Pumpkin contest drop off 4- 7 pm Drop off carved pumpkins at 1130 Lenora Road for the Great Pumpkin House at Collins Hall Oct 31.

Tag your pumpkin with your name & phone number for a chance to win a Phoenix

$50 gift certificate. Carved pumpkins can also be dropped off at Collins Hall on the 31st between 3-5 pm or at 1130 Lenora Road.

Candy donation drop off General Store until Oct 30 Please support the generous Loop neighbourhood by making a candy/ or cash donation for Halloween initiatives at the General Store

by Oct 30 for distribution before 31st.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 31

Happy Halloween Bowen!

Trick o treating in the Loop Lenora, Melmore, and Senator Roads 5 - 7 ish 5- 6pm for little ones ( not all homes ready at 5 though) 6- 7 pm for older trick o treaters. If you can, please support this generous neighbourhood by making a candy/ or cash donation or non-food treats for Halloween initiatives at the General Store by Oct 30 for distribution before 31st Great Pumpkin House Collins Hall 5 - 7p.m. A new “Halloween light zone” with faeries, talking Pumpkin, and a place to socialize with a warm cup of apple spiced juice and enter your vote for the best carved pumpkin.

Haunted Yard 1130 Lenora Road 5- 7- p.m.

Enter if you dare. Parents feel free to check it out in advance if you think it might be too scary for your children.

Fireworks Lagoon causeway 7:30 pm Duplicate Bridge Bowen Court 6:45 - 10 p.m.

Info call Pat at 778-288-7090

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 1

Storytime for 2-4 year olds Bowen Island Library 10:30 am A free drop-in program for 2- to 4-year-olds and their care-givers Friday Night Jazz Bowen Island Pub 7- 10 pm

WANTED SHORT TERM RENTAL OR HOUSESIT OPPORTUNITY in order to spend time with family who live on island. Will be bringing two 10 yrs old female cats with me.

Prefer 6 month stay but can be flexible.

Please call 780 966 8899 or email aliceschweitzer@hotmail.com