Bowen Island Undercurrent September 24 2020

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WATER SYSTEMS’ SOLUTIONS: BIM issues request for proposals PAGE 3

Thursday, September 24, 2020 • A1

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THURSDAY, SEPT. 24, 2020

AT THE HEARTH

VOL. 46 NO. 38

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‘Dialogue’ opens at the Hearth Gallery PHOTOS PAGE 11

HSB terminal project paused $250 MILLION PROJECT ON HOLD AMID PANDEMIC FINANCIAL HIT MARTHA PERKINS

Local Journalism Initiative

BOB TURNER PHOTO

FOR THE FISHES: A diver transplants eelgrass in Mannion Bay Sept. 17 as part of SeaChange’s Salish Sea

Nearshore Habitat Recovery Project. Last year the project transplanted eelgrass––a critical sub-tidal habitat and food source for fish, invertebrates and birds––in Tunstall Bay. See more photos from Bob Turner and read the story on p. 10.

Food bank back to normal Sept. 28 PRECAUTIONS INCLUDE SANITIZATION, MASKS SUE CLARKE

Bowen Island United Church

The food bank will be returning to normal operation as of Sept. 28. Food will be available 24/7 on an anonymous

basis from the shelves at The Little Red Church.

The protocols we will be asking patrons to abide by are firstly to sanitize hands with sanitizer provided and secondly to wear a mask.

We welcome with open arms for any members of our community experiencing hardship in these difficult times to come and take what they need in the way of sustenance when they need it.

The shelves and freezer outside Collins Hall will be stocked and cleaned regularly.

Improvements to the aging Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal are in limbo as BC Ferries sorts out its post-pandemic future.

Although it would have taken several years to build on plans for a complete overhaul of the ferry terminal, that timeline has been extended because of the novel coronavirus.

“We have put all major capital projects on hold due to the impact COVID has had on our financials,” says spokesperson Deborah Marshall. “We will revisit projects in the coming months.”

In August, BC Ferries said it had lost $130 million in expected revenues because of a huge drop in ridership as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown and reduced sailings.

The Horseshoe Bay terminal redevelopment was an ambitious two-phase redevelopment with a preliminary projected cost of $250 million. It was part of a 12-year, $3.9-billion plan to upgrade ferry terminals and replace older vessels.

The current terminal is not only aging — some of the infrastructure was built in the 1960s — but it’s at operating at more capacity than it was designed for. It provides vital transportation routes to Bowen Island, the Sunshine Coast and Nanaimo. Even though there are three berths compared to the five berths at Tsawwassen, the Horseshoe Bay terminal has more sailings. It is the third largest ferry terminal in B.C.

JUST LISTED!

1308 Oceanview Road $900,000 Own a piece of Bowen history- charming Union Steamship cottage fully updated and expanded into a beautiful sunny 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, home. Enjoy the large flat backyard on a quiet cul de sac, conveniently close to the cove. Accepting offers September 29th.

SHANA RICHMOND

SHANA@SHANARICHMOND.COM 604.338.3072

CONTINUED ON P. 9

A2 • Thursday, September 24, 2020

Events September 28, 2020 9:30 am Community Economic Development Committee Meeting

September 28, 2020 6:15 pm Regular Council Meeting All meetings are online via Zoom and

open to the public, unless noted otherwise.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

2020 FireSmart Program Get involved in the FireSmart program and you could be eligible for rebates of up to $500 per property.

Step 1: Schedule a free home assessment by emailing firesmart@bimbc.ca or by calling the fire department at (604) 947-9324.

Step 2: Complete the activities recommended in the assessment (for example: landscaping, removal of combustible debris, pruning trees, etc.)

Step 3: Apply for your rebate.

About the rebates: You must have a home assessment done by one of our qualified local FireSmart representatives. We’ll reimburse you 50% of the costs for work completed on your property as recommended in your FireSmart assessment, up to $500 per property.

www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/fire-smart

Help slow the spread of COVID-19:

Stay home if you’re sick

BIM increasing level of BC Energy Step Code to Step 3 Step 3 is the third step in the system, and involves modeling and testing the building’s energy use to demonstrate that the design and construction go beyond BC Building Code. To comply with Step 3, builders will need to create and adhere to a whole-building energy model, then test the building enclosure on the ground for air tightness. The building’s performance will need to exceed the

Building Code by 20% (or no more than 45 kWh/m2 annual energy use).

Planning Application Fees Amendment Bowen Island Municipal Council is considering increasing the application fee for a Development Variance Permit (DVP) from $850 to $900. Council will be considering adopting the Bylaw No. 526, 2020 to make this change at the October 13, 2020 Council Meeting.

Questions? Please contact Daniel Martin, Manager of Planning and Development, at 604-947-4255 or dmartin@bimbc.ca

Attention Bowen Island Contractors and Builders The Neighbourhood Emergency Response Program (NERP)—a collaborative volunteer, grassroots organization working to ensure neighbourhood emergency preparedness and response—has received a $15,000 grant from the Bowen Island Community Foundation to build a number of emergency information kiosks at strategic locations across the island. Volunteers are needed to help build these kiosks.

We are asking Bowen builders and contractors to cover the cost of a day or half-day of wages in order that one or two of their employees might be able to volunteer their time to help.

If you can help, or want further information please contact: Judi Gedye jgedye@telus.net or Edward Wachtman edward@bimbc.ca

bowenislandmunicipality.ca/step-code

Free Rainwater Harvesting Webinar Across the Islands Trust Area, water shortages are a concern, which rainwater harvesting can help solve. During this free webinar, participants will learn about non-potable rainwater conservation and harvesting, and collection systems that can be how to put in place.

Presenters, William Shulba, of Islands Trust and Shannon Cowan, of the Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Alliance, will profile climate impacts on water sustainability, showcase rainwater harvesting systems, and provide a tour of different types of rainwater harvesting systems.

Clean your hands frequently 2 m or 6 feet

Keep a safe physical distance

This is the first in a series of three Climate Change Speaker Series presented by Islands Trust. For more information, please visit: www.islandstrust.bc.ca/trustcouncil/projects/stewardshipeducation-program/

Wear a mask in spaces where you can’t safely distance

Contact Us Phone: Fax: Email:

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

Find us on Facebook Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Friday Closed statutory holidays September 24, 2020

Bowen Island Municipality

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Tuesday, September 29, 2020, 6:30 – 8:00 pm Online via Zoom Videoconferencing Register here: https://bit.ly/3jGf17t

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

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ISLAND NEWS BIM seeking long-term solutions for water problems

COVID cancels CSA Craft Fair

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Submitted

Editor

It may be nearing the end of the dry season but two Bowen Island neighbourhoods are on stage four water restrictions.

Blue Water Park Water System moved to the most severe stage of restrictions around Aug. 18 and Eagle Cliff Water System moved to stage four late last week. Both saw similar restrictions last year.

Each has ageing infrastructure and apparently no cheap solution.

Last month, Bowen Island Municipality issued a request for proposals for four water infrastructure projects, closing Oct. 1. There are two major projects: connecting the Eagle Cliff Water System in with the Cove Bay Water System and improving West side water systems. And two smaller projects: a new water main along Williams Rd. and a new watermain along Scarborough Rd. The Eagle Cliff Water System, supplying 109 properties on the Eastern edge of Bowen, has issues with water supply (the reservoir nearly ran out of water last year and this year is apparently at nearly the same level according to Local Advisory Committee chair Tim Misko), water quality (turbidity often exceeds recommended safe drinking levels) and flow for fire protection (it’s not capable of supplying suitable flow).

Noting that the reservoir is leaking and a cost estimate for improvements needed is in the $2.9 million range, BIM is proposing connecting the Eagle Cliff system with the Cove Bay Water System. This would mean a significant cost for Eagle Cliff users––in the $27,000 range––but BIM is hoping to apply for an infrastructure grant to cover the capital costs (about two-thirds of that number said BIM’s director of engineering Patrick Graham).

“I wouldn’t say we’ve finalized the preferred solution, [but] I believe that makes the most sense in the long-term,” said Graham. “There are substantial costs either way.” (Improving the existing system or connecting in with the Cove Bay system.)

Graham said that BIM has worked in a community consultation component to the work plan for the projects.

There are properties between the Eagle Cliff and Cove Bay municipal water systems that BIM is reaching out to to see if they would be interested in connecting into the system. Connecting to the municipal systems would involve an estimated $30,000 for each of those those properties, including an upfront $10,000 connection fee and $20,000 in debt servicing spread over 15 years.

For the short-term emergency plan, dealing with Eagle Cliff’s current crisis, BIM has installed two storage tanks at the head of Highland Trail and has an agreement with Hood Point Water System to supply water if needed. (With the rain this week, it may not

be necessary.) These measures will remain in place Graham said, as they won’t expect to have a long-term solution in place before next summer.

The West side of Bowen has four water systems: Tunstall Bay, Bowen Bay, King Edward Bay and the problem-plagued Blue Water Park.

The Blue Water Park Water System currently meets demand by buying water from the King Edward Bay Water System. For the past two summers, residents of the 153 properties connected to the Bluewater system have seen their consumption limited–– last year due to a massive leak and this year as the wells aren’t producing enough water.

(There’s also the issue that the King Edward Bay water holding tank is lower than the Blue Water Park tank, meaning that the latter’s tank can only fill to 40 per cent capacity.

Graham says water isn’t flowing back into the King Edward Bay system however, current and former Local Advisory Committee chairs disagree and have requested a valve installed to prevent backflow. Graham said at a community information meeting last week that a booster pump would be required to keep the Bluewater tank filled but that that still wouldn’t solve Bluewater’s problems.)

But the West side’s issues aren’t limited to Bluewater. Neither the Blue Water Park nor Bowen Bay have “storage or distribution capacity to provide adequate flows for fire protection,” according to the request for proposals. Tunstall Bay’s reservoir tank needs replacing with possibly more storage space required and there may be water treatment improvements needed for multiple systems.

“Options for improving storage capacity may include replacing or adding tanks for each water system at or near the existing tank, or providing larger shared reservoir tank(s),” said the request for proposals.

Graham noted that while there haven’t been direct discussions with the second phase of the King Edward Bay development, Arbutus Ridge, there’s the potential to see if they’d be willing to put investment toward a shared reservoir.

“All of these needs are something that we will be looking at in collaboration with the consultant team that we hire,” said Graham.

Whether it be improvements to individual systems or a larger common reservoir is to be determined said Graham.

“We need to do further analysis to understand what makes more sense,” he said.

The municipality held community information meetings for each of the seven water districts over the past few weeks, available on the Bowen Island Municipality YouTube page. We’ll have more on these meetings, water issues and community reaction in next week’s paper. Have thoughts? Email editor@ bowenislandundercurrent.com.

Thursday, September 24, 2020 • A3

CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FILE PHOTO

This article was challenging to write, and bad news is never easy to share with friends, neighbours and fellow community members. The Community School Association (CSA) Board of Directors, at its Sept. 16 meeting, made the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s CSA Christmas Craft Fair at Bowen Island Community School, previously scheduled to take place on Dec. 6.

The board, some of whom have been involved in the CSA Christmas Craft Fair since its inception 35 years ago, did not take this decision lightly and are as disappointed as many volunteers, community members, crafters and shoppers will be for the cancelation of this year’s muchloved island tradition. Some of the reasons the board made this decision include the consideration of the safety of students, custodians, teachers, staff, volunteers and community members of BICS; volunteer capacity in terms of time and ability to run a safe, enjoyable and beneficial event for

J

CSA Craft Fair of 2018. everyone; the uncertainty of B.C.’s COVID numbers; the interest in not having to cancel at the last minute and risk the detriment to crafters in terms of time and financial commitments. And many more reasons. “It’s complicated” is an understatement.

The CSA Board would like to thank the community for your understanding and support, encourage Bowen Islanders to continue to support local businesses and crafters in your shopping considerations and wish the dedicated crafters and supporters of the CSA Christmas Craft Fair a safe and happy holiday season.

CSA Board of Directors: Frazer Elliott (Co-Chair), Sheana Stevenson (Co-Chair), Tammy Brockmeyer (Treasurer), Helen Wallwork, Pernille Nielsen, Courtney Morris, Sarah Winny, Joseph Cooke, Lusungu Stearns, Sarah Haxby, (BICS Community School Coordinator) Scott Slater (BICS Principal) .

ean Jamieson passed away peacefully in her home on Bowen Island on Sunday September 13th, 2020. Preceded in death by husband Stuart, she is survived by: daughters Anne, Karen, Marion-Lea & Laura Jamieson; grandchildren Dervash, Suggen, Laura Harjeet & Dave Dosanjh, Jesse & Cameron Rimmer, Anna-Lea Dieringer, James Dahl, & Maya Jamieson; great grandchildren Ruby & Lucy Dieringer, Sam, Ben, Jack & Max Bower. Jean obtained a BA, Teaching Certificate & MA from UBC. She worked as a counselor in the Lower Mainland before setting up a private practice. In 1980, Jean & Stu retired to Bowen where she was a founding member & President of the Heritage Preservation Association, Director of the Improvement Association, founding member of the Crippen Park Preservation Association & member of the Historians, Nature Club & Arts Council. She was on the Advisory Planning Commission & named Citizen of the Year. Her final work as a Bowen activist was with the campaign to save Cape Roger Curtis as a park for all to enjoy, which she was so disappointed to lose. Special thanks to Min, an excellent caregiver and companion, who made it possible for Jean to remain at home in her final year; and to caregivers Annie, Ender, and Margit. Thanks also to the numerous friends and neighbours who gave invaluable assistance to Jean at critical times.

A4 • Thursday, September 24, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

VIEWPOINTS EDITORIAL

Here we go

Here’s a sentence I’d hoped not to write this year: it’s one month until the election.

Premier John Horgan dropped the writ earlier this week, locking in an Oct. 24 election.

Now little Bowen Island could easily be forgotten if we don’t make a fuss (which we’re good at fusses.) What are the issues that matter most to islanders? Housing? The Crown Lands? Natural Resources?

Health? Education? Justice? Transportation? We’re on a short timeline to hear from candidates and to tell them what we want. The Undercurrent will run stories about what matters most to Bowen Islanders, though, as usual, we won’t run editorial submitted from candidates or their teams. (That’s what ads are for).

So on that note, we want to hear from you. Email me at editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com with what’s at the top of your mind as we head to the polls.

On another note, I noticed a dismal number of my own typos in last week’s paper (I know a few always get through, it’s the curse of a one-woman newsroom that copyediting is difficult). Thank you for your forgiveness with the typos and as always, if you see factual errors, omissions or people or place names spelled incorrectly, please do let me know. I can fix some online and issue corrections where warranted. This is a paper for the community and it’s important to me and the team that we reflect islanders as accurately as possible.

Bronwyn Beairsto, editor

Looking after our hearts:World Heart Day and difibrillators on Bowen AMANDA OCKELOEN

Submitted

PHOTO COURTESY OF LES MESZAROS

Bob Miller showing his craftsmanship with a hand carved violin, which was one of the items in the B.I. Golf Club Annual Fundraiser silent auction Sept. 5.

Sept. 29 is World Heart Day, and what better way to celebrate it than to look after your heart. Keeping physically active, eating well, dropping the cigarettes and limiting alcohol are all ways to start.

When a stroke or cardiac arrest occur, getting the right care fast is critical. Each minute without oxygen and blood flow to the brain increases the risk of permanent damage and death. Every sec-

ond counts. Each year an estimated 35,000 cardiac arrests occur in Canada. The majority happen in public places and at home and few people survive. But survival rates double if someone performs CPR and uses an automated external defibrillator (AED).

We are so lucky on our island that we have access to defibrillators in most neighbourhoods. The Rotary Club of Bowen Island in partnership with Bowen Island Municipality and members of the public (the

AED Team) over the last four years have funded and installed 23 AEDs (defibrillators) on Bowen in various key locations and the Rotary Club has just been approved for a grant to install a further 10 AEDs. Fantastic news!

A few notable areas in our community where we have not yet installed AEDs are: Bowen Court Harding Rd. Eagle Cliff Bishops Hill

Sunset Dr. Mount Gardner Belterra Collins Hall Valahalla Cates Hill We are looking forward to talking with residents in those communities to help make a difference. If you live in a neighbourhood that would be interested in setting up the AED program, please contact Amanda Ockeloen at lifesaverswithamanda@gmail.com.

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. Please limit to under 500 words.

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.

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.

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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.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, September 24, 2020 • A5

Still innovating: here’s what back to school looks like at IPS BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Island Pacific School staff and students are settling into new routines as they enter the third week of classes.

While teachers and staff learned a lot last June when students returned to a modified school environment, IPS is still innovating, said head of school Scott Herrington. “We still have to be thinking about right now and the uniqueness of right now.”

“We, as a small school, I think, are in a very favorable position of low numbers to begin with,” said Herrington. They’ve divided the school into two cohorts—one junior for grades six and seven and one senior for grades eight and nine––with roughly 29 students each.

Each cohort is restricted to either the upper or lower level of the building, depending on the day and stick to one classroom (in the past students would move from classroom to classroom, now the teachers move). Students have the option to be masked or not while in the classroom (and many chose to mask), but teachers are always wearing masks indoors as they interact with both cohorts.

SCOTT HERRINGTON PHOTO

Island Pacific School students doing the morning stretch, including one video-chatting into the morning tradition through an ipad on a stick.

However, interaction between grade levels is something IPS prides itself on, noted Herrington, and COVID-19 has frustratingly curbed that. Traditionally, every morning all IPS students meet up for “the stretch.” These days the stretch happens at a distance outdoors but with rains in the forecast, Herrington and the other staff have had to dream up another way to come together without being in the same room. “We’ll be spread out in our rooms,” said Herrington “And that will be okay.”

The school is also preparing for what’s to come.

There’s preparing for if staff

or students need to stay home because they’re sick or identified as a contact––ipads are already in use for students in isolation. Those at home can participate in classes or even the stretch through Google Meet and an ipad on a stick.

There’s preparing for the eventuality that someone contracts COVID-19 or is a contact.

“It’s a health issue and therefore they [the health authority] control the lines and we have to rely on them to do their job,” said Herrington. “We also as a school need to let our parents know what we can tell them, which is not very much. We’re not divulging names,

we’re not giving out the details.

That’s a privacy issue.

“But we’ll let you know and we’ll let you know in conjunction with the public health authority.”

And there’s preparing for the possibility to moving to a more restricted phase––one cohort could stay home should the school suddenly need to move to 50 per cent capacity, said Herrington.

The students have had to get used to some new routines.

“There’s a lot of new nagging, new reminder, reminder, that type of thing,” said Herrington: sanitizing whenever one enters the building, remembering masks.

“I think they’re doing remarkably well,” said Herrington of the students. The first week of school is team building and usually involves a camping trip––this year there were day trips instead overnights but students got to get out hiking and white water rafting, among other adventures. “I really felt like they settled in amazingly quickly.”

There’s also been a concerted effort to normalize mask wearing said Herrington and not tolerating any stigmatization of mask wearing. “This twisted thought that, maybe if you’re not wearing a mask you’re strong…we just tried to cut that down. That is not the

case.”

As an independent school, that costs money to attend, COVID has on the one hand meant that the school has needed to work hard to provide emergency financial aid and on the other hand hindered fundraising events.

IPS has had to work diligently at fundraising and at taking advantage of other revenue streams. “So government grants government loans, wage subsidies, we took advantage of everything we could.

And we basically funnelled that as a priority into emergency financial aid, so we didn’t lose those families, which was really important to us,” said Herrington. “I had a kind of an attitude whereby if I know somebody wants to be at our school, and now they can’t, because of COVID, I’m going to do everything I can to keep them.”

There won’t be a typical gala fundraising bash this year, but IPS is looking to virtual and remote fundraising. “We have to step up, we cannot stop swimming, we can’t even tread water, we have got to go full on into the Maelstrom type of thing,” said Herrington.

“We have a bunch of new realities, but it’s a great team here at IPS and I’m super thrilled to be part of that team.”

A6 • Thursday, September 24, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Islander until the end, Jean Jamieson dies at 100

‘A PURPOSEFUL LIFE, WELL-LIVED,’ JEAN WAS BORN ON BOWEN ISLAND IN 1920 TO JAMES AND IRENE COLLINS. IN LATER YEARS, JEAN WAS A MAINSTAY IN BOWEN POLITICS AND HERITAGE PRESERVATION MARION LEA JAMIESON

Daughter

After a long and fulfilling life, Jean Jamieson passed away on Sept. 13 at the age of 100, taking with her part of Bowen’s history.

Her roots in the island are several generations deep.

The fifth of seven children, Jean was born in a small cabin called Bonny Brae next door to the United Church.

Her mother Irene Collins, née Smith, gave birth to all of her children at home with the aid of the island midwife, Mrs. Morrison.

Irene was born in the Turtle Mountains of Manitoba, then her family moved west, living for a time in Gibsons Landing. Family lore tells of the men in her family regularly rowing from Gibsons to Vancouver for supplies. Irene attended school in Gibsons and obtained a teacher’s certificate.

The Smith family moved to Bowen when she was 15, homesteading

and building a home on the Smith farm at the north end of Killarney Lake, which still stands. Irene taught school on the island.

Irene was a devout Christian and she and James Collins were drawn together though their mutual faith. James Collins was born in Glasgow but his widowed mother,

unable to support her children, placed James in an orphanage at the age of six, along with his brother and sister. At some point, he spent some time on the Island of Arron off the coast of Scotland where he learned to farm. At the age of 13, as part of the “Home Children” program, James and sister Rosina were shipped to Canada where they served as indentured servants of the Kailburn family in N.B. After serving his indenture, James worked his way across Canada until, as he said, “the good Lord led him to Bowen Island.” In 1906, he bought a 167-acre quarter

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARION LEA JAMIESON

James, Bertha, Betty, Margaret and Jean in a field on Collins Farm.

section of land that stretched from the Pebbly Beach to Killarney Lake and set about clearing the Collins Farm of stumps and rocks.

In 1909, James and Irene were married and three children were born in Bonnie Brae. During the first World War, James enlisted in the Forestry Battalion and served overseas for three years, building roads and bridges for Canadian troops. While he was away, Irene ran the farm with help from the Smith family while also giving birth to a fourth child, former Bowen resident and artist, Betty McIntyre. When James returned, he used a Soldier’s Settlement Board loan to hire Irene’s uncle, William Linklater, to build them a larger home for his growing family which now included a sixth child, current Bowen resident Marion Moore. The Collins Farmhouse was completed in 1923 and Jean remembered that during the move to the new house, she was unhappy because her baby sister Marion got to ride up to the house in the cart, while she had to walk.

James and Irene ran a herd of Guernsey dairy cows on the farm, a breed famous for the high quality of their milk and Irene made butter and cheese. She also raised chickens and along with the mar-

ket garden operation and orchard, the farm provided dairy products, chickens eggs, fruit and vegetables to islanders and visitors.

James used the horse and cart to deliver milk and eggs to customers in Snug Cove. They also grew hay and oats to feed the farm animals, which included a team of Clydesdale horses that James used in building island roads and in horse logging.

The team was lost in a tragic accident when a skid load of logs was being dumped off the cliff above the Pebbly Beach. Someone

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARION LEA JAMIESON

Jean as a baby outside Bonnie Brae held by Mrs. Morrison the Bowen midwife.

NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION: 510 Bowen Island Trunk Road, Sidewalk Access Please be advised OCASA Construction Ltd. will be moving our construction fence on Bowen Trunk Road as per the attached photo to facilitate safe construction access. A temporary pedestrian walkway will be installed adjacent to the bike lane. This will be in effect from October 2020 to late spring 2021.

On completion of our work, public land will be reinstated to existing or better condition. We appreciate cooperation of all and commit to maintaining a safe and tidy area as well as reinstatement as soon possible.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Neel Gurung, Site Safety Officer, at 604.362.6007 or by email at bowenproject@outlook.com.

Patient of the Week SKIPPER AND TILLY Skipper-seen on the left beside sibling Tilly- had a lump on his side that needed investigation. Like humans, lumps can develop for all kinds of reasons and it’s a good idea to get them checked out asap. Several tests can be done and one of the easiest and least expensive is an FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration) where a small needle painlessly removes a sample that is put on a slide for microscopic viewing and can also be sent to a lab.

NEW COVID HOURS OPEN: 9 - 5 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday* OPEN: 9 - 1 pm every second Saturday (closed Sat. Oct 3) *Please note: Friday medical appointments will be available on alternate weeks. The clinic will be open for prescriptions and food pick up only on those Fridays.

To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

bowenislandundercurrent.com neglected to unhitch the horses in time and the horses were dragged over the cliff and lost.

Jean and her sisters and brothers participated fully in farm chores, weeding the garden, milking, delivering the milk and bringing the cows home in the evening. The cows roamed freely, wandering as far as Killarney Lake and the Union Steamship dock, so bringing them home for milking each night was a challenge. There were hard times, such as after the horses were lost, when the family relied on help from the United Church, but Jean remembered the family she grew up in as a happy one.

Jean and her siblings attended the first Bowen Island School, an elementary school which was a fairly distant walk from their home.

But education was an important priority for the family, so for high school they were taught at home by their mother and later, older sister, Margaret, also a teacher. For her last year of high school, Jean attended Lord Byng in Vancouver, paying her way by working as an au pair for a family in West Point Grey. After graduation, she worked as a telephone operator for BC Tel. She then went to live in a co-operative house, owned and run by Women’s Suffragist Laura Jamieson, where Jean met Laura’s handsome son Stuart, recently returned from obtaining a PhD in economics from Berkeley University. In 1943, Stuart had been drafted to serve on the Wartime Prices Board in Ottawa, so shortly after they met, they were married in the United Church on Bowen and moved to Ottawa where daughter Anne was born.

Because Jean sorely missed her family, they moved back to the West Coast where Stuart was hired as Professor of Economics

and Sociology at UBC. Three more Trust’s vision of Bowen as a rural Historians, the Nature Club, and daughters were born in Vancouver community and fought hard to the Arts Council. She was electand for some years, Jean was a full- preserve its character against ed to the Bowen Island Advisory time homemaker. She longed to the determined efforts of others Planning Commission and was further her education and when- to make Bowen a suburb of West named Bowen Citizen of the Year ever possible, worked toward a Vancouver. As a founding member in 2007. Her last big effort was the bachelor of arts then a teaching of the Crippen Park Preservation long campaign to save Cape Roger certificate from UBC. There were Association she threw herself into Curtis as a park for all, which she no teaching jobs to be had at the successful efforts to have the area was so disappointed to lose. time so she went back to UBC to around Killarney Lake (named by Jean loved her island home and complete a masters in counseling her mother, Irene) as Crippen Park. was determined to spend her last psychology. For about ten years As President of the Bowen Island remaining years there. Her courshe worked as a family counsel- Heritage Preservation Association, age and strength of will made it lor with her characteristic pas- she wrestled with the Regional possible for her to overcome sion and commitment and helped District to preserve the Orchard the health problems that come many families through potentially Cottages and worked diligently to with advanced age so that she destructive crises in their lives. save other forms of Bowen’s her- could stay in her own home on FILE PHOTO Throughout this period, Jean itage. She was a director of the her beloved Bowen until her last Jean Jamieson at her 100th birthday and her family spent every pos- Bowen Improvement Association breath. The island has lost one of party in February. sible weekend on Bowen, staying and a member of the Bowen Island its most devoted residents. with her parents at ADVERTISEMENT their farmhouse and later on camping out in a rustic shack that Stuart had bought from Captain Reid, a former Union Steamship captain who lived on the lot where Reid Rd. and Collins Rd. meet.

Using James Collins’ Clydesdale “Jim,” the shack was dragged down to the end of Collins Rd. where Jean had been given a lot and Stu made it somewhat liveable. In 1967, Jean and Stu bought the house on Collins Rd. where in 1980 they retired to live on Bowen permanently.

Jean had been active in Bowen politics for many years and as a full-time resident, she became even more thoroughly commitArtist, Marie Neys, says good-bye to Catching Stars and ted. She strongly supwelcomes a new vision. ported the Island It's not everyone's dream to open an Art Instruction on Bowen and online. the arts community on Bowen Island.

Art Gallery, but for Marie Neys it's Marie and I worked together at Arts A Note from Co-Owner Thiago been a vision from the moment she Pacific, the Hearth through the visual Ramirez: "It’s with a heavy heart moved to Bowen. arts committee and Catching Stars we see Marie leaving our beloved Gallery and I have learned so much gallery, to which she dedicated so Marie, Emilie Kaplun & Pauulet Hohn were the founding members of much of her talent as an artist as well from working with her and have valued her enthusiasm in the arts. It’s Catching Stars and the dream took great that she will continue to support 3 years of planning before opening the arts on Bowen through teaching in 2018. Neys states, "I'm very proud her creative painting skills and of what we have accomplished and amazing marketing techniques. I look have had folks say that Catching forward to continuing to promote her Stars is the must see gallery work through the Gallery and wish on Bowen. The gallery offers a her all the best in her new permanent space for over 60 artists creative pursuits”. to showcase and sell their works. In the past 2 years we have sold over 5900 pieces of art of every type, from small intimate pieces to large wonderful bronze sculptures.”

For Marie this is the perfect time to pass the torch on to the other members and rise up for new artistic challenges. These will include personal art studies, offering Marketing & Mentoring to other Artists & last but not least... offering PHOTO COURTESY OF MARION LEA JAMIESON

Jean and Stu in Ottawa about 1943.

Thursday, September 24, 2020 • A7

as a businesswoman. Although, it fills us with joy to know these same talents will be applied towards her new goals and to make our artistic community grow.”

A Note from Co-Owner Emilie Kaplun: "It was such a dream to build Catching Stars Gallery with Marie and Pauulet and I am so proud of all that we have done for

Marie Neys Fine Art www.marieneys.com • 1-780-720-5268

Marie says "I'm excited to be moving into this next chapter and know that Catching Stars Gallery will continue to thrive and grow. I hope to look back 20 years from now and still see this beautiful venue at the Crossroads on Bowen".

If you are interested in pursuing Art Instruction or in need of Art Mentoring feel free to contact Marie at Marie@marieneys.com.

A8 • Thursday, September 24, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Elections BC predicts up to 40 per cent of ballots could be mail-ins ELECTIONS BC BEEN PREPARING FOR PANDEMIC ELECTION SINCE APRIL

SEAN ECKFORD

Coast Reporter

Elections BC says it’s been planning for a “pandemic election” since April, and chief electoral officer Anton Boegman says he believes all the necessary precautions are in place.

The planning included a survey of voters in May and August.

Boegman and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry held a briefing about the election plans Sept. 22.

Boegman said for those who choose to vote in person on Oct. 24, the experience will be not unlike running daily errands with COVID precautions in place.

“Casting your vote will be like getting a take-out coffee or picking up milk and eggs from the grocery store in terms of the safety protocols and time spent,” he said.

Boegman said protocols at polling stations will include physical distancing, capacity limits, personal protective equipment (PPE) for election officials, barriers, sanitizing

stations and enhanced cleaning.

The voting procedure itself will also be modified to minimize contact.

Mail-in ballots, telephone voting and, in certain circumstances, curbside voting are also part of the Elections BC plan.

Boegman said the voter survey showed between 35 and 40 per cent of voters could choose the mail-in ballot. Around 20,000 voters have already applied.

In a timeline published on its website, Elections BC said preparations for the final vote count, which is scheduled to begin Nov. 6, and the final count itself “may take more time depending on the number of mail-in ballots.”

“It is possible that there will be a delay before the final results are known,” Boegman said during the briefing. “Our commitment again is to make sure that the count is conducted as quickly as possible while maintaining the necessary integrity checks.”

Henry said her office has provided guidance to parties and candidates and the major parties will also be expected to create a specific plan for campaigning safely.

Boegman said any expenses candidates have related to the purchase of PPE for staff and volunteers, “as long as they are not branded,” will be exempt from the $58,000 campaign spending limit.

Another issue Boegman addressed during the briefing was the use of schools as polling places. The BC

Teachers’ Federation has raised concerns, but Boegman said schools are an essential part of the election machinery with up to 44 per cent of polling stations in schools in a typical election.

“We are going to limit our use of schools to weekend days,” he said. “These are days when students are not present in the schools [and] when it’s possible to make sure that that the necessary cleaning is done before and after the use of these facilities by voters.”

Three schools were used as polling places in Powell RiverSunshine Coast in the 2017 provincial election: Langdale and West Sechelt elementary schools on the lower Sunshine Coast and Texada Elementary School on the upper Coast.

Boegman also said he didn’t think there would be any problem recruiting the 25,000 or so workers needed to run the election.

He said scheduling voting day for a Saturday should mean a bigger pool of potential workers to draw from and the safety protocols should reduce the likelihood that people won’t apply for the jobs because of COVID concerns.

“We’re also targeting recruitment efforts at youth – we have a ‘youth at the booth’ program that we administered through the schools,” he said.

“While it is something that we’re watching, I believe that the changes we would put in place will enable us to recruit the election officials that we need to administer the election.”

Elections BC is encouraging people interested in mail-in voting to request a package as soon as possible either online at elections.bc.ca/ovr or by phone at 1-800-661-8683.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LES MESZAROS

Kelly Nattress and Cam McDonald hard at work in the hospitality cart during the Bowen Island Golf Club Annual Fundraiser a couple of weeks ago.

There were many changes to the annual tournament to make it COVID-safe. A pandemic couldn’t keep the clubs on the ground (or in their carry bags).

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Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH Now offering a youtube channel of reflections and hymn/songs with Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Lynn Williams. youtubewatch?v=tejV7Y6jo

FOOD BANK DROP-OFF

ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Masses are live streamed every day.

Times posted at holyrosarycathedral.org

Administration Office: 604-682-6774

CATES HILL CHAPEL

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

now offering worship services via Zoom. a link available on website.

Pastor: Phil adkins

bowenislandundercurrent.com

A bylaw to designate all of the municipality as an area where temporary use permits may be issued passed third reading and was referred to the Islands Trust.

Council received the declaration of the official results approving loan authorization from deputy chief elections officer Hope Dallas. This meant mayor and council could adopt the loan authorization bylaw––to borrow up to $4.04 million to build a community centre––which they did.

ANNUAL T S

Later in the week last week, council held a special closed meeting with local MLA Jordan Sturdy.

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Watch the entire meeting at h t t p s : / / w w w. y o u t u b e. c o m / c h a n n e l / UCpRxCaVkJptg01LbjC5jd-w

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+4

Councillor and Islands Trustee Michael Kaile told council that a group of trustees are contemplating an independent review of the trust and management.

“Over the last two to three months, COVID has shone a light on how operations of the trust can be reformed and updated with necessity being the mother of invention,” said Kaile.

“Islands Trust [was] created through enabling legislation in ’74, with the unique mandate of preserving and protecting the islands in the Salish Sea for the benefit of local residents and all British Columbians,” said Kaile. “The mandate was implemented primarily through the use of land use planning tools to channel and restrict growth. It’s now 46 years later and it’s time to look how the organization delivers on its mandate in a changed world.”

“COVID adaptations are likely to become permanent. Additionally, climate change adaptation is increasingly a factor in successfully carrying out the preserve and protect mandate,” said Kaile.

Kaile is preparing a resolution for consideration in the December Trust council meeting to engage a consultant to examine the Trust’s effectiveness in delivering on its mandate.

“Such a review will require a fundamental

The speed limit bylaw to “regulate and essentially legalize the existing speed limits,” allowing the municipality to set its own speed limits under 50 km/hr passed third reading. Council had rescinded third reading at its last meeting so as to amend the speed limits to designate a portion of Windjammer Rd. and a portion of Bowen Bay Rd. to 30 km/hr.

Signage was a point of discussion.

“There are places where, in order for the RCMP to enforce the current speed limits, we would need additional signage,” Daniel Martin, manager of planning and development, told council.

Coun. Michael Kaile was concerned with the proliferation of signs. “We have signpostitis across Bowen Island,” he said and asked if there are signs that could be taken down.

The plan includes realigning the berths, a second exit road, an additional storey on the terminal building to accommodate a new control tower and administrative offices, enhanced technology capabilities, and new indoor waiting areas for foot passengers, as well as weather-protected outdoor areas.

The new terminal building, with its green roof, would take over the current space as well as the parking area. Parking would be moved below ground. “We would like to transform the terminal into a hub that complements and enhances the community,” BC Ferries said in an overview of the process. “We envision creating a transportation hub for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and vehicles and a community hub with commercial space, easy access to/ from the village, and integration with the Horseshoe Bay local area plan.”

Martha Perkins is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

R

You didn’t read the council schedule incorrectly––this week’s muni morsels is coming to you a week late. It was, however, a rather uneventful and short council meeting Sept. 14 as council returned from its summer break and tested a hybrid meeting model. Half of council attended in person and the rest joined over zoom.

CONTINUED FROM P. 1

FI

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

reappraisal of the organization, as opposed to simply adjusting policy. Adaptation to COVID has shown us all how quickly change is possible,” said Kaile.

Horseshoe Bay terminal’s extensive redesign paused

Sweet pic from Lisa Broughman

Muni Morsels: last week this week

Thursday, September 24, 2020 • A9

r OBER 3

d

BOWEN ISLAND Snug Cove

Walk your favourite trail or head down to your beach, roadway or even the ditch out front of your house, and pick up some litter. Remember to keep yourself safe and protected while you're out there – we suggest gloves, masks and some socially distanced pals.

5:20 am* 6:20 am 7:30 am 8:35 am 9:40 am 10:50 am 12:00 pm 1:10 pm 3:10 pm 4:15 pm< 5:20 pm 6:30 pm 7:45 pm> 8:50 pm 9:50 pm 10:50 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 2:35 pm 3:45 pm 4:50 pm 5:55 pm 7:10 pm 8:20 pm> 9:20 pm 10:20 pm

Leave Horseshoe Bay

Leave Snug Cove

Schedule in Effect: September 8, 2020 to October 12, 2020

Brought to you by the Bowen Island Trail Society

Crossing Time: 20 minutes Distance: 3 nautical miles Note: This is a non-reservable route * exCepT SuN aND oCT 12

> exCepT SaT

< exCepT WeD are (DC) DaNgerouS Cargo SailiNgS. No oTher paSSeNgerS permiTTeD.

Take a photo and tag us on social media – or send us an email with a pic of your litter stash (by midnight on October 4th, please).

ISocial: @bowenislandtrailsociety Email: info@bowenislandtrailsociety.ca We've got some great prizes from some local businesses for the best and biggest trash stashes!

Let's do this, Bowen!!

A10 • Thursday, September 24, 2020

Careful operation

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Transplanting eelgrass in Mannion Bay BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Just metres below the surface in Mannion Bay are thick meadows of ribbon-like grass rooted to the sea floor. Juvenile salmon leaving Terminal Creek take refuge in the dense mats before heading out into the open ocean. Dungeness crabs scuttle over the root systems that evolved from land––separating the plant from its algal neighbour

on

BOB TURNER PHOTO

Eelgrass planting preparation with Bruce, Andrew, Joan and Fiona on the shore of Mannion Bay.

seaweed––and scurry among the hundreds of species of fish, invertebrates and birds that depend on the meadows for habitat and food.

Eelgrass can help with shoreline erosion, its blades attenuating wave energy a little, and sequester carbon, storing it in the roots and sediments they’re stabilizing explains Fiona Beaty.

Beaty is the Howe Sound/ Átl’ka7tsem regional director of the SeaChange Marine Bowen Island Conservation Societyfunded Salish Sea Nearshore Habitat Recovery Project.

“For all of these diverse reasons, [Eelgrass is] also quite vulnerable to human

d e k s a Get M PHOTO CONTEST

Wearing a mask keeps you and those around you safe, and helps everyone feel part of a ‘community team’ of heroes battling Covid-19!

impacts,” says Beaty.

Staring out over Mannion Bay toward the North Shore mountains, the left side of the bay has a really healthy eelgrass meadow, however, the closer you get to the Terminal Creek outflow, the less healthy and more fragmented the eelgrass gets. “That might be due to water quality issues, or people anchoring in the eelgrass or mooring buoys or even just climate change and weather patterns,” says Beaty.

So Sept. 17, under cover of smoke and protection of masks, Beaty led an operation: an eelgrass transplant. Members of the Fish and Wildlife Club, the Friends of Mannion Bay, B.I. Conservancy, B.I. Municipality and residents of Deep Bay were among the small group of volunteers who came out to help.

(The event was kept small due to COVID).

“We’re trying to not only restore the habitat quality by doing these transplants but also reconnect the people who live around the bay to their ocean life,” says Beaty.

Over the past few years, SeaChange has done eelgrass transplants across the sound (including four on Gambier, one on Keats, and two on Bowen––last year in Tunstall Bay), as well as subtidal garbage cleanups, replanting vegetation along shorelines, community engagement and some eelgrass mapping.

“The Mannion Bay transplant was really exciting because it builds directly upon what the Bowen Island Municipality and the community has been doing in that region for the past few decades, which is to progressively restore the social and ecological integrity of

bay and the health of the bay,” says Beaty, noting the municipality’s efforts to monitor and regulate mooring buoys and remove subtidal debris.

While it might be tempting to blame the state of Mannion Bay on the activities of a certain resort starting a century ago, Beaty says the degradation of the bay is probably due to more recent human activities over the past few decades––a high number of people dropping anchor, untreated sewage emptied into the bay and climate change.

“And so in a way that that puts the control into our hands for managing that those activities,” says Beaty. “Because they’re still they’re still happening. It’s not so much this legacy effect that we can’t do anything about.”

With the beaches having the right sediment size for forage fish to spawn, salmon headed up and down the Terminal Creek water flow to the hatchery, and the eelgrass, Mannion Bay has the potential to be a “really thriving marine area” says Beaty. “And it already kind of is working its way towards that.”

Should this transplant be successful, SeaChange will return in the spring to do another in the same area.

SeaChange Marine Conservation Society, based on Vancouver Island, does restoration and community engagement to improve the habitat quality of nearshore ecosystems–– anywhere from the trees and plants along the beaches down to the upper sub-tidal areas where eelgrass and kelp grow.

Take a selfie wearing your funny, unusual or self-made mask and send it to us!

Every week starting Aug. 27, we’ll pick a “Mask of the Week” winner and post their photo on our Facebook page.

Each winner will receive a great prize!

Email your photo to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com (put “Get Masked” in the subject line) and be sure to include your name and phone number. Have fun and thanks for being a masked crusader in the fight against Covid-19!

CoNTEST RULES: one entry per person, all ages can enter. By entering the contest and submitting your photo, you agree to have your photo published on our Facebook page.

EMAIL YOUR PHOTO TO: editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

BOB TURNER PHOTO

Hasan, Mark, Holly, Nikki, among others, prepare eelgrass for transplanting.

BOB TURNER PHOTO

Divers transplant eelgrass in Mannion Bay.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, September 24, 2020 • A11

BOWEN BEAT

Dialogue

Paintings & Collage by Jennifer Love & Kim LaFave Sept. 17-Oct.19 The Hearth held its opening celebration for ‘Dialogue’ over the weekend. “Jennifer Love (formerly from Bowen Island) and Kim LaFave, artists from the Sunshine Coast present an exhibition of paintings and collage works wherein complex layers of paint, paper and fabric reorganize, magnify, fracture or obliterate shapes, words and numbers - creating and uncovering new meanings,” The Hearth describes the exhibit. “The ordered worlds of boats and harbours, letterforms and numbers become unpredictable and surprising.

LaFave and Love teach painting and mono printing workshops and both exhibit widely.”

Gary and Andy

PHOTOS BY STEFAN KOWALSKI

Artist Kim LaFave

Volunteer Greta Smith

Everyone and their horse was welcome!

Delivered to your mailbox!

Every week for $55 per year ($85 to off island addresses) 604-947-2442 ads@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thank you for your support of local journalism now and always.

If you are not sure if you have renewed, please call us to avoid disruption

Dancing to DJ Yeshe’s tunes.

A12 • Thursday, September 24, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Back to the polls as‘campaign unconventional’begins WEST VAN-SEA TO SKY INCUMBENT MLA TALKS ELECTIONS AMID COVID-19 AND OUTLINES SOME OF HIS PLATFORM

STEVEN CHUA

Squamish Chief

Local incumbent MLA Jordan Sturdy said that Premier John Horgan’s call for a snap election is something that gives politicians a bad name.

“In my mind, this is an unnecessary election,” Sturdy told The Chief.

“We’re now going to be five weeks without a government essentially [in] what I believe is to be a pretty critical time in the evolution of the disease that’s dominating our society right now. So really pure political opportunism is what it is.”

On Sept. 21, Horgan called for an election one year ahead of schedule, putting to rest weeks of speculation that an early vote would take place. The election will be held next month on Oct. 24.

Under B.C.’s Constitution Act, the elections are to occur in October four years following the last vote. However, the act also says that this is subject to the lieutenant governor, who may dissolve

the legislative assembly when they see fit.

Horgan told reporters on Monday that Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin granted his request to dissolve the assembly.

While many, such as Sturdy, have criticized the premier’s move, Horgan has maintained that since the COVID-19 pandemic will be a fact of life next year, it’s best to get a mandate from the public now.

At the moment, the NDP maintain their hold on government only through a power-broking deal they hashed out with the Green Party.

As of dissolution on Sept. 21, the NDP had 41 seats, as did the BC Liberals. The Greens held two seats, and were thus able to tip the balance of power.

The election comes as the province grapples with a state of emergency. At the same time, it arrives at a critical junction in the course of the disease.

Uncertainty swirls as people wonder how COVID-19 will behave during the flu season, and if students’ return to school will create new avenues for the disease

to spread.

On top of all this, there’s now the question about how to run an election campaign when public gatherings over 50 are prohibited.

“It’s going to be campaign unconventional, that’s for sure,” said Sturdy.

“Although we are learning to adopt the Zoom world. And I guess we’re going to be relying on that in many respects.”

There are questions about how events like the all-candidates debate will be held, he said.

Currently, there’s been no word if a Squamish event will be broadcast online, but Sturdy said he expects this — and many other customary election events — to migrate to the internet.

Another wrinkle in pandemic-era campaigning is the need for new candidates to get nominated and witnessed, he said.

Sturdy says he expects that virtual witnessing will become the new normal, as collecting signatures by hand will be a possible exposure risk.

He also said that he was confident that Elections BC will figure out a way to allow people to vote in a safe manner.

As of Monday, the government

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agency posted on its website that anyone can request to vote by mail, and no special reason is required.

The request can be made online at the Elections BC website.

At the moment, it seems Sturdy’s campaign platform will have many familiar features from past elections.

He said that he will be working on trying to make regional transit a reality — an item that has been on the wishlist in Squamish for years.

“I’m not taking my foot off the pedal there,” he said.

He noted that he was surprised that the current provincial government didn’t offer more support for this measure, as many local governments have been moving together in expressing interest for the initiative.

“I was always surprised that we didn’t get more support,” Sturdy said.

On the economic front, Sturdy said that it’s important that Squamish diversifies and becomes a hub of knowledge and employment.

While tourism is a great economic driver, he noted that unforeseen catastrophic events can shut down that source of revenue.

“If, in 20 years, we see that

Squamish evolves into essentially a suburb of Vancouver, then as community leaders I think we will have failed,” he said.

Sturdy also expressed support for Quest University.

He said he’d like to see the school — which is facing significant financial challenges — survive.

Sturdy said the Ministry of Advanced Education can help circumstances.

He said that he met with Advanced Education Minister Melanie Mark and Quest University president George Iwama in December 2019.

In his mind, the minister didn’t seem receptive to assisting a private institution.

Sturdy promised that the Sea to Sky will remain an area of focus for him.

“I think you understand that the Sea to Sky is a place that I know well and [am] invested in and have a lot of ideas…[in part to] make it a better place and, more specifically, help the people who live here have a better experience and have better opportunity,” he said.

This story was originally published at squamishchief.com.

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, September 24, 2020 • A13

The bear, the candle and the comb: a Knick Knack Nook tale I am a worker bee, one of a handful of quiet bees who work diligently at Knick Knack Nook when the store is closed and all is quiet and I would like to invite you to have a peek inside the hive.

Some of the harder working bees arrive at the Nook at 8:30 a.m. They unlock the doors and turn the lights on.

I am a more laid-back bee and arrive around 9 a.m. and I can feel this hive of activity is in full swing.

We read instructions sent by our beloved Queen: “Bring inside the store all decontaminated donations placed under the blue tarp on the table outside to the left of the door.”

We follow her instructions, lift the blue tarp and a quiet panic can be perceived among us when we realise how much “stuff” needs to be brought inside the hive. We feel overwhelmed but fold our wings and go to work.

Some bees are stronger than others. Bee number two helps bee number four carry a heavy box.

I am bee number three and as I open one of the many boxes, a strong musty smell comes out of it. Gently holding my breath, I start pulling items out: • A stained and smelly, once-white pillow slip.

• A fairly clean man’s shirt with three missing buttons.

• A teddy bear, who has been so loved and kissed, the

end of his nose is missing.

A half burnt light blue candle.

A scratched and sticky non-stick frying pan.

A very nice, new (still in the package) set of kitchen knives. Hallelujah.

• Three colouring books, mostly already coloured by an unruly young hand, which obviously had not yet learned about outlines.

• A clock, which indicates the correct time twice a day at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

• A comb, looking like a sad smile with a few missing teeth.

• A half empty (full?) bottle of fabric softener.

The musty pillow slip cannot be sent to the Salvation Army. The shirt can, as they will use it for rags (“but we already have 11 bags and seven boxes to send off to Sally Ann, and who will pick them up and drive them to North Vancouver?” I wonder). The teddy bear will sadly join other items in the garbage can and so will the candle and the comb. Could this be the title of a novel, “The Bear, the Candle, and the Comb”? The frying pan will go into the “metal recycling” bin. The set of knives will be displayed on a shelf at the front of the store . The colouring books will • • •

PHOTO SUBMITTED

be dropped in the “paper recycling” bin. “Which bee has a strong enough back to carry all the recyclable items to the depot?” I wonder again. The clock will be a reminder that time can stop running and we hang it on the back wall as a inside joke. I ask the other busy bees if they have a need for fabric softener but they all wisely decline saying it might affect the taste of honey.

I will not tell you what the moral of my little story is, but I will give you a hint: the little bear without his nose would be much happier to have ended his life in YOUR garbage can rather than in an unfamiliar one at Knick Knack Nook...

Bee Deggan (otherwise known as Babette)

voTE iN THE PRoviNCiAL ELECTioN A provincial election has been called for Saturday, October 24, 2020.

We’re helping B.C. vote safely during the pandemic. Here’s what you can expect if you vote in person: • Physical distancing • Voting place capacity limits • Election officials wearing personal protective equipment (such as masks and face-visors) • Protective barriers • Hand sanitizing stations • Frequent cleaning of voting stations and frequently touched surfaces • Election workers trained on safe workplace guidelines and pandemic protocols Follow the instructions from election officials in the voting place to help maintain physical distancing.

You will be asked to sanitize your hands before and after voting.

If you are ill or self-isolating, do not visit a voting place. Request a vote-by-mail package or call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683.

You can vote in person or by mail.

Candidate nominations

Vote in person Vote at a district electoral office – Find the office nearest you at elections.bc.ca/deo.

Voting is available now during office hours.

You can get a candidate nomination application package from your district electoral office or online at elections.bc.ca/candidates.

There are seven days of advance voting, from October 15 to October 21. You don’t need a special reason to vote at advance voting – it’s an option for all voters.

Advance voting places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

Election day is Saturday, October 24, but there are lots of ways to vote before then.

On election day voting places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time.

Learn more at wheretovote.elections.bc.ca Vote by mail If you wish to vote by mail request your voting package as soon as possible. Go to elections.bc.ca/ovr or call 1-800-661-8683.

Learn more at elections.bc.ca/safevoting.

elections.bc.ca / 1 - 8 0 0 - 6 6 1 - 8 6 8 3

@ElectionsBC

Completed nomination kits must be returned to your district electoral officer by 1 p.m. (Pacific time) on Friday, October 2, 2020.

Voter registration Register now to save time when you vote.

You can register or update your information at elections.bc.ca/register or by calling 1-800-661- 8683. Online voter registration closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) on September 26.

Voter registration by phone closes at 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on September 26. After September 26 you can still register or update when you vote, but voting will take longer. Remember to bring ID when you go to vote.

Questions?

Call 1-800-661-8683 or visit elections.bc.ca.

A14 • Thursday, September 24, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Your Community

MARKETPLACE bowenislandundercurrent.com

Call or email to place your ad, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

604-444-3000 • 604-630-3300 classifieds@van.net

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

SPROTTSHAW.COM

SUDOKU

BC WIDE CLASSIFIEDS TRADES HELP

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

COASTLINE DEVELOPMENTS ARE HIRING! For the Bowen Island Seniors Housing Co-Op at 1070 Miller Road. The scope of work is exterior building envelope and energy upgrades.

Work Commencement is September 2020 We are seeking sub trade applications for the following contractors:

• • • •

Siding Gutters and Evestroughs Plumbing Roofing - Asphalt

To submit your expression of interest and portfolio, please send email to dkmcmillan@shaw.ca We are also seeking applications for the following positions:

• Journeymen Carpenters • Carpenters’ Apprentices

ROOFING New Roofing & Repairs.

Gutter Cleaning • $80 Free Est. • GLRoofing.ca

ATTENTION

604-240-5362

INVENTORS! Ideas wanted!

Call Davison today!

1.800.218.2909 or visit us at inventing.davison.com/BC Free inventor’s guide!

Join the

@BowUndercurrent ANSWERS

conversation at

www.facebook.com/BIUndercurrent

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Please send resume and salary expectations to dkmcmillan@shaw.ca

Coastline Development Group North Vancouver www.coastlinedevelopment.ca

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Thursday, September 24, 2020 • A15

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY JENNIFER HENRICHSEN

IPS kicks off community service on Bowen JENNIFER HENRICHSEN

Island Pacific School

Helping out in the community, both Bowen and the North Shore, is part of being a student at Island Pacific School.

Last Wednesday we kicked off our program with grade six, seven and eight students participating in the nationwide Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. They collected a total of seven bags of garbage from roadsides, Sandy Beach, Crippen Park Beach and September Morn.

Our grade nine students lent a hand at Riley’s Orchard on Laura Rd. Theirs is a heritage orchard boasting over 1,000 varieties of apples. Students learned about preserving diversity in crops and how this is beneficial to the environment and humans. They were rewarded for their efforts picking and weeding with delicious fresh pressed apple juice!

BOWEN HOME SERVICES love the life you live NEW CONSTRUCTION RENOVATIONS RESTORATION ADDITIONS SECONDARY STRUCTURES UNIQUE OUTDOOR SPACES

Bowen Island sPeCIalIsTs! QUalITY seRVICe GUaRanTeed!

SUB CONTRACT WORK

BUILT GREEN BC BUILDER

Keep Calm and Call econo

604.980.3333

CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTATION

991 west First street, north Vancouver, BC www.economovingandstorage.com

WWW.WHITEHART.CA ADDRESS 302-566 ARTISAN LANE BOWEN ISLAND, BC PHONE 1 (778) 999-3434

GUTTERS & SNOWBARS

Window Blinds On Bowen 778-995-1902 Stories and photos from

your community

In print and online all the time

(604) 947-2025 A T

AQUA TERRA EAVESTROUGHS A BOWEN ISLAND FAMILY COMPANY

Join our

growing network!

facebook.com/BIUndercurrent Professional Home Disinfection Residential and Commercial Restoration Services

Elimination of viruses (COVID-19), bacteria, mold, insects & odours with commercial grade Oxidizing Generators

Hydroxyl Scrubbing - non-toxic OR Ozone Saturation - toxic

Bruce MacDonald

bowenislandundercurrrent.com

604-369-5405

contact.me@islandhome.solutions

A16 • Thursday, September 24, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

The BOWEN ISLAND GOLF CLUB is delighted to report our results and is most appreciative for the incredible support from all of the PARTICIPANTS, JOINT HOLE SPONSORS, PATRONS and the COMMITTEE*/VOLUNTEERS. We are thankful the need to modify the event to meet Covid-19 safety protocols did not materially impact either the fun or success of this essential event with expected net proceeds in excess of fifty-five thousand ($55,000) dollars, which is but a generous “chip shot” short of last years’ record results.

We thank everyone for their wonderful and much appreciated support and involvement.

Alan & Alison Morse Alice Jennings Allen McMillan Litigation Counsel Almad Investments Andrew & Joan Grant Archie Johnstone Plumbing & Heating Ashburn Ventures Ltd ~ Rob Purdy Barb Rendell & Bob Miller Bennett Land Surveying Ltd. BIGC Old Buzzards/Old Crocs BIGC Womens League Bill Brown Blue Ark Private Equity BlueShore Financial Bob & Belle Sangster Bob & Karen Moles Bob & Sally Hamel Boston Pizza Bowen Beer & Wine Cellar Bowen Island Lodge Bowen Island Properties Ltd Bowen Island Pub Bowen Island Real Estate ~ Frances Frost Bruce & Dorene Russell Buy On Bowen ~ Mary Lynn Machado Realtor Cape on Bowen Chilliwack Ford ~ Dale Hewitt Colleen O’Neil & Peter Moir Cordeiro Maintenance Contractors Ltd.

JOINT HOLE SPONSORS Cormorant Marine & Cormorant Tug & Barge Creus Engineering Cro & Sue Lucas David & Janice Podmore David & Kathy Leishman David Malkin & Bill Malkin David Riddell & Cathy Buchanan Doc Morgan’s Doug & Kelly Rae Dr. Hugh & Sally Freeman Edwards Jones Enerpro Systems Corp.

Evergro Fairweather Bay FileHold Systems First Credit Union Forman/Pilkington Friends on Russell Lane ~ Stoilen, Sutherland, Elliott Gary Ander Global Pacific Resources Gulf Pacific Group Haakon Industries Haig & Mary Farris Hunter McLeod Realty Invictus Professional Snowfighters (Brad Caton) IRLY Bowen Building Centre Isobel Otter & Neil Boyd Jack & Pamela Hole James Wright

PATRONS

Andy Powell-Williams & Gary Walsh

Hugh & Jocelyn MacNeil

Barb Glen & Mike Cafe

Jill Purdy

Barry & Jeanette Lynn

Keith & Alice Ewart

BFL Canada, Insurance Services

Lise, Peter & Natasha Goumeniouk

Bill Brown

Maralyn McDonald

Bruce & Dorene Russell

Mary & Chris Leigh

Bruce Greyell

Maryon Adelar

Clar & Sharon Dickson

Mike Williams

Clive & Maddie Jones

Penny Moul

Don & Barb McLauchlin

Ross MacDonald

Doug & Jan MacDougall

Snug Cafe/ Tuscany/ Artisan Eats

Gerry & Rebeca Kirk

Terry & Sylvia Boss

Jamie McTavish & Karen Flavelle Jill Purdy Joanne Gassman & Bruce Chutka John Fleetham John Magee & Jeanie-Seward Magee John Wilmot Jon Borrill Keith Chambers Ken & Barb Hallat Ken & Sheila McArthur Laura & Maurice McGregor Leigh Automotive Leigh Sauder Les & Micheline Meszaros Lise & Peter Goumeniouk Living Bowen ~ Barry Thomas Merchants of Village Square Metro Blasting Michael & Diana Kaile Michael Cornelissen & Gayle Stevenson Montroyal Contracting Ltd Navroz & Mumtaz Bandali North Construction Oakcreeek Golf & Tu urff Lttd OCASA Construction Ltd ~ David Bellringer & Rob Purdy Pacific Breeze Heating & Cooling Paul & Patricia Churchland Peace Hills Trust PGL Environmental Consultants

Primex Investments Rhodes on Bowen Rogers Sugar Ron & Gael Booth Ross & Suzanne Allan Ross Waters Ruth & Bill Openshaw ~ Ian Hirsch-Woods Road Sandra & Richard Dawson Sarah Graham Snug Cove General Store Soren & Elizabeth Hammerberg Springhouse Investments Steve & Sue Hoffar Tarrnie Williams TD Canada Trust Telus Terry McKeown & Lisa Avery The Granny Smiths ~ Maryon Adelaar & Jennifer Galan The Patersinghs Tim Kerr Jr. Trevor Hodge Twin Islland d Excavation Union Steamship Company Vancouver Canadians Watson Gloves WestPark Parking Services

COMMITTEE*/VOLUNTEERS Alan Morse* Alice Jennings Bill Brown* Bob and Karen Moles Bob Sangster* Bruce Russell* Cam McDonald Cathy Buchanan Collenne Huskisson Cro Lucas* Dave Welsh Donalda Meyers Ian Watson Jeanie Seward-Magee Jennifer Harris Josie Huskisson Julie Rogers Kathy Clarke Katie Brougham* Kelly Nattress

Les Meszaros* Lisa Arthur Lisa Brougham Lise Goumeniouk Liz Watson Lizzie & Caroline Parker Madsie Jones Mary Lynn Machado Peter Clarke Peter Goumeniouk Robbie Watson Ross McCorquodale Sandra Dawson Sarah Graham Sharon Bone Terry and Sylvia Boss Tim Kerr Jr.*

* Denotes Committee Member