090306 - Tim Rhodes on Bowen Island

Bowen Island Times
Letters
NORTH SHORE MP’S AND MAYORS
DISCUSS LOCAL PRIORITIES
“Today we find ourselves at a historical
nexus of three dramatic factors: a major
economic downturn; a once-in-a-generation
commitment by government to spend a large
amount of money in a short time; and a large
appetite for information from our community
here regarding how to take advantage of
the stimulus package,” said Weston. “Our
government is working with partners to
deliver on critical infrastructure. The close
cooperation among elected representatives
in our riding means that we have an ability
to move nimbly and effectively to take
optimal advantage of federal and provincial
initiatives,” he continued.
Federal and provincial governments
are preparing to invest $110 million in
critical infrastructure in British Columbia.
Some community infrastructure funding
application processes will begin within a
matter of weeks. The governments of Canada
and British Columbia have taken steps to
get shovels in the ground and to get money
flowing for targeted infrastructure projects
in British Columbian communities in the
2009 and 2010 construction seasons.
EXPLORING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SINCE 2009
March 06, 2009
Vol. 1/Issue 5 FREE
. . . takin’ the taxi to Metro Van . . . on a sunny day it’s heaven!
FROM LIGHT BULBS
TO ONION BULBS
get charged up from the
latest energy saving seminar
2009
The Bowen Island Guide
brought to you by BC Hydro’s Powersmart
and Bowen Island Municipality
THE OLYMPIC ISSUE
check out the 2009 Rate Card
www.bowenisland.org/wow/chamber.php
BOOK YOUR AD BY
MARCH 07, 2009
to be included
in the 2009 Bowen Island Guide
2009 Map Brochure
map printed separately with
advertising on the perimeter
BOOK YOUR AD NOW
THE MAN
Interview with Don Ho
Executive Director
The Cape on Bowen
Community Development
McH20
Off the cuff, Pg. 8
INTERVIEW WITH THE MAYOR
ABOUT THE CAMPUS OF CARE
send us your photo submissions for credited use in the 2009 Guide
and on www.bowenisland.org
if you’d like to submit your special Bowen images,
please email [email protected]
Leah Sema
discover how this facility
enriched their community
Whose
priorities
are they?
THE GARDENS AT
QUALICUM BEACH
calling all photographers
Scott Witty
Reshuffling
the deck
of political
priorities.
Visitor’s Centre
may close
due to lack of funding
BEHIND THE LABEL
advertising
around map
for more information call
Darcie 604.947.0750
email: [email protected]
For more information on the Building Canada
plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or
www.bcbuildingcanadafudcommunities.ca/
.
questions?
ask the
water guy
construction permits down
68% what will support the
island economy?
TSAWWASSEN FIRST NATIONS
This meeting was initiated by the M.P.
offices on the North Shore. “Coordination
is extremely important in these times where
funding is available for new building projects
for road and sewer upgrades that are needed
in our community. Effective communication
with all government leaders will aid in the
development of project proposals, to help
our communities access our fair share of
infrastructure dollars,” said Saxton.
are we done with the snow?
Catherine Bayly
NORTH VANCOUVER, BC: The North
Shore’s two Members of Parliament met with
local mayors last week, to discuss municipal
infrastructure priorities. “This is the first time
that the North Shore’s mayors and federal
representatives have met to discuss community
funding priorities,” said John Weston, M.P. for
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast- Sea to Sky
Country. “We are listening to our mayors and
their needs in our community, and helping to
identify funding opportunities flowing out of
the federal budget and stimulus packages,” said
Andrew Saxton, M.P. for North Vancouver and
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury Board.
interview with
Chief Kim Baird
about Tsatsu Shore
Development
2
March 6, 2009
Bowen Island Times
The Bowen Island Times is published
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reserved. We accept unsolicited
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not responsible for those submissions.
The Bowen Island Times is supported by
funding from private sources, including
The Cape on Bowen Community
Development Ltd., and with paid
advertising.
*Retailworks Interactive Retailers Ltd. DBA StickyBee
Editor and publisher:
Tim Rhodes
[email protected]
Production and advertising:
Darcie Buzzelle
[email protected]
RR1 G76
Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G0
Phn: 604-947-0750
Fax: 604-947-9651
Bowen Island Times
Bowen Island OCP Update
by Dave Witty
B
can
“Give Back to Bowen”
YOU
• Bequests
• Tax Deductible
Donations
• Establish your
own dedicated
fund
[email protected]
www.bowenfoundation.com
Tel: 604.947.0333
CORRECTION:
The At The Table report in the 20 February 2009
issue was not fully accurate. The four members of the OCP Update Steering Committee that will be
appointed through public nominations will be determined by a Selection Committee composed of
two preeminent islanders and the chair of the committee, Dave Witty. Their appointment will need to
be ratified by Council but they are not Council’s selection. There will not be a debate at Council about
those 4: they will be whomever is recommended by the Selection Committee. Council will appoint
a total of four (one of whom is Mr. Witty) for a total of eight. Mr. Witty is a Fellow of the Canadian
Institute of Planners and the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba. The
Times apologizes to its readers for the error.
owen will be undertaking an Update of
2.
the Official Community Plan (OCP) over
the next 15 months. Council has endorsed a
major review and update of the existing OCP.
An Update builds upon the existing OCP by
identifying the key principles and features
of the existing OCP that should be used as a
basis for an updated version.
The OCP Update will consider ecological,
economic, social and physical development
issues that affect the island and update
the existing OCP to reflect current needs.
Updates are commonly completed where a
community has an existing OCP that was
completed within a comprehensive process.
The existing Bowen Island OCP involved
several years of community input and
careful consideration. While it has had
many amendments over the years, it
remains an important guiding document
for the island. An Update will build on
its strengths and offer new perspectives
that reflect current thinking, issues and
community input.
There are five broad phases identified for
the Update:
1. Getting started (spring ’09):
establishing a Steering Committee,
retaining a consultant and developing a
detailed Update process;
3.
4.
5.
Community Input (summer and
fall ’09): seeking broad community
engagement in the review of the
existing OCP to identify key
principles and policies that will
inform an updated OCP, as well as
issues that need review;
Analysis (summer, fall and early winter
’09): review of background information,
completion of studies needed to address
identified issues and preparation of
working papers;
Draft Scenarios (early ’10):
development and community review
of scenarios that address identified
ecological, economic, social and
physical development considerations;
Draft Update (spring ’10): preparation
of a draft OCP Update for community
review and Council consideration.
The Update targets May 2010 for first
reading by Council.
A Steering Committee, chaired by Dave
Witty (appointed by Council on February
2nd) will be formed in March. Community
members who are interested in sitting on
the Steering Committee should apply to
the municipality by going to the municipal
website. Committee members will be
selected on the basis of criteria identified by
Council at its February 16th meeting.
BC Housing McH2O
water questions?
Rental Assistance Program answers by Bruce McTaggart
B
C Housing’s Rental Assistance Program
provides cash assistance for eligible families
renting in the private market. For families who
have a total household income of $35,000 or less,
this assistance can make a significant difference
in their ability to better afford rent, buy food,
medicine and other necessities.
To qualify for the program, families must have a
gross household income of $35,000 or less, have
a least one dependent child, have lived in BC for
the past 12 months and have spent part of last
year or this year working.
The Rental Assistance Program website is
https://www.bchousing.org/programs/RAP or
phone 604-433-2218 to apply.
Advertise in the
Bowen Island Times
The Talk of
The Rock
delivered FREE
to 1435 mail boxes
GREAT INTRODUCTORY RATES
contact: [email protected]
604.947.0750
Q
uestion: I am on Cove Bay water and I see
a yellow/brown colour when I pour a
bath or glass of water, what is it?
McH20: What you are likely observing is
colour caused by high organic matter that is
naturally occurring in surface water supplies
on Bowen Island. The organic matter is
mostly made up from decaying vegetation
and is commonly known as tannin. Tannins
will cause this yellow brown colour in the
water and will be most noticeable when
water has depth, such as in your bath tub.
Sediment and suspended particles will
contribute to the colour as well.
Cove Bay water supply is chlorinated
without filtration so you receive what ever
is suspended and dissolved in Grafton
Lake at the time you use water. The
41,000 feet of water mains that distribute
water throughout Cove Bay are prone to
accumulating debris from the lake. This
material periodically dislodges and shows
up in higher amounts in your drinking
water as colour and suspended particulates.
When the municipality performs a water
main flush, some of the debris will show
up in your home as additional colour and
debris in your water.
Bruce McTaggart is the owner of McTaggart
Water Systems Inc.
Send your water questions related to water quality,
wells, supply, storage and alternative water sources
to [email protected] and Bruce will
answer them in this column. We require your name
and phone number with your question but neither
will be published.
Call Hooson A Champion (CHAC)
next issue: an interview with a force for the arts
P
aul Hooson is a full-time professional
mime, clown and puppeteer and a
former student of Marcel Marceau. Since
1975, his career path has taken him to
festivals, schools, and film and television
studios as well into hospitals and hospices
for young and old alike. This work has
led him to intern with the Clown Care
Unit (CCU) as a guest artist, perform and
collaborate with others doing similar work
in the U.S.A., France, Switzerland, Austria,
Germany, Australia, Brazil, and across
Canada.
The Doc Willikers Therapeutic Clown
Program was established in 1994 to serve
the young patients at British Columbia's
Children’s Hospital (BCCH) in Vancouver
and has since expanded to include Sunny
Hill Health Centre and Canuck Place
Hospice for Children. The program’s
founder, Paul Hooson, was inspired to
explore this work by the renowned Big
Apple Circus’ “Clown Care Unit” (CCU) in
New York City.
In concert with Winnipeg (1986) and
Toronto (1993), Paul’s Vancouver-based
program helped pioneer the concept
of therapeutic clowning in Canada and
introduced the Clown Doctor character to
the Canadian Health Care system
TRAINING
STUDIO
POSITIVELYFIT.CA
Mary Letson
BCRPA Certified Personal Trainer
Owner Positively Fit Training
Shauna Jennings
BCRPA Certified Trainer
Ali Hartwick
BCRPA Certified Trainer
Amrita Sondhi
Yoga Instructor
private setting
relaxed atmosphere
1044 senior road
Bowen Island Times
3
March 6, 2009
Tourism may play
an increasingly important
role on the island.
Visitor’s Centre May Close
The Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce
by Tim Rhodes
T
he Bowen Island Community and
Visitor Information Centre (BICVIC or the Info Centre) is in danger of
by Tim Rhodes
closing due to lack of funding. BIC-VIC
has been running at a deficit since the time
Construction values down 69%
affecting this dramatic change including
the surplus lands were purchased by the
uring the 4 month period October
increased fuel costs, the recession (we are an municipality. In 2008 the municipality gave
08 through January 09, reported
inexpensive getaway) and the introduction
the chamber a grant of $15000 to assist in
construction values were down 69% (Fig. 1)
of the Granville Island Water Taxi service
the operation of BIC-VIC but then charged
and permit revenues to the municipality down but by far the biggest factor has been the
back $6000 in rent and taxes, leaving a net
68% (Fig. 2). As shown in Fig. 1, construction
work of the Chamber of Commerce and
grant of $9000. The projected budget for
values have flat-lined
Tourism Bowen
the operation of BIC-VIC in 2009 is $32,000
for the last two months
(ToBo), a committee of with a projected deficit of $13,000. The
and as yet there is no
the chamber.
chamber has year after year covered BICcertainty that they will
VIC losses from its surplus but the $10,000
Over the last 3 years
pick up substantially.
deficit in 2008 has almost fully depleted
the chamber has
This could translate into
its surplus. The chamber simply cannot
distributed 100,000
a $60,000 bite out of
afford to operate the Info Centre without a
Bowen Island Guides
municipal revenues if the
significant change in the funding model.
on the ferries and
trend continues.
through tourist
Do we need an Info Centre?
Joanne Cunday,
information centres
BIC-VIC welcomed 12,210 visitors in 2008,
Director of Finance
and Vancouver
an increase of 21.9% over 2007. During the
for the municipality, is
hotels while Tourism
same period, our region (Vancouver Coast
cautiously optimistic
Bowen has created
and Mountains) saw visitor numbers drop
that things will slowly
Come to Your Senses,
Fig. 1 Construction Values on the Island
by 3.0%. The bulk of our visitor increase was
improve. She had
a program of day,
in the off-season (12.4% in Q1, 53.3% in Q2
planned for a drop in
overnight and weekend and 55.6% in Q3). Without the Info Centre
permit revenues in
packages marketed
these twelve thousand visitors descend upon
her 2009 budget but,
on the north shore
the library and Snug Cove merchants looking
given this dramatic
(with the generous
for maps and information that neither the
change, she may make
participation of the
library nor the merchants have the interest or
further adjustments.
North Shore Outlook) resources to respond to appropriately.
Cunday’s goal is to
and worked with
On Valentines Day this year (2009) the
both maintain the
local organizations
Info Centre recorded 64 visitors. Among
2008 level of municipal
to assist in off-island
these visitors were two Vancouver hotel
services through 2009
promotions of Bowen
concierges researching day trips for their
and work within a
events.
guests. Had the Info Centre not been
projected effective
The small corporate
there or not been open, these gentlemen
tax increase of 4.5%.
retreat business
would have had to find their information
Municipal hall is one of
also shows signs
in bits and pieces wandering through
the major employers on
of rebounding and
Snug Cove and Artisan Square. BIC-VIC
the island and Cunday
indications are the it
is tremendously valuable in ‘managing’
feels a responsibility
will remain reasonably these visitors and ensuring they receive
to maintain what is in
Fig. 2 Building Permit Revenue
healthy.
the information they want and get to
undoubtedly a significant
economic generator in
Unfortunately Bowen where they are going with the minimum of
inconvenience to themselves, the Library
the community.
Island has limited
and Bowen businesses and residents.
ability to service
Bowen businesses have
this lucrative market
What is generating all the interest?
seen a slight decline
because we have few
This increase in visitors was due to several
An informal poll of
appropriate meeting
factors, including high gasoline prices
retail and hospitality
spaces and no hotel.
and the Canadian dollar at times almost
businesses owners
at par with a US dollar, that saw more BC
Construction,
on Bowen indicated
and Metro Vancouver interest in ‘one-tank
widely recognized
a mood of cautious
tourism’, but the most significant factor
as Bowen’s main
optimism. Most
was the chamber’s efforts over the last
economic generator,
businesses have a seen
will rebound, but until three years to increase awareness of Bowen
only a slight decline or
Island as a desirable destination for day
then and in spite of
flat sales in the same
trips, overnights and weekend stays. Almost
our limited facilities,
period although there
100,000 copies of the Bowen Island Guide
tourism may play an
were reports of declines
increasingly important have been distributed over the last three
as much as 25% month
years and Tourism Bowen’s Come To Your
role on the island.
over month.
Senses program was extensively advertised
Fig. 3 Increase in Island Tourist Visits
BC retail sales dropped
on the north shore.
BC retail sales dropped 5.8% in the last
Folks are quick to credit the Granville Island
quarter of 2008: a figure that includes
Vibrant
Water Taxi service with the last quarter
automobile and related sales. Gasoline
Venetian
Inspired
results but the 92% increase in October
sales sunk a remarkable 34%. If we adjust
Glass
Bead
2008 over 2007 was prior to the launch of
the 5.8% figure to represent only those
Workshop
the service. However the water taxi service
categories of retailers represented on
provides an enormous opportunity for the
Bowen, we average a slight drop of 0.1%
island, especially in the off-season, and the
in the last quarter of 2008. The unusually
local merchants and Tourism Bowen has
heavy snowfall in December and January
already launched a co-operative marketing
and the length of time it has taken to
campaign with Granville Island Water Taxi
melt was a big factor in the loss of sales
– and the two hotel concierges mentioned
with some retailers. Bowen retailers are a
above are only interested in Bowen because
somewhat inured to difficult winters and
of the water taxi service.
used to toughing it out until spring and the
first sightings of tourists.
Is there a solution?
Bowen’s Joy Jubenvill, an accomplished hot glass
artist, lead an amazing workshop sponsored by The Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce
Visits to Bowen Island increased
hopes to be able to continue operating
The Purple Door through Tourism Bowen’s
If the period October 2008 through January
the center and has made a proposal to the
Come to Your Senses Program.
2009 is any indication, those tourist
municipality in conjunction with their
Joy’s a terrific instructor and I also liked being in her
sightings should come early and often.
own eclectic studio - so inspiring! Also, the food was well
annual Community Grants application. The
beyond what I expected - delicious and note-worthy!
Visit to Bowen Island increased 51% in
proposal would both provide the service and
for more info http://bowenisland.org/wow/packages.php
this time period. There are several factors
eliminate the projected deficit. The total cost
D
to the municipality is a $15,000 Community
Grant (the amount received in 2008) and a
$3,000 loss of rental income. The proposal
would allow the Info Centre to operate
without a deficit and serve over 98% of our
visitors. In brief it recommends:
•
•
•
•
The municipality apply for a permissive
tax exemption for the cottage,
The municipality forgive the rent for
the cottage,
The municipality rent, or allow the
chamber to sublease, the two selfcontained offices in the cottage to
private businesses with rental income to
be help offset operating expense for the
centre and,
The centre be open for 3 days a week
and 2 ½ hours per day during the
34 weeks of off season (currently
operations are 3 days a week and 5
hours per day) and for 7 days a week
and 7 hours a day during the 16 weeks
of high season.
What do visitors want?
In the 2008 Bowen Island Guide, the
chamber offered readers an opportunity
to win a weekend on Bowen in return
for providing some basic demographic
information and indicating the activities they
would prefer to participate in on Bowen.
They received over 500 entries (about a 2%
return) and the most popular three activities
were, in order hiking, kayaking and festivals
followed by spas, island cruises, island
culture, wine tasting, foodie feasts, health
and wellness, eco-tourism, artist tours,
fitness (yoga & pilates), golf, cooking classes,
green tours, slow food, art classes, writing
classes, design classes and author readings. The
responses were mostly from women, relatively
evenly split from 21 – 64 years of age and the
majority was from the lower mainland.
Who wants tourism?
2008 Resident Attitudes survey was
conducted by Malaspina University College
and funded by Tourism BC. It indicated
strong support for tourism among Bowen
Island residents. Eight out of ten (83.1%)
respondents were either strongly supportive
or somewhat supportive of tourism on
Bowen Island.
The majority of respondents agreed that
tourism has helped support many of
the shops and restaurants (93.2%), has
provided recognition and customers for
local artists and crafts people (89.2%), has
attracted more spending and investment
(87.8%) and has resulted in recreational
services such as the marina, and kayaking
opportunities, etc. (84.3%).
Over eighty-five percent (85.7%) of
respondents agreed or strongly agreed
to trail development on Bowen Island;
seventy percent (70.0%) agreed or strongly
agreed to the support of more tournaments,
cultural events and festivals; seven out of
ten (72.6%) respondents agreed or strongly
agreed to the support of off season tourism
and sixty-four percent (64.9%) agree or
strongly agree that they would like to see
revenue from tourism increase.
Visitors to Bowen Island in 2008
contributed over $2 million to Bowen’s
economy. Visitors in increasing numbers
want what Bowen has to offer and Bowen
residents recognize the importance of
tourism revenue to the island economy.
A properly funded information centre
would seem to be both a responsive and
responsible goal.
4
March 6, 2009
The Man Behind the Label
Enduring in the
face of Adversity
Interview with Don Ho, Executive Director of The Cape on Bowen
Community Development Ltd.
by Darcie Buzzelle
Interview with Chief Kim Baird, Tsawwassen First Nation
by Darcie Buzzelle
sTsawwassen First Nations
E
sTsawwassen First Nations
Tsatsu Shores, Tsawwassen
T
satsu Shores is an 86 unit waterfront
condominium development in
Tsawwassen developed in partnership with
the Tsawwassen First Nations (TFN) and
Do Ho’s Trans City Group and completed in
1995. These open market units were listed
for between $120,000 and $300,000.
Bowen Island Times
www.tsawwassenfi
firstnation.com//index.php
d
h
TFN, one of Canada’s smallest reservations,
market development and an opportunity
is located on both sides of the Tsawwassen
to generate revenue needed to become
ferry terminal and is home to a total
prosperous. It also marked an enormously
population of 372 including those both on
divisive approach by various governing
and off the reservation. A
landmark treaty signed on
“People concerned bodies touched by the
development. Delta municipal
Parliament Hill in December
about growth and authorities refused water
2006 gave the Tsawwassen
blindly ignoring and sewage connections for
band ownership of lands in
all
the issues don’t the project, The Department
the Greater Vancouver Delta
promote community of Fisheries stonewalled the
region, self-government
project, municipal councilors
provisions, fishing rights and a
harmony”
publicly demonstrated
Chief Kim Baird,
cash settlement.
against the project and the
Tsawwassen First Nations
Thirty-seven year old
high income neighbouring
Kim Baird, Chief of the the Tsawwassen
community was concerned about growth
First Nations, lead her band members
and outraged at the market pricing.
through the hard work and hard-fought
“Don and his company stood by us through
compromises in the long treaty process.
thick and thin”, states Kim Baird, “He
As a 20-year-old arts student at Kwantlen
worked with us to create solutions.” Tsatsu
University College in Surrey, B.C., Kim
Shores now houses some of the very people
was outraged by what she had learned of
who opposed the project and many of the
the losses her people had suffered. She
original buyers are still there. Ultimately
persuaded then chief Tony Jacobs to hire
the project became a testament to stick-toher to work on Tsawwassen’s land claims.
itiveness, perseverance and sustainability.
Three years later, with her prodding,
Don’s company built a desalination plant
Tsawwassen began formal negotiations with
and sewage treatment plant for the project
the federal and provincial governments.
and made those facilities available to other
That same year, Baird was elected to the
TFN developments free of charge.
council, and in 1998, she became chief.
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/magazine/apr08/
“People concerned only about growth and
feature_tsawwassen.asp
blindly ignoring all the issues don’t promote
community harmony” states Kim summing
Tsatsu Shores marked the beginning of the
up the whole process.
Tsawwassen First Nation’s foray into free
ngage Don Ho in a conversation and one
Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners Consulting
does not lack topics. This unassuming man
Engineers, United Kingdom, the firm responsible
has a B,Sc.Eng. (Honours), University of Hong
for design and construction of the Plover Cove
Kong and is a Member, Institution of Civil
Water Scheme.
Engineers, United Kingdom, a Gazetted and
Licensed Architect, Hong Kong; a Member,
A self-made Entrepreneur
Institute of Structural Engineers, United
Don was educated and trained in Hong Kong and
Kingdom; a Licensed Real Estate Agent,
competed with 5,000 candidates for his spot in
BC; a Licensed Builder, BC Homeowners
university. He worked in London, then returned
Protection Office and a Licensed Care Provider,
to Hong Kong and in his late thirties, he and his
Communities Care Facilities Act. He is
wife Isabella decided that their three daughters
also Founding Director and Member of the
should have a different life: a life in Canada,
British Columbia Retirement Communities
where they would be free to make their own
Association (BRCA) (a nondecisions about life, education
. . . a 35 year career in
profit organization of owners
and career without the
and operators of seniors’
real estate development, intense pressures of constant
accommodations), was a
in the Hong
financing and planning competition
Senior Lecturer in Structural
Kong education system.
. . . he’s seen it all
Engineering at Hong Kong
Polytechnic University and
Without reciprocity of
and as he says,
a Member of the Steering
qualifications or a network
“I will never
Committee on the formation of
of contacts, connections or
the Registrar of Assisted Living.
clients, Don sold life, motor
just go away.”
It’s no wonder that he can easily
and home insurance door to
Don Ho
entertain discussion on just
door to support his family
about any topic.
during his early years in Vancouver. He went
on to create a career in real estate development,
Community Service
a career that earned Don a reputation as an
Rotary is a worldwide organization of more
industry leader specializing in the design and
than 1.2 million business, professional, and
construction of residential and retirement
community leaders that provides humanitarian
communities.
service and encourages high ethical standards
in all vocations to further the Rotary motto,
Celebrating Mr. Ho’s Accomplishments
Service above self. Don has been honored as a
Don was nominated by Ernst and Young
Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of exceptional
as a finalist in the 2002 Ernst and Young
service in both Hong Kong in 1972 and
“Entrepreneur of the Year” for his continuum of
Vancouver in 1984.
care company, CPAC (Care) Holdings Ltd. CPAC
was listed as one of Canada’s top 100 Companies
Engineering a water solution never attempted
for five consecutive years.
anywhere in the world
During the 60s, Hong Kong faced pressing
A Testament to the Man
demands for water incurred by sharp population The Tsawwassen First Nations Band partnered
growth and no land
with Don in 1995
available for a reservoir.
for the development
Engineers conceived
of Tsatsu Shores, an
the idea of damming a 2
86 unit residential
kilometer long sea inlet
waterfront development
on the north shore of
in Tsawwassen. Chief
Tolo Harbour. The sea
Kim Baird spoke of his
water was pumped out
unwavering support
and filled with fresh water
and his commitment
to create Plover Cove,
to “stand around us
the world’s first ‘reservoir
through adversity”. Kim
in the sea’. The imposing
went on to say Don is
dam is 9-storeys tall
“honest and forthright,
and water storage
a man of great integrity,
capacity is 230,000,000
he was a wonderful
m3 (equivalent to 230
partner. Tsatsu Shores
billion 1 litre bottles).
is a beautiful project
Less obvious, but no
and the units have
less spectacular is the
Don Ho, Executive Director
increased in value. We’re
The Cape on Bowen Community Development Ltd.
network of underground
in discussions with Don
tunnels, the treatment
about another project”, says Chief Baird, “that’s a
works at Sha Tin, the pumping stations, the Lion testimony to our belief in who he is and what he
Rock road tunnel through which pipelines run
stands for.”
to urban Kowloon and the submarine pipeline
across the harbour to Hong Kong. The project
Don has a 35 year career in real estate
took 13 years to complete. It is part of the 4600
development, financing and planning: 20 years in
ha Plover Cove Country Park designated in
the BC marketplace. During that time he has seen
1978 and Plover Cove Reservoir is a natural fish
it all and as he says, “I will never just go away.”
pond that supports diverse wildlife and many
freshwater fish species. (www.afcd.gov.hk/English/
country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_pc/cou_vis_
cou_pc.html) Don was the Senior Engineer with
BOWEN
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email: [email protected]
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Saturday 8:00 am TO 5:00 pm CLOSED SUNDAYS
AFTER HOUR EMERGENCY ONLY
604-947-0319
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• upgrades and repairs
• iPod magicians
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tel. 604.947.9722
cell. 604.220.9456
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convenient drop-off and pick-up at Phoenix in Village Square
Bowen Island Times
5
March 6, 2009
Continuum of Care
Interview with Mayor Teunis Westbroek, Qualicum Beach
by Darcie Buzzelle
Anti-Poverty Campaign
of a Young Bowen Islander
Concert and Dance to Raise Funds
Shari Ulrich, Barney Bentall, and Tom Taylor
in concert. If that isn’t enough to lure you out
for a good cause, we have acquired the talents
of “Headwater”, one of the busiest acoustic/
roots bands on the West Coast, to wind up the
evening with a concert/dance. This high energy
in-demand band is becoming one of Canada’s
strongest young bluegrass and folk acts.
the same facility while securing the
individual health care attention they
require. I hope it’s a while yet, but
this is where I would want to live.”
T
he Gardens at Qualicum Beach is a
‘campus of care’ built by Don Ho’s
company, CPAC (Care) Holdings Ltd.
Project structuring, financing, development,
construction, management and operation was
provided by Ho’s Trans City Group. The 229
unit retirement community was completed in
May 2007 with 100% of the units either sold or
leased before the grand opening.
Connected to the Community
“This project is more than just a
place to live,” Mayor Westbroek
went on to say, “this is a
community facility enterprise.
The high school students study
music here; The Chamber of
Commerce has their meetings
here, sometimes even catered;
local groups perform music
here for the whole community
to enjoy. There are lots of group
activities: seniors are taught
how to use their scooters or
recognize scam artists and
seniors from the community are
invited to participate.”
Initially Cautious about the Scale
“When this project began, we had a number
of people from the community adamantly
against it – they were vicious. I put some
of those people in the focus group. I was
initially also concerned about the scale of
the project and told Don, “you get to leave
when the project is done, but this is my
“Qualicum Beach residents now have more
home, I need to look at this from a Qualicum
options available in their community to
perspective and be confident about the end
support their long-term needs,” said Health
result,” Mayor Westbroek shared. “I was
Minister George Abbot. “These new residential
concerned about the building height. I did
care beds and assisted living units are part of
my own due diligence, visiting Don’s other
a campus of care, a unique model that allows
facilities, talking to operators and residents
people to stay in the same location even as
alike and meeting with Don to understand
their care changes over time.” (News release,
the economics of a building like this and
Vancouver Island Health Authority, May 11, 2007)
the need to deliver all the services and
In-depth Research
equipment to support
“We have the oldest
“Don never told me anything care for the residents from
population of any
that wasn’t accurate,
independent living to
community in Canada
palliative care. It would
honest and up-front.
and there was a need
He was open. There wasn’t an have been wrong for us to
for more residential
say, not here.”
attitude of intimidation
opportunities,” said
Mayor Tuenis Westbroek, that I have experienced with The Final Outcome
Describing the opening
of Qualicum Beach.
other developers.
day, The Mayor declared,
“Concerned about the
We were delighted
“People had tears in their
fit of his Continuum
with our experience.”
eyes, their new home was
of Care concept with
Mayor Teunis Westbroek
like a resort, the gardens
our community, Don
Qualicum Beach
are lush, there’s fish in
conducted in-depth
the courtyard pond, the
research, walked our streets, talked to
fireplace is inviting and all the rooms face
our citizens and learned what made the
out and have views. Even those folks from
community tick”. The Mayor spoke of his
the focus group were turned around and
connection to Don’s work: “Don is an
ultimately said how wrong they were in the
engineer by profession, but an architect by
beginning.”
heart. His Continuum of Care facilities are
not just projects, he’s actually designing
Maintaining Value
for himself. He needed to find a place for
The Gardens at Qualicum is a mixed-used
his parents and created this residential
residential retirement facility with independent
retirement concept with insight.”
living condominiums for sale, independent
An Inclusive Process
“All the way along, the process was
very inclusive,” said Mayor Westbroek.
“Don instructed his architects to engage
the members of our focus group. I had
appointed 10 members from the community
to participate in a Campus of Care focus
group, we had the High School Principal
because the project would be adjacent to the
school, the United Church, whose property
adjoins the project, members of the Legion
and the former mayor in addition to seniors
centre organizations and some potential
future residents.”
The best project I could have Imagined
The Mayor went on to volunteer, “In my
opinion, The Gardens at Qualicum Beach is
the best project I could have imagined. This is a
banner project created specifically for our needs,
a place where residents can stay connected
to the community that they know. Folks can
age in place and spouses, regardless of their
individual health issues, can stay together in
living rental suites, assisted living and licensed
multi-level care beds. The purchase units
have held their value and continue to perform
within open market pricing.
Dealing with Don
“Don was very cooperative, attended public
meetings and made plan adjustments,”
offered the Mayor. “Don never told me
anything that wasn’t accurate, honest
and up-front. He was open. There wasn’t
an attitude of intimidation that I have
experienced with other developers. We were
delighted with our experience. There was
not a shadow of doubt in the confidence of
our transaction.”
A Committed Champion
“I’d love to come to your community and
talk about our Campus of Care and what
it means to our community” volunteered
Mayor Westbroek.
Teunis Westbroek is in his fourth term as
Mayor of the Town of Qualicum Beach.
Shari Ulrich, Barney Bentall,
Tom Taylor and Headwater
f a concert with dancing and food sounds like
fun, be at the BICS gym on the evening of
Saturday March 21st for a fundraiser to support
a youth led initiative to fight global poverty.
An amazing night has been planned for you
beginning with a reprisal of a memorable night at
Cates Hill Chapel late last year: an evening with
I
no foolin’
win $100 bucks
of product, services, or donation
from one of our advertisers
April Fool’s Day Draw
we want
your input
on the
times
about
content
reporting
articles
email us for survey site
[email protected]
redeemable at
Barb Wahler Interior Design Inc.
Bartlett Tree Experts
Belterra Cohousing
Bert’s Mini Storage
Bowen Building Centre
BI Community Foundation
Bowen Island Guide
Doc Morgan’s
Evergreen Hall Guest House
In Balance Personal Training
Island Computers
Jake’s Anti-Poverty Campaign
Positively Fit Training Studio
Quickway Painting & Decorating
Bowen Island Times
The Talk of
The Rock
Riding to Break the Cycle
All proceeds from the show are going to a youth
managed microcredit, anti-poverty fund, run
by the Vancouver based non-profit organization
Global Agents for Change. This winter Jake
Moir and fellow Bowen Islander Chris Perrin
was admitted to this organization’s flagship
project, “Riding to Break the Cycle”. This is a
youth leadership bicycle tour this summer in
which 25 inspired youth will ride 4,000 km from
the Netherlands to Turkey, in order to raise
awareness and funds for microfinance projects
in developing countries. These projects are small
scale, trust-based loans given to impoverished
entrepreneurs in order to start businesses that
will support their families and communities. The
loans are extremely effective and are now hailed
as a genuine solution to global poverty. The goal
for the trip is to have each individual rider raise a
dollar for every kilometre they ride, with a target
of $100,000. Because the riders pay for the trip
themselves, 100% of the money raised is going
into this microcredit fund. Jake has decided to
host this concert in order to reach his mark.
CBC’s Canada Live
Tickets are $30 (includes pizza/salad/dessert) and
are on sale at Phoenix on Bowen. Doors will open
at 7:30 pm and the show starts at 8 p.m. It will be a
licensed event. The CBC program, Canada Live, will
be taping this unique event for national broadcast!
Jake is hoping Bowen Islanders will support
this worthy cause and help him reach his goal.
Pass the word.
6
March 6, 2009
Bowen Island Times
Presenting the Cape Roger Curtis Neighbourhood Plan
Learn more about the Neighbourhood Plan currently under consideration by Municipal Council.
Over the coming weeks, a series of Plan highlights will be presented according to the following themes & schedule.
The complete series--and all reference materials--can be accessed via the links/contacts referenced at the bottom of the page.
this week’s featured content
NEIGHBOURHOOD AMENITIES
Origins of the Plan & Land Uses • Jan 23rd
Environment & Affordable Housing • Feb 16th
Sustainability • Feb 20th
Neighbourhood Amenities & Infrastructure • Mar 16th
Traffic & Transportation; Density & Financial Viability • Mar 20th
Overview & Summary • Apr 3rd
NEIGHBOURHOOD INFRASTRUCTURE
Neighbourhood planning for the Cape represents a most significant
opportunity to secure a community legacy for the Island at Cape
Roger Curtis. To date, efforts have focused on the design of a more
sustainable neighbourhood at the Cape, set within the greater
context of a more sustainable Island community.
“The Cape Roger Curtis Neighbourhood Plan provides a diversity of
housing types and complementary municipal services, significant
park lands, coastal shorelines and trail network for recreation and
conservation, along with a ‘neighbourhood crossroads’ to
accommodate small-scale commercial services and civic facilities.”
(BIM OCP Bylaw No. 139, 1996, Amendment Bylaw No. 231, 2008)
PROPOSED AMENITIES FOR THE CAPE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Through collaboration with Municipal Staff and Advisory Committee’s
(including the Advisory Planning Committee, the Greenways
Committee, the Affordable Housing Working Group and the
Sustainability Framework Working Group), the Cape Roger
Curtis Neighbourhood Plan proposes the following civic-minded
programming and land use designations:
• A Legacy Park & Trail System proposes a 327-acre public
park & trail system designed to protect, in perpetuity, the vast
majority of identified conservation and recreation values at the
Cape, including the coastal bluffs and more than 4km (81%) of
public shoreline.
• Civic Gathering Spaces create focal points for community
gathering and are proposed in and adjacent to the
Neighbourhood Crossroads. Specific programs include
a community garden, playfield, amphitheatre and plaza.
Additional, small scale ‘greens’ are also located within
designated residential areas.
• Housing Diversity & Affordability is addressed within the
Plan through the specific provision for a range of housing types,
from traditional rural lots (1/2+ ac), to more compact homesites
(1/8 ac), as well as serviced lands for multifamily housing, livework units, a seniors ‘continuum of care’ campus and two sites
dedicated to the Municipality for affordable housing... all within a
5-minute walk of the Neighbourhood Crossroads.
• Civic Facilities are also accommodated within the
Neighbourhood Plan, with the dedication of lands for a future
school site, community centre, guest accommodation in the
form of a waterfront inn, and community recycling & composting
facility.
• Amenity Contributions to the Bowen Island Municipality in the
amount of $15,000 per unit, upon issuance of building permits
(approximately $7.5M in total), will assist in the implementation
of Island-wide priority projects.
“The Cape Roger Curtis Neighbourhood Plan is intended to
structure land uses and servicing decisions to effectively manage
growth while building a healthy and diverse neighbourhood.”
(BIM OCP Bylaw No. 139, 1996, Amendment Bylaw No. 231, 2008)
All proposed infrastructure & servicing planning for the Cape Roger Curtis
Neighbourhood Plan has been developed with engineering firms Golder
Associates, Kerr Wood Liedal Engineering & Webster Engineering, in
conjunction with Municipal Staff, Council’s working groups and Municipal
engineering consultant Aplin & Martin.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE & THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Comprehensive planning for infrastructure within the Neighbourhood
Plan ensures that future growth is serviced in a more efficient, more
reliable and more sustainable manner. Specific components include:
• Neighbourhood roads at the Cape seek to preserve the rural
character of the Island, allowing for narrow and winding roads,
to be travelled at slower speeds. The proposed designs advance
the BIM draft street standards by including pedestrian & bicycle
paths and raingarden swales for stormwater management.
• Water supply, treatment & distribution systems proposed
for the Cape have been confirmed by the full team of
project engineers—as well as the Municipality’s engineering
consultant—to be more than sufficient for the purposes of the
Neighbourhood Plan. The projected groundwater supply of 55+
USgal/min is to be treated to meet Federal & Provincial drinking
water standards.
• Sewer treatment & disposal for the Cape Neighbourhood
proposes a centralised treatment facility as required to service
the compact development footprint, as proposed. Furthermore,
given the shallow soils & bedrock geology at the Cape, the
management of waste in a centralised facility also better
protects water quality at the Cape by ensuring tertiary treatment
prior to release through an ocean outfall.
• Stormwater management has been considered within
the context of a comprehensive plan which integrates the
management of stormwater within the proposed development
areas, road rights-of-way, and parks & greenways to respect the
natural hydrological function at the Cape.
• Recycling & composting facilities are accommodated within
the Neighbourhood Plan as a means to expand opportunities for
on-Island management of waste resources.
• Infrastructure initiatives proposed in the Neighbourhood
Plan are intended to guide future rezoning, subdivision and
implementation of neighbourhood development at the Cape and
include the use of geothermal energy systems (for heating &
cooling), as well as best practices in water conservation.
COMMENTS FROM THE MUNICIPALITY
“The Cape Roger Curtis Neighbourhood Plan provides a diversity of
housing types and complementary municipal services, significant
park lands, coastal shorelines and trail network for recreation and
conservation, along with a ‘neighbourhood crossroads’ to
accommodate small-scale commercial services and civic facilities.”
(BIM OCP Bylaw No. 139, 1996, Amendment Bylaw No. 231, 2008)
“The Plan works toward integrating future growth in a manner that
respects the natural landscape, while utilizing the Smart Growth
principles of complete and sustainable neighbourhood planning.”
COMMENTS FROM THE MUNICIPALITY
“The Municipality’s engineering consultant has confirmed the general
direction of the infrastructure program, that being a new community
water system using groundwater sources, a new sewage disposal
system using a treatment facility and ocean discharge, and a
stormwater management system that retains as much drainage
on-site and reduces impervious areas. As part of the design of the
new community water and sewer systems, the landowner should be
required to incorporate leading edge sustainability elements into the
infrastructure.”
(BIM Staff report, dated August 25, 2008)
(BIM Staff report, dated August 25, 2008)
All information referenced above can be reviewed at Municipal Hall or online at: http://bimbc.ca
and/or www.caperogercurtis.com/resources.html#NeighborhoodPlan
For more information, contact Candy Ho (Project Coordinator) at: [email protected] or (604)488.0988 x231
Bowen Island Times
7
March 6, 2009
Powersmart: from Light Bulbs to Onion Bulbs
Conservation on Bowen
by Tim Rhodes
S
aturday, February 28, in the BICS
Multipurpose Room, BC Hydro and Bowen
Island Municipality sponsored the first of two
Power Smart seminars. The second seminar
will be held on Saturday, March 7, at Municipal
Hall from 10:00 – 12:30 PM. Morganne Keplar
organized and facilitated the event and the
room was packed. With over 30 attendees the
seminar proved to be almost as big a draw
as the recent Town Hall meeting. Councillor
Frinton welcomed attendees with the comment
that Bowen Island had the highest penetration
relative to population on Team Power Smart
and that Islanders were eager participants in
sustainability and conservation initiative.
James Glave, one of Bowen’s ‘colourful characters’
and author of Almost Green, How I Built and
Eco-Shed, Ditched My SUV, Alienated the In-Laws,
and Changed My Life Forever, spoke of the anxiety
generated by watching an entire system shifting
and his conviction that we will ultimately end up
in a great place. James recommended shifting our
focus from scarcity economics. He maintains that
it’s “more challenging to think about abundance”
and that “instilling a culture of conservation” will
present us with a different way of experiencing our
lives with others. He sees this as a transformational
change that will “allow us to create a better world,
starting now”. (www.glave.com)
Bill Gardiner, a BC Hydro Power Smart Specialist
brought our attention to BC Hydro’s goal to
“acquire 50% of incremental needs through
conservation by 2020” and be “self-sufficient in
electric power by 2016”. At 7 cents per kilowatt,
BC has the lowest rates in North America,
and perhaps the world. Simple conservation
techniques applied by industrial, commercial and
residential users can go a long way to achieving
this goal. Gardiner also spoke of the latest
developments in compact fluorescent bulbs (trilights, pot lights and new technology that further
reduces heat generation) and recommended
replacing our incandescent bulbs immediately.
The cost savings are so immediate and dramatic
that we “don’t want to wait for them to burn out
before replacing them.” (Incandescent bulbs
emit 90% heat and only 10 % light.) Compact
fluorescent fixtures can be recycled through most
big box retailers that sell them and the process
recovers 100% of the mercury. The crushed glass
collected in the process contains phosphorus and
is re-used in paint used to delineate traffic lanes
on roads. (www.bchydro.com)
Roger McGillvary of
Belterra Cohousing spoke
on the sustainability
inherent in the cohousing
approach. The potential
for common facilities
for workshops, home
office services and guest
accommodation plus
clustering of units all help
to decrease the footprint of
individual units as well as the
entire development. Shared
automobile programs and
shared trips reduce green
house gas emissions. Mr.
McGillvary is planning a
cohousing development
on Bowen Island. (www.
beterracohousing.ca).
Daniel Heald of the
Ruddy Potato spoke of
the systems installed in
the store in Village Square
and the kitchen and café on
Sunset. Radiant heating in the
floors, air pump systems
to cool in the summer
and heat in the winter and
a filtered water system
all contribute to a more
economical and healthier
work environment. The
sunset location collects 1700
gallons of rain water off
the roof. The water is used to
irrigate the extensive garden
and 100 fruit trees and berry
bushes. Although the water
off the roof can be treated
to be potable, current health
regulations do not allow its
use for human consumption.
Heald is a proponent of
growing more food on
Bowen. “$15 million worth
of groceries is imported to
Bowen each year. Does that
really need to happen?”
(www.ruddypotato.com)
Barbara Wahler
Barbara Wahler Design Inc.
Jim Campbell
E3 ecogroup inc.
could result in energy
savings. Campbell provided
an example where an
electric heat pump system
saved almost 45% over
conventional electric heating
on annual electricity costs in
homes of comparable size,
age and construction. The
audit report also included
potential grant and incentive
programs (www.livesmart.
bc.ca) that may apply and
if the report is followed up
by implementation of some
of the recommendations,
the homeowner is provided
with a follow-up audit free
of charge and ultimately
issued an Energy Star sticker.
Campbell suggests that as
energy costs continue to
rise, that sticker will be an
important element in the
resale of homes. Currently
the home energy audits
are heavily subsidized. The
owner’s cost for a home
audit starts at $200 for an
average size home. There is
also a service to review and
comment on plans prior to
new construction.
(www.e3ecogroup.com)
Barbara Wahler of Barbara
Wahler Interior Design
Inc. took us beyond the
systems and the building
envelope and into the
space where we live. Her
message was that you do
not have to compromise
style to be environmentally
responsible. Wahler’s
display showed a variety
of appealing, tasteful and
even luxurious choices that
included eco fabrics, paper
stone, seagrass and sisal
Bruce McTaggart
flooring, grasscloth, FBS
McTaggart Water Systems Inc.
certified hardwood flooring
Jim Campbell of E3 ecogroup
, VOC free paints and stains and clay and lime
inc. is Bowen’s first certified energy advisor.
plasters. Wahler stressed the need to not only
E3 ecogroup provides home energy audits to
look at the composition of the materials, but
look for efficiencies and enhancements that
also at whether the sources were renewable, the
Scott Miller
Integrity Mechanical
RE : DESIGN FOR CHANGING TIMES
factories were non-polluting, energy efficient,
working environments with acceptable wages
and benefits and finally, how far the product has
to travel to get here. ([email protected])
Kim Howden spoke on Permaculture, defined
(by Random House) as “a system of cultivation
intended to maintain permanent agriculture or
horticulture by relying on renewable resources
and a self-sustaining ecosystem” or as Kim put it,
“leaving the land or the space better off than you
found it.” Kim Howden and Cathy Buchanan is
instrumental in the agricultural efforts at the Ruddy
Potato farm on Sunset and invites your inquiries.
Scott Miller of Integrity Mechanical provided
a spontaneous Heat Pumps 101 seminar and
explained the advantages and efficiencies of this
system for heating and cooling – a system that
can be 2.5 times more efficient than conventional
baseboard heating. He also recommended
electric hot water heaters as a far more efficient
alternative to propane or gas fired units.
(www.integritymechanical.ca)
Bruce McTaggart of McTaggart Water
Systems Inc. spoke of the need for long term
environmental solutions to water treatment.
He explained how untreated hard water has
hidden energy costs with respect to deposits
that form on any appliance using hot water.
McTaggart stated that there was no question
that rainwater collection will be an important
contribution to sustainability on Bowen
Island. (www.mctaggartwater.com)
Elizabeth de Grace updated the audience on
the progress of the Knick Knack Nook and
Bill Carr informed us that the Bowen Island
Recycling Depot processed 300,000 kg of
recyclables in 2008.
It was an hour and
a half packed with
ideas, information
and questions and
Morganne Keplar is
to be congratulated
for bringing together
an interesting
cross section of
conservation and sustainability efforts on Bowen.
The next seminar promises to be of equal interest.
Not to be missed if you are of a conservation bent
– or just want to save some money.
energy savings seminars
Consulting Services, Studio Workshops and a core belief
that good design provides more than simple shelter
learn how to: • reduce your energy bill •
• gain grant eligibility •
• reduce your environmental footprint •
RE : VIEW
brought to you by
what you have and what you really need
RE : ARRANGE
your space for a new feel, flow and function
RE : ORGANIZE
and find better solutions for storage and display
evergreen hall
RE : JUVENATE
. . . need a meeting room for 20 to 30+ people?
your rooms with new colours and texture
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY DESIGN
WITHOUT STYLISTIC COMPROMISE
space analysis and planning
review of existing finishes and furnishings
creative design solutions and detail development
assistance with selection of product & materials
with the option of an
elegant dining space & large kitchen,
a spacious private guest suite
and 2 B&B accommodations . . .
This charming and gracious home was built by
the Union SteamShip Resort Hotel in 1941 as a
clubhouse for the guests of Mt. Strahan Lodge.
Long remembered for the social events and rousing
summer dances hosted in the hall, today, it is one of
the few remaining historic buildings on the island.
come make your memories
Barbara Wahler, RID, ASID, CKD
BARBARA WAHLER INTERIOR DESIGN INC.
604 947 9872 / [email protected]
and the
BOWEN ISLAND MUNICIPALITY
SEMINAR
Saturday March 07th. 2009
10-12:30pm Bowen Island Municipal Hall
• An Introduction to New & Innovative Technologies •
•The “Net Zero Housing” Concept • Lighting •
• Building Envelope & Systems • Smart Appliances •
• Mini Trade Show •
Everyone is Welcome
Door Prizes & Snacks
Bowen Island’s record number of
participants in
the 2007 Join the Team Powersmart Challenge have
made these seminars possible - let’s stay involved!
Please Register
Morganne Keplar 947-9297
or [email protected]
for more information
call Maureen at 604-947-0312
Join BC Power Smart Team www.bchydro.com
Evergreen Hall Guest House
464 Melmore Road, Bowen Island
www.evergreenhall.com
information will be of interest to
Construction, Trades and Builders
8
Taking Control
A bi-weekly report on Bowen Island Municipal Council by Tim Rhodes
aturday, February 21, 2009, Town Hall A clear and concise budget presentation
started the meeting, but after that things became
somewhat muddier. Decisions have yet to be
made on the sale of surplus lands and snow
plowing priorities are still being reviewed
although there are plans for providing sand
boxes for next winter.
Council has taken firm control of the OCP
Update and the mayor announced that Council
will not make its 3 appointments to the OCP
Steering Committee until after the selection
committee appointments so that they can
“consider our own priorities in terms of maybe
balance or whatever.” (Turner)
The 2009 Strategic Work Plan priorities are to
first, hire a CAO by June; second, launch the
OCP Update, and third, create a Capital Plan to
set priorities for capital projects. Applications
will be made for federal grants to help finance
qualifying capitol projects.
According to the mayor, Council was much too
occupied with other issues over the last 5 months
to deal with CRC and Hooper added that they
also needed to “reshuffle the deck of political
priorities” The process would move forward on
March 2: a process that is “all about us” and that
would have control of the credibility and quality
of information.
No timeline was given for a sewer connection to
Abbeyfield because it is highly dependent on the
success of grants. Ferry marshalling: BC Ferries
requires a Master Plan of Snug Cove and requires
2 lanes on and 2 lanes off.
of the rules may keep the best people off the
committees and gave the example that both he
and Wolfgang Dunst, valuable members of the
sewer committee, could be presumed to have a
conflict of interest. Hooper stated that conflict of
interest was not to be viewed as a “penalty box”
but it was important for local government to
protect the public interest from direct or indirect
pecuniary interest.
Council came to the realization that they would
exhaust reserves with the planned capital plan
projects and that these projects could not move
ahead without grants and significant borrowing
because much of the work had been predicated
on selling the surplus lands.
Of note: Mallory Smith resigned from the Hood
Point Local Advisory Committee and from the
Water Service Management Commission and was
recognized for his many years of service by Council.
M
onday, March 2, 2009, Committee of the
Whole – Council apparently misjudged the
public interest in the CRC issue and tried to pack
far too many people into chambers. Many were
left sitting on the floor or standing in vestibules
and foyers. Edwin Lee, one of the owners of Cape
Roger Curtis (CRC), outlined the process to date,
expressed his disappointment that the process
had been stopped five months ago, that Council
had denied the public the opportunity to be fully
informed on this issue and respectfully asked
Council to move the process forward.
M
Councillor Hooper took a rather aggressive stance
in questioning the owners. His questions revealed
that the owners had a combined 55 years of
development experience, have willingly followed the
municipality’s lead on highest and best use and have
full confidence in the technical reports.
Hooper and Poole asked that conflict of interest
be clearly stated in committee terms of reference.
Rondy Dike cautioned that strict application
Over 30 members of the public were asked to
speak to the issue of public process. Those who
support the CRC Neighbourhood Plan (CRC
NP), and some of those who oppose, urged
Council to engage in a public information
process. For the most part, those who oppose
Off The Cuff:
Politburo politics?
onday, February 23, 2009, Council –
An Infrastructure Committee was struck
to address sewer expansion and other issues.
Councillors Lucas and Wrinch will co-chair and
Dai Roberts will be the first member appointed.
the plan seemed unconcerned about public
information and more concerned that the
discussion be delayed until after an OCP review.
Michel Rosen, planning consultant, provided
a brief review of the process and a summary
of the advisory groups reports which were, on
the whole, supportive of many aspects of the
CRC Neighbourhood Plan and recommended
it go forward to a public information process.
Hooper’s aggressive questioning of Rosen
revealed a process dictated and informed by
Council that had taken far longer than anyone
expected to complete.
Councillor Poole’s equally aggressive questions
to Rosen revealed that an OCP amendment does
not assure either the community its amenities
or the owners the right to proceed but the Land
Use Bylaw (LUB) provides assurances to both.
These questions also revealed the important
role the municipality’s land economist played
in convincing the previous Council that density
had to exceed OCP to satisfy the park dedication
request. Poole stressed the point that it was the
Islands Trust planning staff that provided the
report supporting the OCP.
Only hours before the meeting, Hooper had
provided the rest of Council with an On Table
resolution that put the control of the information
and the process firmly in the hands of Council.
The gist of the four different resolutions
that followed was that hundreds of pages of
information on the CRC NP and process, the
OCP process and various planning related
bylaws and requirements related to development
permits, subdivision approvals, setbacks, etc., be
posted in one place on the municipal website for
public viewing – after they have been reviewed
by Council. Council will establish a date for a
public information meeting to present the CRC
NP and collect comments from the public as
soon as possible and meet to determine whether
further sessions are necessary no later than 15
May 2009.
A bi-weekly editorial by Tim Rhodes
C
ouncil seems determined to influence
both the OCP Update and whatever
public information process is involved in
the CRC Neighbourhood Plan (CRC NP).
black
sheep
fundraiser
ENGLISH
PUB NIGHT
Silent & Live Auction
Music & Dancing
Contests with Prizes
Thurs. March12th
The Festivities start at 6 pm.
Great Pub Fare:
Shepherd’s Pie
Banger’s & Mash
Jacket Potatoes
CALL 947-0108 for info
M
onday night, with
a last minute
On Table agenda item from Hooper,
Council took control of the CRC NP public
information process. We may never see
the type of process many had envisioned: a
series of meetings conducted over several
months by a professional facilitator that
ultimately resulted in a plan we could
all accept. This is the process the owners
anticipated and the process the community
deserved. Instead Hooper will have
hundreds of pages of reports and minutes
and regulations and technical considerations
online so that we can all self-educate.
This will be followed by a single public
information meeting to present the plan
and collect remarks and then followed by
Council deliberations as to whether or not
to proceed with more meetings. This could
happen as late as May 14, 2009.
A
s I look around for a political equivalent
to Council’s approach on both the
CRC NP and the OCP Update, I keep
coming back (tongue firmly in cheek) to the
Soviet Politburo’s approach: keep the public
uninformed for as long as possible, discredit
information that comes from other sources
and, when ultimately compelled to inform,
control the message and the information, all
the while proclaiming the you are looking
out for the interests of the people - and free
enterprise is not to be trusted.
Councillors Lucas, Morse, Wrinch and
Frinton, where are you? The triumvirate
of Turner, Hooper and Poole seems
determined to move forward as if the recent
election was a referendum. We need the
balance of your independent opinions and
the influence of your independent voting.
f
us
or st.p
a
’s
process. Two weeks ago we heard Councillor
Poole ask to exclude developers or anyone who
has worked for a developer from the Steering
Committee. Last week at the Town Hall, Mayor
Turner stated that Council’s appointments
to the Steering Committee would be made
after they see the four
appointments by the
Selection Committee
so that they might, as
he put it, “consider our
own priorities in terms
of maybe balance or
whatever.” Add to that
Councillor Hooper’s
statement that the new
Council had felt the need
to “reshuffle the deck of
political priorities.” There
are two things, at least,
wrong here. First, it is
the public’s priorities that
should be reflected here,
not Council’s. Second,
whatever these priorities
now are, Council should
not appear to be dealing
from the bottom of the
deck. Their appointments
to the Steering
Committee should come
at the same time as or,
more properly, before the
Selection Committee’s
appointments. It is the
Selection Committee that
should provide ‘balance’.
dy
d
I had hoped the OCP would be a non-political
get the
flock off
the rock
the
S
Bowen Island Times
join
At The Table:
March 6, 2009
p
gr
ta
een b
eer on
at
doc’s
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
celebrations Tues. March 17th
Limerick Contest
Special Irish Menu
(including our famous Corn Beef)
Green Beer on Tap
“Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
Who through strategy and stealth,
Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
Here’s a toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick
And see all those snakes again.”
May the luck of the Irish
be with you! slanitel!
Bowen Island Times
Letters
NORTH SHORE MP’S AND MAYORS
DISCUSS LOCAL PRIORITIES
“Today we find ourselves at a historical
nexus of three dramatic factors: a major
economic downturn; a once-in-a-generation
commitment by government to spend a large
amount of money in a short time; and a large
appetite for information from our community
here regarding how to take advantage of
the stimulus package,” said Weston. “Our
government is working with partners to
deliver on critical infrastructure. The close
cooperation among elected representatives
in our riding means that we have an ability
to move nimbly and effectively to take
optimal advantage of federal and provincial
initiatives,” he continued.
Federal and provincial governments
are preparing to invest $110 million in
critical infrastructure in British Columbia.
Some community infrastructure funding
application processes will begin within a
matter of weeks. The governments of Canada
and British Columbia have taken steps to
get shovels in the ground and to get money
flowing for targeted infrastructure projects
in British Columbian communities in the
2009 and 2010 construction seasons.
EXPLORING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SINCE 2009
March 06, 2009
Vol. 1/Issue 5 FREE
. . . takin’ the taxi to Metro Van . . . on a sunny day it’s heaven!
FROM LIGHT BULBS
TO ONION BULBS
get charged up from the
latest energy saving seminar
2009
The Bowen Island Guide
brought to you by BC Hydro’s Powersmart
and Bowen Island Municipality
THE OLYMPIC ISSUE
check out the 2009 Rate Card
www.bowenisland.org/wow/chamber.php
BOOK YOUR AD BY
MARCH 07, 2009
to be included
in the 2009 Bowen Island Guide
2009 Map Brochure
map printed separately with
advertising on the perimeter
BOOK YOUR AD NOW
THE MAN
Interview with Don Ho
Executive Director
The Cape on Bowen
Community Development
McH20
Off the cuff, Pg. 8
INTERVIEW WITH THE MAYOR
ABOUT THE CAMPUS OF CARE
send us your photo submissions for credited use in the 2009 Guide
and on www.bowenisland.org
if you’d like to submit your special Bowen images,
please email [email protected]
Leah Sema
discover how this facility
enriched their community
Whose
priorities
are they?
THE GARDENS AT
QUALICUM BEACH
calling all photographers
Scott Witty
Reshuffling
the deck
of political
priorities.
Visitor’s Centre
may close
due to lack of funding
BEHIND THE LABEL
advertising
around map
for more information call
Darcie 604.947.0750
email: [email protected]
For more information on the Building Canada
plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or
www.bcbuildingcanadafudcommunities.ca/
.
questions?
ask the
water guy
construction permits down
68% what will support the
island economy?
TSAWWASSEN FIRST NATIONS
This meeting was initiated by the M.P.
offices on the North Shore. “Coordination
is extremely important in these times where
funding is available for new building projects
for road and sewer upgrades that are needed
in our community. Effective communication
with all government leaders will aid in the
development of project proposals, to help
our communities access our fair share of
infrastructure dollars,” said Saxton.
are we done with the snow?
Catherine Bayly
NORTH VANCOUVER, BC: The North
Shore’s two Members of Parliament met with
local mayors last week, to discuss municipal
infrastructure priorities. “This is the first time
that the North Shore’s mayors and federal
representatives have met to discuss community
funding priorities,” said John Weston, M.P. for
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast- Sea to Sky
Country. “We are listening to our mayors and
their needs in our community, and helping to
identify funding opportunities flowing out of
the federal budget and stimulus packages,” said
Andrew Saxton, M.P. for North Vancouver and
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury Board.
interview with
Chief Kim Baird
about Tsatsu Shore
Development