Dragonfly and CRD issues addressed
I’m writing to clarify some issues regarding the Dragonfly housing project, following the April 17 letter to the editor from Fernando and Tami dos Santos.
The North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD) moratorium on new connections means that Dragonfly must rely on groundwater, which is owned and regulated by the province. In addition, since Dragonfly is a strata ownership model, provincial legislation requires the strata corporation or an existing water purveyor to establish a professionally managed water utility. NSSWD declined to establish such a utility and I requested CRD staff to examine the feasibility of CRD playing this role.
CRD staff prepared a report for the CRD Board, which approved the establishment of a CRD water utility subject to conditions that would be required for any proponent in these circumstances, such as:
• providing a housing agreement ensuring affordability of the strata units;
• providing a satisfactory design of the water treatment plant.
At this time, neither of these conditions has been met. CRD was also working to secure approvals for either establishing a CRD utility within, or alternatively removing the property from, the NSSWD service area.
The Dragonfly proponents deserve our thanks for their efforts and hopefully another group will take up their offer to transfer the property to continue this much-needed affordable housing project. As demonstrated by the Croftonbrook project, an affordable rental approach would not only simplify the water supply issue but would also be eligible for government grant funding.
Gary Holman, SSI CRD Director
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Remembering Rita
Rita Dods left this earth a while back for a well-earned rest and it occurred to me that half a century ago everyone on the island knew her, but now very few did. That is a shame because so many people who have kept the community alive tend to disappear quietly and unnoticed.
When my dad went into the ground the priest referred to him as a “hands-on Christian.” Rita would qualify for the same description. She was not a “me” person. It was always about others.
I first met her when she ran The Reef, or The Chip Shop, as it was commonly known. As a rule, daughter Loretta was at one of the tables working on her colouring book under her mother’s watchful eye. In John Grain’s Mod and Lavender book he describes the atmosphere around town in the 1960s. Young people had several places to go for food, foolishness and social interaction, something sadly lacking today. (John’s dad was my English teacher and encouraged me. Thanks, Mr. Grain.)
At Rita’s we were welcomed, relaxed and gently steered in the right direction. She was our second mom and always told our parents how wonderful we all were, the only time I can recall her telling a bald-faced lie. Mrs. Dods was NOT a push-over, however. If someone got out of line he would hear about it loud and clear. No crap would be tolerated. I remember when Tex was shooting off his mouth and driving everyone in the place nuts, Mrs. Dods came thundering out of the kitchen and yelled across the room, “Peter! That’s enough! Be quiet!” Peace was restored. This balance is what made her “real.” Hard working to support her family but still with time to do for others, she was a valued asset in the community, never seeking attention or praise for what she did.
One night when I was working for the highways department plowing snow, in out of the crappy weather came Rita with a plate of sandwiches for us. This was not anything out of the ordinary, just something she did.
I feel it would be an error on my part to just let her go without letting the newer residents know about the loss of someone who made a difference when the island was not what it has become. I won’t say goodbye, Rita. We’ll see you in a while. We know where to find you.
MIKE STACEY, Salt Spring
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Solutions start with us
In a time when plastics are threatening every aspect of our existence, it is encouraging to see two local businesses — The Salt Jar and the Laundromat — working hard to reverse that trend.
Thank you, Driftwood, for bringing it to our attention with your April 24 articles. We now have options to adding yet another container to that never-ending pile of plastics destined for recycling, or for the ocean, landfills, whale bodies, human embryos, etc.
So next time you’re out and about, load up a bag with some containers and come on down to the back of The Root Hub on Beddis Road to check out the Salt Jar. Who knows, you might just go home with some feta cheese in glass, flour, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, shampoo, body lotion, laundry strips, etc. Take it from me, body lotion in a jar or reused plastic container means you get to use every bit; my Nana would be pleased. Should you forget your containers, stop in anyway, you’ll be glad you did.
See thesaltjar.ca for more details and opening hours.
Yes, we can wait for someone else to solve the problem, but we already know that’s not going to happen. The solution starts with us.
Michelle Grant,Salt Spring