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Ganges village 30 km/hr signs coming

Robb Magley
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Ganges village 30 km/hr signs coming

Salt Spring Island drivers and riders will move through Ganges village a little more slowly in September, as signs designating the new 30 km/hr zone in town are being installed before the end of the month.  

In what might be seen as a quick victory for the new Local Community Commission (LCC) — but which commissioners note is the culmination of a long advocacy process — the provincial ministry with authority over Fulford-Ganges Road is setting the slower speed as part of a wider public safety and transportation improvement effort on Salt Spring.  

“The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) has decided that the speed limit change on the north end of town will be right at Embe Bakery at Seaview,” said LCC commissioner Brian Webster, speaking at an ASK Salt Spring gathering Friday, Aug. 18. “And at the north end of town, it will be approximately 100 metres beyond the Rainbow Road intersection.” 

Webster said MoTI had promised the signs would be up by the end of August; fellow commissioner Gayle Baker joined in expressing disappointment that the slower speed limit wouldn’t extend as far the Country Grocer intersection, calling the decision “a bit weird,” but agreed it was mostly good news. 

“We know that within two weeks, that will be done,” said Webster. “Another 100 metres would have made a lot more sense, but it’s a minor disappointment amidst a 95 per cent great news story.” 

Salt Spring Slasher longboard race returns

Gail Sjuberg
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Salt Spring Slasher longboard race returns

The Salt Spring Slasher longboard race and freeride event returned to the island and Juniper Place on the Aug. 19-20 weekend for the first time since 2019. 

The event is organized by Max Kaye, who has raced internationally and grew up on Salt Spring Island, beginning his skating career at the Kanaka Road Skatepark as a youth before discovering longboard racing. He says the Slasher is known as one of the fastest races in Canada, if not the fastest.

Nick Rosewell won the competitive event for the second time running, followed by Benjamin Robinson in second spot and Ajay Daniels in third. It was the 12th Slasher race in 15 years, with three events lost to the pandemic from 2020 to 2022.

Caleb Rouleau (Bryn Finer photo)
Elycia Finch (Bryn Finer photo)
Phil Elsser (Bryn Finer photo)
Salt Spring Slasher 12 organizer Max Kaye. (Trene Kaye photo)
Slasher 12 winners: Nick Rosewell, 1st (centre); Benjamin Robinson, 2nd (left); Ajay Daniels, 3rd (right). (Trene Kaye photo)
Dale Mason rounds the last curve. (Gail Sjuberg photo)
Ajay Daniels, left, and Dexter Manning compete on the final curve of a SS Slasher race on Aug, 19. (Bryn Finer photo)

Editorial: Fire risk reality

Driftwood Staff
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Editorial: Fire risk reality

Understandably, the devastation wrought by recent wildfires in B.C., the rest of Canada and Hawaii has islanders rattled and wondering “what’s the plan?” for evacuating Salt Spring Island.

We know we have been lucky so far when it comes to wildfire, and most of Salt Spring is in a “moderate” rather than “high” risk category, but it seems likely that we will be impacted by a fire of significant size at some point in the future.

While some people want assurance that emergency planners and firefighters will prevent them from experiencing physical harm or property damage, there is no way to guarantee that. It’s not because the lead agency — the Capital Regional District (CRD) Salt Spring Emergency Program — and others like our fire department and the B.C. Wildfire Service are not prepared to respond to wildfires and/or effect evacuations. They are. But the terms “plan” and “emergency” don’t mingle well. How, when and where evacuation might occur would depend on where the fire is located and heading, as well as other factors.

As the 2023 Salt Spring Island Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan states: “Emergency planning, including evacuation planning, by the CRD focuses on rapid situation assessment, and an all hazards approach, rather than prescriptive plans that may quickly be overcome by situational uncertainty.”

The lack of specifics may not be what people want to hear, but it’s realistic. Also not comfort-making is knowing that the onus really does fall on us as individuals to take the time to learn about and use the emergency preparation resources available to us.

If you are not already connected to your neighbourhood POD as part of the CRD, send an email to ssipod@crd.bc.ca to be added. That’s your best assurance of being in the communication loop most relevant to your property. If anyone in your household has special needs, that will be recorded and factored into any emergency response.

Signing up for the CRD’s Public Alert Notification System to get alerts about emergency situations is another must, and other salient advice is detailed in our story in this week’s issue of the paper.

Unfortunately, fear and uncertainty are part of the new reality we and future generations must live with as world leaders have refused to respond meaningfully to the climate change warnings first issued decades ago. We had best get used to it.

Overdose Awareness Day event on Aug. 31

Driftwood Staff
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Overdose Awareness Day event on Aug. 31

An International Overdose Awareness Day event is set for Thursday, Aug. 31 in Centennial Park.

Organizers are members of the Moms Stop The Harm (MSTH) group, Island Community Services (ICS) and Salt Spring Safely.

The event has been organized to increase awareness around issues related to overdose and will be held next Friday between 2 and 5 p.m. in the park.

Plans to mark International Overdose Awareness Day on Salt Spring this Thursday, Aug. 31 have been solidified after an original announcement last week.

A gathering will be held in Centennial Park between 2 and 5 p.m. with a variety of activities taking place.

“There will be three public talks, a sharing circle where we can introduce ourselves and say why we have come, a DJ playing music at a reasonable volume and a shared moment of silence for the people we have lost,” explains information from the organizers.

People who have lost someone to overdose or drug poisoning are invited to bring a photograph of their loved one.

From 1 to 2 p.m. a Yoga For The People session will take place. Led by trauma-informed teachers, the embodied practice is considered an important tool in the healing toolbox, say organizers.

“We recognize this can be a challenging and potentially triggering area. We will have some of our Ganges Goodwill Ambassadors available to debrief and hold space should the need arise.”

People who want to get involved or have questions are invited to email organizers: Karme Leroux (Moms Stop the Harm), karma154ssi@gmail.com; Shae Houston (ICS substance use youth and family counsellor) shouston@ssics.ca; or MacPherson at wmacpherson@ssics.ca.

Local wildfire preparation emphasized

Robb Magley
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Local wildfire preparation emphasized

As heat and drought conditions persist in British Columbia, the explosion of wildfire led to the declaration of a province-wide state of emergency on Friday with evacuation orders and alerts issued over the weekend in multiple locations across B.C.  

And while the provincial government urges people to generally prepare for extreme fire behaviour, local officials stress there are steps islanders can take now. Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Dale Lundy said there are emergency plans in place for the island — with regular drills involving multiple emergency service agencies — but it’s important for people to recognize how much they can do individually and in neighbourhood groups to mitigate risk and react in an emergency. 

“There are lots of plans, but I would also encourage people to plan on being self-sufficient,” said Lundy. “Being on guard often means being prepared to help ourselves — and have a Plan B.” 

Know your plan 

New this year to help residents plan and understand the emergency response process is the Capital Regional District (CRD) Salt Spring Island Household Evacuation Guide. (It’s also available with other materials and info on the Salt Spring Emergency Program page on the CRD website.)

It includes a helpful map of designated “assembly areas” — where evacuees can gather — and “reception centres” — where evacuees may be provided care — on the island. The guide also includes information on creating evacuation checklists, emergency kits and grab-and-go bags.

Learn the big picture

Also published by the CRD in 2023 and available on the same website page is the Salt Spring Island Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan. The result of a partnership between provincial and local governments, the 140-page report outlines wildfire risk levels, agency responsibilities, mitigation and prevention strategies, and the emergency response process.

Register for alerts 

In B.C., emergency alerts are broadcast on TV, radio and cell phones to provide urgent public safety information during life-threatening emergencies. The CRD’s Public Alert Notification System (PANS) was upgraded in May 2021, so even if you had signed up before then you need to re-register at Alertable (alertable.ca) or through the CRD website.

Register for support 

Funded by the provincial government, Emergency Support Services provides quick, basic short-term support for people impacted by disasters; in an emergency that could include help with temporary lodging and food or more specialized services like emotional support and transportation. Register online at ess.gov.bc.ca.

Join your POD 

The CRD’s POD system is designed to be an island-wide communication network to link neighbourhoods to emergency operations. It is 100 per cent voluntary, and 100 per cent opt-in — that means you need to get involved before disaster strikes. Send an email to ssipod@crd.bc.ca to request a contact for your POD or neighbourhood leader; if there is no leader in your area, the program is always looking for new volunteers.  

FireSmart your property 

From simple chores like moving firewood and lawn furniture away from your house to more complex defences like roof and siding choices, the FireSmart program (firesmartbc.ca) is the most comprehensive guide to mitigating wildfire threats at your home. These measures help reduce the likelihood of fire ignition, and make helping your home an easier choice for firefighters defending multiple properties with limited resources. 

Don’t rely on Facebook 

During the evacuation of Yellowknife last week, Facebook’s blocking of news sites meant critical announcements by safety officials covered by local media were lost, while poor, incomplete or simply false information about the approaching fire spread unchecked.  

For online emergency information, go directly to news and government websites. Active during provincial emergencies, EmergencyInfoBC (EmergencyInfoBC.ca) shares verified information on public safety, evacuations and other response and recovery resources. And PreparedBC.ca is a clearinghouse for preparation and hazard mitigation before and during emergencies.

Pitchfork Social hosts Tony Furtado and friends

Driftwood Staff
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Pitchfork Social hosts Tony Furtado and friends

Pitchfork Social is closing its trio of summer concerts in its new home with a stellar offering on Friday, Sept. 1.

Tony Furtado and Luke Price from Portland, Ore. will perform at The Jam Factory property at 319 Upper Ganges Rd., and will be joined by a special guest — islander Harry Manx — for part of the show.

Pitchfork Social press material describes Furtado as an “evocative and soulful singer, a wide-ranging songwriter and a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist adept on banjo, cello-banjo, slide guitar and baritone ukulele, who mixes and matches sounds and styles with the air of a master chef.” Price is a five-time and current grand national fiddle champion and multi-instrumentalist.

Manx is well known to audiences around the world for his unique blues sound that merges music styles of the East and West.

The Sept. 1 show, which begins at 7:30 p.m., was close to selling out at Driftwood press time, but Pitchfork Social’s David Youngson has provided the Driftwood with four pairs of tickets to give away to our readers. The only way to get them is to email us at news@gulfislandsdriftwood.com and tell us why you want to go to the concert. The first four people to respond will each get two tickets. (Update on Aug. 18: the four ticket winners have been determined.)

Otherwise, tickets are available here.

Two previous concerts held in the new outdoor space featured Ruth Moody and Frazey Ford and their respective bands.

Driftwood Editorial: Attempt to divert fire hall course unwelcome

Driftwood Staff
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Driftwood Editorial: Attempt to divert fire hall course unwelcome

Salt Spring’s fire department is poised to bring the community up to speed on the Ganges fire hall project, with a public meeting set for mid-September.

While being open to any and all questions, they clearly intend to present good news. As detailed in our story this week, a press release issued Aug. 10 states that “Despite financial constraints, including the rapid rise of chartered bank interest rates since 2022, SSIFR is confident that the project remains within the stipulated referendum limit of $9.7 million for borrowing.”

At the same time, the board’s newest trustee, elected by acclamation in April, has initiated an online petition asking for a less expensive option to be looked at and for ratepayers to be “surveyed” on their preference. Despite declaring his actions are taken while wearing his private citizen hat, it would perhaps be odd if David Courtney wasn’t acting from a place informed by his position as a new trustee. Alternatively, Courtney could be just saying, “I think we can do this project for less money and I’m sure some other people will agree with me.”

However, this project is already well underway and a “survey” — the referendum required for borrowing authority — showed 75 per cent approval by voters just last June. The $13-million facility was sold as not requiring a taxation increase because future borrowing has been built into recent-year tax increases and reserve building.

If the hall does go overbudget, that falls on the board to explain, manage and be accountable for.

Results of last year’s referendum were clear. That’s the project the majority of ratepayers approved and want to see built. The fire board should obviously be honest about the financial situation they face with this project and we don’t expect them to be otherwise. Conversely, we don’t expect them to throw out the current plan and start again just because one of them thinks there’s a better idea out there and will reveal X-number of in-agreement online petition names to a future meeting.

We have all become so used to seeing theatrics in politics that a late-in-the-game petition tactic is not a surprise. But just as firefighting should be left to professional firefighters, drama is best executed and most appreciated when done by trained thespians.

September town hall set for fire hall project update

Gail Sjuberg
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September town hall set for fire hall project update

Salt Spring’s new fire hall project is on schedule and within budget as of July 31, according to the Salt Spring Island Fire Protection District, also known as Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue (SSIFR).

“Despite financial constraints, including the rapid rise of chartered bank interest rates since 2022, SSIFR is confident that the project remains within the stipulated referendum limit of $9.7 million for borrowing,” SSIFR stated in a press release issued last week.

In a referendum held last June, 75 per cent of voters approved borrowing up to $9.7 million for a $13-million hall to be built on Lower Ganges Road at Atkins Road.

SSIFR said that since its launch in January 2023, the fire hall project has made consistent advancements, beginning in March when MKM Construction was awarded the construction management contract and Johnson Davidson Architecture was chosen as the architect.

The project steering committee is now in the final stages of design collaboration with the architect. Once approved, the architect will secure the building permit, while the construction manager initiates the tendering process.

The property site has been surveyed and staked, and further land preparation is also on the horizon, involving topsoil removal and storage.

Hans Hazenboom is the SSIFR representative on the project.

“Final working drawings are approaching completion,” he said, “and these drawings are crucial to finetune final pricing. Building permits will be sought once those drawings are finalized, and then the construction tendering process can begin.”

SSIFR chief administrative officer Rodney Dieleman added, “Our proactive approach to risk management has allowed us to address potential challenges effectively. The project steering committee has been working closely with partners, including the adjacent property owners and other island services, to keep the project on track and on budget.”

A town hall event hosted by SSIFR has been set for Thursday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at Community Gospel Chapel.

The session will feature presentations about progress on the new fire hall project, the draft 2024 budget and the new draft five-year strategic plan. Guests will be able to ask questions of CAO Dieleman, board chair Rollie Cook, fire chief Jamie Holmes and key project coordinators.

In the meantime, one member of the fire board has started a seemingly independent change.org petition to “give ratepayers options and potential property tax relief” by looking at fire hall projects recently completed or proposed in Cumberland, Powell River and Bowen Island.

David Courtney, who joined the board by acclamation in April of this year, wants the chosen fire hall plan to be revisited and community members given a choice of two design concepts, with “merits and costs” disclosed. He then wants ratepayers surveyed on their choice for a new fire hall by Sept. 30.

“The petition is about spending ratepayers’ money wisely and to have choices on how we do that,” he told the Driftwood Monday. “And that’s all.”

Courtney said he is taking this action as a Salt Spring ratepayer and not a fire board trustee.

SSIFR was not ready to offer a comment about Courtney’s petition initiative as of Driftwood press time on Monday.

Facebook news ban hits local volunteer radio society

Contributed Article
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Facebook news ban hits local volunteer radio society

By PAUL MCELROY

DRIFTWOOD CONTRIBUTOR

Salt Spring Island’s nascent volunteer radio station has been caught up in Meta’s battle with the Canadian government over publishing rights and compensation, even though it is not yet broadcasting nor a news-focused organization.

Salt Spring’s CHIR.fm, a fledgling, web-based community station, was kicked off Facebook last weekend when it tried to place an announcement for its weekly fundraising sale of vinyl records and second-hand CDs.

“It’s crazy,” said Damian Inwood, society president and driving force behind the station. “We don’t even do any news at present, as we’ve been focused on raising money for transmitting equipment. So there’s nothing for Meta or Google or whoever to use. At the moment we’re mainly a music station, except on Saturdays in the summer when we broadcast live from Salt Spring’s market.”

The CHiR.fm Facebook page has been frozen, with no posts visible to anyone in Canada.

“In response to Canadian government legislation, news content can’t be viewed in Canada,” read a message left by Meta.

The Gulf Islands Driftwood’s Facebook page has also been rendered useless by Meta. As the Driftwood is a member of News Media Canada, which represents the news media industry in Canada, that action was expected, according to publisher Nancy Johnson.

The federal government passed Bill C-18 in June. It aims to force Google and Meta to negotiate with news publishers to compensate them for linking to their content. Facebook has responded by blocking “news content” in Canada.

The Salt Spring Island radio station was granted a licence to broadcast by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission in 2022. Gulf Islands Community Radio Society, a registered non-profit, hopes to launch CHiR.fm on 107.7 FM by the end of the year and build a substantial radio listenership on the islands.

“It’s taken us eight years to get to this point,” said Inwood, 73, a retired journalist. “We’ve been raising the necessary funds, around $50,000, to buy the equipment we need to get on the air. We depend on the sale of the thousands of LPs and CDs that people on the island have donated and it’s a huge blow not to be able to let the public know where we are through Salt Spring Facebook pages.”

“We’ve had massive support from local businesses and enthusiastic islanders,” added Inwood. “So it’s a crying shame we’ve been arbitrarily blocked by Facebook for something we have absolutely no control over.”

Inwood said he’s looking into an apparent appeal process with Meta.

Anticipation builds for Photosynthesis exhibition

Contributed Article
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Anticipation builds for Photosynthesis exhibition

BY DIANA HAYES

FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Photosynthesis is mounting its annual fine art photography show at ArtSpring from Wednesday, Aug. 23 through Monday, Sept. 4, with an opening reception taking place Aug. 24 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

In existence since 2001, this select group of photographers has grown and matured, while retaining an eclectic gathering of styles, subject matter, techniques and visual expression. This is a show that people look forward to each year. The leading-edge photography and professional exhibit will not disappoint.

This year’s show will be hung by Zoe Zafiris and Richard Steel, and with their skilled eyes and extensive experience in the world of art, we know the show will have that signature pop and flow. It is a feat and a work of art itself to hang this show with its many styles, sizes and themes.

This year, Photosynthesis includes 17 regular members along with four guest photographers. Each year the group also sponsors a student. All participating photographers are residents of Salt Spring Island and the group’s mandate is to show new work that has not been seen previously on Salt Spring.

Photographers in the 2023 Show are Photosynthesis members Birgit Freybe Bateman, Seth Berkowitz, Alan Bibby, Roger Brooks, Howard Fry, Diana Hayes, Christina Heinemann, Susan Huber, Avril Kirby, Alane Lalonde, Doug McMillin, Larry Melious, Bernadette Mertens-McAllister, Pierre Mineau, Anette Schrage, Julianna Slomka and Michael Wall, guests Nirmal Dryden, Janet Dwyer, Judy McPhee and Brian Purcell, and student Galveston Gill.

A virtual gallery will provider viewers with a taste of the full ArtSpring exhibit and will be available through the photosyn.ca website the week prior to opening night. The group’s organizing team would like to thank Country Grocer and Thrifty Foods for their generous donations for the opening reception.

A sneak peek at this year’s show reveals many unusual themes and imagery, taking us on journeys to faraway places, including Scandinavia, Ireland, Europe and the Mediterranean, and Central Mexico. We also see macro and micro “finds” right here on Salt Spring Island: flowers that almost exude their exotic scents, found objects both old and new, a mysterious cornet in black and white, pastoral landscapes, stones and geometric angles of a dusk-lit seashore. We also find quirky characters and dramatic portraits, all suggesting narratives that speak to us beyond the frame.

Photographers will be sitting the show daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can answer questions and provide gallery visitors with personal insights as well as technical details.

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