Home Blog Page 251

Police seek public assistance to identify graffiti suspect(s)

Driftwood Staff
-
0
Police seek public assistance to identify graffiti suspect(s)

Salt Spring Island RCMP are seeking assistance from the public with identifying the person(s) responsible for the most recent rash of graffiti.

On the morning of May 11, police were notified of several new graffiti incidents that surfaced along Fulford-Ganges Road and Charlesworth Road, and are believed to have occurred sometime overnight. The damage caused from graffiti also included locations on Beddis Road and Bishop’s Walk Road.

“Through investigation, it is estimated that over 60 separate locations were ‘tagged’ using spray paint cans. There was extensive damage caused by the mischief, including to road signs, mail boxes and utility poles in the area,” said Corp. Matthew Crist of the Salt Spring Island RCMP in a May 12 press release.

Evidence from one of the scenes has been seized by police for further forensic examination.

Anyone who has any information about these incidents are asked to please contact the Salt Spring Island RCMP at 250-537-5555.

Creekside Rainforest conservation campaign launched

Driftwood Staff
-
0
Creekside Rainforest conservation campaign launched

Salt Spring Island Conservancy (SSIC) has launched a community fundraiser to acquire and protect 15.5 acres of rare lowland coastal temperate rainforest dubbed the Creekside Rainforest.

The land is home to a wide and unique range of plants and animals and Cusheon Creek, one of the few salmon-bearing streams on the island, flows through the intact forest.

Along with fundraising partner The Land Conservancy of B.C., the SSIC aims to raise $440,000 by this fall to complete the land purchase.

SSIC says local conservation groups have been working to protect Cusheon Creek for almost 40 years. It was a community-led project that in 2008 resulted in protection of the 19.5 acres — now Jarrod’s Grove Nature Reserve — that adjoins Creekside Rainforest. Concerned neighbours initiated the new conservation effort.

The late Susan Bloom, who was a supportive neighbour and project donor, said of Creekside Rainforest in 2021, “We must save this precious jewel.”

“If acquired by the conservancy, Creekside Rainforest, with the adjoining Jarrod’s Grove Nature Reserve, will protect 35 acres that include western redcedar up to 250 years old, enormous bigleaf maples draped in moss and lichen, and creek banks lined with maidenhair ferns,” states a press release from the conservancy.

“The land’s deep ravine, higher than normal rainfall, and northerly aspect combine with the continuous forest canopy to create an exceptionally cool and moist microclimate that is home to numerous species associated with older rainforests, including many at risk, and also other island wildlife that use this property as a corridor and water supply.”

Tree canopy helps salmonids swimming upstream to spawning and rearing habitat, explains Island Stream and Salmon Enhancement Society director Kathy Reimer in the press release.

“Cusheon Creek flows through Creekside Rainforest and Jarrod’s Grove Nature Reserve that together represent the largest section of pristine riparian habitat on Salt Spring Island,” Reimer said. “It is vitally important that this unique, irreplaceable riparian property is protected for the future.”

People can learn more about what makes Creekside Rainforest unique and how to help to protect it by visiting saltspringconservancy.ca/creeksiderainforest.

Blossom Picnic Postponed due to weather until May 29

Gail Sjuberg
-
0
Blossom Picnic Postponed due to weather until May 29

A popular community festival that had been planned for Sunday, May 15 has been postponed by two weeks due to the rainy weather forecasts.

The cross-cultural event will now run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., celebrating spring in the refreshed Heiwa Garden in Peace Park, on Sunday, May 29.

Music will include bamboo flute and koto (Japanese zither) performances. There will also be karate and kendo demonstrations, and fun activities like yo-yo water balloons, origami games and, at 12:30 p.m., a paper airplane race.

There will also be a dress-up contest — Japanese theme or cosplay — with prizes offered. People should register at the site between 11 and 11:50 a.m. Judging takes place at 12 noon.

A home-style inari sushi lunch will be available. Pre-ordering can be done by calling Mana Nakata at 250-653-0099.

The island’s Japanese Garden Society initiated the Blossom Picnic event, first held in 2011, but this year it is co-presented by the society and the Salt Spring Japanese community. It is supported by a Salt Spring Island Foundation Neighbourhood Small Grant.

Sunday Jazz Jam gets going at the Legion

Contributed Article
-
0
Sunday Jazz Jam gets going at the Legion

By SUE NEWMAN

SPECIAL TO THE DRIFTWOOD

Get ready for round two of the Salt Spring Jazz and Blues Society’s Jazz Jam at The Legion!

On the heels of the success of the May 1st event, we have decided to keep this going! So, every other week, patrons and players alike will be treated to the Sunday Jazz Jam from 3 to 6 p.m. No need to participate, just sit back and enjoy the music! As Bill Henderson says, “If there’s no audience, there just ain’t no show”!

But, if you want to join in, this is a chance for instrumentalists and singers to get to play together with a house band, which replicates the feeling of playing an actual gig. Remember, though, it is a jam! We have a wonderful trio who will kick things off and play a few tunes for everyone’s listening pleasure, before guest performers join in. For those of you new to this, here’s how it works . . .

First off, as it’s a jazz jam, please choose songs from The Great American Songbook — generally described as songs that have stood the test of time from the 1920s-1950s, give or take a decade. You can look up song lists online to get a sense of these songs, but Fly Me to the Moon, Straighten Up and Fly Right, Black Orpheus, Take the “A” Train are some examples. Or tunes by Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Antonio Carlos Jobim . . . or big band or crooner tunes, even songs from Broadway shows, but, well . . . you get the idea. There are hundreds of songs, it’s overwhelming, but don’t despair. You may be surprised how many you know. The only hard part may be to choose a couple! If you’re really stymied, the band has also prepared several tunes for your listening or jamming pleasure, besides what you might bring. Have a look at the list on the website. https:// www.ssjazzandblues.org/

Secondly, SINGERS and INSTRUMENTALISTS: Sign in when you get there, so we can pair you up with other players and be sure that everyone gets on the bandstand.

SINGERS, please bring three copies of your music choice. You can download a “lead sheet,” the melody lyrics with chords above the staff lines. Some websites can even change the key to better suit your voice! Decide how fast or slow, or tempo, for your song, and the band will “take it away”!

INSTRUMENTALISTS, prepare a song to play that is in the jazz genre, that can be called from the Classic Real Book, or other jazz and blues repertoire books. Be ready to play the melody and try a solo over the form of the song.

Also, please be ready to share the stage with other singers and players, especially if some of you call the same songs, and if our turnout is packed! We don’t want anyone to miss out.

Finally, remember, this jam is for listeners, too. It is for us all to play as a team of music lovers, so be sure your choices are easily conveyed to the House Band. Let’s all support each other while having fun listening and playing music together!

The Salt Spring Jazz and Blues Society, Magenta Music (that’s Monik Nordine’s music label) and the Royal Canadian Legion thank all of you who came out for our first jam. We hope you’ll be back and bring your friends along to the next one, set for Sunday, May 15th, from 3-6 p.m.

As for food, there are some snacks, but there is no kitchen service that day. But you can order in! Isn’t THAT fun?

There is no cover charge, but please give generously to the bucket for our great band, Frank Huether, piano, Randall Miron, drums and Bob Delion on bass! You might also want to become a member of the society, as we gear up for more musical adventures.

See you Sunday!

Viewpoint: Bylaw 530 input wanted

Contributed Article
-
0
Viewpoint: Bylaw 530 input wanted

By LAURA PATRICK

Salt Spring Islands Trust trustee

Land-use planning can be as boring as a two-sailing ferry wait and as fraught with drama as a high school musical. Today I’m writing to help you understand the draft land use bylaw 530 for accessory dwelling units that just had its first reading at the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC).

Planners call them “accessory dwelling units” but regular folk call them cottages and suites, and they’re not a new thing here on Salt Spring. But the bylaw is new, and with it we’re attempting to provide a policy that will grow our on-island compliment of resident landlords: people with a primary residence who are willing to let either a secondary suite, a suite associated with an accessory building or a cottage.

Your LTC gave first reading to the draft bylaw at our April 19 meeting. I supported first reading because I wanted to start the process and I’m serious about increasing the availability of long-term rental housing in our community.

Bylaws always pass through a legislated process following these steps:

• First reading = tabling or introduction

• Second reading = discussion about the principle and the content of the bylaw

• Third reading = final discussion, including any changes made along the way.

Community information meetings and a public hearing will be scheduled before third reading. These will provide us, as your elected representatives, with input from the community and from the people who will be impacted, and gives us a chance to make minor tweaks or major revisions, accordingly. It’s also your opportunity to ask questions and get information.

Following third reading and prior to adoption, the bylaw must be approved by the Executive Committee of Islands Trust to ensure that it conforms with the existing Trust Policy Statement.

So what happens now that we gave this bylaw its first reading? Staff will continue to research a number of items to inform possible revisions to the bylaw. We want to hear your suggestions about accessory dwelling units as a form of long-term rental housing. We want to hear from potential landlords as to what they may need from the Trust in order to step up and provide that housing.

As we progress through the bylaw’s phases, we can anticipate refinement of measures included in the bylaw to manage environmental impacts, prove sufficient quality and quantity of potable drinking water, and prove the ability to accommodate an increase in onsite sewerage capacity. As well, staff are exploring various mechanisms, such as covenants, that can be used to ensure that these units designated for rental are specifically used for long-term rental.

Allowing accessory dwelling units as rental housing will not solve the critical housing equity and workforce shortages we are experiencing here, but it will begin to expand the housing options. The vast majority of housing on Salt Spring consists of expensive single family homes, many of which have a large environmental footprint. We need a better mix of housing types to address the needs of our community. I believe we can increase the quality and quantity of housing options, while ensuring preservation and protection of the island’s biodiversity and freshwater, marine and forest resources.

Affordable, appropriate, accessible and attractive housing should be available for Salt Spring residents of all abilities, incomes, lifestyles and livelihoods.

For information about this draft bylaw and the Housing Action Program use this link: islandstrust.bc.ca/island-planning/salt-spring/projects/.

Be sure to subscribe to the Islands Trust’s website to receive email notifications.

Submit suggestions to improve the draft bylaw to ssiinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca. Contact me at lpatrick@islandstrust.bc.ca or 250-537-6822.

SAR team called to rescue injured hiker

Emelie Peacock
-
0
SAR team called to rescue injured hiker

Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue (SSISAR) members were out in force last week, conducting two rescues together with ambulance, fire and coast guard crews. 

As more people venture out into nature carrying their cell phones, SSISAR manager Conrad Bowden explained that SAR groups across the province are seeing fewer searches for missing people and more rescues. One such example was the rescue of a hiker with a significant lower leg injury out of Ruckle The injured man and his group were well-prepared and were able to keep him dry and warm, Bowden said. Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue and BC Emergency Health Services ambulance personnel were unable to walk the man out, so the SAR team was called in around 11:30 a.m. 

Coincidentally, SSISAR’s specialized rope rescue team was doing rope training when the call came. These skills came to good use as the man was wheeled, and in steeper sections belayed, down the trail in a basket stretcher with a wheel attached. 

It took a few hours for the 10 SAR members to get the man to the nearest road, about a mile away, in rainy and slippery conditions.

“You’re on quite a rough trail . . . lots of bumps and you’re trying to stabilize the person,” Bowden explained. “You have to keep focused on their medical needs . . . at the same time you’re trying to move efficiently.”

Fire and ambulance crews assisted.

“We work with other agencies a lot and we’re fortunate that we have good relationships with them on the island,” he said. “We do tend to work well together.”

The hiker was transferred to a waiting ambulance and onto a hospital. 

At 12:45 a.m. on May 7, SAR crews were called out again to attend to an injured person on a small island off Galiano Island. The exact location of the rescue isn’t being disclosed due to privacy. 

SAR volunteers headed to the island with the Canadian Coast Guard crew based out of Ganges Harbour, aboard the CCGS Cape Naden.

“They took three SAR members . . . two of the SAR members, it turns out, it was their birthday. So that’s how they spent their first few hours on their birthday,” Bowden said. 

The person’s injury was initially thought to be grave enough to require transport to Swartz Bay. Yet after SAR and Coast Guard members assessed the person, it was determined they could stay on the island. Crews were back home by 5:30 a.m.

The May 7 call-out was the seventh this year, which is fairly busy for the professional volunteer organization. Bowden, who is also president of the SSISAR Society, emphasized that their service extends across the Southern Gulf Islands and is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation. 

Bowden also stressed that the service SSISAR’s volunteers provide does not cost anything for people that need them. Fear of cost should not keep people from calling in. The sooner people can make the call the better. 

“We often get donations after people are rescued by us, but certainly there’s no cost. So people shouldn’t delay,” Bowden said. “We’ll even come on our birthdays.” 

BIELY, Robert (Bob)

Driftwood Obituary
-
0
BIELY, Robert (Bob)

ROBERT (BOB) BIELY
June 24, 1942 ~ May 16, 2022

Bob Biely passed away peacefully, but unexpectedly, with his wife Carol and daughters Alison and Sue by his side following a short illness.

The son of Professor Jacob and Judith Biely, Bob attended Lord Byng High in Vancouver and UBC. After gaining his MBA at the University of Toronto, where he met Carol, Bob worked for many years in the property management and development field. His greatest pride was working with his partners to develop Steveston Landing, an innovative development providing a home for small businesses, which has become a favourite destination for many thousands of visitors.

Bob loved BC’s Gulf Islands and being in and on the water. The family enjoyed a cabin on Mayne Island for many years. Twenty-five years ago he and Carol built a home on Salt Spring Island. There Bob’s warmth and positive spirit welcomed many friends, both lifelong and new, and family members from all over the globe.

He loved his projects around the property such as building arbours and sheds, and he left his daughters many treasured items of furniture created from wood scraps and branches. And then there were all the fires, indoors and out. He was also a dedicated under-gardener to Carol.

He was a source of unconditional love to his wife and daughters, always very proud and supportive of their work. Bob was pre-deceased by his sister Louise and will be missed by his brother Gordon (Lynn), sister Barbara, and his many nieces and nephews.

Bob was a kind gentle soul with a sharp wit. He was known for his stories, and was a joker who loved to tease and be teased. As his niece put it, he always had an anecdote full of details, but not always a punch line.

Words people have used to describe Bob include: joyful, youthful in spirit, fun, enthusiastic, accepting, easily pleased, genuine, devoted, helpful, stubborn (but usually in a good way!).

Special thanks to Dr. Ron Reznick and Jean, the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, and to our wonderful Lady Minto staff team on Salt Spring Island.

At Bob’s request, there will be no service. In his memory, please consider making a donation to The Salt Spring Island Foundation or the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.

We’ll all keep those hummingbirds fed and the woodshed filled for you Bob!

CRD Local Community Commission discussion Paper Released

Contributed Article
-
0
CRD Local Community Commission discussion Paper Released

On Monday, May 9, Salt Spring CRD director Gary Holman released a discussion paper on the option of creating a Local Community Commission. What follows is his introduction and a link to the document itself.

BY GARY HOLMAN

One of my 2018 election platform commitments was to improve governance on Salt Spring, including seeking voter approval for an elected CRD Local Community Commission (LCC). This discussion paper initiates public consultation on the proposal, and will be available in several venues, including online (Salt Spring Exchange, Driftwood, social media), and hard copies at the library and local CRD office. This paper was drafted at my request by several members of the Governance Working Group of the Community Alliance organization, which was formed to consider governance improvements after the failed referendum on incorporation in 2017. The paper makes a number of recommendations regarding the composition, responsibilities, and remuneration of an elected at large LCC for Salt Spring.

The possibility of an LCC has been considered as part of previous governance studies undertaken during provincially-initiated incorporation processes. I’ve also outlined the LCC proposal in previous Driftwood articles this year (Feb. 23, Mar. 2), and in Local Trust Committee and ASK Salt Spring town halls. An LCC, along with the CRD director, would broaden our community’s elected representation and oversight of local CRD grants and services (e.g., budgets, bylaws, policies), and could lead to consolidation of Salt Spring’s four island-wide commissions (Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Liquid Waste, Economic Sustainability).

LCC commissioners would have a mandate from local voters similar to that of the CRD director. This means that local CRD-related decisions, recommendations and advocacy for our community of almost 12,000 — now effectively the responsibility of a single elected official — would instead be made by majority vote of the LCC and CRD director (effectively a “council” for CRD issues) in regularly scheduled, public meetings. The CRD director would still be directly elected to the CRD Board and the Electoral Area Services Committee, which oversee regional and sub-regional services.

The LCC discussion paper has been reviewed by CRD staff and by an advisory committee I’ve recently appointed, comprised of representatives of the four island-wide CRD commissions, Salt Spring Fire and North Salt Spring Waterworks improvement districts, and two members at large. This paper is not endorsed by CRD or advisory committee but is considered a good basis for public discussion and input. My thanks to the authors for their efforts in producing this well-researched document.

The advisory committee will make its own recommendations regarding the LCC, based on more detailed review and public input. The mandate, responsibilities and maximum cost of an LCC will be defined in CRD establishment bylaws that must be approved by the CRD Board and would form the basis for the referendum question to be put to voters during the October local elections. An LCC will require some local taxpayer cost, primarily for modest stipends for commissioners, who along with the CRD director, would oversee all local CRD services. However, some cost savings could also result from consolidation of commissions, while community groups and citizens would continue to advocate to an elected LCC regarding local priorities, projects and other issues.

While the Local Government Act allows a regional district to establish an LCC, voter approval is necessary. Holding the referendum at the next local government election on Oct. 15, 2022 will minimize the incremental cost of the LCC referendum. If voters approve, an election for LCC commissioners would be held in the spring of 2023, which will also require a onetime cost. I will be including LCC-related costs in the provisional CRD budget for 2023, costs which would be taken out of the final CRD budget for that year if voters reject the proposal.

Establishing an LCC is a relatively simple governance change compared to incorporation, with far fewer jurisdictional and financial impacts. Unlike with incorporation, roads and policing would remain a provincial responsibility, and land use would continue with the Trust. Therefore, establishment of an LCC could provide some governance advantages of incorporation (e.g., broader, more transparent representation and clearer delegated authority) without its possible downsides, such as the costs and future liabilities of Salt Spring’s extensive road network and concerns regarding potential weakening of the Trust mandate.

The LCC advisory committee, CRD staff and I look forward to reviewing public comments that can be made online and by emails to: directorssi@crd.bc.ca. Further opportunities for public input will be announced soon.

To read the LCC discussion paper, click here:

NASH, Marjorie May

Driftwood Obituary
-
0
NASH, Marjorie May

Marjorie May Nash
Oct 18 1921 – May 19 2022

It is with profound sadness that the family of Marjorie May Nash announce her peaceful passing on Thursday May 19, 2022, at the incredible age of 100 years, 7 months. Marjorie passed away in bed while holding the hand of her son, Willard Nash. She was our beloved friend, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Marjorie will be passionately missed by her children, Willard Nash, Linda Gagnon and Charlie Nash, her 9 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and her multitude of admiring friends.

Marjorie was predeceased by her loving husband, Nathan Nash, and her son, Malcolm Nash. Marjorie was very active in the community, belonging to the local Square Dance Club, the Salty Wheels and a lifetime member of the Lady Minto Hospital Auxillary joining in 1988. She held positions on the Executive as well as working in the Thrift Shop. Marjorie was also very involved in the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #92. Marjorie was very appreciated and will be missed by all her friends in BC.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. We love you Marjorie and hope you can join Malcolm and Nathan in keeping us safe until we meet again.

GIJSSEN, Edward (Ed\Everardus)

Driftwood Obituary
-
0
GIJSSEN, Edward (Ed\Everardus)

Edward (Ed / Everardus) Gijssen
November 6, 1931 ~ April 24, 2022

The family of Ed Gijssen are saddened to announce his passing on April 24, 2022, at Lady Minto Hospital, Salt Spring Island, BC. Ed was 90 years old and had been married to Antonia (Tonny) for 60 years. Tonny pre-deceased Ed in October of 2017.

Born November 6, 1931, in Utrecht, Netherlands, Ed was the 4th of seven children born to Louis and Wilhelmina Gijssen. Tonny and Ed immigrated to Canada in 1957 where they built a series of thriving business including Starline Windows and Starline Homes. Ed was smart, charming, ambitious and sought to build a better life for his family in Canada. Together, Ed and Tonny travelled extensively and had particular fondness for Australia, Spain and seeing the world via cruise ships. Ed was very proud of their businesses and the many homes that they built. Together Tonny and Ed could tell stories with depth and intrigue – from the ship accident enroute to Canada in 1957 to ball room dancing around the world.

Ed is survived by his children Jacqueline (John Nightingale), Kenneth (Gabrielle Steinberg), Marcel (Maria Josenhans) and family members in the Netherlands, Australia, Switzerland, Belgium and England.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Ed’s name to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, 135 Crofton Road, Salt Spring Island, BC, V8K 1T1, https://ladymintofoundation.com.

1...250251252...609Page 251 of 609