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Kit Lewis retires from Atkins Road trash beat at age 95

Elizabeth Nolan
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Kit Lewis retires from Atkins Road trash beat at age 95

Island Pathways is respectfully honouring the retirement of its most dedicated trail clean-up volunteer, while hoping her good example might inspire others to step up and take over.

Meadowbrook resident Kit Lewis celebrated her 95th birthday this week and has more than earned her retirement from self-imposed community service. As a keen environmentalist and a staunch opponent of litter and littering, she has kept the Atkins Road pathway and the surrounding neighbourhood clean for many years, but has conceded it’s time to hang up her gloves and picker and for someone else to take her route. 

“Island Pathways was so grateful when Kit came up with the idea,” board member Jean Gelwicks said about the trail adoption. “The Atkins Road pathway is by far the cleanest section of pathways into and around Ganges. Kit is amazing, and deserves a medal.”

Contrary to what some people seem to think, there is no one employed to clean up litter on Salt Spring and no public agency paying for such efforts. Lewis wishes more than anything that people would stop throwing trash out their windows, something she cannot believe people do in this day and age. She has in fact suggested that ICBC instruct new drivers not to do this as part of their licensing requirement. 

She has picked up and recycled countless bottles and cans and tried to find a way to deal with hubcaps. Her volunteer work directly inspired this newspaper’s first community-wide litter clean-up campaign in 2018.

The Driftwood happened to be on site with Lewis when she discovered the most infamous piece of trash in her journey: an empty hog feed bag. Other items picked up over the years belonged in the lost category, and if found near Meadowbrook Lewis would hang them on the fence in case their owner returned for them. If not, they also went into garbage or recycling.

“The tires were fun,” Lewis said with wry humour. “Mostly I’m just horrified by plastic. That’s the worst. It’s going to drown us all.”

Island Pathways is looking for someone willing to take Lewis’ place on the Atkins Road pathway — and Lewis has a fairly new garbage picker that she’s willing to pass on to the next person.

“Actually, we would love it if islanders adopted any section of the Ganges Village Pathway Network so we can keep them all free of trash,” Gelwicks said.

For more information, contact Island Pathways at info@ islandpathways.ca. 

Salt Spring forms rest point in trip through the Americas

Elizabeth Nolan
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Salt Spring forms rest point in trip through the Americas

A German world traveller has ended up on Salt Spring while he waits for the border with the United States to reopen and the continuation of a journey that will ultimately encompass much of two continents. 

André Baumgarten recently completed a six-month cycling trip from London, Ont., back east to Cap Gaspé and then west all the way to B.C.’s coast. With plans to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, Baumgarten had originally hoped to end the Canadian portion in Vancouver before heading to Seattle, hiking through the United States into Mexico, and then starting a trip through South America. The pandemic may have stopped him short for now, but Baumgarten is happy to have enjoyed the ride so far.

“In the end I was actually kind of happy that it didn’t work out because then I could spend more time on the trail in Canada,” Baumgarten told the Driftwood. “I never could have made that in four months, which was my timeline. So now I did it in six months — and I skipped the whole Maritimes.”

An environmental engineer by training, Baumgarten has been travelling the world for the past seven years doing many other types of jobs through the working holiday visa program, which is available in many nations for people up to age 31. Canada has a special arrangement with Germany that issues such visas up to age 35, a feature that took Baumgarten to Ontario for a year of work in a winery and then a kombucha brewery. While there he came across an online posting by someone who wanted to do a cross-Canada road trip, with a map of his route attached. 

“I said, ‘That’s actually a nice idea just to see the country a little bit,’” Baumgarten said, noting that although he was living and working in Canada, he hadn’t seen anything beyond London. Before his work visa expired he ordered a touring bike and made plans to come back to Canada with a tourist visa on the way to his trek of the Pacific Crest Trail and beyond. He spent time in between in Iceland, where he worked on a farm for two months while plotting his route through the Americas.

“So I had it all nicely planned, but then the pandemic hit and so the PCT kind of got cancelled,” he said, explaining hiking there was discouraged because of the wish to protect isolated communities along the ridge line. There were also bush fires in the region, so he decided to take more time on the Canadian leg. 

COVID-19 restrictions changed some of his plans, but without having a job or anywhere to live in his home country, Baumgarten decided to go ahead with his 2020 cycling trip despite the pandemic. Much of his travel was accomplished during the time when restrictions were lighter. 

“I had this discussion with myself whether to do it or not, and I came to to the conclusion to do it. And it went well,” Baumgarten said. “I appreciated having more time to explore Canada. “It’s huge — I underestimated that.”

Discovering The Great Trail — previously known as the Trans Canada Trail — helped provide much of the route. Baumgarten usually took side roads for some sections that are only passable by hikers.

“The only real dangerous highway that no cyclist can really avoid is around the Great Lakes. It’s pretty much from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay. There is actually no secondary road there,” Baumgarten observed.

Hitting the mountains starting at the Rockies could have posed a challenge to some weary legs, but in B.C. The Great Trail mainly follows old railway lines.  

“At least the inclination was penetrable; it was never more than two per cent. You don’t have the steep passes that you have if you are following the Trans Canada Highway,” Baumgarten said.

On the other hand, the ties and rails have been removed but the former railroad’s surface has not been improved, so the loose gravel bed can be extremely hard to navigate. Some sections were so bad that Baumgarten was inspired to send his notes and video footage to the non-profit organization that oversees the trail in Montreal, and he has offered to work with them to suggest improvements. 

“I also want to make this trail better for other Canadians or maybe other tourists who might intend to cycle it as well,” he said.

Baumgarten spent many of his nights camping near the trail, choosing sites near water where he could bathe. He also used warmshowers.org, a free hospitality platform created by and for touring cyclists. In that case he would contact hosts a few days before he expected to arrive in a community and ask whether they could take him.

“That worked astonishingly quite well, even though it was the pandemic year. It was actually pretty cool,” he said, adding some people told him they couldn’t host at that time, but many were still willing to do so with some precautions. 

He pointed out long-distance cyclists are kind of self-isolating anyway. He often went a week to 10 days without meeting anyone.

“I’m aware of the risk and I try to avoid contact as much as possible,” he said. “But if people in the bigger cities are willing to host me, that’s okay.”

The Great Trail purposefully intends to connect Canadians and communities and is routed to goes through towns and smaller communities, so Baumgarten got to see a good swath of Canadian life in addition to the countryside. He also took some detours that took him far off the straighter path on the advice of people he met along the way — going back to the Gaspé and along the eastern Great Lakes instead of cutting across Ontario from London, for example, and travelling far south of Calgary and the route over the Rockies to visit Drumheller. 

“I’m really happy I did those detours. That’s actually what makes my tour so special, especially for me,” Baumgarten said. “It’s not like I want to establish a new record, going east to west. I really took my time in order to get the most out of this trip: meeting locals, seeing special places, and changing myself, being on that trail.”

Having finished his cross-country ride at the end of November, Baumgarten did a side tour of the Sunshine Coast and the Gulf Islands. He arrived on Salt Spring just before Christmas and is currently volunteering on a farm in exchange for accommodation. When he departs again depends somewhat on the border situation and when non-essential travel can once again cross. 

Baumgarten is putting together a slide show about his trip and posting content to YouTube. Email him at andrebaumgarten@posteo.de to get the links. He can also be heard discussing his trip on the online show Eh! Canada Travel at www.ehcanadatravel.com/blog/#talkshow.

RCMP Sgt. Seabrook settles into role

Elizabeth Nolan
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RCMP Sgt. Seabrook settles into role

Salt Spring’s new RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Clive Seabrook is making strides toward getting to know the community after being on the job for a busy couple of months.

Seabrook hit the ground running when he took up the post last fall, when the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was inflaming existing tensions in the downtown Ganges area. The disruptive and violent behaviour that’s come to mar Centennial Park and the surrounding business community is a complex issue with no easy solution. But the 15-year RCMP member brings with him considerable life and career experience that makes him amply qualified for managing island matters. At the same, his excitement for the posting and the opportunity to live on Salt Spring with his family promises a bond with the community at large.

Originally from Prince Rupert, Seabrook said he is very familiar with small-town living. He came to policing later in life, having first been a businessman who was active in the town’s chamber of commerce and Rotary Club.

“I came to a place and time where I was ready to make a change, and I kind of saw it as a continuation of my community service activities,” Seabrook said. 

Seabrook was most recently stationed in Port Alberni, where he was detachment head in his final year. Prior to that he spent eight years in plain clothes investigating serious crimes. Throughout his career he has done everything from frontline policing to traffic patrols to investigating homicides. 

The RCMP notified Seabrook of his new posting in October of 2019 but the transfer was delayed by having to sell his family home and then by COVID-19. He feels the totality of his previous career will benefit his work on Salt Spring and its diverse demographic.

Unruly behaviour at Centennial Park has been the top issue Seabrook has heard about from community members since being on Salt Spring, and a major focus of his daily work. He pointed out that police are left to respond to the results of that behaviour and they wish to help with a solution, but at the same time the roots of the problem are not really a policing matter.

“The people there need supports and a place to go,” Seabrook said, “which is why I’m trying not to be too heavy-handed there. It’s not like the people there have a million choices and this is what they’ve chosen to do.”

Since coming to Salt Spring he’s been keeping a presence downtown, visiting people in the park and the surrounding businesses, and also attending Zoom meetings and conference calls with multiple community members. Over the past few weeks he’s stepped up those visits to at least once or twice a day whenever he’s on shift, and community members have reported a positive impact in the park environs.

“My objective is just hearing everyone’s voice and hearing how the police can assist,” Seabrook explained. “I’m a firm believer in the collaborative approach to solving issues.”

He added the police can be one of the partner groups working toward a solution, but the solution cannot rest on them alone. 

Seabrook is certified as an expert in drug trafficking relating to a variety of different drugs, including cocaine, meth and fentanyl. This means he is often called to give testimony at trials with his opinion on whether a drug was in someone’s possession for the reasons of trafficking or not. He was one of only two officers with expert knowledge of fentanyl during the early years of the overdose crisis on Vancouver Island. He also has experience working with people with addictions and has compassion for their struggles, which he feels is a valuable tool for helping with the situation in downtown Ganges.

“I understand the challenges of people with addictions and the trauma that generally goes with it,” Seabrook said.

Seabrook noted the province was making headway on its campaign to reduce overdose tragedies, supporting people to keep naloxone kits and getting the message out to users to not use alone. COVID-19 appears to have reversed that work, because now people are told they have to be alone and many have reported their mental health has declined. His focus is normally on the trafficking end, which may not be a huge problem on the island but is nonetheless a concern.

“I haven’t seen a place where there hasn’t been trafficking, so the assumption is it’s here,” Seabrook said, noting he has recently made some related arrests on the island and will be watching the situation.

Another tool Seabrook brings to the table is being a good communicator who can acknowledge all the different sides of a situation. He also has his own experience of trauma, having survived the Queen of the North ferry-sinking with his family in 2006. Although that is not something he likes to talk about, he agreed all his different life experiences have combined to make him empathetic to people in crisis. 

On a personal level, the sergeant and his family are happy to be on the island and to have received a warm welcome to their new home. Although Salt Spring is a limited posting detachment with a four-year maximum stay, Seabrook says he can’t foresee any reason they would want to leave before that.

“It’s a really good place to work and it’s a great group of people, both the members and the support staff. Everyone lives here and wants to make the community a great place to live. It’s a passion for people,” he said.

Tug sinking sees fuel spill action

Elizabeth Nolan
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Tug sinking sees fuel spill action

Strong winds and heavy rain that hit the coast in the early hours last Wednesday caused damage to more than just the hydro grid, with impacts along Salt Spring’s north-western tip including the sinking of a tug boat that caused a diesel fuel spill. 

The high tide at Ganges Harbour was forecast for 3.7 metres (12.1 feet) that morning, which did not account for extra surges caused by the wind. Driftwood logs were thrown up in a massive tumble on Vesuvius Beach after the storm and oyster farm rafts that had previously been hard hit on Booth Bay lost many of their remaining floats. Neighbours of Wahl Marine Construction on McGill Road reported a tug owned by the business was also victim to the wind and waves.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada personnel confirmed the Coast Guard was notified by the owner of an 11-metre (36-foot) tug on Jan. 13 that the boat had broken loose of its moorings off the north end of Salt Spring during the storm.

“The tug was located sunk in 14 metres (45 feet) of water, 91 metres (300 feet) offshore south of Stone Cutters Bay. Diesel fuel was observed upwelling from the vessel by the owner,” DFO stated.

The owner deployed a sorbent boom. An initial National Aerial Surveillance Program  overflight conducted on the morning of the 13th noted 97.5 litres on the water. A non-recoverable sheen continued to be present on the water near the site and drifting towards Penelakut Island, DFO said. 

“A salvage contractor was hired by the owner. The contractor attempted to plug the fuel vents on Jan. 13 but was unsuccessful,” DFO stated.

For more on this story, see the Jan. 20, 2021 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

SENENSKY, Sylvia Shannon

Driftwood Obituary
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SENENSKY, Sylvia Shannon

Sylvia Shannon Senensky
August 4, 1944 – December 15, 2020

With great sadness the family of Sylvia Senensky announces her passing on December 15, 2020, peacefully, at the age of 76. 

Sylvia was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was passionate about travel, art, and archetypal mythology. She spent time living in Israel, Zurich, Guelph, and Toronto before moving to Salt Spring Island with her late husband, Roger Middleton. She traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa and New Zealand. 

Sylvia had a thriving career as a Jungian analyst and gave many lectures and workshops exploring the dark feminine. In 2003 she published Healing and Empowering the Feminine: A Labyrinth Journey.

Sylvia is survived by her sister, Benita, stepdaughter, Tara (Marek) and grandchildren, Avery and Tyler.

Special thanks to the wonderful and caring staff of Lady Minto Hospital Extended Care.

A celebration of life will occur at a future date.

BRUCE, Jason Matthew

Driftwood Obituary
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BRUCE, Jason Matthew

Jason Matthew Bruce
January 31, 1974 ~ January 18, 2021
Unexpectedly but peacefully, in Ottawa on January 18, 2021, of natural causes, our beloved Jason left us far too soon. We are all heartbroken.
Jason is mourned by his mother, Deborah Hanscom, his stepmother Amrita Bruce, fathers, Allan Bruce and Allan Rock, his extended family of a sister and brothers; Julian Bruce (Serena), Lauren Rock, Andrew Rock (Jane) and Steven Rock (Jenna) and by Wenke Schliemann whom he loved deeply. Jason was a kind, and caring person with a big heart and a friendly smile for everyone.

He confronted his challenges with courage and character. What deepens our sadness at his loss, was the joy he gave to others through his playful nature, his loyal friendship and his trusting way. Jason’s gentle soul was not equipped to confront the harsher challenges of life and he struggled to find a place for himself in this tumultuous world. His death leaves an empty space in our lives and a painful ache in our hearts.

BARNES, Patricia Anne (Lloyd-Walters) nee Mckenzie

Driftwood Obituary
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BARNES, Patricia Anne (Lloyd-Walters) nee Mckenzie

Patricia Anne Barnes,
(Lloyd-Walters) nee Mckenzie.
1936 – 2021

We are sad to announce the recent passing of Patricia Anne Barnes. Born New Westminster B.C. April 16 1936 to parents Alice Elizabeth and John Wesley McKenzie, died January 6 2021 at her home on Salt Spring Island.

She was predeceased by husband Kenneth Avery Barnes, and Hugh Peter Lloyd-Walters, her sons Thomas and Ronald, grandson Jason, her sister Cathy and brothers David and Jack. 

She leaves to mourn, sisters Margie and Leslie, son Keith (Sherie), daughter Sue (Mike) and numerous stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

Pat’s early years were in Websters Corners, and then on Galiano Island where in 1952 she married Hugh Lloyd-Walters, and then with three sons moved to Campbell River in 1962. Susan joined the family in 1963.

Pat worked in a variety of fields including assistant librarian, airline dispatcher and hospital administration. She moved to Salt Spring Island with husband Hugh and worked in real estate until his death, and then with Ken they enjoyed many years in her gardens and at the market and the thrift stores.

The sun has gone over the hill,
The world and its troubles seem far away
And the island is silent and still
~ JW Mckenzie

No service by request. A gathering of family and friends when we can, to be announced.

Salt Spring RCMP Provide Fourth-Quarter Statistics for 2020

Contributed Article
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Salt Spring RCMP Provide Fourth-Quarter Statistics for 2020

Salt Spring’s RCMP detachment has released the following report about calls for service in the fourth quarter of 2020. Its members responded to 2,978 calls in the entire 2020 calendar year, averaging eight to nine calls per day. 

There were 745 calls for service between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2020. In addition to these 700+ calls for service, Salt Spring RCMP conducted 127 vehicle stops (violation tickets and warnings), 114 licensed premises checks (bar walks) and 362 foot patrols through Centennial Park and other areas. Statistically, this means that of the 92 days in this fourth-quarter period, Salt Spring RCMP conducted one bar walk per day, four foot patrols per day, more than one traffic stop per day, and eight to nine calls for service per day. 

Amongst the 745 calls on Salt Spring in this fourth quarter, there were four sexual assaults, 11 firearms calls and 25 COVID-related calls for police response. There were three separate investigations into child pornography/distribution here on Salt Spring Island. There were 113 mental health calls, accounting for 15 per cent of the total call volume in the fourth quarter. There were also 44 calls requesting police attendance at Centennial Park and surrounding areas for complaints including public drinking, dogs off leash, cause disturbance, assault, mischief, drug trafficking and assault with a weapon.

Some of the calls for this quarter are detailed below:

October 2020

– Salt Spring RCMP entered into an investigation of deer poaching from the central Island area. 

  • SSI RCMP responded to a missing person report; the male was later located in Victoria.
  • Police received another report of deer poaching at night from the east part of the island.

– A ‘road rage’ and hit & run incident was reported to police that occurred in downtown Ganges. 

– SSI RCMP responded to a suicidal person trying to steal a boat and drown themselves. The person was located and provided with care.

– Police responded to a report of arrows being shot from bows in Centennial Park. 

– Five different drivers were charged with immediate roadside prohibitions in the month of October for impaired driving. 

– In the month of October, SSI RCMP received multiple reports of people trespassing or camping on both private and commercial properties in downtown Ganges.

– Salt Spring RCMP received an unconfirmed complaint of a group of people who stabbed a dog to death and threw its carcass on a bonfire.

– Police received a request for a check well-being for a male who had not been communicating recently with family/friends; police attended the male’s residence and confirmed his health.

– Police were called to mediate a situation between a landlord and a departing tenant; the personal belongings were obtained by the tenant and they left the property without further incident.

– Salt Spring RCMP responded to an assault in the Centennial Park area; the victim chose not to provide a statement and requested police not pursue any investigation.

– A brown bear swimming in the ocean towards Ruckle Park was reported to police. 

– Police responded to multiple false alarm calls at business and private residences throughout SSI.

– Salt Spring RCMP received a complaint of people trespassing on the roof of a local school. Upon arrival, multiple youths were seen leaving the area quickly.

– Police were advised of a fight between youths; one youth was arrested and a recommendation for charges was forwarded to Crown.

– Police responded to a report of firearms being discharged form shore at passing boats on St. Mary Lake. Police determined the firearm to be a pellet gun and no injuries to person or property were found. A warning was issued to the owner and his friends.

– Police were advised of a known male exposing himself in downtown Ganges; police investigated and recommended the laying of charges for indecent exposure to Crown.

– Police were called to an opioid overdose; police administered Naloxone and assisted EHS with his transport to Lady Minto Hospital.

– A male was arrested by SSI RCMP after he repeatedly punched another male for making comments about his dog. Charges were recommended to Crown. 

– On Hallowe’en night, Salt Spring RCMP responded to a male being shot by a firework. The male was uninjured and the youths who shot the firework fled the scene.

  • A female was given a 3-day immediate roadside prohibition for drinking and driving.

November 2020

– Police received reports of a person camping and showering in the Ecological Reserve waterfall area; police attended and directed the camper to leave the area.

– SSI RCMP were called to a lost hiker and children; police, family and neighbours found the hikers and escorted them from the reserve.

– Police were called to multiple persons smoking, drinking and letting their dogs run loose in Centennial Park.

– Police responded to a break & enter in progress at a local residence; the male was arrested on the property and transported to cells. A charge of break & enter has been recommended.

– Salt Spring RCMP responded to a report of multiple people attending a discussion group with a band playing music at a local business and no one social distancing or wearing masks. A report was submitted by police to the public health officer for a review and possible charges.

– Police were called to a theft in progress at a downtown business; the male was arrested by police and, with the assistance of various members of the public, he was removed from the building and placed into a police car. Because of the racial slurs being uttered and physical altercation that took place, police recommended charges to Crown of assault and public incitement of hatred.

– Police responded to multiple calls of both business and residential alarms throughout the Island; most calls were deemed to be false or accidental in nature.

– A criminal harassment complaint was received regarding ongoing, unwanted emails; the sender of the emails was directed to stop communicating or be charged.

– SSI RCMP received a report of a tenant being aggressive and confrontational with other tenants. Police attended and apprehended the male under the Mental Health Act for assessment at Lady Minto Hospital.

– Police were contacted regarding property stolen from an unlocked vehicle; a suspect was identified but the victim stated he didn’t want the investigation to continue or charges be laid.

– A report of bad driving was made to police after a vehicle was seen travelling on the wrong side of the road and at slow speeds. The vehicle and driver were found and as an explanation, they advised they were simply following the directions of their GPS.

– Police received an off-Island request for a check well-being on a person with no known address but believed to be living somewhere on SSI. Police located the person and confirmed no mental health concerns.

– A bicycle was stolen from the downtown area.

– Police received a report of a person selling cigarettes to a minor. The seller was found by police and a warning was issued.

– Salt Spring RCMP were advised of a male walking around downtown with a machete tied to his waist. Police responded immediately but the male was gone prior to police arrival.

  • A missing person was reported to Salt Spring RCMP; the male was later found in Victoria.

 – Police conducted a road block and checked drivers for impaired driving.

– RCMP were advised of two Americans currently on Salt Spring Island who were not in quarantine. SSI RCMP found the Americans and determined they had been deemed “essential workers” by the government and did not have to quarantine.

– A male was found to be trespassing at night at a downtown business; the male was arrested for trespass by night.

– A report of harassment on Facebook was received by police.

– Police received a report of intoxicated persons at downtown businesses; another report of an assault in a different downtown location was simultaneously received. Police responded to both locations. 

– Police observed a vehicle driving unsafely on the roadway; a traffic stop was conducted and the male was found to be driving while impaired. Charges were laid and the vehicle impounded.

– Police responded to a report of a vehicle, which was left in gear with no driver inside, that rolled across a roadway, down a slope and into the ocean. The vehicle was eventually removed from the ocean by a tow truck on a barge.

– SSI RCMP received a request to execute a warrant on a male living on Salt Spring Island. Police located the male and executed the warrant; SSI RCMP also requested additional charges for the male who was found to be driving illegally.

– Police responded to a collision involving a vehicle driving in Ganges without brakes.

– Police received a report of firearms being discharged without a firearms licence. Police found the male who had been shooting on a farm property with a licensed friend.

December

– Police received a report of a male exposing himself to youths in Mouat Park. The male was identified by police as the subject of an ongoing Indecent Act investigation.

– SSI RCMP received a report of lost tourists hiking on Salt Spring; the two hikers were eventually found by police.

– Police responded to numerous COVID-related calls in December. Some businesses were reminded about the need for staff and patrons to wear masks; many individual patrons were reminded about provincial health guidelines and mask-wearing. A homeowner who threw a large party on Salt Spring was warned repeatedly about gatherings and mask-wearing – after refusing to shut the party down, a $2,300 violation ticket was issued.

– Police responded to a call of a male trapped in a residence for the past 12 years – the male was subsequently apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to Lady Minto Hospital for assessment.

– SSI RCMP were advised of a situation where parents were refusing to provide the necessities of life for their child. After discussion with police and allied agencies, the parents agreed for the baby to be further examined and medically treated.

– Police responded to a fight in Centennial Park where the parties were subsequently separated. Shortly thereafter, one of the parties returned to the Park and broke a business’ window. An arrest was made and charges for Mischief have been recommended to Crown.

– A mental health apprehension took place after a male was found in a local business screaming “Someone will have to die today.”

– Police were called by a Salt Spring resident who asked for police to come out and start his generator due to the current power outage. A few days later, police were called by the same resident asking for police to retrieve him a cold bottle of water from his fridge. The role of the police on Salt Spring Island was explained to the resident.

– Police responded to a complaint in Centennial Park of multiple people drinking and causing a disturbance. After repeatedly being asked to leave, a male was arrested for cause disturbance and resist arrest.

– SSI RCMP were advised of multiple fraudulent transactions that occurred in downtown businesses after a reported lost debit card. The female conducting the frauds has yet to be identified.

– On Christmas Day, police received a report of a missing individual possibly near the Ecological Reserve. Search & Rescue services were requested and they began a comprehensive grid search lasting for hours. The male was later found, and was determined to have gone over to a friend’s for a Christmas party.

– A hit & run was reported; police attended the scene and determined the driver had been drinking. A 90-day immediate roadside prohibition was issued.

– Police received a report of a stolen vehicle; the investigation is continuing. 

– Police received a complaint of four males fighting in the downtown area; upon police arrival, the males had stopped fighting and were leaving the area. It was alleged the fight started because of someone cheating at chess.

– Police attended a residence for a check well-being request; it was determined the resident was fine and able to care for themselves. 

In light of continuing COVID measures, Salt Spring residents are encouraged to wear masks, not gather in large groups indoors, and be respectful to each other. 

Bread makers seek support

Driftwood Staff
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Bread makers seek support

The owners of Francis Bread on Churchill Road are asking for support to demonstrate there’s community need for their business to stay open while a rezoning application is being processed.

Francis Bread offers handmade bread made from B.C.-grown grains. The proprietors are seeking to rezone the property from residential to commercial to allow a home-based business with a commercial kitchen and to make two accommodation units legal. As per Salt Spring Local Trust Committee policy, applicants who are in contravention of the land-use bylaw can request the LTC temporarily cease bylaw enforcement action and permit continuing use while the application is being considered, which may be granted if there is community need for that activity. 

The LTC is set to consider the matter at their Jan. 19 business meeting. Correspondence can be directed to trustees through the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee webpage. There will also be an opportunity for members of the public to speak during the town hall portion of Tuesday’s meeting.

Local vaccine clinic set for high-risk tier

Elizabeth Nolan
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Local vaccine clinic set for high-risk tier

The first doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine are expected to be arriving on Salt Spring in the week beginning Jan. 18 for immunization of high-risk health-care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.

Members of that high-priority group who are able to travel have recently started to have vaccinations in Victoria. A Salt Spring clinic day means those who don’t have easy access to the city will also soon be on their way toward achieving COVID-19 immunity.

Aletha Humphreys, executive director of Greenwoods Eldercare Society, received her first vaccine dose at Victoria General Hospital on Sunday, and will get her second dose around 35 days later. She is happy to also have all the necessary consent forms and doctors’ orders in place so that residents of the Greenwoods complex care home can receive vaccines on site from a public health team. 

Many residents of the Braehaven assisted living facility have also signed up, Humphreys said.

“There’s a high level of interest, which is heartening. We have some residents who are vaccine hesitant and wouldn’t normally get the flu vaccine who are wiling to do this for COVID,” Humphreys reported. 

Island Health is following B.C.’s Vaccination Plan, which prioritizes residents and staff in long-term care and assisted-living situations, individuals in hospital or the community awaiting placement in long-term care, essential visitors to long-term care and assisted-living sites, hospital workers, paramedics, public health officials, and remote and isolated First Nations communities. The health authority has asked people in the broader community to remain patient because the plan does not allow booking of immunization appointments for the general public at this time. An Island Health press release issued last Thursday states a detailed approach for a mass vaccination strategy is being developed and more details are expected in the weeks ahead. 

Early vaccine roll-out was hampered by supply issues to some degree. Humphreys said it was easy to register online for her appointment in Victoria, but the first date was cancelled and rescheduled. Increasing supply will see more clinics scheduled across the Island Health area for high-priority groups in the coming weeks, however, and other at-risk sectors are expected to be vaccinated beginning in February.

Humphreys said she never imagined the full scale of the pandemic impact when she moderated a discussion with Dr. Kevin Patterson on the topic for the Salt Spring Forum last March. 

“I also didn’t think there would be a vaccine before the end of the year. That’s been incredible,” she said.

The past year has been a tense one at Greenwoods and Braehaven as staff have strived to keep residents at both facilities safe. At the same time, they have responded to the crisis by making a number of improvements and innovations with infection-control protocols.

“The team’s really pulled together,” Humphreys said. “But it has been taxing, and the biggest concern has been ensuring residents maintain contact with their families. So the vaccines have been great because they have given that optimism in the process.”

Both the Greenwoods and wider communities have meanwhile provided much-needed support. Humphreys said she is grateful because the society’s annual appeal was very successful last year and donors have been generous, families have been amazingly understanding and residents have shown incredible perseverance.

“We’re just so fortunate to be here,” she added.

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