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Viewpoint: Time to rededicate peace efforts worldwide

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Viewpoint: Time to rededicate peace efforts worldwide

By JAN SLAKOV

On Aug. 6 and 9, Canada’s Dominion Carilloneur, Dr. Andrea McCrady, will ring the largest bell in the Peace Tower 75 times. People all around the world will be able to hear it, as it will be audio live-streamed.

Seeing those dates, you may have a hunch why: because 2020 is the 75th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Canada was involved in the Manhattan Project that built the bombs — with Canadian uranium.

There is, at least tangentially, a Salt Spring connection to the special bell-ringing commemoration of this anniversary. It was our MP, Elizabeth May, who asked that the bells in the Peace Tower be part of a nation-wide Bells for Peace commemoration effort, a request which House speaker Anthony Rota was pleased to accommodate. 

For decades, Salt Springers have gathered annually to commemorate the bombings. We want never to forget the horror of war, particularly nuclear war, and to rededicate our efforts for peace. Holding the event at the Peace Park — Heiwa (or “peace”) Garden — is a way to remember also our own troubled history with respect to Japanese-Canadians and ongoing racism.

This year’s event will feature singer-songwriters Sue Newman (who wrote a song specifically for Hiroshima Day) and Susan Devor Cogan, who is well-known in both Israel and Canada as a folk-world-jazz vocalist. It is truly an honour that such gifted artists would show up, year after year, for these gatherings.

Why commemorate such horrible events? Just as we need, as individuals, to acknowledge mistakes in order to learn from them, as a society, we need to learn how our forebears engaged in horrors, so we stand a better chance of avoiding similar acts. Germany’s experience is instructive. Police cadets enrol in a multi-year program with classes in law, ethics and police history, which includes learning from Holocaust survivors. In Germany, police are trained to focus on communication and de-escalation; rates of police-involved injuries and killings are much lower than in the U.S. or Canada.

An emphasis on communication and de-escalation in international relations would surely make us all much more secure. That is why peace activists across Canada are mobilizing to get the Canadian government to drop its plan to buy new fighter jets, at the astronomical price of $19 billion. Just the cost of running an F-35 for one hour is well over $40,000, which is considerably more than most bank tellers make in a year. It’s worth asking our government whether fighter jets actually provide us with “security” and whether we might not get much more by redirecting those resources. (We don’t need to ask our MP; she’s already on record as opposing the plan to buy more fighter jets.)

Salt Spring’s commemoration will start at 5 p.m., but anyone who is able to help with maintaining the gardens in the park (right across from ArtSpring) is invited to come earlier, at 4 p.m., to chip in. There will also be a Hibakusha Remembrance webinar at noon on the internet featuring the renowned Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford (whose family has strong Salt Spring ties!), Dr. Jonathan Down and Margritte Gordaneer, founder of McGill Students for Peace and Disarmament. For more information, please call or email janslakov@shaw.ca or 250-537-5251.

CRD updates Saturday market plan

Driftwood Staff
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CRD updates Saturday market plan

The Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission has released its plan for reopening the Saturday market, which will include new protocols and a limited capacity for vendors and visitors.

According to a CRD press release, since July 16 the CRD has allowed up to 20 vendors to purchase park use permits to set up in Centennial Park ahead of a new market coordinator starting her position on Aug. 1. On Saturday, July 25, 11 vendors were in attendance and a similar number the Saturday before that.

Starting Saturday, Aug. 8, the market will open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a limited capacity.

“We will be increasing from the current 20 vendor cap as we continue to assess distancing requirements and other safety protocols,” Salt Spring Parks & Rec general manager Dan Ovington told the Driftwood on Tuesday. “The number of available spaces will also depend on the sizes of the vendor booths that have booked. Some vendors have four-foot booths and some have 10-foot booths.”

The market is planned to operate on Saturdays until Oct. 31, with an overflow market on Fridays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for those vendors that cannot be accommodated on Saturdays. Spaces will be allocated based on product variety and seniority.

Inquiries regarding the market can be directed to MarketinthePark@crd.bc.ca.

 

APTEKMANN, Rita Vera

Driftwood Obituary
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APTEKMANN, Rita Vera

Rita Vera Aptekmann

Born 10th December 1926 Mannheim Germany
Passed 24th July 2020 Salt Spring Island BC

Beloved wife and soul mate of Leon for the past 60 years.

Rita was a one-of-a-kind woman, an extraordinary champion for the environment and animal rights causes locally on Saltspring, within British Columbia, Canada, around the World. Rita loved the hiking club and many adventures in the Americas, Europe and Africa. Her kindness and generosity touched many people’s lives, along with a spectacular smile and an incredible sense of humor. She will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the BCSPCA or Lady Minto Hospital, as per her wishes.
A heart too big for this World.
Rest In Peace.
A celebration of life to be notified in the future.

Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association July 27 Message to the Community

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Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association July 27 Message to the Community

As numbers of COVID cases increase across the province, closer inspection reveals that a disproportionate number of these originated in Kelowna due to just a few larger gatherings and a relaxation in social distancing. If we want to keep our hard-earned freedoms over the rest of the summer, all of us must continue to do our part and follow the rules. 

For the sake of our local businesses, farmers and artisans who are all struggling to stay open, please follow the rules whether in a pub, at the market, or in the grocery store. If you are travelling off Salt Spring or welcoming visitors to your home, remember that these activities could bring the virus into our community.

All Salt Spring medical clinics are open and our local family physicians are seeing patients.  Please be patient with staff as they do their best to keep you safe.

Finally, if you think you should be screened for COVID, please call 1-844-901-8442 and they will arrange an appointment for you at Lady Minto Hospital.

Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association Message to the Community

Contributed Article
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Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association Message to the Community

As numbers of COVID cases increase across the province, closer inspection reveals that a disproportionate number of these originated in Kelowna due to just a few larger gatherings and a relaxation in social distancing. If we want to keep our hard-earned freedoms over the rest of the summer, all of us must continue to do our part and follow the rules. 

For the sake of our local businesses, farmers and artisans who are all struggling to stay open, please follow the rules whether in a pub, at the market, or in the grocery store. If you are travelling off Salt Spring or welcoming visitors to your home, remember that these activities could bring the virus into our community.

All Salt Spring medical clinics are open and our local family physicians are seeing patients.  Please be patient with staff as they do their best to keep you safe.

Finally, if you think you should be screened for COVID, please call 1-844-901-8442 and they will arrange an appointment for you at Lady Minto Hospital.

New group graduates from Search and Rescue

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New group graduates from Search and Rescue

BY CHRIS ROWTHORN

SPECIAL TO THE DRIFTWOOD

Even in these unusual times, life goes on: people still go hiking, climb mountains, get lost, and get injured. Fortunately, even during this pandemic, Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue has continued working and has even managed to train a new crop of five team members. The five trainees, known as members-in-training or MITs, are expected to graduate at the end of this month.

Salt Spring Search and Rescue, or SSISAR, has been in existence since 1989 and currently comprises 38 members. Members range in age from 20-somethings to 70-somethings and come from all walks of life. Women make up a significant number of members and are actively welcomed by the team.

Naturally, SSISAR responds to a variety of calls on Salt Spring itself, ranging from lost hikers in Ruckle Park to individuals with dementia who have wandered away from care facilities. SSISAR also performs non-search tasks like notifying pod residents of evacuation orders, and, following the windstorm of December 2018, they did wellness checks of housebound island residents and delivered vital supplies. SSISAR is also responsible for searches and rescues on the other southern Gulf Islands.

Of course, there aren’t that many incidents that require searches in the southern Gulf Islands, and much of SSISAR’s work involves offering assistance to other SAR organizations in the province of B.C. These so-called “mutual aid” missions frequently take the team to Vancouver Island, but they also participate in searches all across mainland B.C. 

SSISAR usually trains new members once a year. Training takes about six months, with two-hour meetings held once or twice a week. Training covers all aspects of search and rescue and includes such topics as wilderness survival, compass and GPS skills, map reading, radio work, search techniques, tracking, rope skills and evacuation techniques. SAR members are also required to complete a basic first aid course. There are plenty of opportunities for members to deepen their knowledge of particular skills, and senior members offer excellent and supportive mentorship.

This year’s crop of five MITs underwent training in circumstances utterly different from those of previous years. Even book-based training was often held outdoors, and social distancing and hygiene regulations were strictly adhered to. Despite the unusual circumstances, the group came through their training with flying colours.

Conrad Bowden, a senior member who’s been training the new recruits, says, “This years MITs are very solid. They have shown commitment and enthusiasm for the training and an ability to work independently and cooperatively. They are fit and capable, like being outdoors, and like engaging in practical tasks.”

So why do people decide to join SSISAR? Adam Geddes, a recent transplant to the island from Vancouver, says, “I was first exposed to the SAR world a number of years ago by a first-aid instructor. During our class a few search and rescue stories worked their way into scenarios and conversation. After that course the idea of joining a SAR group was always in the back of my mind. When my wife and I made the decision to relocate from Vancouver, that same day I emailed SSISAR and asked about joining! It was a way to connect with locals who knew the island and to help integrate myself after moving to a new community.”

Another MIT, Adam Lynes-Ford, saw a search and rescue team in action and that spurred his interest.

He says, “When I was a kid we spent a lot of time adventuring around outside on the island. I never gave a thought to getting lost or stuck outside until one of my friends got stuck up one of the cliffsides we liked to climb around on. Search and Rescue came and got him down, and the resourceful and helpful volunteers made an impression on me.”

What do MITs get out of their training? Sam Moore, another MIT, reports, “Training has taught me valuable navigation skills and has been a great place to practise critical thinking. As a bonus, outside of SAR tasks, it has made me more confident in the outdoors.”

Another new member, Dan Snowsill, says that SAR gave him “an introduction to a range of skills I never knew I needed. I also got to meet some great people I didn’t know on the island and got to know a few people better.”

SSISAR is always looking for new members. SAR manager and training officer Zeke Blazecka says, “Those that like being outdoors, as part of a team of like-minded individuals, will find a high level of satisfaction helping others within the search and rescue mandate.”

Anyone interested in SSISAR should start by visiting the website at https://saltspringsar.org/.

Viewpoint: Grocery worker criticism not deserved

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Viewpoint: Grocery worker criticism not deserved

By CHRIS ROWTHORN

I am writing in response to David Rapport’s op-ed titled “Essential services demand essential responsibilities” (July 15) and A. White’s op-ed titled “Store practices questioned” (June 24). Both writers expressed concern about the fact that most Country Grocer employees do not wear masks while working.

First, let me say that I share their concern: Since the pandemic spread to Canada, I have been wearing masks whenever I go into stores, a practice I continue to this day. I strongly believe that masks are critical to stopping the spread of the virus, and I think that the success of some East Asian countries in controlling the virus is due to their cultural acceptance of mask wearing.

That said, I feel uncomfortable about members of the public criticizing workers who place themselves in harm’s way so that we can eat. I would ask that we consider how we feel when we go into a shop. It’s scary. You’re entering an environment you cannot control and coming into contact with people who may not be social distancing. The people who work at Country Grocer and other stores have to endure that feeling for several hours at a time, day in and day out. And few of them have any choice in the matter: They do it to support their families and keep a roof over their heads.

Furthermore, most of us have to wear a mask for just a few minutes at a time, and even then it’s uncomfortable. Is it really our right to dictate that the workers at Country Grocer wear them for up to eight hours at a time? If we have the luxury of working from home, I think we should be careful of the demands we place on those who do not have this luxury.

Given that the good people of Country Grocer and other island shops are literally putting their lives at risk so that we may eat, I think that there is only one response that we can have toward them: gratitude. Deep, honest and heartfelt gratitude. The last thing these people need is criticism from those of us who benefit from their services. Obviously, I hope that this gratitude extends beyond merely putting up signs thanking “front line heroes.” Such signs are great, but let’s hope that these wishes translate into support for fair living wages and job security. Salt Spring is a special place, and I think that this type of change might actually occur.

Finally, it should be noted that Country Grocer still has a policy of allowing only seniors and other vulnerable people into the shop during the first hour of business each day. Those who are especially concerned about infection can safely shop during this time. For those even more concerned, food delivery services are available from Copper Kettle, an island charity that can be found online.

Next phase of Croftonbrook permits up for consideration

Elizabeth Nolan
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Next phase of Croftonbrook permits up for consideration

Islanders Working Against Violence will be appearing before the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee on July 28 hoping to secure a development permit and some variances needed for the final phase of an affordable housing development at Croftonbrook.

Construction on the Phase-2 apartment complex for seniors is proceeding, with work on the 22-unit building now underway. Phase 3 will be a multi-family building with 34 units.

“Our goal is to really create affordability and accessibility. For people that are having lower incomes, it’s really really hard to find housing,” IWAV executive director Kisae Petersen told the Driftwood. “It’s a good mix, and we’re really excited to provide housing to families, to people working in the community, and people needing clean new housing.”

IWAV is requesting to increase the numbers of storeys permitted in the final building from two to three, with a total height variance of 1.9 metres (just over six feet). The development variance permit application also includes requests to decrease the setbacks from a waterbody.

The project has received funding from government agencies and comes with a 60-year operating agreement with BC Housing. A change to the program through which the BC Housing funds are flowing, however, means that 18 units previously planned to serve people experiencing homelessness are no longer part of the picture.

The current program provides for 20 per cent of the total units in Phases 2 and 3 to be subsidized housing rented at shelter allowance rates. Another 50 per cent will offer rents geared to individuals’ income levels, and the final 30 per cent will be at “near market rates.”

The construction project has not been welcomed by some people who already live at Croftonbrook. Residents of the original duplex homes for seniors and people with disabilities say they have been severely impacted by Phase-2 construction noise and don’t want to continue having their lives disturbed for the next year or more.

Resident Jessica Garceau has submitted several letters to planners regarding the impact.

“Too much is being asked of this vulnerable population and its neighbours and even IWAV itself,” Garceau said in a letter dated June 26. “IWAV shouldn’t bear the brunt for the whole of Salt Spring’s affordable housing issues and if they choose to do so, they shouldn’t place it all here. This is not their work site, this is our homes, however modest.”

Petersen said that IWAV is very aware of that impact. The timing of Phase 2 has been unfortunate with people stuck in their homes during the pandemic at the same time that major projects to lay in utilities and adjust the main entrance road have been taking place.

With that in mind, a three-week break in construction has been scheduled in August. Petersen said the work to install utilities and other systems covered both phases, so at least there will not be a repeat of that noise when Phase 3 begins. IWAV does not support shortening the construction day, however, since that will just make the overall period longer.

Opposition to the proposed variance has also been registered by the Cottonwood Close strata residents living next door, who do not wish to see a three-storey building anywhere on the property. The strata additionally objects to a plan to divert the brook.

IWAV had initially asked for a three-storey building in its earlier rezoning application. The organization removed that request after people became concerned about the fact it would have theoretically applied to the entire lot — which Petersen said was an unintended consequence. The DVP is a more appropriate tool, she said, because it applies to just one specific building.

Going to three storeys was the result of multiple draft designs. Petersen explained it would allow IWAV to include all 34 units in a smaller footprint that is outside Cottonwood Close sight lines. If the three-storey plan is denied, she said that will mean more months of design time to finalize an L-shaped model. Part of that building would then be within the sight lines. It would also be closer to existing residents and be much more costly for both construction and operations.

Complicating the siting issue are a number of constraints that limit the possibilities of where a new building could be placed, including the odd lot shape and its geography. A steep rocky section would require blasting plus more removal of trees and soil if the building was moved further north. Petersen said IWAV prefers to leave as much of the mature second-growth forest as possible.

The development variance permit is being considered alongside the development permit for the residential building and a separate suite of offices on the same property. IWAV intends to move six staff people to the Croftonbrook site from the space they currently lease in the Ganges courthouse building.

Petersen noted that sharing the space can be problematic for IWAV clients who are fleeing domestic violence. And in addition to the financial gain from not paying the lease to another body, having staff in place at Croftonbrook could benefit that community.

“It will be good to be present on the property. I think in some ways that will create more access to our services,” Petersen said.

The July 28 LTC meeting will be held electronically. See the meeting calendar on the Salt Spring page at islandstrust.bc.ca for information on how to participate.

Editorial: Croftonbrook expansion: Yes, it’s the right place

Driftwood Staff
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Editorial: Croftonbrook expansion: Yes, it’s the right place

Whenever a new development or land use is proposed on Salt Spring Island, it’s inevitable that the words “It’s not the right place” will be uttered.

That statement will often be preceded by sincere expressions of support for the initiative being discussed, but the person making those claims will insist there must be a better place for it. Somewhere further away from them, for sure.

Opposition to anything new is not only due to a Not In My Back Yard mentally, of course. But adding 54 dwelling units (in two phases) at the site of an existing 20-unit affordable housing development, as is being proposed by Islanders Working Against Violence for its two-hectare (five-acre) Croftonbrook property, is simply not unreasonable.

Yes, existing Croftonbrook residents and those living on nearby residential properties are bearing the brunt of the change and the construction activity. But adding multifamily dwelling units to an area that already has them is not inappropriate by any practical or land-use planning measure.   

The location meets other official community plan criteria for affordable housing developments, such as being close to Ganges and near a bus route. Where else close to town could or should this project be located? Appropriate available properties are scarce, and projects are already in the works for some of those.

In the end, the details of the finished project won’t really matter. There will be construction noise, increased traffic and a less peaceful existence for current residents whether a two- or three-storey building is built, or the tenants are seniors or families.

Very few properties on Salt Spring are not already subject to or vulnerable to a use — or neighbours — that will be annoying and negatively impact the level of serenity we have become accustomed to.

Our community desperately needs decent, affordable housing for far more residents than will be accommodated at an expanded Croftonbrook. Just as we are making sacrifices to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak on our island, some of us are being asked to make sacrifices to achieve a greater good, which is to help islanders who need housing while maintaining at least a semblance of diversity in our community.

Salt Spring’s Local Trust Committee needs to do the right thing at its meeting on Tuesday and help this invaluable project proceed as planned.

Painters’ Guild Summer Show opens July 27th

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Painters’ Guild Summer Show opens July 27th

SUBMITTED BY SSI PAINTERS GUILD

ArtSpring will open its doors to the public for the first time since March on Monday, July 27 for the annual Salt Spring Island Painters Guild Summer Show.

Thirty-five artists will be showing new paintings and prints in the gallery through to Aug. 5.

Guild members have taken advantage of this time of COVID to focus on their art and to produce new works to show. Many have commented that the cancellation of most activities has led to more time in front of their easels and more inspired paintings. The guild’s printmaking group has also been active, both online and recently in a carefully orchestrated studio day. 

In addition, the guild’s sketching group has a colourful and intriguing virtual show at https://ssipaintersguild.ca/sketchers-show/. It will run to the end of August. The group formed a year ago after an inspiring class with Bob Altwein and it now meets weekly at locations around the island to sketch local scenes and people. For more information people can email Ellie Casey at elliecasey1951@gmail.com.

The Summer Show is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, and to noon on the Aug. 5 closing day. Stringent precautions will be in place to keep visitors safe while they view the more than 60 paintings and prints.

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