Home Blog Page 356

Gary Holman Answers ASK Salt Spring’s Questions

Contributed Article
-
0
Gary Holman Answers ASK Salt Spring’s Questions

Q&A with Salt Spring CRD director Gary Holman compiled by ASK Salt Spring volunteer Gayle Baker.

Q. What are the most effective actions that have you taken to address the impact of this pandemic on Salt Spring?

A. This pandemic is unique because the provincial government and health officer have declared it a province-wide emergency, actually precluding local governments from making local declarations. The province delegated some authority to the CRD and Islands Trust to educate and inform people about provincial directives and guidance from the Provincial Health Office, but actual enforcement authority rests with the RCMP and Island Health.    

The primary role of the CRD during the pandemic has been to ensure continuity of essential services. In addition to CRD services, services provided by other organizations (e.g., recycling, library, ArtSpring, transit) that are funded by the CRD through contribution agreements are managed by these organizations, consistent with provincial direction. I have focused CRD grant-in-aid funding to the Salt Spring Foundation’s Emergency Fund and organizations like Community Services and Copper Kettle. 

In electoral areas like Salt Spring, regional districts are also responsible for emergency planning and coordination through emergency operation centres that have been opened in Victoria and on Salt Spring. Our local emergency program has been leading inter-agency meetings (including Island Health, BC Housing, fire district, RCMP, ambulance and paramedic services, CRD Housing, bylaw enforcement, PARC, Islands Trust, Community Services and Harbour Authority), which provide a useful forum to exchange information, identify service gaps and make recommendations to provincial authorities.         

Shelter and hygiene facilities, as well as health checks for the homeless, were identified as key concerns in EOC meetings, and a separate task force has been established by CRD Housing that is helping to secure funding. These EOC meetings also clarified that the economic impacts of the pandemic needed a particular focus. A Farm and Business Economic Recovery group, established under the leadership of Islands trustee Laura Patrick, CRD Community Economic Development Commission, Chamber of Commerce and Agricultural Alliance, is coordinating local recovery efforts including an online gift card program, a farm coordinator and an information hub for economic support programs.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has called on the federal government to increase funding for infrastructure and transit. I’m hoping that CRD Board support of a resolution to FCM by Southern Gulf Islands CRD director Dave Howe and myself to allow more flexibility in federal gas tax spending will enhance our ability to support local initiatives.

Q. What are the areas in which you have not been able to be as effective as hoped?

A. As previously reported by the Driftwood and in my last ASK Salt Spring responses, finding shelter and housing alternatives for the homeless has been an ongoing issue, on which we’re now starting to see some progress. Repeated public statements by the Premier of B.C., the Provincial Health Office, Islands Trust and CRD, BC Ferries, local Chambers of Commerce, and tourism groups has significantly reduced the number of visitors to Salt Spring, but there are still a few who aren’t getting the message. I am concerned that as we gradually open up our economy and services, non-essential travellers will be drawn to Salt Spring, risking their health and ours. 

Q. Safety was a big concern before the pandemic and continues to be a problem. What are your plans to address this concern?

A. My plan prior to COVID, to establish a CRD safety service with modest, ongoing funding for both security and support measures, was not supported by voters. In some ways, COVID has exacerbated safety concerns by creating a vacuum in public spaces. RCMP and CRD bylaw enforcement have increased their presence in our local parks. I will continue to support incremental budget increases for bylaw enforcement and park maintenance, including the United Church meadow. Basic services such as washroom/porta-potty, cleaning stations, garbage/recycling receptacles are provided in local parks. Beginning this week, free pool showers and washrooms are also available for those in need. 

Q. Please tell us more about timing of the release of the water management study and a bit about its scope and what you expect this report to recommend.

A. A preliminary report has been completed and is being reviewed internally by the CRD and North Salt Spring Waterworks District. The study examines the merits of establishing an island-wide water and waste utility that would include NSSWD as a partner (possibly as a CRD entity), and reconstitute the inter-agency Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Alliance under the auspices of the CRD. It is also hoped that the provincially funded study could result in much-needed infrastructure funding for NSSWD and CRD utilities.    

Q. What is happening with our long-delayed liquid waste plant?

A. Upgrades to the receiving and trans-shipment infrastructure in Burgoyne have been completed. A new bylaw has also been established to better manage what was largely an unregulated facility that was impacting the neighbours and creating operating difficulties for CRD staff. The Liquid Waste Commission continues to work with CRD staff to explore options for reducing liquid waste disposal costs.

Q. What important projects will not get funded as a result of expenditures to address this pandemic?

A. The main impact of the pandemic on CRD-funded services resulted from provincial directives. For example, expansion of transit throughout the province has been cancelled by BC Transit, including planned extension to the Beddis area. The closure of the swimming pool, library, recycling centre, Centennial playground, local administration, and building inspection offices all resulted from provincial social distancing directives. Because we successfully “bent the curve,” most of these services are being reinstated under strict management protocols. All other CRD services and capital projects are continuing as planned. 

Q. Many appear to question rebuilding our old economy, preferring to define a more sustainable and resilient economy. How do you envision CRD being part of this conversation?

A. The pandemic is a warning about our need to be more self-reliant. It has also spurred an unprecedented and innovative economic response from senior governments, the formation of new relationships among local organizations, a renewed interest in food security and “buy local” initiatives, and re-purposing of small businesses and short-term tourism accommodations. Our updated area farm and climate action plans point the way forward in terms of sustainability and resilience but also to economic opportunities. The CRD and its various commissions have a key role to play in all of these initiatives, including as the conduit for further senior government support for infrastructure, public transit and affordable housing.

What’s next for ASK Salt Spring?

Would you like to be part of the conversation about Salt Spring’s economic recovery? Send your questions for Jessica Harkema, executive director of our Chamber of Commerce, to asksaltspring@gmail.com by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18.

And, participate in a Zoom conversation with Harkema and Francine Carlin, chair of the Community Economic Development Commission, on Friday, May 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by clicking: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82678886165

Any questions anytime: asksaltspring@gmail.com.

Viewpoint: An Island Allegory

Contributed Article
-
2
Viewpoint: An Island Allegory

By JAYNE LLOYD-JONES

Once upon a time long, long ago, on an island not far from here, Anne and Al bought a fairytale home and retired to tend to their large garden, and to read to their hearts’ content.

Their dreams of a happy retirement had all come true. They loved their island-ness — their coffee dates, dinners at their favourite restaurants and live music venues. They felt at home among these happy islanders where everyone had everything they could ever need. (They even tolerated the visitors who came to the island to share their good luck.)

And then one day, the unthinkable happened: a plague struck the world and slowly things began to change. Soon the island was no longer the happy place that it used to be. Visitors stopped coming, most of the shops and restaurants had to close, there was no more market, no music, and everyone stayed locked up in their homes.

The island people were sad: they longed to hug one another, to share news over a beer, to dance to live music, or to visit the library. And the children, who no longer went to school, began to miss their friends, their teachers, and the games they used to play.

But for Anne and Al, this new isolation suited their needs quite nicely. They did not need to see people; they hardly missed the hustle and bustle. They were self-sufficient and wondered why other people did not also like this new world.

“We are happy here, we love the peace and quiet,” they said, “now that we are alone on our island.” They started to wish that life would stay this way forever.

The saddest group was the young people and families, who once had a summer of serving, harvesting, cleaning and keeping the tourism businesses on the island running.

“Where has all the work gone, we are part of the community too!” they said. “We love to be busy, to earn our keep, to jump in the lake. Now there is lots of housing but no work!”

Slowly the plague went away, but the island did not go back to the way it was before — and visitors stayed away. Many businesses had already closed their doors: the B&Bs, the shops and then the restaurants too.

“Now we are happy,” said Anne and Al, who liked it when the island was quiet and peaceful. “But where can we buy our lattes, who is still open for dinner, why are so many shops boarded up? We will have to move off the island, but wait, who will buy our house?”

“Be careful what you wish for,” said the pied piper. He had led the visitors away to other communities who valued them more and where young people and families were appreciated.

Raven Chapbooks makes debut with islander’s work

Elizabeth Nolan
-
0
Raven Chapbooks makes debut with islander’s work

Acclaimed local poet Diana Hayes has a new project on the go now that her latest collection of words and images has been released. This time she is responsible for bringing another writer’s gifts to the world, through publication of work by Salt Spring poet David Haggart.

Haggart’s collection A Curious Happiness in Small Things is the very first title by Hayes’ new outfit, Raven Chapbooks. The publication brings to light a significant voice in the 70-year-old islander whose primary goal for many years has been to hone his practice to the point where he felt he could call himself a writer.

As Haggart explained during a phone interview, he has written some 500 poems in the past decade and has been serious about his writing since 1995, when he attended a workshop with the legendary west coast writer Patrick Lane. Lane told him the only way to become a writer was to keep writing, and he’s been following that advice ever since.

The poems published in A Curious Happiness in Small Things suggest the time was well spent. They have a spare beauty that echoes the northern landscape where Haggart spent many years working; his restrained style and well-placed words manage to conjure vivid images and to connect the reader to deeply emotional content without ever being flowery.

“I am a weary old tom — bent ears, one eye — curled around the ankles of giants,” Haggart writes in a tribute to some of his favorite poets, from Yeats to Cohen and Lane. The same poem contains a memorable observation of Margaret Atwood, “who could open letters with her wit.”

Haggart said he has many influences. Raymond Carver is his favourite American writer. He also enjoys Robert Bly and Charles Bukowski. He’s even been influenced by Zen poetry, in approach if not style.

“I think what I do is I work with what’s in front of me,” he said. “I don’t search for poems or try to find poems to write. The trick is to be present when there’s a poem in the room.”

Haggart doesn’t shy away from the darkness in his past. He is a former alcoholic who has been sober for 30 years, and he’s had a lifelong struggle with depression. He speaks to a psychiatrist twice a week. The poem Me and Ma – In Vino Veritas gives some indication of the deep hurts he carries with him.

Another look within comes in What the Mirror Said: “you’re not much of a thinker/ you’re more of a feeler/ you live on the wings of a moth/ you twitch in the light/ like someone in withdrawal.”

“For me to become a writer I had to look into the dark places. I had to deal with the demons. I think I go to a lot of places a lot of people don’t want to go,” Haggart said.

He’s enjoyed love and good friendships, as well, and these also come into his work. Haggart is extremely proud of his daughter, B.C. novelist Rebecca Hendry, and her two children. The reason he lives on Salt Spring is because of his friendship with Abraham Ruben, who gave him a good job in his sculpture studio after hard years in the Arctic.

Encouragement by Lane has been a huge impetus for carrying forward, while Hayes’ more recent support has been another boon. Haggart first connected with her at a writers’ soiree where he was invited to read some work. She told him his poems deserved to be published, and then made sure it happened.

“I did not want to get involved with sending off poems. I did not want to deal with rejection slips. I just wanted to write the best poems I could — that was my aim,” Haggart said. “I could not have done this without Diana.”

Haggart and Hayes worked hard to make the collection of 35 poems the best it could be, with her editorial eye helping him reflect on certain lines or even individual words. He has realized how valuable this was, and said he will always seek that type of input going forward.

Haggart is now working on putting together a full-sized book manuscript with 65 to 70 poems and says he is finally ready to face the rejection slips.

“You write alone and you spend a lot of time alone, but I’ve learned from this process that you don’t publish alone. You need a publisher to push your work,” said Haggart, who compares his usual personality to the bears he got to know up north. “I’ve come out of my cave, sniffed the air and found it to my liking. But I’m not getting ahead of myself. I would still refer to myself as an obscure poet, but an obscure poet who has learned some things over the past couple of years.”

No immediate launch event is planned due to COVID-19 considerations, but chapbooks will be available May 15 at island shops and by other means.

Contact diana@dianahayes.ca for more information.

Editorial: Weapons Ban Hits Target

Driftwood Staff
-
0
Editorial: Weapons Ban Hits Target

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau diverged from constant news about government responses to COVID-19 by announcing a ban on assault-style weapons in Canada on May 1.

Some 1,500 different models and types of firearms will be affected, with a two-year amnesty period in place to facilitate compliance.

The announcement followed the death of 22 people in several Nova Scotia communities at the hands of a gunman on the April 18-19 weekend. It was the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history, surpassing the killing of 14 women by one man at École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989.

One could view Trudeau’s announcement as being low-hanging political fruit to pick following a horrible national tragedy. That is especially so because police believe the gunman likely acquired the weapons illegally in the U.S. and so a Canadian ban on the sale of assault-style firearms would not have prevented his rampage.

But reducing gun violence in Canada has been a consistent policy of the federal Liberal party and government, and the announcement was reportedly already in the works when COVID-19 hit. A commitment to get handguns and assault rifles off Canadian streets was outlined in an initiative from 2018 called Reducing Violent Crime: A Dialogue on Handguns and Assault Weapons Engagement Paper.

That report references Statistics Canada data indicating that firearm-related violence has increased while violent crime in general has declined.

It also notes that some 900,000 handguns are registered to individuals in Canada, mainly for sport shooting activities or collection purposes. Canadian per-capita gun ownership is ranked the fifth highest in the world.

More government action is needed to be done to reduce the number of illegal firearms coming into Canada from the U.S. From 2017 to 2018, the Canada Border Services Agency seized 751 handguns and other firearms. Until more resources are put into detecting and discouraging smuggling, tragedies like the Nova Scotia incident could still occur in our country.

The ban announced on May 1 is a worthwhile step, however. No one in Canada outside of the military needs to own or use an assault rifle.

Health officer explains testing strategy for COVID-19 in B.C.

Contributed Article
-
0
Health officer explains testing strategy for COVID-19 in B.C.

By Dr. BONNIE HENRY

Provincial Health Officer

Testing for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases is a core tenet of public health.

It tells us the what, who and where of disease transmission, but we need to understand the limitations of testing to do this right.

Many have asked and many continue to ask about who is getting tested for COVID-19 in B.C. and why we don’t just “test, test, test everyone.” What I can tell you is we adapted our testing approach as we learned more about the virus and the test, and as more tests became available, and we will continue to adapt as we progress through our pandemic response.

Scientists at the BC Centre for Disease Control were some of the first in the world to develop a COVID-19 test – the “what” in our testing strategy. This test detects the genetic material of the virus in a sample (usually a swab taken from the back of the nose) from someone who is sick. It is used across Canada and around the world to determine if someone is infected.

Initially, B.C.’s testing strategy was based on identifying the source of transmission to understand who was getting and spreading the virus to guide our response.

That’s why we first focused on returning travellers, in combination with leveraging our annual active influenza surveillance testing. This allowed us to put in place the necessary precautions, orders and restrictions we have today.

As the pandemic progressed in B.C. and we had evidence of community transmission, we adapted our testing strategy to focus on those most vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19.

We did this because we knew the “where” of transmission was now potentially “everywhere.” We also knew that many people with mild illness don’t need tests and can safely self-isolate and recover at home.

So, we concentrated on the sickest patients, health-care workers, those in long-term care homes and those connected to an outbreak. This gave us an understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on hospitals and care homes.

Of course, testing is not the only public health strategy. Step in step with testing is the contact tracing that our public health teams always do and will continue to do as we transition to Phase 2 in BC’s Restart Plan. This is vital to setting up a firewall around every case and breaking the chains of transmission.

As our rate of new cases slowed into mid-April, we adapted our strategy again to broader community testing. This means anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 can now be tested.

It’s still important to remember not everybody needs a test and the tests we have are not perfect. If someone tests negative, it may mean they are too early in the illness for the test to detect it yet – a false negative.

When we have a small number of people who actually have COVID-19 in the population, the number of false positives can also be very high. That means we are telling people they are infected and maybe immune to COVID-19 when they aren’t.

What’s next? Soon we will introduce a “serology” test that can tell us if someone has been infected with COVID-19 in the past and has developed antibodies to the virus. Once the serology test has been validated for accuracy, the test results will be used to get a better sense of where the virus has been and how to further prevent its spread as we move into the next phase of our pandemic.

Understanding the limitations of the tests, our strategy has never been about just testing everyone, but rather using the tests we have to understand who is or has been infected, so we can best protect our families, health-care system and communities.

Our strategy is working, even as we develop it further to meet our evolving needs. It is adapted to our pandemic experience that is helping all of us to hold the line and get through this storm. It will continue to support us as we move through the next phases of this challenging pandemic.

BURBIDGE (Johnson), Carol

Driftwood Obituary
-
1
BURBIDGE (Johnson), Carol

Carol Burbidge (Johnson)
April 14, 1950 – May 7, 2020

Shortly after her 70th birthday, on May 7th at exactly 3pm, we said farewell to our beloved mother and grandmother. She wore every hat a woman could wear; daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, auntie, cousin, friend, career woman and community advocate. To define Carol is to define love itself. Anyone who knew Carol was fed by her. To understand her, you would have to understand and appreciate a lifetime devoted to service. Serving her family, friends, spouse(s), community and clients, left her most fulfilled. Carol loved and called Saltspring her home since 1974.

So to honour Carol’s life, we her children, don’t ask for donations, but rather:
~ To Love each other (and yourself) a little more
~ To offer a little more kindness
~ To give a little more patience
~ To prepare food with love for someone in need

Then her love will continue to grow in all of us, and the world will continue to be a better place because our mom was in it. There is no better legacy.

She is survived by all of her children, and nine grandchildren ages 3-27, and countless others who loved and adored her. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the following who supported us as we granted moms final wishes to pass away at home. Thanks to:
~ Aunt Nancy, Auntie Fran and Kerry Chalmers who kept us strong
– To all the many people who brought food and drinks
– Community Gospel Chapel for the spiritual support and food
– Tara and Sarah-Jane who sang outside mom’s window
– The exceptional professional health care support workers
– For the beautiful flowers delivered (and kept with mom)
– To all of our extended family and friends who rallied near and far to support and love us, with special shout out to mom’s lifetime friend Jane Matthews
– To our father Geoff Gay and our spouses, who stood by us

To our mother, who was the bravest most inspiring woman, what you gave us in life helped us grant your final wishes in death.

Lastly, to the grace and love of God, who never left us. Thank you.

A Feast and musical celebration of Carol’s life will be planned for when we are all able to gather again.
Bless you all

Shower facilities to open for unsheltered people

Driftwood Staff
-
0
Shower facilities to open for unsheltered people

The Capital Regional District and Salt Spring Parks and Recreation Commission will be opening the shower facilities at the Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre starting on Monday, May 11.

“Access to washroom and bathing facilities has been deemed an essential service for unsheltered persons by the Government of B.C.,” the CRD notes in a May 8 press release. “As a result, funding has been provided by Emergency Management BC to help PARC cover the costs of free showers, which will be made available to Salt Spring Island’s most vulnerable populations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the public health emergency.”

Patrons will be served one at a time and assigned a 30-minute time slot and private shower space. Between each shower time, change rooms and showers will be cleaned in accordance with the CRD Facilities Management COVID-19 Janitorial Guidelines.

Patrons are encouraged to register for a time slot to avoid lengthy wait times. For more information, people can call 250-537-1402 or email ssiparc@crd.bc.ca.

PARC says it will continue to work with Salt Spring Island Community Services in assisting the many community members who rely on the shower and washroom facilities at the Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre throughout the year. 

All CRD recreation facilities have been closed since March 17 to support community health and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Updated information on the CRD’s response to COVID-19 is available at www.crd.bc.ca/covid.

Lady Minto staff get COVID All-Star Nod

Driftwood Staff
-
0
Lady Minto staff get COVID All-Star Nod

Dr. Holly Slakov and the Lady Minto Hospital team have received COVID All-Star kudos from the South Island Medical Staff Association.

Dr. David Beaver nominated Slakov, who is the chief of staff at the hospital.

“Holly has provided calm, sensible and timely leadership,” Beaver wrote. “She has been a guiding light in the storm of information and change. She has allowed LMH Med Staff and nurse teams to keep ahead of the curve of needed adaptations, often seemingly providing templates for other facilities to work with and adapt to their own needs.”

Slakov said she was delighted to have been nominated, but acknowledged “the wonderful team that she has the privilege of working with at Lady Minto Hospital. From fellow physicians to nurses, housekeepers to the site director, each member of the LMH community has been essential in the hospital’s preparation and care efforts,” the SIMSA write-up states.

See the next issue of Aqua – Gulf Islands Living magazine, published on May 13, for a Q&A with Slakov.

B.C. sets cautious plan for reopening the province

Driftwood Staff
-
0
B.C. sets cautious plan for reopening the province

Premier John Horgan and Dr. Bonnie Henry laid out the province’s plan for a gradual “restart” on Wednesday, beginning with giving the green light to hugging a few extended family members and getting together with up to six people at one time — all with our “new normal” cautions in place — hopefully by the May long weekend.

Horgan and Henry said the aim is for people to keep regular interactions to less than 60 per cent of “normal” in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.

BC Parks will also open to day use as of Thursday, May 14, and to camping on June 1 (with some exceptions).

Non-essential travel is still discouraged.

Some in-class teaching has been occurring for children of essential service workers, and that will be expanded, without an expectation that all students should be learning in class.

Elective surgeries will resume as of May 18, with an estimated 30,000 in the queue. People whose surgeries were postponed due to COVID-19 will be contacted.

As of Thursday, B.C. had 2,288 laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 33 additional cases recorded between Wednesday and Thursday. B.C. has seen 124 deaths from the disease.

Logging noise inflames tension

Elizabeth Nolan
-
4
Logging noise inflames tension

Limited restrictions on the clearing of private land on Salt Spring continues to be a major concern for islanders who have seen clearcuts transform their forested neighbourhoods into stripped-down wastelands.

While most people are focused on the global pandemic right now, some are calling attention to the fact that controversial forestry practices are still continuing, and in some cases appear to be ramping up.

Peter McAllister, a long-time environmental activist who happens to live on the other side of the ridge from a 40-acre Beddis property that’s been logged for the past 18 months, has been one of the loudest voices campaigning for a change to local regulations. McAllister says the situation has become even harder to take as work advances closer to property lines.

“We have literally been going crazy up here for weeks and weeks, ever since the COVID stay-at-home order,” McAllister said. “It’s been horrible with the noise of industrial chainsaws. We can’t hang around in town and we can’t go to parks. It’s driving the neighbourhood crazy and I fear for our mental health.”

McAllister wrote to locally elected officials, MLA Adam Olsen, Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry asking that logging be suspended, at least while people are being asked to stay at home. His official response from the province is that forestry is considered an essential service. 

Property owner Gary Stunder was unable to respond to the Driftwood’s request for a comment before presstime.

Alex Harris, a young documentary filmmaker and photographer living on the island, is also horrified by local clearcuts. She has a unique vantage on the impact through the aerial footage she’s taken using an ultra-light drone. The sites she’s photographed including the Beddis property are visible from the road, but the overhead view provides the full scope of those clearings.

“As a young person, it’s devastating to see ecological collapse,” Harris said. “I’m only 26 and I’ve already seen shifts and changes.”

“I wouldn’t call myself an environmentalist or a tree-hugger,” she added. “This is really about ecological collapse and saving the planet.”

Recent clearcutting at an 11-acre property off Churchill Road is just the latest example of her concerns. Along with the impact of losing more of the island’s biggest trees, she cites loss of island biodiversity, the damage to local watersheds and the heightened risk of wildfire as some of the potential issues related to clearcutting anywhere on the island. But for now there are few barriers to removing forest cover.  

Islands Trust bylaw enforcement office Warren Dingman confirmed the Churchill Road property owned by Jean Barakett is not within any development permit areas. There are no regulations that would restrict tree-cutting there. 

Alex Harris photo of logging on Churchill Road.

Barakett did not respond to a request for comment on why the land has been cleared, and her husband Brian Milne declined to comment at this time. 

The Salt Spring Local Trust Committee added Coastal Douglas-fir protection to its projects list in December 2019 following sustained requests for action from concerned residents over the previous year. The project’s focus will be on creating a new development permit area.

1...355356357...610Page 356 of 610