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Fire trustees dissect water flow

Elizabeth Nolan
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Fire trustees dissect water flow

Increasing firefighting capacity and water flow in the Ganges village area will continue to be a priority for the Salt Spring Fire Protection District this year, as the department explores saltwater drafting and infrastructure options.

The potential for collaborating with the Capital Regional District to install pumps and piping along the Ganges harbourwalk was discussed more fully at the board of trustees’ meeting on Monday, July 15. Board chair Ron Lindstrom had already sent a letter of invitation to CRD director Gary Holman to explore the idea, which was well received.

The board voted to support the CRD and local bodies that are attempting to complete the boardwalk project, and asked them to consider the district’s public safety needs in an eventual construction project. The board also voted to have their facilities and physical plant committee report on firefighting deficiencies in the village core along with potential solutions. Flow requirements were flagged as an issue in the most recent Fire Underwriters Survey assessment.

The board held back from cost-sharing on the $10,000 needed for harbourwalk concept drawings, as suggested by trustee Rollie Cook.

“If we invested $5,000, which is a nominal sum for us, we could assist the CRD in moving this forward. And it would grant our chief and our staff the right to review the preliminary drawings to ensure our needs are reflected,” Cook argued.

Holman, who was in attendance, reported the CRD was committed to providing the drawings anyway as part of a community right-of-way application for foreshore access that is now being considered by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. The intention now is to include saltwater pumps and piping in the design concept.

Trustee Per Svendson expressed some reservations about the harbourwalk idea, including the fact the board as a whole did not discuss it before Lindstrom’s first letter to the CRD went out. Svendson further noted the pumps have 20-foot maximum draft, so the harbourwalk design would have to meet those specifications. He also questioned why the district would invest so much to satisfy FUS, since that organization has not been able to say how much local insurance rates might improve with better water resources.

Other board members observed that piggybacking onto the boardwalk is just one option for increasing water resources, and is by no means an assured solution — especially since the project might never be completed.

“I also agree a boardwalk would be awesome for the community,” said trustee Andreas Gideon. “But as we’ve discussed in committee with the chief, there are multiple other options on how potentially to do this, from water tanks to other avenues to meet that saltwater pumping from.”

Trustee Howard Holzapfel argued the district should investigate a saltwater pump with high capacity flow that BC Ferries installed at Long Harbour but apparently doesn’t use.

For more on from the Salt Spring Fire Protection District meeting, see the July 24, 2019 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

Horse camp teaches skills

Gail Sjuberg
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Horse camp teaches skills

Kids on Salt Spring have a chance to learn to ride a horse in five days this summer, with camps being offered by the Salt Spring Therapeutic Riding Association.

The first of three camps finished on July 19. Open to kids aged six to 16, camps cover everything from stable management to riding skills, as well as arts and crafts and games.

“They learned stable management, from cleaning tack to tying knots to cleaning poo . . . they did it all,” said SSTRA coordinator Erika Ponsford after the first camp had concluded. “They learned all the parts of the saddle, the horse, the bridle, all of it.  They came where they didn’t know anything and they left when they could ride a horse in five days.”

Ponsford saw the need for the riding camps after the one-on-one lessons offered by Therapeutic Riding were filling up over the previous summer. Lessons were offered to kids who did not have a chance to participate in the society’s regular sessions during the school year.

“There’s such a huge need for it,” Ponsford said. “There are so many grandparents on this island with young girls, and there’s nothing for them to do. There’s no riding whatsoever. It also gives my horses a break from therapy. They get to hang out with the girls, get brushed and pampered.”

The camp included students from as far away as Toronto, along with local boys and girls. Camps are limited to 12 kids. The group is broken into three, which gives them equal time in the riding ring, as well as time to participate in the other activities.

Space is still available in the remaining camps. The next session takes place from July 29 to Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to around 3:30 p.m. The last camp is from Aug. 12 to 16.

Sign-up is done through PARC.

For more on this story, see the July 24, 2019 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

Viewpoint: Housing groups do lobby

Contributed Article
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Viewpoint: Housing groups do lobby

By FRANTS ATTORP

Anyone doubting the ambitions of local housing advocates need only read Jason Mogus’ “Affordable housing is not coming for your STVR” article in last week’s Driftwood. Here are the words that jumped out at me: “…so many thousands of fellow islanders…fighting for a right to a safe and stable home….”

Given that there are only about 11,000 permanent residents on the island, I question Jason’s numbers. However, most disturbing is the revelation that his group, and others, are pursuing such an aggressive housing agenda. My previous assertions that Salt Spring is poised for sweeping changes are proving all too accurate.

As I’ve pointed out in my articles, housing advocates are, among other things, pushing for deals with private landowners, particularly those who have acreages. The idea is to swap higher densities for affordable housing, green space and other amenities.

A key proposal is something called “eco-zoning”. This would allow multiple dwelling units under one roof and “create a legal pathway for clusters of small, low-impact homes”.

Jason insists that “those pushing for housing solutions are not a lobby but a movement”, but then contradicts himself a few paragraphs later by stating that one of his group’s recommendations is to “lobby the Islands Trust”. Pressuring elected representatives for a new zoning category that allows higher densities is indeed the action of a lobby group, and using plastic words such as “eco”, “sustainable” and “low-impact” does little to hide the reality of what is going down.

Additionally, it is offensive to suggest that those who object to the housing agenda “love to generate conflict”. This implies we are dim-witted contrarians whose concerns are unfounded.

No one can deny there is a shortage of housing for workers on the island, but it is now clear that current discussions go far beyond employee accommodations. Housing advocates want to change the demographics of the island and provide affordable housing for all who land on our shores. There is nothing modest about their proposal.

Normally, I would strongly support affordable housing for everyone, but in this case I can’t for one simple reason: the Gulf Islands are a protected area. They are not ours to develop, and, unfortunately, that means population growth must be curtailed.

There are already numerous spontaneous communes on the island, and they represent but a fraction of all illegal dwellings in the community. It’s a huge problem that needs to be addressed (over time and without evictions) if the island’s “unique amenities and environment” are going to survive into the future. Logistically, unregulated development is entirely incompatible with protected areas.

Today’s dilemma stems partly from the fact that many of the terms in the Island’s Trust documents remain undefined. Words such as “unique amenities”, “rural” and “limits to growth” are wide open to interpretation, so it is essential that some type of measurable criteria be established. We cannot find our way forward with a broken compass.

There are pros and cons to having a Local Trust Committee. We get local representation, but have to accept that trustees will be pressured by various lobby groups, most of whom want to advance a human cause.

If the Islands Trust can’t protect these islands, then perhaps it’s time to turn the administration of the region over to BC Parks or another such agency that is less vulnerable to public pressure and more focused on environmental protection.

Editorial: A place to call home

Driftwood Staff
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Editorial: A place to call home

The symbolic ground breaking at the Salt Spring Commons site is a reason to feel optimistic about housing on the island.

A provincial government contribution of $2.4 million from its Community Housing Fund ensured the 24-unit complex, on land owned by Salt Spring Island Community Services, could finally proceed.

Salt Spring Commons has had a lower profile than some other prospective affordable housing projects on our island. But building housing on that property was envisioned since the mid-1990s, so it’s not as if it sprung into being without facing some obstacles over the years.

While Salt Spring Island ultimately needs far more than 24 affordable rental units for families, the Commons is a good start. The Ministry of Housing estimates rents will run between $570 and $1,475 for the two and three-bedroom units, and that the complex will serve families with a maximum income of $60,000 per year, as well as low-income families.

Also on the affordable housing front is the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee’s suggestion through proposed Bylaw 512 that seasonal cottages be allowed for year-round use on some island properties. The list of eligible properties is fairly restrictive, and does not include any within the North Salt Spring Waterworks District, for example, where density increases are not currently allowed.

The Trust is encouraging people to weigh in on the topic and this Friday, July 26 is the deadline to complete the online Affordable Rental Housing Cottages Survey.

While Bylaw 512 might result in a few additional rental units being constructed or existing seasonal cottages opened for year-round rental, it seems unlikely that many property owners with means will jump at the opportunity to provide affordable housing if it becomes legal to do so. Island Health has also now raised a red flag with the Trust about how property owners will meet Drinking Water Protection Act requirements if the bylaw is passed.

More than anything, Salt Spring needs to have the new Croftonbrook complex completed, and for other in-the-works public and private developments to progress with the help of cooperative government bodies and community support in general.

LEIER, Margaret Lynne

Driftwood Obituary
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LEIER, Margaret Lynne

Margaret Lynne Leier
July 8, 2019

Margaret passed away on July 8th at the age of 69 years. She was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Henry Mierow, and husband Henry Leier.

Margaret leaves to mourn her, children: David, Elizabeth (Julian), Christopher (Riley), and Jonathan (Stephanie), and grandchildren: Cohen, Jovin, Ella, Margaret and Hadley.

Margaret (Peggy) grew up in the Rayburn area and attained several degrees at the U of S in Saskatoon. She taught at the University, had a book on TC Douglas published, and created a Grade 8 Social Studies curriculum that was used across Canada.

Margaret and Henry moved their family to Salt Spring Island, BC where they raised their family. They designed and built beautiful show homes on the island. Unfortunately, Margaret developed Dementia shortly after her husband died and she moved to Regina to live with her cousin Barrie Probe and his family. She loved the constant activity with many little people playing around her and chatting with her. She always loved a good glass of wine and fine dining.

Margaret touched many hearts and the kindness and understanding people showed her was truly overwhelming. Letting our Lord choose her time to go allowed many people the chance to receive many blessings. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services were held on July 13, 2019 in Regina, SK. Family and friends are invited to sign the online obituary and tributes page at: www.reginafuneralhome.ca.

The Salt Spring Service will be held at Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church on August 24th at 2:30pm. All are Welcome.

Quinitsa complaints mob meeting

Elizabeth Nolan
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Quinitsa complaints mob meeting

Fears the BC Ferries vessel Quinitsa won’t be replaced on the Vesuvius-Crofton route anytime soon were confirmed last Tuesday evening during a lively ferry advisory committee meeting at the Harbour House Hotel, but executives attending the session agreed to explore suggestions to ease the pain of increased wait times and terminal traffic.

The plan to retire the Howe Sound Queen and put the smaller Quinitsa on the route has been a topic of debate for the Salt Spring Ferry Advisory Committee ever since BC Ferries first broached the topic in public in November 2016. The issue of how that change has impacted customers and the Vesuvius neighbourhood for the worse ended up taking up the full two and a half hours allotted for the July 9 meeting, after the FAC agreed to move the item to the top of the agenda.

Multiple residents shared their frustration and gave constructive criticism on how to improve things, but for now, the ferry company has not offered replacing the ship as a solution.

BC Ferries executives said traffic had increased at unpredicted rates since the plan was first launched, but repeated the boat will be in place until the Quinsam becomes available in two or three years.

“Every island has been growing lately, okay?” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries vice-president of strategy and community engagement.

“You do have to realize, you are probably not unique here,” he added later in the meeting, noting the company is hearing many similar themes and challenges from other Gulf Islands communities.

Many people have wondered why the Bowen Queen was not assigned to the route. Peter Simpson, director of fleet operational strategy, explained the ship was sent to the Port McNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula route for the summer because those communities are served by just one ferry and there is much more time between sailings. As well, the Bowen’s configuration does not work well for commercial or over-height vehicles, which make up a significant portion of the Route-6 traffic.

“If we were just taking cars on Saturday morning, then the Bowen can carry more cars than the Quinitsa can carry,” said marine superintendent Capt. Lewis MacKay. “But if we’re taking a combination of cars and commercial vehicles, the Quinitsa can arguably carry more than the Bowen Queen. So it depends on the mix of the traffic and customers.”

Executives also quashed hopes of adding another sailing to the regular schedule, or of moving to “shuttling” instead of a set schedule, because the turnaround time is already tight between sailings, and to add another sailing would mean another staffing shift.

MacKay noted the Vesuvius ferry is now running largely on-time after years of customers complaints about inability to keep to schedule. He also stressed that in his experience, customers should have no problem getting on their preferred sailing as long as they arrive one hour prior. (Speaking from their experience, many people in the room disagreed with that, and observed it won’t work if everyone does it because of the ship’s smaller capacity.)

Many residents spoke to the need to have flaggers at the Vesuvius and Fulford terminals at all times to help direct traffic. Drivers who are dropping people off at the terminals are often forced to travel down the opposing lane to the harbour when the correct lane is blocked by parked cars waiting to board. Vesuvius residents such as Gaye Gardiner said one accident has already occurred there this year due to the situation.

BC Ferries terminal operations superintendent Monique Turgeon said she had added some staff to the previous unmanned Vesuvius terminal already, and they have recently received the training that allows them to enter the public roadway. She promised to look into increasing staffing time.

At the end of the session Wilson noted the meeting was not intended to be an open house, but said he was open to coming back for more public events focused on specific issues if need be.

Discussion of assured loading for school buses and medical appointments was scheduled, but not did not end up being discussed, along with any other agenda items.

For more on this story, see the July 17, 2019 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

Islanders make 2019 SSNAP finalists list

Elizabeth Nolan
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Islanders make 2019 SSNAP finalists list

The finalists for the 2019 Salt Spring National Art Prize have been announced, and islanders continue to hold a strong place among their Canadian peers with five of the 50 finalists hailing from the local community.

A press release issued by the Salt Spring Arts Council Tuesday morning names Bronwyn Austin, Josephine Fletcher, Krysta Furioso, John David James and Carol Narod as the Salt Spring-based finalists. Their works were selected “blind” by an independent jury from among 1,200 submissions.

SSNAP spokesperson and founding director Ronald T. Crawford observed Salt Spring artists continue to measure up against the best in the country.

“The third biennial SSNAP exhibition exemplifies the best in Canadian art and it’s exciting to see a pattern of local artists being among Canada’s best,” Crawford said. “We’re delighted that a diverse and inclusive selection of artists, representing every region of the country, will participate in an exhibition that promises to be as inclusive, diverse and culturally rich as Canada itself.”

In an exciting development, James not only represents Salt Spring but is the only Canadian artist to be a finalist in all three SSNAP exhibitions to date. He reported he is thrilled to be able to push the boundaries of his work and continue to create art that is relevant today.

“I always try to make something that is new that I have never created before. To me I never want to repeat myself, I’m always observing, expanding my skill, and in some ways looking at the history of art and trying to push it forward,” James said.

“The calibre of work in the SSNAP exhibition is outstanding,” he added. “It’s a point of pride to me to be included in new works that are contemporary, fresh and topical; it’s our supportive Salt Spring community that makes it possible.”

Finalists are eligible to win one of nine awards, six selected by jurors and three selected by public vote. The event’s grand prize, the Joan McConnell Award, is worth $20,000.

The SSNAP finalists exhibition opens Sept. 21, with the award winners announced on Oct. 21.

Saturna’s internet powered by sun

Gail Sjuberg
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Saturna’s internet powered by sun

Cars and plastics are on the top of the list of climate crisis contributors, but internet use and infrastructure has quietly grown into one of the biggest carbon emitters in the world.

A Saturna Island-based internet service provider is looking at a greener way forward.

Colin Curwen runs South Island Internet, an internet service company on Saturna Island. On July 10, he made the first step into converting his operation to run off-grid. Curwen’s infrastructure is small, with the capacity to provide service to around 300 people. He uses low-watt radio transmitters set up on two towers on Saturna to connect people to the internet using Wi-Fi signals.

“Our goal is to go off-grid fully. We want to be able to run our entire ISP from the sun,” Curwen said. 

No matter who you are, odds are good that you use the internet. Even for people who stay away from the internet, that world still has an effect on everyday life. This article could not have been written without the internet, it was stored on a server and has been distributed online through digital copies of the Driftwood. In fact, every article ever published in the Driftwood is taking up space somewhere on a server, along with everything else ever published online. Humanity’s thirst for data has created the need for millions of servers, all running on electricity.

Most businesses have a server somewhere inside the building. Those servers are often in air-conditioned rooms and are running 24/7 with backup generators ready for any disruption. Bigger companies have entire floors dedicated to server space. Bigger still are the large data centres located everywhere in the world (Canada has nearly 200) that take up entire buildings and use the same amount of power as the biggest countries. Globally, data centres used roughly 416 terawatts (416 trillion watts) in 2016, which is 40 per cent more than the entire United Kingdom did that year, according to Forbes magazine.

Numbers are only expected to continue to rise, especially with the proliferation of mobile and smart devices. Smart devices like smart homes, cars, transportation and toys all require data to work. Phone apps are nearly all connected to data, even in applications like contacts and settings. Though the numbers can be hard to wrap the mind around, they apply mainly to tech and telecom giants, most of which do purchase some carbon offsets for their power usage.

Curwen’s company is much smaller, which makes off-grid operation easier.

“We’re pretty small potatoes. I realized that these radios are optimized for the environment out here. They sip power, and a lot of them only run on a couple of watts of energy . . . My system runs between 50 watts and 100 watts per day.”

Curwen hopes to finish rolling out his solar operation and battery storage using reclaimed Tesla batteries by the end of the summer. He also has plans to expand service through the Gulf Islands.

For more on this story, see the July 17, 2019 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

This story has been updated to include details about the operation’s battery storage. 

Next three PitchFork acts run the genre gamut

Gail Sjuberg
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Next three PitchFork acts run the genre gamut

PitchFork Social is turning up the heat on its 2019 concert series with three shows running in the last 10 days of July at Fulford Hall.

First up on Sunday, July 21 is Willie Watson, who is known for taking traditional folk songs and giving them an original interpretation, ”passing along his own version of the music that came long before him,” as his website explains.

Watson is a former member of the acclaimed Old Crow Medicine Show, a singer and banjo player who has put out two solo albums — Folksinger Vol. 1 and Folksinger Vol. 2 — in the past five years.

“There’s so much beauty in this old music, and it affects me on a deep level,” says Watson on his website. “It moves me and inspires me. I heard Leadbelly singing with the Golden Gate Quartet and it sounded fantastic, and I thought, ‘I want to do that.’ I heard the Grateful Dead doing their version of ‘On the Road Again,’ and it sounded like a dance party in 1926, and I wanted to do that, too. That’s the whole reason I ever played music in the first place — because it looked and sounded like it was going to be a lot of fun.”

Sam Lewis from Nashville hits the Fulford Hall stage on Thursday, July 25, along with the Dimpker Brothers.

Lewis’ artist site bio explains that he’s collaborated with everyone from Leon Russell to The Wood Brothers, and that Chris Stapleton dubbed him “a modern Townes Van Zandt.” His music is “often labelled with some form of the word ‘soulful,’ . . . [but] Lewis’ style meets at a juncture of many different genres. There’s something about Sam Lewis that is indescribably different — and with his newest project, he’s discovered what most musicians spend lifetimes working for — the place where feel-good music meets vital social commentary.”

Lewis’ 2018 album Loversity was named to Rolling Stone’s 10 New Artists to Watch list, with writer Marissa Moss describing the album as sounding like “The Black Keys meandering into ‘70s psychedelic soul, with a storyteller’s eye, a swampy Southern groove and an emotional, political punch.”

Then on Tuesday, July 30, the audience will be treated to Steve Poltz, 

“[He] is part busker, part Iggy Pop and part Robin Williams, a freewheeling folkie with a quick wit and big heart,” wrote the Associated Press. “See him live and wonder why he doesn’t fill arenas.”

Poltz is a Canadian by birth and lived in San Diego for most of his career, before moving to Nashville a few years ago, where he created the album Shine On with producer Will Kimbrough (of Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell fame).

One of his signature songs is “Hey God, I’ll Trade You Donald Trump for Leonard Cohen,” which gives an idea of what the evening will be like. 

All PitchFork concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m. Food by Mateada is available outdoors from 6 p.m.

Stingrays swimmers excel in waters of their ‘house’

Contributed Article
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Stingrays swimmers excel in waters of their ‘house’

BY JAKE BEYAK

STINGRAYS ASSISTANT HEAD COACH

The Salt Spring Stingrays wrapped up their annual meet this weekend, and it was a resounding success.

In the annual demonstration of community, the club’s parents volunteered their time to efficiently construct and take down all of the facets necessary for this meet to run effectively. Local artisans and merchants generously contributed their work and merchandise to the expansive silent auction, with contributions from several local pillars of enterprise and craft.

Coaches from all clubs performed their tasks diligently whilst maintaining an atmosphere of fun throughout the event. And, of course, the athletes of all teams represented their home clubs with dignity, with strong swims throughout the weekend.

As far as the Stingrays are concerned, the meet was a highlight of the season so far, as the swimmers performed with passion and demonstrated excellence.

“This is our house,” said head coach Brandon Bronson, a statement I believe was resolutely defended by the performance from our team this weekend.

There were many personal best times achieved, not to mention plenty of top-three finishes in both individual and relay events. See this week’s paper for the full results from the team. 

The Stingrays had numerous other top-three relay finishes in addition to the aforementioned individual success. We are eager to see what successes the rest of the season has in store for us.

For more on this story, see the July 17, 2019 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

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