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Editorial: Keeping it in check

Driftwood Staff
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Editorial: Keeping it in check

The short-term vacation rentals controversy has bubbled up on Salt Spring once again, following proactive enforcement efforts by the Islands Trust in the past several months.

While some people have reported that even legitimate B&Bs have received notice to cease operating, which would be unfortunate, for the most part it appears that Trust staff are doing what they should be doing in following local Trust committee direction.

Under current Trust bylaws, properties not zoned for commercial accommodation should not be used for that purpose. A number of island properties have CA zoning, and more could be rezoned for that purpose. Bed and breakfasts can also legally operate as a home-based business on most/many island properties.

As the arguments from both sides are aired, it seems that most islanders would agree that homes zoned for residential use with no homeowner present on the property should not be rented as stand-alone vacation rental units. Nowhere in Salt Spring’s official community plan or zoning bylaws can sanctioning of that land use be found. The last OCP review process more than 10 years ago reaffirmed the community’s desire to not have residentially zoned properties rented for commercial accommodation purposes. The next OCP review will likely reach the same conclusion.

Where some room for movement could be contemplated, however, is in the strict rule that accommodation units where homeowners are present must not have kitchen facilities, and that breakfast must be provided by the property owner. In terms of impact, what is the difference between a unit where visitors can cook their own breakfast, at the very least, and one where they cannot?

Clearly the island relies on tourism in order to have a healthy economy, and adequate accommodation for visitors is necessary. But a new initiative to encourage shoulder-season visitors, being promoted by the Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership Society, makes more sense than letting summertime tourism grow unchecked, aided by illegal STVRs.

We look forward to the issue being aired through the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee during the next OCP review, if not before.

Viewpoint: EV cycling not for everyone

Contributed Article
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Viewpoint: EV cycling not for everyone

by Jim Standen

I would like to respond to Gary Gagne’s Viewpoint of July 3 entitled “Electric cars not a panacea.”

Thank you, Gary, for writing on this important subject. Climate change requires immediate action and ongoing conversation is one of the keys to initiating and maintaining mitigation action.

I fully agree EVs are no panacea, but they do provide an option for some individuals to partially address a portion of our island emissions, the 13 per cent that cars generate as reported in the 2011 Climate Action report. A good parallel example is how recycling, garage sales, garbage collection, volunteer pick-ups and composting all play a role in keeping a clean island.

I also agree that walking, ride-sharing, hitch-hiking, biking and buses (electric or not) are better solutions for the environment and we should use them as much as possible.  Biking and walking are even better for your health (bonus). Much gratitude to Gary Holman and other players who created our award-winning bus system.

But I have a personal issue with the safety of biking on Salt Spring Island. Island Pathways is doing a wonderful job of creating safe thoroughfares, but many routes remain unaddressed. The road from Vesuvius to Tripp Road has no path and is too dangerous for me to consider navigating. When I was younger I did so on a regular basis, but I am increasingly safety driven. It is an age thing.

This is compounded by learning about my fellow EV owner, Dennis Fortin, who just in the last month fell from his bike coming down Ganges Hill into town. He incurred a compound fracture of the wrist, fracture of the right great trochanter, facial contusions, lacerations and sinus damage. Certainly not encouraging for me to take the risk.

Gary moves on to make some other very good points. I agree that EVs are not for everyone. There are no trucks, almost no five-plus occupant versions and few four-wheel-drives. The manufacturers are replacing their most expensive models with EV versions and are garnishing headlines through “wow” performance metrics.

On the other hand, the +130 Nissan Leafs on the island are a testament that there are more affordable options, especially when you factor in reduced operational and maintenance costs and the option to purchase a used model. One also needs to observe that the transportation industry is in a remarkable transition. We are seeing Harbour Air go electric, and in Europe, ferries and fleet vehicles. China has 421,000 electric buses on the road. It is pretty easy to predict that as part of this transition, the costs of the entry-level vehicles will certainly decline. 

There is a lot of misinformation out there on batteries and the role of renewable energy and Gary has put forward some comments. I will address these in future issues of my monthly EVolutions column in the Driftwood.

We are hoping to have some EVs displayed at the Eco-Home tour on July 28, where some houses that show the synergy between solar panels and an EV will be on display.  Make fuel on your roof and run on sunshine.

Input wanted on B.C. forests

Contributed Article
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Input wanted on B.C. forests

By ADAM OLSEN

Saanich North and the Islands MLA 

On May 28, 2019, the provincial government announced a review of the Private Managed Forest Land Program. They have invited British Columbians to add your voice to the program review. The province is accepting public comments until July 22, 2019.

Over the past few months there has been a flood of correspondence to my office. My constituents on the Southern Gulf Islands, residents on Southern Vancouver Island and in the Kootenays, are raising substantial concerns about the impact of logging practices on privately owned forest lands.

The City of Nelson and the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments have recently added their voices asking the province to tighten restrictions of logging on private land. There are a range of issues that we need to address. These include water supply (watersheds and aquifers) and slope stability, to name a couple. There are others and the province wants to hear from you!

It’s been intensely frustrating to feel powerless to deal with an issue that potentially impacts so many people. There are many competing interests that we must consider in this review to ensure we respect private property rights while balancing the needs of neighbours, neighbourhoods and communities.

With respect to the unique challenges on the Southern Gulf Islands, I am investigating specific ways to harmonize these issues and will be discussing these more in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I encourage you to participate in the provincial consultation process and have your voice heard.

Click here to participate in the consultation.

There is also a public engagement of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) ongoing. I encourage all British Columbians to add their voices to that review as well. FRPA was just amended this spring and the province is considering further changes. For concerned citizens on the South Coast and in the Kootenays, it’s important to note that the Private Managed Forest Lands Act is likely the one impacting your community the most (these regions are where there are large quantities of Private Managed Forest Lands).

The Minister is accepting public comments for FRPA until July 15, 2019.

Add your voice to the FRPA review here!

– The writer is MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.

O’BRIEN, Maureen Elizabeth

Driftwood Obituary
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Maureen Elizabeth O’Brien

On Wednesday June 26th, Maureen Elizabeth O’Brien passed away at the age of 68 years old at Royal Jubilee Hospital, surrounded by her family’s love.

Born in Gander, Maureen finished her time on Salt Spring Island. She is survived by her husband Robert Lannan, and their 5 children: Martin, Clare, Patrick, Kathryn, and Jennifer, as well as her 4 siblings and several grandchildren.

Known for her quick wit, powerful intelligence, and open heart, Maureen will be remembered for her ability to welcome all into her home, and making sure no one left hungry. An unbelievably strong woman with a fondness for red lipstick and extra salt, she will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all those who crossed her path.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Beaver Point Hall on Saturday July 20th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation via https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/maureen-obrien-memorial-donation/

LEIER, Margaret Lynne

Driftwood Obituary
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Margaret Lynne Leier

Margaret Lynne Leier passed away July 8th, 2019 in hospice at Pasqua Hospital, Regina, Saskatchewan. This notice is from her daughter and there will be a service on Salt Spring Island at a later date.

GRIMMER, Bruce

Driftwood Obituary
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GRIMMER, Bruce

Bruce Grimmer
May 7, 1955 – May 10, 2019

It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my husband Bruce. Bruce died from an accidental fall causing a brain stem hemorrhage.

Bruce was born in Ganges May 7,1955. He grew up on Pender Island on the farm that he loved. As a teenager Bruce attended Secondary School on Saltspring Island at first living in the “ the old dormitory” which was the original Lady Minto hospital where he was born. As I lived on Saltspring, I also attended high school there where I met Bruce and we were married on Saltspring in 1979.

Bruce and I started our family of four children in 1980, living back on Pender Island. This is when Bruce also started his own excavating business “Bruce Grimmers’ Backhoe Service.” Bruce was responsible for much property development as well as septic systems on Pender for many years.

In 2010 Bruce retired his business and put his attention back on the family farm. Besides running cattle he sold his produce and fruit at our farm stand and some years at the Pender farmers market.

Bruce was predeceased by his father Donald Grimmer in May 2017. He leaves to mourn his mother, Margaret Grimmer, his daughters Briana (Chris), Ginny (Cochise), Melissa and son Shane. He also leaves his grandson Joshua and granddaughters Allysia, Mikaela and Elsa. He leaves his brothers Glenn (Barbara), Dale and sisters Eileen (Vivijan) and Cindy (Tom).

There will be a celebration of life for Bruce on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Pender Island Golf & Country Club from 2-5pm. Snacks will be provided.

His loving wife forever,
Barbara Grimmer (nee Lee).

Infant and elder part of unique community

Gail Sjuberg
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Infant and elder part of unique community

The newest resident at Heritage Place for Seniors is younger than the oldest resident by almost a century.

On June 7, Sadie Millar was born to live-in care-aid Alisa Yule. Yule’s job requires that she live on site at the facility in case of emergencies, and since the facility is home to Yule, it was only natural that she continue living there after her daughter was born.

Though a seniors centre is not the first place one would expect to find a newborn baby, Yule has a history of living at Heritage Place. Her mother, current care coordinator Sandi Muller, lived at the facility and raised Yule through childhood.

“In 2005, Heritage Place opened its doors. The first hire was myself and my 10-year-old daughter. We moved in, we did our thing, we cooked and cleaned and the community here raised that little girl,” Muller said. “[Alisa] would fall asleep on the seniors’ lap. They raised her. They were my support . . .  We’ve done a full circle.”

“I grew up with my mom working with seniors, so I have fond memories of going to work with her and having loads of grandparents,” Yule added. “I think it’s pretty neat to be able to have her here and to be able to raise her here in the same sort of experience that I was brought up in.”

Just downstairs from Yule’s apartment is one belonging to Harold Blanes. Blanes, a 99-year-old veteran of the Second World War, is the oldest resident of the facility. Blanes has only been living at the centre for around six months. He is still an active member of the community and even gets to travel and visit family.

Though he has not met the baby yet because she’s too young to be taken out of her home, Blanes has seen pictures and cannot wait to meet the youngest resident.

“She’s getting rather big isn’t she?” he asked Muller as she showed Blanes the newest photo of the baby. “She’s got quite the head of hair, more than I’ve got!” he added, taking off his ball cap and showing his smooth bald head.

All of the residents at Heritage Place are excited to get to know the new arrival. Yule said that one of the benefits of raising a child in a place like this is that she’ll always be able to find a babysitter.

After her experience in raising a child at a seniors’ facility, Muller is excited to enjoy the process again, this time as a grandmother.

“It’s a bonus for me because I get to be really close to my granddaughter, and I’ve been very close to Alisa,” Muller said. “To be able to watch Alisa as a mom doing what I used to do, it warms this momma-bear’s heart.”

For more on this story, see the July 3, 2019 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

Hospital still without potable water

Gail Sjuberg
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Hospital still without potable water

Detection of Legionella bacteria in the water at Lady Minto Hospital has prompted the hospital staff to switch to bottled water only until the problem is resolved.

No patients, visitors or staff have been harmed by the bacteria.

Weekly sampling done since the initial detection has shown a drop in the presence of the bacteria after a copper and silver ionization system was put in place on May 10. Island Health facilities maintenance and operations manager Kelly Yerama said that the system should fully eradicate the bacterium within six to eight weeks of when it was put in place.

Legionella bacteria was detected during routing testing of the hospital’s water system in March. The levels present were very low, but Island Health applies a stricter standard against Legionella than public water systems.

Yerama explained in an email that “the levels indicated by test results would have presented a very small risk to the general public. Based on the potential exposure to more vulnerable persons within the facility, it was judged prudent to eliminate activities to eliminate that risk.”

“While the risk for contracting serious illness is low, Island Health has – out of an abundance of caution — taken immediate measures to further reduce the (low) risk. Those measures include providing bottled drinking water for patients and staff, discontinuing the use of all showers pending comprehensive disinfection of the water system and discontinuing the use of drinking water fountains.”

“The pre-existing water filtration system intended to remove sediment and algae could have provided an environment favourable to Legionella growth,” he added. “It was taken out of service immediately as a precautionary measure.”

Lady Minto gets water through the North Salt Spring Waterworks District from St. Mary Lake. Both Yarema and NSSWD manager Ron Stepaniuk said the issue is not related to the new treatment plant, and that they were not concerned about the bacteria being in the general water supply.

Testing at the hospital will continue. Recent tests have shown reduced levels of the bacteria.

“Based on the rate of decrease in test readings, we are hopeful that restrictions will be lifted at the hospital in the very near future,” Yarema said.

For more on this story, see the July 3, 2019 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

Meadowlane project advances

Elizabeth Nolan
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Meadowlane project advances

The Salt Spring Local Trust Committee moved forward a number of business matters at its June 25 meeting, giving third reading both to the long-standing industrial lands project and the Meadowlane rezoning application.

The rezoning bylaw allows for the development of a 48-unit affordable seniors’ supportive housing complex with service club meeting space at 154 Kings Lane.

Meadowlane proponent Janet Smith, who is president of the Gulf Islands Seniors Residence Association, spoke at the meeting about her appreciation on passing the latest hurdle.

“I have a thing that I’ve had on my desk all my working career that says ‘If you can dream it, do it,’ so that’s what I follow,” Smith said. “So this is a dream.”

Tuesday’s third reading of the bylaw included an amendment, based on public hearing input, that makes a medical/dental clinic and its two dwelling units the only permitted use for the existing clinic building located on the site.

The project must still receive approval from Island Health for its water supply system, and get confirmation of connection to the Ganges sewer. A draft housing agreement is subject to Trust legal review.

Cider, Leaf hour extensions

Two requests for Local Trust Committee endorsement to the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch got the green light from trustees last Tuesday. Salt Spring Wild Cider made a successful case that increasing serving hours will not overly impact their Sharp Road neighbours, and that allowing cider sales by the glass to a maximum of 682 ml per person will help control liquor consumption on site rather than increase it.

Luckham voiced strong support for the business, which purchases fruit from local trees that were unpicked in the past, and provides income to 70 local families in the process.

The LTC also provided endorsement to Leaf Compassion’s LCRB application to provide retail cannabis sales from its 105-109 McPhillips Ave. shop between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. Staff explained very few people turned out for an open house and the items of correspondence received were all in favour of the application.

Trustee Laura Patrick requested that information sent to the LTC suggesting that Leaf Compassion had not ceased its cannabis sales as obliged after October 2018 be included as part of the public consultation package that’s being sent to the LCRB.

Other items of note that were forwarded at the meeting included the finalization of the industrial lands project and new agricultural applications.

For more on this story, see the July 3, 2019 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

Susan Benson becomes Order of Canada member

Elizabeth Nolan
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Susan Benson becomes Order of Canada member

Susan Benson was named a Member of the Order of Canada  on June 27 for her extensive contributions to Canadian theatre as a set and costume designer, notably with the Stratford Festival.

Benson and her husband, lighting director Michael Whitfield, have lived on Salt Spring for the past five years. Working both together and individually, they have created the visual aspect of multiple acclaimed productions in Canadian ballet, opera and theatre.

“I’m very proud to get it. It’s very nice at this point in my life,” Benson said of the honour.

Benson is even more touched by the way she was named to the order. Her name was put forward by Donald Stuart, who is a fellow member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. The nomination was supported by three outstanding Canadian women: former prima ballerina and current artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada, Karen Kain; Veronica Tennant, the filmmaker, director and former principal dancer of the National Ballet of Canada; and Martha Henry, the acclaimed actor, director and 57-year veteran of the Stratford Festival.

“These three women are very well known in the arts, so I found that very special,” Benson said.

Though her nomination to the Order of Canada has apparently been in the works for at least a year or two, the announcement timing comes at a particularly apt moment. An in-depth book about Benson’s long history at the centre of Canadian theatre culture was just released this year. The Salt Spring launch with author Patricia Flood took place at Mahon Hall on June 21. It was preceded by a Toronto launch and will be followed in August by a number of events during the Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology’s conference in Whitehorse.

“I’ve never been up there so I’m quite looking forward to it,” said Benson.

While Benson was deeply involved with the book’s creation, the Order of Canada was happy news. She has already received a package with a booklet on 50 years of history of the award and a pin that she can wear on special occasions. The investiture ceremony date and location have not yet been set.

“You know, you go through life and you think, ‘I just do my job.’ But suddenly these two things happen that are very nice,” Benson said. “I’m just very pleased and surprised to have received it.”

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