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Trustees explore ways Islands Trust could do more

Gail Sjuberg
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Trustees explore ways Islands Trust could do more

Islands Trust Council dove deep at its quarterly meeting in Victoria last week to contemplate changes that could be made to its powers with and without amending the Islands Trust Act.

The exercise arose from a council motion made one year ago and expanded to identify about 20 areas where the Trust could explore making changes.

“We took the top 20 or so and gathered some information around them,” explained Trust chief administrative officer Russ Hotsenpiller in introducing an “open space” exercise for trustee. “For some, however, and particularly one or two of the potential amendments, there’s been so much work done over such a long period of time that’s it not really a question of will these go forward or not. A lot of that work has already occurred.”

Hotsenpiller was referring to a request to change the corporate structure and name of the Trust Fund Board — the land-and-covenant-holding arm of the Islands Trust — to better reflect its land conservation activities, and to add “First Nations” to the list of those with whom the Trust works “in cooperation.”

Council has also discussed seeking provincial government funding for the Trust Fund Board rather than having costs covered entirely by Trust-area property tax requisitions.

Other ideas proposed for feedback purposes ranged from seeking the ability to acquire land for affordable housing purposes to bringing in business licences — mainly to help regulate short-term vacation rentals — and pursuing tree-cutting regulations. Allowing Salt Spring Island to have four trustees instead of the two granted all islands was another item up for discussion.

For more on this story, see the Dec. 13, 2017 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

Referendum spending amounts revealed

Elizabeth Nolan
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Referendum spending amounts revealed

Salt Spring individuals and business groups donated more than $100,000 to advertise their positions on whether the island should incorporate in the lead-up to the Sept. 9 referendum.

Disclosure statements released by Elections BC this week show the winning “no” side of the question, who rallied under the Positively No campaign of the Many Islanders Opposed to Incorporation, outspent the opposition by 18 per cent in the last 30 days before the referendum. The Many Islanders received $60,985.52 in contributions throughout the campaign and spent $35,039.47 across all platforms — brochures and flyers, newspaper ads, signs and internet ads — during the last 30 days. 

Yes Empowers Salt Spring Island received donations of $43,528.64 in total and spent $29,647.26 in the last 30 days.

Note: The Driftwood’s original story indicated that $29,647.26 and $35,039.47 were the total amounts spent. Representatives from The Many Islanders group indicate the amounts contained in the report refer only to what was spent in 30 days before Sept. 9.

For more on this story, see the Dec. 13, 2017 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

VCR wraps up initiatives for 2017

Driftwood Staff
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VCR wraps up initiatives for 2017

Volunteer and Community Resources is celebrating the giving season and the end of 2017 with two initiatives. 

An exhibit currently on display at the Salt Spring Public Library entitled 150 Days, 150 Volunteers, 150 Organizations wraps up VCR’s Canada 150 project through a display featuring local faces who volunteer in the community. Between Feb. 1 and July 1, 2017, exactly 150 days, VCR collected examples of volunteerism, highlighting the different reasons why people in the community volunteer.

“It is inspiring to see the whole collection displayed together for the first time. It really makes quite an impact,” said Janine Fernandes-Hayden, staff for VCR. 

VCR is also pleased to announce the winners of its photo contest.  Thanks to a panel of volunteer judges, the 45 entries were reduced to four winners in three places. 

Tying for third place were Margriet Ruurs and Kim Dalton. Judy McPhee placed second with her entry of volunteers serving food at the Apple Festival. Avril Kirby took home a Salt Spring gift basket, courtesy of several local vendors, as the prize for first place.

For more on this story, see the Dec. 13, 2017 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

Predictions prove tricky for Sneakers troupe

Contributed Article
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Predictions prove tricky for Sneakers troupe

SUBMITTED BY SS SNEAKERS

On Saturday, Dec. 9, the Salt Spring Sneakers running group held its Ninth Annual Prediction Run.

Unlike most competitions, the winners of this running event are not those who finish fastest but those who finish closest to the time they predicted when they registered for the race. The challenge is made more difficult as watches are banned during the running of the race and the course is usually not identified until just prior to the race. The race registration fee is a donation to the Salt Spring Food Bank. A trophy is awarded to the person who finishes closest to their predicted time, and to the person who is most “predictionally challenged,” with a time furthest away from their prediction.

Saturday’s race saw 27 participants, 21 who ran the 10-km course (one of whom was a child), three who ran the five-km course, and three children who did a two-km course. The winner of the first-place trophy was Donna Cloete, who finished just 18 seconds off her prediction. Cloete had previously distinguished herself for having won the predictionally challenged trophy for the last two years.

Three runners tied for second place, all with predictions 27 seconds off their actual time: Karen Clark, Doreen Person and Eric Ellis. The winner of this year’s predictionally challenged trophy was the runner who finished first in actual time, Khai Foo, whose prediction was more than three minutes slower than his actual time.

The other winner from this event was the Salt Spring Food Bank, which is receiving $665 donated by the participants. The total sets a record for the largest amount raised in previous runnings of this event.

BRODIE, Betty (Marian Elizabeth Watson)

Driftwood Obituary
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BRODIE, Betty (Marian Elizabeth Watson)

Betty (Marian Elizabeth Watson) Brodie
Nov. 13, 1922 – Nov. 26 2017

Betty died suddenly and peacefully at Lady Minto Hospital on Sunday, November 26, 2017. Betty is survived by her best friend and husband Peter; children Jill, Joni (Jack), Dawn, Robin (John) and Scott (Patricia); two grandsons Jody (Sa) and Stephen (Renee) and great-grandchildren Lucy, Pippa, Georgia and Betsy.

Betty was born in Calgary, Alberta and after graduation became a proficient Morse code operator in order to help with the war effort. That career was cut short when her father put the brakes on her moving to a military base to start her first assignment. She then worked (under the watchful eye of an aunt) at Banff Springs Hotel where she met Peter and the two became inseparable for life. Betty and Peter celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in October 21, 2017.

Peter and Betty were married in Edmonton in 1944 and lived on Canadian Air Force Bases from BC to Quebec raising five children plus accumulating eight horses, numerous dogs, many cats, fish, turtles and a rabbit.

Betty was a skilled and professional seamstress throughout her whole life, designing clothes for the whole family and teaching sewing classes, which always ended with a big finale fashion show.

Her creative and artistic side flourished with spinning, weaving, creative writing and painting with lessons from SSI Louise Woodward. Mom loved jazz as did Peter and they would dance up a storm to Blue Suede Shoes.

Peter & Betty retired from the Air Force after 25 years to Vernon in 1968 where they bought an acreage “The Berry Patch” that Betty soon transformed into beautiful gardens with an orchard of apples, pears, peaches, cherries and plums. Betty worked in consultation with the Summerland Research Station to develop two new raspberry varieties specifically for the Okanagan. They made several trips to Scotland and England with their “raspberry” earnings. Many a summer fete was held in the orchard with family games and Scottish country dancing.

Mom and Dad joined the Vernon Naturalist Club and had many trips canoeing and hiking the Great Divide, Broken Lakes, and Bowron Lake. Betty recorded faithfully all bird sightings around her home and at the bird feeders.

Scottish country dancing was a joy for them for many years in Vernon and continuing on Salt Spring until life’s aches and pains caught up with them. Salt Spring became home for the last 31 years where Betty pursued her passion for gardening and both became an active members of the SSI Garden Club. They participated in garden and plant shows. Betty also became a well-deserved Life Member. Well into her 90’s she would still walk her garden with secateurs in hand. All her children carry the “gardening gene”.

Betty and Peter were never without a dog in their life and 4 shelties and a border collie now rest on their island property.
Both were avid card players and they played each and every night without fail. On her last night, she won her last card game.

In 2014, a “Rest and Be Thankful” bench was installed on Channel Ridge trail for all hikers to enjoy. At 95 years young Betty and Peter often walked their favourite trail slowly but surely and savoured life and the view from their bench.

The family would like to give thanks to the wonderful staff at Lady Minto Hospital and to Dr. Paula Ryan for her genuine care over the years. The family will hold a garden gathering with friends in the spring to celebrate the life of Betty Brodie.

The family is full of sorrow but rich in memories of a wonderful mother and life partner.

MENZIES, John

Driftwood Obituary
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MENZIES, John

John Menzies
July 25, 1925 – December 5, 2017

John passed quietly December 5, 2017 at age 92 in Sidney BC surrounded by his family.
He leaves his wife of 66 years Beverly (Stavert), son Mike (Val) Jeremy, Kyle of Sproat Lake, daughter Suzette (Patrick) Chelsea, Russell of Victoria, Steve (Laura) Michelle, Carson of Tsawwassen, Ian (Denise) of Sorrento, daughter-in-law Marguerite, Jennifer, Brian, Stacy of Penticton. John was predeceased by his eldest son Allan.

John and Bev lived in the Cowichan Valley moved to West Vancouver and have been on Galiano and Salt Spring Islands for the past 54 years.

The family would like to thank the staff of Sidney All Care for the exceptional care John received.

There will be no service by request.

Investigation continues into island woman’s death

Driftwood Staff
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Investigation continues into island woman’s death

The police and forensic investigation into the death of a Salt Spring woman at a Maliview Drive residence on Wednesday, Dec. 6 continues.

Salt Spring RCMP were called to the residence at 148 Maliview Drive shortly before noon on Wednesday. Police officers who were at the scene Wednesday said foul play was suspected but that the general public was not in danger.

A 22-year-old man was arrested and kept in custody until Friday when RCMP state that he was released from custody and then apprehended under the Mental Health Act. Sources identified the victim as Heather Jones, 47, and her son, Martin Vandenberg, as the man in custody.

Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU), RCMP Forensic Identification Section and the BC Coroners Service are all involved in the investigation. They are now trying to piece together the last movements of Heather Jones in the hours and days before her death. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the VIIMCU information line at 250-380-6211.

A forensic autopsy is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 11.

Jones was a lifelong islander who graduated from Gulf Islands Secondary School. She purchased the Amber Cab Co. in 2014.

Police investigate Maliview incident

Driftwood Staff
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Police investigate Maliview incident

Police tape remains around a home on Maliview Drive as of Wednesday evening. 

On the scene at approximately 1:30 p.m., without releasing any details about the crime, Salt Spring Const. Alex Upshall told Driftwood staff and neighbours that an individual was in custody. He added that no one in the neighbourhood should feel fearful as a result of the incident. 

Requests for details were referred to Vancouver Island RCMP, who did not respond by 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. 

The Driftwood will provide further information once it has been received. 

School parents make soil as the sun shines

Contributed Article
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School parents make soil as the sun shines

BY ROBIN JENKINSON

Special to the Driftwood

Six families spent this past Sunday afternoon in the sun, building wooden compost bins for Salt Spring Elementary’s school gardens. 

Hardware and lumber were generously donated by Anna Pugh’s law office and Windsor Plywood, snacks were provided by parents and Thrifty Foods, and the volunteer work party was led by Cara and Jonny Barr, newly arrived from the village of Ballygally in Northern Ireland. They and their three elementary-aged children recently moved to Salt Spring Island in order to connect with like-minded community and as a family adventure.

Cara is happiest with her hands in the earth.

Back in Ireland, she developed an organic gardening program at their school to help grow healthy, respectful relationships between children in conflict with each other. Here on Salt Spring, she quickly joined the school’s garden committee, keen to help reduce the school’s contributions to the landfill and simultaneously create “beautiful compost” for the gardens. She and Jonny, an ecologist and an engineer, run a wind-power business in Ireland and are eager to contribute towards a world where people and nature may live in harmony.

The main compostable trash created at Salt Spring Elementary is paper towels, followed by food scraps and garden waste. For example, students in Gail Bryn-Jones’ class found that they produce a large garbage bag of paper towels each week. This year, every class is directing some of its lunch scraps to worm bins with red wigglers, provided by the Victoria-based Compost Education Centre. But in order to compost the unbleached paper towels used to dry small hands plus the extra food scraps and garden waste, a bigger system was needed.

Cara reached out to chef Mark Kilner at Gulf Islands Secondary School to learn more about their composting system. He and students currently compost a fraction of the kitchen scraps and paper towels produced by the school, and are fundraising for an anaerobic digester that would convert all school waste into good soil after just six weeks in the machine.

The folks at the Compost Education Centre sent her a step-by-step design for a three-bin, rat-proof composter that volunteers built this past weekend. The school also plans to use a compost tumbler and a green cone composter to complement the wormeries and new bins.

“I’m sure it’ll take a bit of playing around to get the system working to our needs.  We can all learn together,” said Cara.  

With these systems in place, less garbage will be hauled to Vancouver Island, while rich garden soil will be produced for the school gardens.

Festival of Trees lights up

Driftwood Staff
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Festival of Trees lights up

The Festival of  Trees is underway on Salt Spring Island for the fourth year in a row.

Organized by Lynda Turner and Mollie Colson, the event sees people place donations for the Salt Spring Food Bank and Copper Kettle Community Partnership under decorated Christmas trees. This year the set-up is in the Harbour House Hotel, in the room off the back parking lot that was formerly Still Point Yoga Studio (and a liquor store before that).

Trees have been put up by Copper Kettle, Stitch Dimensions Quilt Guild, Grandmothers to Grandmothers, Friends of Kenya, Salt Spring Weavers and Spinners Guild, BMO Ganges, Rosemary Trump’s fitness class, Chamber of Commerce, Thrifty Foods and Country Grocer.

The trees can be viewed daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Monday, Jan. 1. The winner is the tree that accumulates the most donations. Non-perishable, not stale-dated or opened food products, cash or new socks or gloves (for the Copper Kettle tree) can be put under the trees.

For more information, email Turner at loubelle92@hotmail.com.

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