Bowen Island Undercurrent December 25 2015

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FRIDAYDECEMBER 25, 2015

VOL . 4 2 , NO . 4 8

YEAR IN REVIEWThe year’s top stories and photos starton page 3

CHRISTMAS GREETINGSMayor Skeels wishes the community wellon page 4

MERRY CHRISTMAS!From all of us to all of you, have aMerry Christmas and see you in 2016!

Storyteller Justyn Rees recounts the Christmas tale from a shepherd’s perspective, one of many personas headopted during the performance of Christmas Tales at the Cates Hill Chapel Monday night (Dec. 21). Rees andmusicians Russ Rosen, Brett Ziegler and Kenton Wiens performed tales and Christmas songs.Tim Shoults photo

’Twas the week after Christmas, and all through our office,Not a creature is stirring…’cause who’s got time off? Us!The Undercurrent is taking a long Christmas nap next

week, making this the last issue of 2015.The office will be closed next week as well from Monday,

Dec. 28 to Friday, Jan. 1. We will re-open for business on

Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 in time for our next edition on Friday,Jan. 8. In the mean time, enjoy a look back at the stories thatmade 2015 starting on page 3 of this issue.From all of us at the Undercurrent, best wishes for a happy,

healthy and safe holiday season and all the best in the newyear to come!

No paper next week; see you in 2016!

Results of resident survey forbranding unveiledTIM SHOULTSC O N T R I B U T O R

What words come to mind when you think about BowenIsland?Survey says: it’s all about community.Bowen’s Branding Working Group presented a survey of

local residents to municipal council’s committee of the wholeat its meeting last Tuesday (Dec. 15) as part of its ongoingbranding initiative.The online survey of residents aged 15 years and older

was conducted from Oct. 1 to Nov. 2 and was communicatedthrough the Undercurrent, social media, personal invitationsand canvassing of ferry lineups. Overall 339 residents startedthe survey, 214 provided useful stories and 197 completed theentire survey.“The vast majority of the stories were positive and rich

in imagery and emotion,” the report says. “They were veryinsightful.”The survey was designed to discover insights about res-

idents, the most memorable experiences they have had onBowen and the emotional benefits they receive from livinghere, according to the report. It follows a similar survey ofvisitors conducted in 2014 and will be followed by a survey oflocal businesses to be released in February.The survey respondents skewed female (70 per cent) but

the report saw no substantive differences in answer based ongender. Respondent were also mainly older, with 81 per centof respondents aged 45 or older and only 3 per cent aged 34or younger. Nearly 90 per cent of respondents were full-timeresidents.The survey consisted of five open-ended questions:• What three words come to mind when you think of Bowen

Island?• Tell us about your most memorable experience on Bowen.• How did that experience make you feel?• Imagine you are writing a personal story about Bowen

Island. What would be the title of your story?• What makes Bowen Island unique?The survey presented the most common words used in the

replies as word clouds. “Community” showed up repeatedly asthe most common word used when residents were asked whatwords came to mind when they thought about Bowen, whendescribing their most memorable experiences and how it madethem feel, and what makes Bowen unique.“Home” and “paradise” were the most common words to

show up when residents were asked the title of their personalstory about Bowen Island.The survey indicates that residents appreciate Bowen’s

proximity to the city, its natural beauty, its quiet and peacefulnature, its arts and culture scene, its small, rural and safe char-acter and even its ferry service.Working from that and the stories submitted by residents,

the working group came up with seven themes to describewhat it calls “the emotional heart” of living on Bowen. Thosethemes, using residents’ own words, are:• “Magic of everyday: The simple but incredibly fulfilling

pleasures of everyday life on Bowen”;• “Island of Peace: In a hectic, busy world, Bowen provides

residents with a sense of calm, quiet and serenity”;• “Got your back: We genuinely care about each other. In

times of need we can count on our friends and neighbours tobe there for us”;• “First times: First encounters with Bowen Island and our

community shape residents’ feelings and beliefs about theisland”;• “Enveloped in community: The importance of people and

the sense of belonging”;

Community’s theword when itcomes to Bowen

continued PAGE 8

2 • FRIDAY DECEMBER 25 2015 WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM

NEWS fromMunicipal Hall

Contact UsBowen Island Municipal Hall981 Artisan LaneBowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pmMonday - Friday, excludingstatutory holidays

General EnquiriesPhone: 604-947-4255Fax: 604-947-0193Email: [email protected]

find us on facebook:Bowen IslandMunicipality

join our mailing list:www.bimbc.ca

ÖBIM SUPPORTS30/30 PROJECT

On Monday November 23, 2015, Council unanimously supportedthe 30K/ 30Day project being undertaken by Bowen Islandresidents through St. Andrews Wesley Church in Vancouver and incollaboration with First Credit Union on Bowen Island.The project seeks to raise funds to aid Syrian refugee families whowill be relocating to Vancouver. Funds may be donated through aspecial account set up at the First Credit Union on Bowen Island.For more information, please visit the 30/30 project facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/30K30DAY

ÖREMINDER: ICE PATROL &SNOW CLEARING

During winter road maintenance operations, trucks fitted withploughs and salt/sand dispensers need to be able to manoeuvrefreely throughout the island roads. Please ensure that vehicles orother items are not parked on or blocking roadways and/or cul-de-sacs.

ÖNERP & ESSVOLUNTEERS NEEDED

BIM is seeking volunteers for the “Neighborhood EmergencyResponse Program” (NERP) and for the Bowen Island “EmergencySocial Services” (ESS).These programs are essential parts of our island life in times ofemergencies and crisis, if you have previous experience in eitherprogram, or possess skills in data collection or IT, your help isurgently needed and appreciated.Inquiries for NERPs can be directed to [email protected] for the ESS program can be directed [email protected]. A short introduction to theseimportant community programs will be emailed to you instantly.Thank You!

ÖCOMMUNITY RECREATION

ÖCHRISTMAS TREEDISPOSAL

Bowen Waste will have a bin for your Christmas tree self-disposallocated across from the gas station on Mount Gardner Road fromDecember 29 until January 12. Please ensure that you removeall tinsel, garland and other decorations before putting your treeinto the bin. Many thanks!

ÖWHAT TO DO IF YOU FINDA LOST DOG OVER THECHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

1. Do you recognize the dog? Can you take the dog to its home?Or call its owner?

2. Look for tags on the collar, (sometimes a name and numberare written directly on the collar) and call the number. It maytake some time for the owner(s) to respond.

3. Ask some neighbours – they may have a visitor that owns thedog.

4. Try posting to some useful websites and pages:● The Forum – you need to be able to log in, so you may

need to ask a friend for help.● Bowen Island Everything Else Facebook page, member-

ship is required, but it is very quick and easy to becomea member.

● Missing Pets in BC Facebook page.

5. If you are unable to keep the dog in the interim please ask afriend or neighbour to help. In our experience 90% of dogs arereturned to owner within one hour.

6. If you are unable to keep the dog, and no one is available tohelp please call the Bylaw cell phone at 604-328-5499 for furtherinstructions.

7. If all else fails and you require assistance please call theRCMP non-emergency phone at 604-947-0516.

Ö2016 GARBAGE/ORGANICSCOLLECTION SCHEDULE

The 2016 Garbage/Organics Collection Schedule has been mailedout to Bowen Island households. You can also download theschedule from www.bimbc.ca

ÖBIM HOLIDAY CLOSUREBowen Island Municipal Hall will be closed for the holiday seasonfrom 12:00 noon on Friday, December 24, 2015 and will re-openat 8:30 am on Monday, January 4, 2016.

MEETINGCALENDARJanuary 11, 20167:15 pmRegular Council Meeting

January 12, 20167:15 pmTransportation AdvisoryCommittee Meeting

All meetings are held inBIM Council Chambersunless otherwise noted.

Bowen Island Community RecreationWINTER PROGRAMS START JAN 4TH

PROGRAMSMAY BE ADDED OR CHANGESMADE AS WEMOVE THROUGH A SEASON. YOUWILL FINDMOSTPROGRAMS IN THE FALL 2015/WINTER 2016 BROCHURE. THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS ARE ALSO BEINGOFFERED THIS WINTER:NEWLY ADDED/ADJUSTED PROGRAMS

BASKETBALL COED 11-13YRS MONDAYS/THURSDAYS 3:00-4:00PMTABATA SPIN THURSDAYS 10:15-11:15AMSPIN FRIDAYS 9:00-10:00AMMASTERS IN TRAININGWOMEN 55+ THURSDAYS 6:15-7:15PMSPIN & CROSS TRAINING 9-12YRS THURSDAYS 3:00-4:00PMROLLERHOCKEY BOYS 9-12YRS THURSDAYS 4:15-5:15PMPRESCHOOL SOCCER 3-4YRS SATURDAYS 4:30-5:15PMPARENT AND TOT GYMTIME SATURDAYS 3:00-4:15PMFLOOR HOCKEY THURSDAYS 8:15-9:30PMADULT BASKETBALL TUESDAYS 7:45-9:00PMBADMINTON MONDAYS 7:30-9:00PMPARTNER DANCE SALSA/2 STEP MONDAYS 6:30-8:30PM

PLAY MORE IN 2016 WITH COMMUNITY RECREATION!

Wishing you and yourfamilies a very safe andhappy holiday season!

~ from Mayor Skeels,Council and staff ~

JANUARYAfter years of sitting in Long Bay, the 110

metre former warship, the HMCSAnnapolis, hasa sink date. The Artificial Reef Society of BritishColumbia issued a press release this week toannounce that the ship will be towed to HalkettBay on Jan. 13, and sunk on Jan. 17.

•••Bowen Islander Ken Simpson remindedMayor

and council this week of what he saw as one ofthe best ideas to come out of the 2014 election:the creation of better internet service to theisland. Simpson proposed that Bowen, like thetown of Olds Alberta, could create a communityowned fibre optic network.

•••Nerys Poole, representing the Bowen Island

Conservancy, congratulated council for makingtime to discuss the Natural Areas Protection TaxExemption Program (NAPTEC) yet again. Backin 2011, council approved the program, whichwas set up and is administered by the IslandsTrust, in principle. In 2013, Mayor Jack Adelaarstated his opposition to the program, saying itwould cost the municipality money and affectBowen’s tax base. In January, councilors reviewedthe program and its feasibility on Bowen yetagain, opening up the possibility for implement-ing it here.

FEBRUARYBowen Island councillorMaureen Nicholson

says she was pleased to see somany BowenIslanders turn up for aWoodfibre LNG openhouse seeking information. She says the openhouse mirrored her experience at a seminarshe and councillor Sue Ellen Fast attended inSquamish in December, in that the level of pro-duction was very professional – the difference,she says, is that the Bowen Island event industryrepresentatives were willing to answer questions.

•••Amunicipal council meeting started with a

plea to hold-off on a resolutionmade by council-lor Sue Ellen Fast that recommends taking a posi-tion on theWoodfibre LNG project. Councillorslearned that deadline for comments on the proj-ect’s environmental assesment has been extendedby 15 days from the previous deadline ofMarch9. However, after a single presentation and somediscussion, a majority of councillors voted tomove with Coun. Fast’s suggestion, and draft aletter of concern about the proposed LNG exportfacility to be built near Squamish.

MARCHBowen-based businesses set-up displays in the

Bowen Island Community School gym in orderto promote themselves at the first-ever BowenIsland Business Showcase, organized by theWestVancouver Chamber of Commerce and BowenIsland Tourism. About 50members of the pub-lic stopped by to check it out, but based on thefact that they managed to sell all the table-spacesavailable for businesses, the event is likely to beput on again next year.

•••Bowen Islanders were preparing to experi-

ence yet another increase in the cost of theirferry trips – this time, by 4.1 per cent. Manycoastal communities are organizing protests andstrategies to show their dissatisfaction with thesituation. CouncillorMelanieMason wants theTransportation Advisory Committee (BIMTAC)to be offered some direction in terms of engagingthe community on this issue, andmeasuring theimpact of this next round of fare increases.However, Councillor AlisonMorse effectively

delayed the discussion of this matter until March23 by being the lone council-member to voteagainst putting the item onmeeting’s agenda.

•••

Starting in June, Bowen Island will be connect-ed to Howe Sound in a new way: the island willoffer one of five access points for the Sea to SkyMarine Trail.TheMarine Trail will connect to the 180 km

of terrestrial Sea to Sky trail stretching fromSquamish to D’Arcy, and the Trans-Canada Trail,which stretches from coast to coast. GordonMcKeevor addressed council with informationabout the planned network of launching pointsand camp sites for sea-kayakers looking toexplore the Sound.

•••Mike Buda, the Interim Executive Director of

theMetro VancouverMayor’s Council, came tocouncil to explain his perspective on why BowenIslanders should vote in favour of creating a “con-gestion improvement tax” that would create a 0.5percent regional sales tax to fund a transportationthat will accommodate 1 million new residents inGreater Vancouver by 2040.

APRILFor Brian Biddlecombe, owner of Bowen

Island’s CormorantMarine water taxi service,watching the HMCSAnnapolis sink to the bot-

tom of the ocean for the purpose of becoming anartificial reef was a once-in a lifetime experience.Biddlecomb says that he waited in his water

taxi with a group of people who were eager towatch the event at the edge of a boom blockingoff Halkett Bay for nearly two hours while morethan 100 other boats rallied for a spot along theedge of the Bay•••OnMay 5, a revamped Queen of Capilano was

set to be back in action between Horseshoe Bayand Snug Cove, with room for extra cars on deck.CouncillorMelanieMason is hoping that thoseextra spots won’t actually be necessary, as effortsto reduce travel by car as well as new optionsbecoming available will make this the less attrac-tive choice for people travelling to the city.At council, Municipal Chief Administrative

Officer Kathy Lalonde said that meetings withTransLink yielded positive results for at least thetemporary continuation of the express bus thattakes commuters downtown and back. TransLinkagreed temporarily transfer the IndependentTransit Service (ITS) agreement to the serviceuntil the end of June. For continuation after that,an application will need to bemade to the boardof TransLink.

After a false start in January, the HMCS Annapolis finally went to the bottom of Halkett Bay in April

continued PAGE 5

2015: a look back at the year that wasWWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY DECEMBER 25 2015 • 3

Distance:3 NAUTICALMILESCrossing Time:20 MINUTES

BOWENISLANDSnug Cove▼ VANCOUVER

HorseshoeBay

REGULAR SCHEDULEIn Effect May 15 to October 13, 2014

LeaveHorseshoeBayLeav

eSnu

gCo

ve

* *

*DAILY EXCEPT SAT,SUN AND DEC 25

#DAILY EXCEPT

SUNDAYS

*DAILY EXCEPTSATURDAYS &SUNDAYS &

DEC 25

†THE WEDNESDAYSAILINGS WILLBE REPLACED

BY DANGEROUSCARGO SAILINGS.

NO OTHERPASSENGERSPERMITTED.

% DAILY EXCEPTDEC 25

**

BC Ferries REGULAR SCHEDULEDecember 20 to December 29, 2015

5:30 am*6:30 am%7:30 am*8:35 am9:35 am#10:35 am11:40 am12:45 pm3:10 pm4:15 pm†5:15 pm6:20 pm7:20 pm*8:15 pm#9:10 pm10:05 pm

6:00 am%7:00 am*8:00 am9:05 am†#10:05 am11:05 am12:10 pm2:35 pm3:45 pm4:45 pm5:50 pm6:50 pm7:50 pm*

8:40 pm#9:40 pm

SEEKING LITERACY COORDINATOR

The Bowen Literacy Task Group is represented by Bowen IslandCommunity School, Bowen Island Public Library, Bowen Children’sCentre, Bowen Island Arts Council and The Caring Circle.

The Bowen Literacy Task Group seeks a Literacy Outreach Coordinator (LOC) to helpdevelop and support the goals of the community’s annual literacy plan. The LOCwill be responsible for researching funding opportunities, preparing grant andfunding proposals, reporting to the Task Group and partnering with agencies orgranting organizations as required. This is a one-year contract position for roughly12 – 15 hours per month.

Qualifications include:• Proven experience in grant and proposal writing• Knowledge and experience of literacy issues• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team• Solid time-management, self-motivation and priority-setting skills• Computer software competence, including Word, Excel, Power Point,and online communication and research

The full job description is posted on BICS website atwww.westvancouverschools.ca/bowen (Click on “Community” in the menu barand scroll down to news and announcements.)

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume via email toSarah Haxby, Community School Coordinator: [email protected].

Deadline for application is Wednesday, January 13, 2016.

Dear Editor,What a year it has been! At the begin-

ning of 2015, few, includingmyself, werefamiliar withWoodfibre LNG’s proposedfacility for Howe Sound. A very differentsituation fromwhere we are today.The last couple of weeks have been

interesting for the campaign.At the local front, we went before

BowenMunicipal Council and amotionwas adopted. A letter was sent out tothe Federal Minister of Environment,requesting a delay in the decision on theEnvironmental Assessment certificateforWoodfibre LNG and provide time

for a thorough review of the certificateprocess and decision. On initiative ofMy Sea To Sky, VancouverMunicipalCouncil sent out a similar requestlast week. Lions Bay and SquamishMunicipal councils are approached to benext in line.Globally, the Paris climate agreement

will have consequences for BC’s LNGplans. The leaking of methane from thefracking wells, the cooling of methaneinto LNG using large amounts of energyand the CO2 emission when BCmeth-ane is burned by the end-users, all addup and will make it impossible for BC

tomeet its Green House Gas reductiongoals. On top of that, markets for LNGremain low, which keeps working in ourfavour.Woodfibre LNG is now talkingabout cutting costs on the project.Make nomistake here. Even if the

price of LNGwere to go up, beside theirurgent need, renewable energy sourceswould get that extra economic edge tomake them evenmore interesting.Last week also brought some very

good news for Howe Sound. The pos-sibility of garbage waste incinerators atPort Melon is not a possibility anymore.As youmight have heard, the ‘waste’

recycling programs inMetro Vancouverare so successful that the need for burn-ing garbage has evaporated.One down, twomore to go! The pro-

posal for theMcNab creek gravel mine isstuck in pre-application and, in regardstoWoodfibre LNG and the Howe Soundrecovery, we will come out with newfindings very soon.Hopefully 2016 will be a year in which

we will be heading towards the protec-tion of Howe Sound!

On behalf of Concerned CitizensBowen,

Anton vanWalraven


The Write Stuff.The Undercurrent encourages

reader participation in yourcommunity newspaper. Youmust include your full name

and a daytime phone number(for verification only). The editor

reserves the right to edit forclarity, legality, brevity and taste.To submit a letter to the editor,fax 604-947-0148 or mail it to#102, 495 Government Rd.,PO Box 130, Bowen Island,

BC V0N 1G0 or email [email protected].

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InterimEditor

LouiseLoik

Christmas is for sharingChristmas has arrived, decorations in Snug Cove and lights across the

island emphasis our joy in celebrating the season. The Christmas concertsand community events have been great fun and drawn us closer together.But the thing that touches memost is the young people returning to theisland. You see them on the ferry, happy and confident adults greeting andhugging lifelong friends who shared their childhoods and now share anannual pilgrimage to the community that nurtured their growth.The last year has been a time of growth and learning for yourMunicipal

Council. Six of the seven of us were new to the job this time last year andI’m pleased to say I think we’ve risen to the occasion. But we haven’t doneit alone.We really do have a fantastic municipal staff. Their interest in thewelfare of the community and passion for their vocations creates a trulyhappy and positive environment for all of us.We are also blessed with citizens of extraordinary talents who have

joined our committees and task forces to provide expertise combined withlocal knowledge that we simply couldn’t buy at any price. Council recog-nizes that a major part of our role is simply to facilitate the good work ofour volunteers. So in the coming year I’m asking you to consider puttingyour name forward when the need arises for a volunteer with your skillset.Christmas is a time for sharing and Bowen Islanders have once again

stepped up to support the Christmas hamper fund and food bank butthis year we’ve added the “30k in 30 days” fundraising drive to support aKurdish Syrian refugee family of five. I know your support will be generousbecause this is Bowen Island and it is our generosity of spirit that definesus. Merry Christmas!

MayorMurray Skeels

Hoping for a healthy Howe Sound in 2016


Early on December 10, my beloved wife, Trixie (Beatrice), quietly slipped away toher eternal peace. She was 79, and we had been married for almost 54 years.She is deeply mourned by her four children, six grandchildren, her brother and

sister-in-law, and myself, and by the many other members of her extended family.

During the last several years, she was the victim of the gradual, but relentless,mental and physical effects of Alzheimer’s disease. But to the extent possible,

she fought those effects with characteristic fortitude and consideration of others.

Trixie loved Bowen. She first came here in the summer of 1945 (she vividly recalledthe fire bell ringing to signal the end of World War 2). That year, and for some ten years

thereafter, her parents rented for July and August one of the hotel cottages alongwhat is now Senator Road in Mannion/Deep Bay. One of the great joys of her life was

learning to ride and to take care of the horses at the original Evergreen Stables(the concrete foundations and water trough can still be seen in the long grass just tothe north of the riding ring in Crippen Park). Later, in her teens, she happily worked fortwo or three summers at the old general store, which now houses Bowen’s library.

It was the sweet memories of those times that, four decades later, brought herback to Bowen - with myself in the baggage, happy to be where she was happy.

Here she watched her family grow with the arrival of each new grandchild. And it washere that, with expert help from others, especially horticulturist Andre Chollat, she wasable to give full vent to her lifelong love of gardening. Our little joke was that she had

two passions, her family and her garden...and not necessarily in that order.

In accordance with her wishes, her body has been donated to theUBC medical school.

Bud Long

It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing of Jeanne. She was born onFebruary 25th, 1932. Jeanne was the eldest daughter of Donald Joseph McRae and MargaretVivian (Lethbridge) McRae. She was pre-deceased by her sister, Heather (2005) and brother,

Donald (2003). Margaret and Don changed the spelling of McRae on moving toBritish Columbia from Nova Scotia around 1930.

Jeanne was a Corporal in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Regular Force, Photographer Group 3and was Honorably Released in 1956. She loved photography and had her own darkroom.

Jeanne married Malcolm Alexander McDonald at the RCAF Chapel in Rockcliffe,Ontario on September 24th, 1955.

Jeanne and Malcolm invested in many properties and were residents of Bowen Island for30 years and Surrey BC for 60 years. Jeanne loved to garden, she made glass lamps, played

bridge, and she loved to read and to write poetry.

Jeanne and Malcolm travelled to the Bahamas where they boarded a Russian Ice Breaker andtravelled through the Panama Canal and from the West Coast of South America to Ushuaia,the Southernmost City in the world, travelling from the ship to the coast in Zodiacs. This wasJeanne and Malcolm’s trip of a lifetime. They flew to Buenos Aires and then back to Canada.They travelled to New Zealand, Vietnam, China and they drove across Canada a number of

times. Jeanne was creative and willing to take risks. She could make a full course meal on twopopcorn popper elements. She talked fondly of her youth in Sechelt and often still lived the

dreams of her high school basketball games.

Jeanne received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of British Columbia in 1984.

Jeanne leaves her husband Malcolm to mourn her passing along with her sons:Gregory (Karen), Geoffrey, Wayne (pre-deceased 1992), Victor (Gayle) and daughter,

Vivian (Peter Garcia/Isto), as well as her grandchildren, relatives and friends.

A party including family and friends will be held sometimein the warmer months per Jeanne’s request.

McDONALD – Margaret Jeanne (MacRae)February 25, 1932 – December 19, 2015

MAYCouncil declared that every

resident of Bowen Island hasthe right to live in a healthyenvironment including theright to breath clean air, drinkclean water, consume safe food,have access to nature, knowabout pollutants and contam-inants released into the localenvironment and participatein decisionmaking that effectsthe environment. The City ofRichmond, Vancouver, PortMoody, Squamish and PortCoquitlam have all passed sim-ilar declarations, which will bebrought forward to the prov-ince with the aim of enacting anEnvironmental Bill of Rights.

•••Council listened to Bowen

Islanders and legal representa-tives of Bowen Island propertyowners express both their sup-port and disagreement with theproposed Bylaw 381, 2015, toban all future dock construc-tion along the shoreline at CapeRoger Curtis. In the face oflawyers representing the Capeon Bowen and waterfront prop-erty owners, Bowen Islanderswho support the measure urgedmayor and council to act onbehalf of the public andmoveforward with the Bylaw 381.

•••During the public comments

period regarding proposedBylaw 381, which effectivelybans docks on the shorelineof Cape Roger Curtis, theMunicipality received 102 com-ments in support of the bylaw,and 121 comments and signedpetition letters against thebylaw.With this informationinmind, councilors proceededto express their own thoughtsand sentiments on the bylaw,and then vote in favor of it by amargin of 4- 3.

JUNEAccording to survey results

released by Vancouver CoastalHealth, Bowen Islanders eat

lots of fruit and vegetables, havehigh rates of physical activityand a low rate of sedentaryactivity in front of television orcomputer screens. However, thenumbers in this survey are notall positive, and do not neces-sarily reflect the real challengesmany Bowen Islanders facewhen trying to access health-care services. Caring CircleExecutive Director ColleenO’Neil says the result that sur-prised her most in the BowenIsland Community HealthProfile is that 85 percent ofBowen Islanders have a familydoctor.

•••“Sunshine, lollipops and rain-

bows, everything is wonderfulon Bowen Island... thanks forthe great ride home...”AnnMcDow posted these

words on the Bowen IslandBus Facebook page, and theyseem to reflect the mood of theregulars om the express bus,or “super bus” run by PeterKing to and from downtownVancouver every weekday,especially those making use ofthe new water taxi service thattakes people fromHorseshoeBay to Snug Cove at roughly4:30 and 5:40 each evening.The water taxi service start-

ed operating a few weeksago, when a commuter calledCormorantMarineWater TaxiService from the bus pick-uplocation at Burrard and Georgiaat 4:59 p.m. and asked for awater taxi to meet a group ofpassengers at Horseshoe Bay 20minutes later.

JULYThe owner of lot 17 at the

Cape on Bowen, Shu Lin Dong,filed a petition against themunicipality of Bowen Islandasking for a declaration by thecourts that BylawNo. 381,which prohibits dock construc-tion along the Cape’s coastline,illegal. The petition says thatthe bylaw extends beyondthemunicipality’s legislative

authority, is discriminatory, wasadopted in bad faith, and waspassed in breach of its duty ofprocedural fairness.

•••While everyone else in the

LowerMainland ponderedwhy somany people voted Noin the transit referendum, theopposite question is being askedhere: why did somany BowenIslanders go against the tide andvote Yes?Bowen Island topped the

charts for the Yes side, with 62per cent agreeing to the pro-posed 0.5 per cent surcharge onthe provincial sales tax to payfor an expanded transit systemand 38 per cent voting no—practically the reverse of thetotal tally.

•••Up to 40 boats, many from

Bowen Island, blasted theirhorns in unison onNorth Sideof Bowyer Island last weekendto protest the plans for the con-struction of a $1.7 billion dollarLiquid Natural Gas conversionfacility at the formerWoodfibrePulp and Paper mill nearSquamish. Bowen Islander andprotest organizer, Anton VanWalraven says the event wasplanned to coincide with theflotilla traditionally organizedby the Future of Howe SoundSociety, but also, to come closeto the release of the provincialEnvironmental Assessmentresults.This process, however, was

put on hold since the SquamishFirst Nation conducted its ownenvironmental review of theproject, and has made 26 condi-tions to bemet before the proj-

ect moves forward.•••

Paul Hooson stood beforecouncil yet again, offering abrief history of the committeesstruck and reports written in aneffort to move forward plans fora community hall on Bowen.After wrapping up, he toldcouncil that this presentationwould be his last.“I’m feelingresigned,” said Hooson in aninterview following the meet-ing. “I’m not sure if that’s a stageof grief, but that’s where I’m at.”

•••According to the numbers,

the housingmarket on Bowenwas still hot – very hot. Sincethe beginning of January, 55homes had sold, while in all of2014, the total was 60.

continued PAGE 6

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Proudly CelebratingOver 36 Years of

Trusted Transport forBowen Island&Howe Sound

Since 1978604-947-2243

DEPARTS SUN to THURS FRI & SATSNUG COVE 11:15PM 12:15AMHORSESHOE BAY 11:30PM 12:30AM

OPERATING 7 DAYSAWEEK

NoticeThe USSC Marina’s Boat launch

Ramp will be available bypre-arrangement only during theconstruction of the new marinagarages. The construction maylast into early summer. There willbe no trailer parking or storage

during this period.

To make arrangementscall 604-947-0707

Thank youUnion SteamShip Co. Marina

AUGUSTIn his 30 years in the food and beverage

industry, Glenn Cormier has learned howto do virtually every job in the business. Asthe owner of the Bowen Island Pub, thatexperience has come in very handy.TheWest Vancouver Chamber of

Commerce gave Cormier a vote of con-fidence by choosing the Pub as the SmallBusiness of the Year at its recent ExcellenceAwards. Like the other Bowen Islandrecipient, Andy Rainsley of BowenshireStoneworks and Landscaping, Cormier wastotally taken aback by the win.

•••Bowen Island’s Kailey and Sam Spear

were catapulted into a whole new universeof fandom after their film won the grandprize in The Storytellers: NewVoices of theTwilight Saga.TheMary Alice Brandon File has been

viewedmore than three million times byTwilight fans (and, undoubtedly, everysingle person on Bowen Island.) Theirscreenplay is based on The Twilight Saga:The Official Illustrated Guide by StephanieMeyer.

•••Out of all the wonderful Bowen indi-

viduals who have been granted the annualCitizen of the Year award, two couples hadpreviously won: Ross and LoisMeyers-Carter in 2007, and Don and DianneMarshall in 2013. Among the flurry ofsubmissions this year, another pair shonethrough: David and ShirleyWrinch. Thecouple, who have spent countless hoursdonating their time and costumes to previ-ous Bowfest parades, would get to join thefloats themselves.

•••Children on Bowen Island were learn-

ing a new safety skill — how to operate theisland’s first traffic light.An energetic group of children took the

solar-powered LED pedestrian crosswalk

near BICS through its inaugural paces.Push the button, wait for the crosswalk’syellow lights to start flashing, look bothways and then cross Bowen Trunk Roadonce all the cars have stopped.

SEPTEMBERAs a tattoo artist, KellyMiller has to have

a steady hand and a keen eye.Who knew those skills would help her

win the overall title in the axe-throwingcontest in the Loggers Show at Bowfest?As the top point-earner among the

women axe throwers, she beat the topman,Mark James, in the hotly contested event.(James, it should be noted, had out-thrownhis two axe-wielding sons for the men’stitle.)

“It was awesome,” says organizer GaryAnderson ofMetro Blasting, which spon-sored the event.With less than amonthto prepare everything— including theherculean job of embedding the poles forthe pole-climbing event—Anderson alsoopened up his back yard so the lumberjacksand jills could axe throw like no one waswatching in preparation for their Bowfestdebut.

•••Property owners who want to perma-

nently preserve naturally significant por-tions of their land will soon be rewarded.Bowen Island council agreed to sign a

memorandum of understanding that willbring it into the fold of the Natural AreaProtection Exemption Program. Thisallows eligible property owners to receivean exemption of up to 65 per cent of theirproperty taxes in exchange for signing anIslands Trust conservation covenant.

•••Everything is on the table when it comes

to a study into the possibility of a fixed linkbetween the mainland and Sunshine Coast,says Jordan Sturdy.But the table can just as easily be cleared,

theMLA forWest Vancouver-Sea to Skysaid.“Wemay find out that the naysayers are

right— [the Howe Sound] is too big, toodeep, too whatever to even begin to con-sider any type of crossing but let’s get a littlemore information… about what’s poten-tially realistic and what’s not,” he told theUndercurrent.


The inaugural Loggers Show was a hit at this year’s Bowfest.

continued PAGE 8



HAPPY HOUR!Mon - Fri 3pm - 6pm

SUNDAY - Caesar Sunday

MONDAY - 2 for 1 Cod

Fish & Chips

TUESDAY - Closed

WEDNESDAY - Closed

THURSDAY - Kids Eat

Free! (1 free kids meal

with the purchase of

1 adult meal)

FRIDAY - Free Live Music!

Prime Rib Dinner

SATURDAY - Something

New Every Saturday!

Check our Facebook

Page for Details!

Stay tuned for more info

on our New Years

Eve Extravaganza

Call for Reservations

(604) 947-0808

MerryChristmas& Happy Holidays

FROM FRANCES & FELICITYwww.BowenIslandRealEstate.info • 604.947.9090

WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM FRIDAY DECEMBER 25 2015 • 7

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ADVERTISING POLICIESAll advertising published in this newspaper isaccepted on the premise that the merchandiseand services offered are accurately describedand willingly sold to buyers at the advertisedprices. Advertisers are aware of theseconditions. Advertising that does not conformto these standards or that is deceptive ormisleading, is never knowingly accepted. If anyreader encounters non-compliance with thesestandards we ask that you inform the Publisherof this newspaper and The AdvertisingStandards Council of B.C. OMISSION ANDERROR: The publishers do not guarantee theinsertion of a particular advertisement on aspecified date, or at all, although every effort willbe made to meet the wishes of the advertisers.Further, the publishers do not accept liabilityfor any loss of damage caused by an error orinaccuracy in the printing of an advertisementbeyond the amount paid for the space actuallyoccupied by the portion of the advertisementin which the error occurred. Any correctionsof changes will be made in the next availableissue. The Bowen Island Undercurrent will beresponsible for only one incorrect insertionwith liability limited to that portion of theadvertisement affected by the error. Requestfor adjustments or corrections on chargesmustbe made within 30 days of the ad’s expiration.For best results please check your ad foraccuracy the first day it appears. Refundsmade only after 7 business days notice!

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Closed Dec. 25th & 26th

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OCTOBER“Magnificent. Very positive. Very encouraging.

Long overdue. Very much needed.”Do you get the sense that after years of frustra-

tion about problems caused by derelict boats andthe behaviour of some people living on boats inMannion Bay, Bruce Russell was one happyman?“I’m grateful for all the support,” he said after

Bowen Island council passed a resolution that willsee the municipality eventually take control of thebay (which is also called Deep Bay.)

•••The Liberal tide washed up and over our

shores as formerWest Vancouver mayor PamelaGoldsmith-Jones beat incumbent ConservativeMP JohnWeston in the federal election.

Goldsmith Jones took the riding with 55 percent of the votes toWeston’s 26 per cent in theriding ofWest Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea toSky Country. Before cheering supporters amid asea of red inWest Vancouver, Goldsmith Jonescalled being elected “the greatest honour of mylife” and “a tremendous responsibility.”

NOVEMBERFilm trucks rolled in to Bowen as 120 film

crew personnel dispersed around the islandfor the filming of a pilot for a TV series called‘Shooter.’A waterfront home in Arbutus Point was

staged as the home for the main character. At thehouse, an outdoor play-set and picnic table areset on the lawn with ocean views beyond. Fromaround the woodshed a jeep squeals up to the

house with the main character, played by RyanPhillippe at the wheel.

•••In an architectural slight of hand, a new build-

ing at the entrance of Snug Cove will camouflageone of the island’s less attractive features.Rondy Dike’s new two-storey building, which

council approved, will be built in the parking lotof Union SteamshipMarina parallel to the south-ern walkway leading to and from the ferry dock.Built in the same heritage style as his USSC

Marina building, and painted with the samecolours, one storey will be visible from the roadwhile, from the parking lot, two stories will bevisible.

•••Andrea Bastin collaborated with a group of

four other islanders including Lizbeth Turner, toraise enough funds to sponsor a refugee familyfrom Syria. The group set their sights on raising$30,000 in 30 days.

•••Word got out quickly. There had been a fire.

Everyone was safe but there was smoke and waterdamage and a family without a home.Withinhours a fund was set up on the internet to acceptdonations for the family. In 48 hours almost$15,000 had poured in.Julia Tweten finds it hard to hold back the tears

when she describes the night that she and hergirls Paige and Piper, watched her husband Shanefighting the chimney fire along with the rest ofthe fire-fighting team.The family had been renting the home a short

time, since the summer, and it was just about tochange owners when the chimney caught fire.

DECEMBERNancy Lee won top honours for fundraising

for theMovember Foundation Great Canadian

Fire Challenge. She raised $4,500 in amonth formen’s health, beating out all the men competingon the island.While she says that she got a big chunk of

change in donations for the shaving of GaryAnder’s moustache, the spunky woman says thatshe could still ”beat the boys,” at fundraising.

•••Bowen IslandMunicipality will look at turning

part of its land on Cowan Point into a permanenthome for Loggers Sports – if not quite as quicklyas its creator might like.Gary Anderson, who created the inaugural

Loggers Sports show during this past summer’sBowfest celebrations, made an impassioned pre-sentation tomunicipal council Monday night(Dec. 14), urging lawmakers to give him thego-ahead immediately so he could start work inJanuary for next year’s show.

• “Connections: Thedeep relationship withnature, others, community

and self ”;• “I feel blessed: The gen-

uine gratitude and goodfortune residents feel living

on Bowen”.Those core themes over-

lap strongly – a good sign,says the report.“When core themes are

as interrelated as these, ourexperience strongly sug-gests that we have in factcaptured the essence of ourresearch,” the report says.“We have discovered whatwe’ve set out to find.”With the residents’ survey

in place, the working group’snext steps are to finish itsresearch with the businesscommunity and present itin February, with the goalof coming up with initialbranding items, includingvisual concepts and atagline, by June of 2016.“All the pieces are in place

to articulate Bowen Island’sCommunity Brand – thepeople, the resources andthe plan,” said EconomidDevelopment Committeechair Gordon Ganong.The EDC will be ask-

ing council to endorse thegroup’s timelines for theplan at its next regularmeeting in January.The Branding Working

Group consists of theEDC along with OwenPlowman, Chair of theConservancy, Jan Stevens,Chair and founder of theBowen AccommodationAssociation, DavidShadbolt, Past Chair ofTourism Bowen and ChrisStaples, Founding Partnerof Rethink Canada, oneof two local organizationsthat is contributing in-kindsupport to the brand-ing exercise along withStorytellings, which provid-ed the research.



Business survey slated for February


Nancy Lee won top honours forfundraising at the Movember FoundationGreat Canadian Fire Challenge.


ST. GERARD’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHSunday Mass: 10:30 a.m.

Administration Office: 604-682-6774

BOWEN ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCHPastor Clinton Neal

1070 Miller Road 604-947-0384Service 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m.

BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCHRev. Shelagh MacKinnon

Service and Sunday School: 10:30 a.m.Collins Hall Bookings: HelenWallwork

Minister of Music: LynnWilliams

CATES HILLCHAPEL 604-947-4260(661 Carter Rd.)

10:00 a.m. Worship • Sunday School: Tots to TeensPastor: Phil Adkins

www.cateshillchapel.com

Places of Worship WelcomeYou

FOODBANKDROP-OFF

HEALTH & WELLNESSDr. SusanneSchloegl

M.D.Open Mon.Wed.

Thurs. Fri.Call for anappointmentArtisan Square604-947-9986

BODY VITALITYMASSAGE THERAPY

James Goldfarb RMTBC#05279

Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon

Call 604-288-2860text 250-726-8080

www.bodyvitality.ca

BOWEN ISLANDMASSAGETHERAPY

604-947-9755 EXT #1

@ #597Wellness Centre& #595 next door!!TEXT: 604-653-9755

By Appt.7 days a week

Celebrating27 yearsCommunity Healthcare

MARY MCDONAGH RMT

ALICIAHOPPENRATH RMT

ROBYN IZARD RMT

HARMONY SHIRE RMT

CATHERINE SHAWDr. Traditional ChineseMedicine/Acupuncturist

❦MARY

MCDONAGHRMT, DCH

Registered MassageTherapist

❦SANDY LOGAN

RegisteredPhysiotherapist

At entrance to Artisan SquareSuite #597

ChiropractorDr. Tracy Leach, D.C.

595B Artisan LaneTues. & Fri.Call for anappointment

(778) 828-5681www.leachchiro.com

Dr. Utah Zandy604-947-9830

CALL FORAPPOINTMENT

OPENTUESDAYS &THURSDAYS

Dr. Dana Barton

NaturopathicPhysician

596 B.Artisan Square

604-730-1174Natural

Family Medicine

Compassion mindedcounselling to grow

wellbeing in the midstof serious illness,loss and grief.

Mary ColemanMSW, RSW

778-233-4425Docs on the

Bay and Bowen Island

Dr. Gloria ChaoFamily Dentist

www.bowenislanddental.com

Artisan Square604-947-0734

Alternate Fridays10am - 4:30pm

Horseshoe Bay604-921-8522

PsychologistDr. Carolyn NesbittPhD, R.Psych #1484

604-376-9801www.CarolynNesbitt.com

COURTNEYMORRIS

R.Ac, DCH

Acupuncturist/Homeopath

604-338-5001

[email protected]

566 Artisan Lane

[email protected]

Cedar RoomMassage Therapy

Jenni Griffiths,RMT

Documents

Bowen Island Undercurrent December 25 2015