Comox Valley Echo - June 24, 2014

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By Michael BrionesEcho Staff

The controversial trees that have kept aircraft from landing at the Comox Valley Airport during adverse weather conditions don’t have to be chopped down after all.

“It’s no longer an issue for us,” said YQQ CEO Fred Bigelow.

That’s because of new Transport Canada Aerodome Standards and Recommended Practices that were adopted by the Department of National Defence on May 26, to pre-vent unnecessary cancellations and diversions during poor weather con-ditions.

Bigelow said landing limits have been brought back to normal at YQQ. Aircraft can now approach at lower altitudes, back down to 250 feet from

the previous 500 feet that was put in place three years ago.

“That’s huge,” said Bigelow. “That means we’re going to see the kind of reliability that we would expect from any Canadian airport, the kind of reliability we had before this restric-tion came into place three years ago.

“It makes a huge difference. There were days with a 400 foot ceiling, aircraft couldn’t get in. There’s no reason for it.”

The new standards, Bigelow point-ed out, reflect the kind of navigation

performance an aircraft can achieve these days.

“That means they can safely come down to 250 feet without a problem,” said Bigelow. “It would be a very rare occurrence that an aircraft can’t land.”

As an aerodome operator, 19 Wing has taken measures to maintain com-pliance with air safety standards found in Transport Canada’s TP 312 Aerodrome Standards and Recommended Practices and its com-panion document MIL 312 Aerodrome

Standards and Recommended Practices.

Under the authority of the Aeronautics Act, 19 Wing selectively topped or removed trees on military property as well as on the properties of several landowners where those trees had caused the decision height to be increased. The project was largely completed in 2013 with the exception of three properties whose owners had filed objections with the Minister of National Defence.

(Continued on page 2)

Trees no longer an issue at Comox Valley AirportNew rule brings back landing limits to 250 feet, improving reliability of airline services

Members of airport board of directors to get paid


Directors of the Comox Valley Airport Commission will no longer be working for free.

The board of directors voted to pay current and future members for their governance and oversight of the Comox Valley Airport.

As of July 1, the nine board members will share an annual remuneration of $49,000 or 1.2 per cent of the 2012-13 operating revenue. That equates to just over $5,000 for each director.

Compensating directors, according to CVAC chair Frank van Gisbergen, brings YQQ in line with the majority of airports across Canada and Vancouver Island airports, like those in Victoria and Nanaimo.

“We believe, as do our colleagues across the country, that the amount of time, energy, commitment and account-ability required of an airport board should be recognized,” Van Gisbergen explained. “Compensation is an accepted way of recognizing this workload and the skill set required to be an airport director.”

The CVAC Board reviewed the issue of compensation for well over a year prior to making a decision. It consulted the Village of Cumberland, City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Comox Valley Regional District, Comox Valley Economic Development Society and the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The councils from the three municipalities unanimously voted against any payments to directors, which the airport commission said, they acknowledged.

Van Gisbergen said the decision was not an easy choice to make but “as a board we still have the obligation and the responsibility to do what is best for the corporation and what is best for the board. Based on that we felt it was time that we would go to a compensated model.”

(Continued on page 2)

Comox councillor disappointedover commission’s decision

Comox Mayor Paul Ives tries his hands at oyster shucking competition during Saturday’s celebration by the sea in Filberg Park to wrap up the week-long BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival

Residents stride out to open Royston Seaside Trail By Philip RoundEcho Staff

Royston residents strode out to mark the official opening of a waterfront trail more than a kilometre long yesterday.

And they expressed the hope that one day it would link up with the Courtenay Riverway to provide a walking and cycling route all the way to downtown.

The Royston Seaside Trail is a project of Comox Valley Regional District that restores and renews a former path that once ran along a disused rail grade to the log booming area.

Despite strenuous efforts by local volun-teers over the years, erosion had eaten away at several sections of that path, rendering it dan-gerous to use.

But several residents encouraged the region-al district to adopt its restoration as a strategic

priority in its rural parks and greenways plan, and with the help of a $325,000 provincial government grant towards the total $548,000 cost, the task is now complete.

The newly-constructed 2.5-metre wide gravel trail - way superior to the former route - follows the foreshore for 1.1-kms from the end of Lince Road, just north of Marine Drive in Royston, to Chinook Road at the municipal boundary of Courtenay.

Vehicle parking, kayak and canoe access, and toilet facilities are available overlooking the ‘ghost ships of Royston’ breakwater at the end of Hilton Road, which has a signed junc-tion with the old Island Highway.

Drawing up the restoration plans was not without controversy, and at an earlier stage several residents signed a petition to try to axe the project.

(Continued on page 2)Area A director Bruce Jolliffe (right) pictured at the official opening of the Royston Seaside Trail with local residents Ross Munro, Piet Rutgers and Geoff Plant - and pet dog Maggie raring to get exploring the restored route.

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Comox Valley Weather

Tuesday, 24 June

Cloudy. 30% chance of showers early in the morning. High 18°C.

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(Continued from page 1)

The revised Aerodrome Standards and Recommended Practices adjusts the loca-tions around the aerodrome in which objects may be considered a potential hazard to aircraft and also redefines the height at which objects will be deemed to be hazards. Trees that were formerly considered over-height under the previous standards are no longer considered obstacles.

When an aircraft is descending for land-ing, the pilot must be able to see the runway at a certain height in order to land safely. This height is known as the “decision height” and is set for each aerodrome and runway depending on local conditions.

If the pilot cannot see the ground at the decision height, the aircraft cannot land at that aerodrome. Trees and other tall obsta-cles close to an aerodrome can cause the decision height to be increased; in other

words, the pilot needs to be able to see the ground from a higher altitude, which, depending on weather conditions, may cause the aircraft to divert to an alternate aerodrome.

The local airport has had to deal with a number of flight cancellations or diversions in the last three years because of the landing height restriction, much to the frustration of many passengers and airline operators at YQQ.

“We’ve been dealing with this restriction for quite some time so we’re so happy to see this get back to normal,” said Bigelow. “We kept very careful tab of each one, every can-cellation we would look at the weather at the time of the forecast. At least a third of those [cancellations] we could attribute to higher ceiling requirements.”

WestJet, one of YQQ’s major airlines, wel-comed the news. Darcy Granley, Director Flight Technical and Operations Control said

“it is significant as it will support the suc-cessful completion of flights into CYQQ. This will be especially true during winter when the weather in CYQQ is generally poorer for flight operations.”

Granley pointed out that over the last three years, WestJet cancelled on average, at least 10 flights per year to YQQ and diverted around 20 flights due to poor weather.

“In most cases, lower landing limits would have avoided those diversions and cancellations,” said Granley. “Costs due to diversions or cancellations would have var-ied but in some cases would have been as high as $40,000 per scheduled flight.”

The restoration of the former landing lim-its at YQQ was accelerated due to coopera-tion it has had with 19 Wing, the local municipalities, provincial and federal gov-ernments, and with BC Hydro, which expe-dited its plans to lower power lines around the airport.


Comox councillor Tom Grant, who openly expressed stiff opposition to this plan last year has not changed his views on this issue and is disappointed with the commission.

“They’re not accountable to anybody,” said Grant. “They’ve got $4 million of the taxpayers’ money and the tax payers in the Comox Valley have absolutely no say in what they do or how they go about their business. And this just proved positive of what I’ve been talking about all along, that the governance model they’ve set up is not accountable.”

The citizens of the regional district con-tributed $4 million to the creation of the airport said Grant, money that the ratepay-ers are still paying to this day.

“It doesn’t mean that we’re not going to compensate anyone regardless of staff or board or anybody else because there’s a $4 million tax incentive that was given by the regional district 10 to 12 years ago,” said Gisbergen. “We thought about that. It came into the discussion but in all fairness it doesn’t have any merit going forward.”

Gisbergen said the CV airport has operat-ed independently and has been self-sustain-ing since the community, the federal and provincial governments, as well as the com-mission collectively helped get it off the ground.

“It’s an operation that has funded itself,”

said Gisbergen. “We have never come back to the taxpayers of the valley for any kind of funding as far as the airport is concerned.”

The revenue the airport generates on a day-to-day basis, said Gisbergen, pays for all expenses including loans, capital and all other costs.

Since the commission was established in 1996, it has always had a volunteer board that has done a remarkable job in getting the airport to where it is right now, said Grant.

“We always had a very strong board, with very competent and capable people, who were willing to donate their time,” said Grant. “Now the airport commission is noth-ing but a cash cow. I just can’t believe it.”

The need to pay directors is necessary, said Gisbergen, to ensure the commission in the future will have the ability to recruit board members with knowledge and experi-ence in commerce - qualifications that are essential in helping the airport’s economy to grow.

Gisbergen credited the volunteer directors in the past for the “tremendous job” they did to help YQQ.

“It had been successful,” he said. “The people that we hired to run the day to day operation are top notched in skills and in everything else that we require. The board needs to be the same. The board needs to be top-notched in its skills and in its vision of the future in terms of going forward. We feel

we need to get some younger, active people in the community on the board in the years to come, to have that vision and to continue to become a larger operation. Based on that we felt the time is now to make this change.”

A concerned citizen pointed out the board might have violated a condition stated in the Letters Patent of the Comox Valley Airport Commission dated Feb. 12, 1996 that board members are not to have any financial gain of any kind.

Gisbergen said earlier this year they had been granted a certificate of continuance by Industry Canada which voids the Letters Patent, reducing it to just a piece of historic document.

“The certificate of continuance now guides what the commission and authority has to do,” said Gisbergen.

The issue raised by the citizen, Gisbergen said, refers to the difference between a for-profit corporation and a non-profit cor-poration.

“In a for profit corporation, profits that you make can be distributed to members and shareholders,” Gisbergen explained.

“In a non-profit organization, which is ours, it cannot be distributed to its members, meaning its directors or anyone that is assigned as a member. However, it does not preclude a non-profit organization, as part of its business expense, to pay directors compensation.”


But yesterday residents and elected officials alike praised CVRD parks planner Karin Albert for the way she handled discussions that led to a route diversion around the old Hilton Slough and the addition of shrub and tree planting buffers to help maintain the privacy of neigh-bours.

She also ensured all the necessary permits were obtained from provincial and federal ministries and agen-cies to allow work in a sensitive ecosystem to progress, and had been the link with environmental consultants and local company Muchalat Projects Ltd. as they built the new trail.

In addition to the trail itself, the work included the extensive placement of rocks and logs and planting of native vegetation to discourage future erosion from the sea.

Rural Area A director Bruce Jolliffe, who represents the area through which the trail runs, said a really valuable asset had been created for both residents and visitors to enjoy. The trail offered exceptional opportunities for viewing wildlife on land, in the air and on the water.

And regional district board chair Edwin Grieve recalled how as a child he had watched his grandfather, a locomo-tive engineer with the Comox Logging Company, drive steam trains that ran along the tracks through Courtenay and on the route the trail now followed to the log dump, prior to the timber being towed in great booms to the Fraser River sawmills.

Speaking on behalf of Comox Valley MLA Don McRae, Dianne Linekar praised the project for combining great recreational and ecological elements in such a sensitive way.

The province had been pleased to offer a substantial grant towards the work and the end result was a real asset. “They’ve done a remarkable job and I am sure it will be appreciated for generations to come,” he said.

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Royston Trail opens

Trees no longer an issue at Comox Valley Airport

Airport commissioners decide to pay themselves

By Drew A. PennerEcho Staff

An off-duty policeman in his bare feet brought an end to a Comox Valley police chase by racing after a man who had evaded two other officers. On June 11 at about 1:30 p.m. Robin Royer deked by an RCMP corporal on traffic duties who suspected the motorcycle he was driv-ing may have been stolen.

The officer turned on the sirens and sped after Royer, though he managed to get away.

Another officer tried to go after him, but the suspect once again slipped through their fingers.

He ditched the bike and decided to flee on foot.And that’s when he had about the worst luck possi-

ble.Const. Troy Godard was at home off duty when he

suddenly realized there was someone in his back yard - which was weird since he has six foot high fencing and his neighbour’s fence is about double that size yet.

There was a man who appeared to be about to break into his house.

He said his name was “Vickers” and then sped away.Godard took off after him in bare feet to bring the man

to justice.He had a set of keys with him that matched the motor-

cycle’s ignition.The motorcycle wasn’t stolen, but it didn’t have valid

insurance.Plus, Royer was on an 18-month conditional sentence

order from a 2012 bust where police found cocaine and a sawed off shotgun in his possession.

Judge Ted Gouge sentenced the man to serve the approximately one-month left on his sentence as pun-ishment for the police chase, which was a breach of his conditional sentence.

Barefoot Mountiegets his man after foot race inpursuit of justice

Construction of cable ferry berths at Buckley Bay and Denman west are underway. Pontoon construction is now happen-ing at Buckley Bay and is expected to be complete in the summer while the terminal construction is scheduled to be completed in fall of 2014. The cable ferry is expected to commence service on this route in the summer of 2015. The new system is expected to provide substantial cost savings of over $80 million over the 40-year life of the project compared to the current service. The significant cost savings of $2 million per year will help reduce pressure on future fare increases across the coastal ferry system.

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NewsComox Valley Echo Tuesday, June 24, 2014 A3

P E R S O N A L R E A L E S TAT E C O R P O R AT I O N

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Ocean Pacific Realty282 Anderton Rd., Comox, BC V9M 1Y2250.339.2021

Two suspects appeared in court to face charges of failing to comply with a recognizance and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Both were apprehended following a search warrant executed by the Comox RCMP drug section at an apartment located on the 2000 block of Fitzgerald Avenue in Courtenay on May 28.

Police seized a quantity of crack cocaine, marijuana, drug parapher-nalia, money, weapons and surveil-lance equipment.

Arrested at the resident were 48-year-old Stephan McKenzie and 40-year-old Tiffany Platz of Courtenay.

Suspects arrested following execution of search warrant

Federal Conservative supporters living in the new Courtenay-Alberni Riding have only until this Thursday (June 26) to sign up or renew their party member-ship if they want a vote in choos-ing their candidate at the 2015 general election.

When nominations closed late last week, there were two names on the internal party ballot - Current Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan, and Patrick Chenier, a Rotarian and Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce member.

Both have put together cam-paign teams to promote their nominations prior to the vote of members.

Details of that have yet to be announced, but it is expected to be held before the middle of next month.

The new riding takes in the whole of the City of Courtenay, the Village of Cumberland, and Comox Valley Rural Area A, including

Denman and Hornby Islands as well as places such as Union Bay and Fanny Bay. Further south and west, the riding also includes

Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni and Tofino.

Party supporters can join online at www.conservative.ca.

Two seeking Conservative nomination for Courtenay-Alberni

By Philip RoundEcho Staff

Supporters of Maple Pool Campground have launched a legal defence fund to support the site own-ers and residents facing a potentially lengthy and expensive court battle with Courtenay City Council over the continued residential use of the site.

Defence Fund committee spokes-person Jean Rowe told the Echo a bank account had now been opened at the Coastal Community Credit Union for donations to assist with legal fees.

“Jin and Dali Lin are personally out of pocket tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees as they have opposed the court action that has been brought by the City of Courtenay,” said Rowe.

She suggested the City action, if successful, would force the closure of the campground and put 57 vulnera-ble people currently living in trailers on the site out on the streets.

“The Lins are people who are feed-ing the residents of the campground on a weekly basis, out of their own pockets, and all the while they have been bearing the costs of defending their small community-within-a-com-munity alone. We believe this to be very unfair,” Rowe added.

The launch of the fund had, she said, “been catapulted out of the gate with a very generous donation of $700 contributed by local realtor Susan Willis, who conducted an office fundraising project at Re/Max Ocean Pacific where she works.”

Rowe said many others had expressed a willingness to contribute

to such a fund, so donations are now been accepted at any Coastal Community Credit Union to the ‘Maple Pool Defence Fund’ account. Alternatively cheques can be mailed to the Maple Pool Defence Fund at 4685 Headquarters Rd, Courtenay, BC, V9N 9H4.

At its last open discussion on the issue in May, City councillors agreed senior staff should arrange a meeting with supporters of Maple Pool on a “without prejudice” basis to see if anything had changed in recent months that might produce an alter-native outcome to pursuing the issue further through the courts.

When that meeting has been held, and the information assessed, there will be a further report to Council on the matter.

[email protected]

Maple Pool supporters launch legal defence fund

Realtor Susan Willis presents the $700 donation to kick off the Maple Pool legal defence fund.


A quiet street on the outskirts of Courtenay was disrupted by a motorcycle accident that turned tragic over the weekend.

Courtenay fire chief Don Bardonnex said they responded to a call of an accident on Rachel Road. When the crews arrived they found a motorcycle in a ditch. It hit a cul-vert and the rider landed in the driveway of one of the residences.

The officer, who was at scene first, got his defibrillator and trauma kit out and started resuscitation on the victim.

Two citizens were performing CPR when Bruce Carron, who lives across the road, heard the duty offi-cer with the fire department arrive.

“There was only a couple of peo-ple there so I said if you need any help let me know and he said ok do the oxygen,” said Carron, who added it was a shocking for him to be a part of.

“When they got there he was still

not responding,” said Carron. “He was still not breathing, still no pulse. And then the ambulance and way more people were there. Way more experienced and they were taking over. At that point he was still not responding.”

The efforts to revive the victim were unsuccessful and he was later pronounced deceased at hospital.

It’s believed the man lived in the neighbourhood. What isn’t certain is whether he went into traumatic arrest as a result of the crash or before it.

“Yeah, that’s, it’s hard to know I

mean I guess that’s what the police are going to investigate now to see what happened,” said Carron. “If it was because he had a heart attack that that’s why he crashed or if he was going to fast around the corner. I only came out when I heard the sirens stop right there.”

An RCMP accident reconstruction expert spent the evening at the scene. His findings along with an autopsy will be used to determine what happened here.

- With files from Dean Stoltz, CHEK News

Motorcycle accident ends in tragedyRCMP officer checks out motorcycle (up-righted) involved in fatal crash incident (Photo courtesy CHEK News)

Courtenay’s Mad Chef restaurant appears this Friday on Episode 20 of Food Network Canada’s popular You Gotta Eat Here show.

Host John Catucci goes insane eating The Mad Chef Café’s Death By Bacon Burgerrito, plus a few more popular dishes.

Filming at The Mad Chef was

done late last year at its original Fitzgerald Avenue location. The Mad Chef has since moved to Fifth Street. You can see the video at:

http://www.foodnetwork.ca/you-gotta-eat-here/video/season-3/the-mad-chef-mltdwn-twisted-apron/video.html?v=279848515816#you-gotta-eat-here/video/season-3

COURTENAY’S THE MAD CHEF ON FOOD NETWORK

Cybercrime expert gets a year of house arrest for gun offencesBy Drew A. PennerEcho Staff

A 34-year-old Comox Valley man with an intimate knowledge of the cybercrime underworld received a 12-month conditional sentence for owning and improperly storing guns and body armour, including an SKS rifle, an AK47 and a sawed off shot gun in Courtenay Provincial Court June 19. Lloyd Albert Liske, a man who has garnered a shadowy reputation in the online penny auction business, did not have any prohibited or restricted guns in the locker searched by police, though he wasn’t supposed to own any at all due to a prior firearms ban.

Crown lawyer Bob Richardson was seeking a six-month jail term for pos-session of a firearm contrary to an order and improper storage of a fire-arm, but the judge opted for a lesser punishment, saying the prison system has a bad habit of further hardening criminals.

“Relatively few people get better in jail,” said judge Ted Gouge. “They tend to come out angrier and more dis-turbed than they went in.”

Liske escaped life on the streets of Toronto and taught himself the quint-essential hacking skills of the modern era. After a detour into a credit card fraud ring that netted more than a mil-lion dollars in profit, he turned to white hat hacking, supporters claim. Officials confirmed he developed the software behind leading penny auction websites, which have generated signif-icant controversy for invasive advertis-ing methods and questionable scripts rife with reported backdoors.

Liske’s lawyer Matthew Low said Liske’s days of crime are long behind him and noted the guns were discov-ered two weeks after he bought them off a friend who claimed he needed money for rent - and only as Comox Valley RCMP were investigating him for another crime, which turned out to be baseless.

He had paid $900 for the guns, which were not loaded.

“It’s an odd case,” Low said. “My

client believes he was set up.”Low handed the judge two letters of

support from Joseph L. Patanella, CEO of Trusted Knight, a security company that is rolling out software targeted to major financial institutions meant to block malware-based key-logging and man-in-the-browser attacks.

“Mr. Lloyd Liske is the brains behind the anti-hacking computer software,” Low said. “He is the sole provider for two kids.”

Trusted Knight calls itself a company with “roots in the National Security Agency, military intelligence, and secu-rity across the financial industry.”

Liske is also working to franchise the Cash Dojo online advertising busi-ness he runs locally.

His lawyer said he needs to keep working to pay the costs of a Dallas server, which stores important data.

“If he’s put away,” Low said, “they’re going to lose all that information.

“He doesn’t want to go back to jail. He’s done quite well.”

The judge did find reasonable evi-dence to support a year-long peace bond in relation to his wife of 13 years, who Low said was recorded claiming she was going to set him up.

Liske admitted to installing tracking software in his significant other’s mobile device and on her vehicle, although the Crown noted she had participated in antagonizing behaviour as well.

Liske stood meekly to accept his sentence, and mumbled apologies before the judge told him to speak up.

“I made a pretty stupid decision try-ing to help someone out,” he said. “It just sucks that the bad decision that I made affects so many people.”

Liske spent a month in custody prior to his sentencing. He will forfeit the guns and must pay a victim surcharge of $200 by Aug. 19.

“If you’re going to stay out of jail in future things have to change,” Gouge said. “I don’t think this is just about weapons.

“I think you have some personal issues that need to be addressed.”

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More than 100 people took to the sky to view Comox Glacier from the air on the week-end.

Harbour Air - which operates the daily sea-plane service from Comox Harbour to down-town Vancouver - offered 30-minute scenic tours above the Valley and out to the glacier as an extra paid attraction during the BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival.

Comox Valley Economic Development Society had chartered the company to offer ten flights in a 14-seat DHC-3 Single Otter, and they proved a popular draw.

Harbour Air’s base manager for Vancouver and Comox. Alicia Schwarz, said the scenic flights were proving so popular they would

consider doing more of the same at a future event.

And the company’s assistant chief pilot Rob Dewar made sure passengers got a bird’s-eye view of several local landmarks as he passed over Goose Spit, Royston, Cumberland and Comox Lake before looping around the snow-capped peaks of Argus Mountain and the gla-cier at more than 5,000-ft before returning on a route offering views over Courtenay and Comox.

* More pictures of Valley landmarks taken

from the flight by our reporter Philip Round available in the Photo Galleries section at www.comoxvalleyecho.com

On top of the world ...

Harbour Air’s assistant chief pilot Rob Dewar prepares to welcomes guests aboard the de Havilland Single Otter before flying them from Comox Harbour to view the glacier and the ice and snow on Argus Mountain at close quarters.

In a neat reversal of the popular local event, Harbour Air offered a ‘surf to snow’ tour on the weekend - but unlike the annual race, participants this weekend were able to view it all from the window of a seaplane.

Community Futures Strathcona is seeking expressions of interest for Board of Directors.

Community Futures Strathcona is a registered not for profit corporation governed by all regulations and by-laws pertaining to corporations in British Columbia and Canada. The organiza-tion is managed by a General Manager under the direction of a corporate Board of Directors that volunteer their time to promote the activities of the organization within the community and to set organizational policy.

The Board consists of representatives from industry sectors, large and small businesses, and regional agencies. If you are a current or retired business owner, professional or entrepre-neur and are interested in a position on the Board, please visit www.cfstrathcona.ca and click on “About Us”.

Community Futures Strathcona, operates in the Vancouver Island region from Fanny Bay to Sayward and everything in between including Gold River and Tahsis. The major service centres are Campbell River and the Comox Valley. Since inception, Community Futures Strathcona has provided over 900 loans to businesses within our region that has either created or maintained over 3,000 jobs.

Deadlines for submission – July 15, 2014

Futures

NewsComox Valley Echo Tuesday, June 24, 2014 A5

The final golden chapter of a restaurant love affairBy Drew A. PennerEcho Staff

Christos Sabanis, owner and

founder of Monte Christo on the River, doesn’t like to say he’s retir-ing.

While he recently sold his restaurant of 17 years along Comox Road to new owners, it’s hard for him to believe he soon won’t be steering the activity within an establishment he has loved dearly over the decades.

“This is the only location I would have ever loved to have,” he said, of his passion for the space along the Courtenay riverbank where he and his family members have spent so much of their lives. “It’s the best location anywhere.”

But on June 15 he closed his doors, as the White Whale pub is slated to open July 1.

Prior to his days at this spot, the Greek restauranteur spent 17 years at Colombo’s Steakhouse next to 7-11 just a few blocks away from his future digs.

The business was famous for its giant salad bar, something that would be just too expensive to maintain in this day and age. There Sabanis started forging relation-ships with the diners who would continue to examine his culinary offerings for years to come.

“This is a beautiful community to be in,” he said. “The people are beautiful. They’ve been really great to me.”

For Sabanis there’s always been a lot to like.

“I love my people, my custom-ers,” he said. “This is home. Everybody’s down to Earth.”

While running Colombo’s, his eye had spotted the sturdy old building with large beams on the connector road between the bridges on the northern side of the river, and that’s exactly where he saw his future.

“I always admired this building,” he said. “I was able to get it.

“It felt really good - it still does.”Sabanis prides himself on having

one of the biggest menus in town, mixing traditional Greek food with steakhouse classics.

“I would have loved to win 100 per cent of the people,” he said. “I always try.”

He takes a hands-on approach to ownership and wants to make sure everyone has a good time.

“I cut my own steaks all these years,” he said, explaining this allows him to clean out the gristle better and ensure it’s the proper age. “If I cut it myself then I have a little more control over it.”

While people may look back on the Saganaki - a Greek cheese flambé, where Kefalagraviara is dredged and fried and served with

Christos Sabanis says he will have a hard time moving on from a business he has adored over the past 17 years.

pita bread - as a dish to remember, there were lots of options to choose from.

The Oysters Rockerfeller, local shellfish fried and topped with bacon, onions, spinach and béarnaise sauce, is another item diners will remember fondly.

Sabanis believes in sticking with a good thing, and has kept a fairly con-stant menu over the years.

When he met Aaron Rail, a former chef at Avenue in Comox, he had to admit that now just might be his best opportunity to sell.

But it wasn’t an easy decision, agreeing to part with the premises that he’s absolutely adored.

“I decided to give up while I’m still walking,” he says with a chuckle, becoming quiet. “I have to give it up.”

Starting another restaurant some-where else isn’t in his plan, although he’s coy with his idea of what his next steps are going to be.

As hard as it will be to let go, he knows he’s left things in good hands.

“I feel so strongly that Aaron is such a good chef,” he said. “I think they’re going to make a success out of it.”

Ham operators prepare for field dayBy Drew A. PennerEcho Staff

Never mind What’s App, Skype and other cheap international com-munications programs, it’s old school VHF and UHF technology that got the members of the Comox Valley Amateur Radio Club amped.

While the other side of the world is just a video chat away through the internet, it’s the less high tech way to reach out that fascinates these tech junkies.

“It’s a means of communication that can operate in any circum-stance,” said Morris Thompson, sec-retary of the club, adding the commu-nication devices are a backstop to the more ubiquitous cell phone of late. “If the cell phone towers went down in an earthquake your phone would be gone.”

There’s a particular thrill to bounc-ing along a particular frequency and making contact somewhere far, far away, using the Earth’s atmosphere as the technique to put you in touch with someone else.

Thompson remembers a time when he sent out a call, “CQCQCQ” and tapped someone in Indonesia - right from the Comox Valley.

“If somebody hears that CQ they’re obviously on the same frequency,” he

said. “I was talking to a fellow in English in Jakarta.

“We talked about the weather”And when these signal heads get

together for a jamboree of sorts they have a field day - literally.

This year’s “field day” is scheduled to take place June 28 at Kin Beach from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and FYI the bar-beque shelter has already been reserved.

There will be some HF rigs with antennas by the trees as well as some

VHF and UHF hand held radios attendees can get up close and per-sonal with.

The whole concept is to give peo-ple a hands-on experience with radio gear.

Another big part will be the “fox hunt” where a small transmitter is hidden in the area, sending out a short signal every 30 seconds.

Like a scavenger hunt - or a top-se-cret spy mission perhaps - the idea is to track town the transmitter before

anyone else. The team that succeeds will receive the accolades of the rest of the club members and their guests.

For more info contact Thompson at [email protected] or 250-898-8302.

Better yet, message him up by get-ting ahold of his call sign at VA7MMT.

These folks are committed to their hobby, and it shows. After all the “field day” event will be held rain or shine.

Amateur Radio enthusiast at last year’s “field day”

HOW IT WORKSThe Comox Valley Echo Cool Summer Auction will

take place June 17th through June 27th at

www.coolsummer.caHow it works• Bids will be accepted online until 7pm Friday, June 27th.• No bids will be accepted after that time.• When placing a bid include the following information:• Bids will increase in the following increments:

up to $120: $2$121 to 300: $5$301 to $1,000: $10$1,001 and up: $25

• All bids must be placed online.• Minimum Reserve Bid in effect.• No limit to the number of bids placed.• Updated bids will be printed in the Echo on June 17th, 20th,

24th and 27th.• Bids that don't contain a legible name, address, bid, or phone

number will be disqualified.The Comox Valley Echo will not be responsible for errors in description, authenticity or condition of goods purchased. Any problems should be taken up with the merchant or manufacturer of the product. Applicable fees and other charges are the responsibility of purchaser.Decision of judges is final.Before bidding on-site you must read and accept the Terms and Conditions of Bidding. Read these terms carefully. When you submit bids on the site you enter into a binding legal agreement with the Comox Valley Echo.

Payment arrangementsHighest bidders will be contacted before Wednesday July 2nd. You will have until Friday July 11th to claim your item or the next bidder will be contacted and awarded the item.To claim your purchase, come to the Echo office between 9:00 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday. You will be asked to sign a purchase agreement and be given a certificate to pick up your item. Method of payment: Cash, certified check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Interac.*Applicable taxes are not included on your bid price. There is no tax on the purchase of Gift Certificates.

www.coolsummer.ca

A6 Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, June 24, 2014y, Juneo Tuesd

S H U T T L E S E R V I C E

4 x $25 Gift Certificates

P H O N E 2 5 0 - 3 3 9 - 5 2 5 2



P H O N E 2 5 0 - 3 3 9 - 5 2 5 2



P H O N E 2 5 0 - 3 3 9 - 5 2 5 2



P H O N E 2 5 0 - 3 3 9 - 5 2 5 2

2 Nights Accommodation*Sub jec t to ava i lab i l i ty

w w w . a p r i l p o i n t . c o m


w w w . a p r i l p o i n t . c o m

$2 X 50 GIFT CERTIFICATES

741 McPhee Ave., Courtenay

250-334-3621

$200 Gift Certifi cate toward Pacifi c Energy Woodstove or Insert and Installation

1 coupon per stove or insert & install.

BODYNETIXFITNESS STARTER KITIncludes: Intro to Fitness Personal Training Session, 1 month

limited FitCamp & Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching

BODYNETIX.COM250 871 2400




250-338-0101278 N. Island Hwy.,

Courtenay

Sony Microsystem199-9273

2 X $50 GIFT CERTIFICATES

2 0 6 4 C O M O X AV E • 2 5 0 8 9 0 9 2 0 0


250-334-3621









250-338-0101278 N. Island Hwy.,

Courtenay

Air Compressor199-1588


250-334-3621




250-334-3621

$200 Gift Certificate toward Pacific Energy Woodstove or Insert and Installation





1 Bedroom Cabin for 3 Nights Stay for up to 4 people

Valid January 1 to June 1, 2014www.cabinswest.ca

1-888-726-7770

$100 GIFT CERTIFICATETOWARD ANYTHING IN THE STORE

Central Builders’Locally owned and operated for over 80 years

610 Anderton Ave., Courtenay • 250-334-4416

MON - FRI 7-6,SAT 8-5, SUN 9-5









1 Full Play Golf Membership

1718 Balmoral Ave, Comox250.339.4444

www.comoxgolfclub.ca

Social MembershipDiscounted Green Fees throughout the year; Unlimited Driving Range; First Round of Golf Free. Valid July 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015Join Now! Play Now!

Call the Golf Shop for details

250.703.5031

1 bedroom cabin for 3 night stay for

up to 4 people Valid Oct 2014 to June 1 2015

$125 Gift Certificate towards pension consulting services

DR Pensions ConsultingHelping you make the best pension decisions

www.drpensions.caDR

320 Fifth Street Downtown Courtenay 250-334-2611

$125 Gift Certificate

8 UltimateCar Washes - $120

COURTENAY • CORNER OF 29TH & CLIFFE • 250-871-8700

You’re Busy... We’re Fast!

5-$20 Gift Certificates

for Oil Change

QUALICUM BAY 250-757-9811

$100 GIFT CERTIFICATE

for QUALICUM SCALLOPS

GRIZZLY WATER PUMP

107-364 8th St. Courtenay • 250.338.2942Island Traders

CLOTHES CLOSETwww.jimsclothescloset.com

Port Alberni4716 Johnston Road

250-723-5231

Downtown Courtenay231 5th Street250-338-2624

Campbell RIver230-1400 Dogwood,

778-346-3332


Flight Centre Courtenay | 1 866 538 0102Unit 8, 795 Ryan Road, Courtenay

*Valid only at Flight Centre Courtenay. Limit one (1) coupon per booking. Not combinable with any offer. Valid on new bookings only. Air and hotel package must include 4 nights accommodation or more. Tour or cruise must be minimum 7 days or longer. Expiry date December 31, 2014.

Gift VoucherPresent this travel voucher at Flight Centre Courtenay and receive $100* off your next air & hotel, tour or cruise booking.

$100

*

$100 Gift Certificate for a Business Breakfast

1175 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay

250-338-1500






755 Fitzgerald Ave., Courtenay 250-334-3825

Island Technologies Computer Systems

$100 Gift Certificate FOR COMPUTER SERVICE

5-$25 GIFT CERTIFICATES TOWARD ANYTHING IN-STORE (in-store credit only)

581 Ryan RoadLOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

250-334-9969ACROSS THE STREET FROM SUPERSTORE



250-723-5231



778-346-3332










Stay & Play Package: 1 Night Deluxe Fairway Room with 1 Round of Golf for 2,

Cart Included.


250.703.5031

1 bedroom cabin for 3 night stay for

up to 4 people Valid Oct 2014 to June 1 2015

1 Hour Guided Tour of Baynes Sound

aboard “MV Chetlo” for 12 people



www.drpensions.caDR




$100

*

$100 Gift Certificate for Dinner


250-338-1500






8 Ultimate Car Washes




PEAVY SP4G PRO CONCERT SPEAKERS

107-364 8th St. Courtenay • 250.338.2942Island Traders



250-723-5231



778-346-3332






1 Full Play Golf Membership

1718 Balmoral Ave, Comox250.339.4444

www.comoxgolfclub.ca

Social MembershipDiscounted Green Fees throughout the year; Unlimited Driving Range; First Round of Golf Free. Valid July 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015Join Now! Play Now!


250.703.5031

1 Hour Guided Tour of Baynes Sound

aboard “MV Chetlo” for 12 people



www.drpensions.caDR



www.drpensions.caDR






8 Ultimate Car Washes






1TB EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE

5-$25 GIFT CERTIFICATES TOWARD ANYTHING IN-STORE (in-store credit only)

581 Ryan RoadLOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

250-334-9969ACROSS THE STREET FROM SUPERSTORE




$100

*

$100 Gift Certificate for a Ladies Luncheon


250-338-1500







for Oil Change




MARQUEE CUT DIAMOND RING

107-364 8th St. Courtenay • 250.338.2942Island TradersComes with letter of authentication. 3 carat diamond appraised value $2300



250-723-5231



778-346-3332

$100 Puma Gift Certificate

LOT#001 CURRENT BID: $25.00 VALUE: $100.00 LOT#002 CURRENT BID: $25.00 VALUE: $100.00 LOT#003 CURRENT BID: $25.00 VALUE: $100.00

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LOT#007

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CURRENT BID: $70.00

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CURRENT BID: $400.00



CURRENT BID: $35.00

CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $60.00

CURRENT BID: $46.00

CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $30.00

CURRENT BID: $35.00

CURRENT BID: $40.00

CURRENT BID: $45.00

CURRENT BID: $40.00

CURRENT BID: $25.00

CURRENT BID: $75.00

CURRENT BID: $9.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $200.00

VALUE: $185.00

VALUE: $185.00

VALUE: $129.99

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $1020.00

VALUE: $395.00

VALUE: $250.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $185.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $100.00

LOT#008

LOT#011

LOT#014

LOT#017

LOT#020

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LOT#043

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LOT#058

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CURRENT BID: $48.00

CURRENT BID: $75.00

CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $80.00

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CURRENT BID: $47.00



CURRENT BID: $10.00

CURRENT BID: $5.00

CURRENT BID: $35.00

CURRENT BID: $60.00

CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $25.00


CURRENT BID: $40.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $200.00

VALUE: $185.00

VALUE: $185.00

VALUE: $219.99

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

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VALUE: $250.00

VALUE: $250.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $125.00

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LOT#009

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CURRENT BID: $75.00

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CURRENT BID: $64.00

CURRENT BID: $62.00



CURRENT BID: $15.00

CURRENT BID: $35.00

CURRENT BID: $35.00

CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $27.00

CURRENT BID: $48.00

CURRENT BID: $39.00

CURRENT BID: $35.00

CURRENT BID: $30.00

CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $45.00

CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $25.00


CURRENT BID: $15.00

VALUE: $200.00

VALUE: $200.00

VALUE: $185.00

VALUE: $417.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $1020.00

VALUE: $395.00

VALUE: $250.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $120.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $105.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $1149.00

VALUE: $100.00

Comox Valley Echo Tuesday, June 24, 2014 A7



250-723-5231



778-346-3332

$100 Michael Kors

Gift Certificate

w w w. p a i n t e r s l o d g e . c o m




250-723-5231



778-346-3332


Pearl CoveSalon & Esthetics Studio

250•871•1122 526-C Cumberland Rd, Courtenay

1 Microdermabrasion Facial

1.800.663.7929 • www.kingfisherspa.com

Subject to availability, blackout dates apply. No Cash Value. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion or offer, discount or Costco gift certificate. Must be used in one visit, no credit to be

carried forward or separated. Valid until Oct. 1, 2014 - Nov 15, 2014

ONE PASS TO OUR SIGNATURE SPA SERVICE, THE PACIFIC MIST HYDROPATH PLUS A ONE HOUR

RELAXATION MASSAGE.



1 BioStrat® Peel & 1 Skincare Kit





REFRESHING FACIAL.

250-338-5361 Foot of Mission Hill

123 N. Island Hwy., Courtenay

PILON TOOLRENTALS

LLL BEARCAT WT24 WHEELED

TRIMMER


2937 Kilpatrick Ave | 250-871-6074 | www.la-z-boyvi.com

$125 Gift Certificate2601 Cliffe Ave,

Courtenay250-334-8087

www.platescatering.com

5425 Argyle Street, Port Alberni

250-723-8313www.ladyrosemarine.com

2 Adult Fares– ANY SAILING –

Advanced Reservations Requiredq

$500 CREDIT TOWARDS

COURTENAY BC250-334-0355

BC Reg 3140-4

SQUARE 1TRAVEL & CRUISE

Oceania Cruises(New Bookings Only. Must be used by

February 28th 2015)

5th Street, Courtenay • 250.897.0081 www.unionstreetgrill.ca


2 HOT-N-READY PIZZAS OF YOUR CHOICE WITH CRAZY BREAD AND 2 DIPS ONCE A MONTH FOR A YEAR*

*PICK UP ONLY

300 McGimpsey Road, Campbell River, BC Pro Shop: (250) 923-3673 • Toll Free: 1-866-923-3674

4X18 HOLE GREEN FEES AND 2

POWER CARTS

BRAND NAME ELECTRONICS • PERSONAL SERVICE

HP DeskJet 3533 All-in-one printer HP p/n CX057A

3-2760 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay250-334-2322

250-338-8026

$250 GIFT CERTIFICATE TOWARDS WALK-IN-TUB PURCHASE & INSTALL

$100 GIFT CERTIFICATE104-2270 Cliffe Ave,

COURTENAY250.897.0239

$100 GIFT CE

2 NIGHT STAY IN 2 BEDROOM

CABIN FOR UP TO 4 ADULTS AND 2

CHILDREN

1 MONTH UNLIMITED MEMBERSHIP

250-897-8121 • 823 McPhee Ave., Courtenaywww.titaniumcrossfit.blogspot.com

Whyte’sFraming & Gallery

$100 GIFT CERTIFICATE1225 Lazo Rd Comox

[email protected]





RELAXATION MASSAGE.



1 Cold Laser Facial



$100Fun in the

Sun packageCOMOX 250.339.3422 | COURTENAY 250-871-7771




Advanced Reservations Requiredqq

1089 Braidwood Rdwww.theprimechophouse.com

250 871 7292(across from the Royal Bank on Ryan Rd in Courtenay)


250-218-1054 • larrypoirier.ca


TOWARDS HOME REPAIRS OR RENOVATIONS

$500 CREDIT TOWARDS


BC Reg 3140-4


West World Tours(New Bookings Only. Must be used by

February 28th 2015)



2230 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay • 250-338-1482


250 334 3232 5291 North Island HwyGOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

SUNNYDALE

Full Play Membership



$100 GIFT CE

COUPLES GET-A-WAY:

2 Nights Stay in Oceanview Studio Cabin, Alert Bay Plus

2 Days Use of 2 Kayaks.

250-338-8026


332 - 5th St, Courtenay250-338-1233

www.whalestaletoys.com


5th & Duncan Downtown Courtenay • 250.703.2141

PAC SAFE CAMERA BAG• eXomesh® slashguards • Slashproof Carrysafe® strap

• Smart zipper security™ • Dual release security buckle • RFIDsafe™ blocking pocket

6635B Island Highway North, Merville BC

778 428 [email protected] us on Facebook

1 Horse Teeth Float ($160 value) *Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.

Good Friends* Good Value* All Animals

Comox & 2 Courtenay Locations

5 X $25GIFT CERTIFICATES



250-723-5231



778-346-3332


w w w. p a i n t e r s l o d g e . c o m




250-723-5231



778-346-3332

$100 Gift Certificate towards any Buffalo Clothing



130 Minute Tanning Package





RELAXATION MASSAGE.








REFRESHING FACIAL.

250-338-5361 Foot of Mission Hill

123 N. Island Hwy., Courtenay

PILON TOOLRENTALS

BEARCAT LS21 LOG SPLITTER










$500 CREDIT TOWARDS


BC Reg 3140-4


Seabourn Cruises(New Bookings Only. Must be used by

February 28th 2015)




250-871-7622 • [email protected] 5th Street, Courtenay



POWER CARTS


5x $25 Gift CardsRechargeable cards,automatic or wand

wash, just swipe and go!380 Old Island Highway (next to Value Village)

250-338-8026




$100 GIFT CE

2 NIGHT STAY IN 2 BEDROOM

CABIN FOR UP TO 4 ADULTS AND 2

CHILDREN

140 Port Augusta, Comox • 250-890-7575Featuring Fine Italian Cuisine


TRATTORIA



[email protected]



250-723-5231



778-346-3332

$100 Tommy Bahama Gift Certificate



1 Microdermabrasion Facial



250-723-5231



778-346-3332









REFRESHING FACIAL.



BioStrat® Deep Pore Facial



$125 Gift Certificate2601 Cliffe Ave,

Courtenay250-334-8087

www.platescatering.com








6635B Island Highway North, Merville BC

778 428 [email protected] us on Facebook

2 Vaccines with Health Check ($85 value) *Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.

Good Friends* Good Value* All Animals

2 HOT-N-READY PIZZAS OF YOUR CHOICE WITH CRAZY BREAD AND 2 DIPS ONCE A MONTH FOR A YEAR*

*PICK UP ONLY



POWER CARTS


2230 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay • 250-338-1482


250-338-8026




$100 GIFT CE

COUPLES GET-A-WAY:

2 Nights Stay in Oceanview Studio Cabin, Alert Bay Plus

2 Days Use of 2 Kayaks.

1 MONTH UNLIMITED MEMBERSHIP

250-897-8121 • 823 McPhee Ave., Courtenaywww.titaniumcrossfit.blogspot.com



[email protected]





RELAXATION MASSAGE.



1 Cold Laser Facial





REFRESHING FACIAL.

COMOX 250.339.3422 | COURTENAY 250-871-7771

$100Package




Advanced Reservations Requiredqq




250-218-1054 • larrypoirier.ca


TOWARDS HOME REPAIRS OR RENOVATIONS

$500 CREDIT TOWARDS


BC Reg 3140-4


Viking Cruises(New Bookings Only. Must be used by

February 28th 2015)




250-871-7622 • [email protected] 5th Street, Courtenay

250 334 3232 5291 North Island HwyGOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

SUNNYDALE

Full Play Membership


5x $25 Gift CardsRechargeable cards,automatic or wand

wash, just swipe and go!380 Old Island Highway (next to Value Village)

250-338-8026


662 Anderton Rd. Comox 250-339-4518

2981 Moray Ave. Courtenay 250-331-0708

BRIGGS & STRATTON EM10 10KW STANDBY GENERATOR

(includes transfer switch and battery)

5th & Duncan Downtown Courtenay • 250.703.2141

PAC SAFE CAMERA BAG• eXomesh® slashguards • Slashproof Carrysafe® strap

• Smart zipper security™ • Dual release security buckle • RFIDsafe™ blocking pocket

140 Port Augusta, Comox • 250-890-7575Featuring Fine Italian Cuisine


TRATTORIA

Comox & 2 Courtenay Locations

5 X $25GIFT CERTIFICATES

LOT#071

LOT#111

LOT#074

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LOT#160

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LOT#145

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LOT#110

LOT#150

LOT#170

CURRENT BID: $20.00


CURRENT BID: $30.00

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CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $75.00


CURRENT BID: $47.00

CURRENT BID: $52.00

CURRENT BID: $55.00


CURRENT BID: $40.00

CURRENT BID: $80.00



CURRENT BID: $30.00

CURRENT BID: $35.00

CURRENT BID: $40.00


CURRENT BID: $60.00

CURRENT BID: $50.00

CURRENT BID: $80.00

CURRENT BID: $40.00

CURRENT BID: $47.00

CURRENT BID: $42.00

CURRENT BID: $40.00

CURRENT BID: $77.00

CURRENT BID: $95.00


CURRENT BID: $42.00

CURRENT BID: $45.00


CURRENT BID: $45.00


CURRENT BID: $35.00

CURRENT BID: $48.00

CURRENT BID: $10.00

CURRENT BID: $25.00

CURRENT BID: $80.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $356.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $129.00

VALUE: $170.00

VALUE: $250.00

VALUE: $170.00

VALUE: $599.95

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $125.00

VALUE: $156.00

VALUE: $500.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $226.50

VALUE: $289.00

VALUE: $500.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $250.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $417.00

VALUE: $140.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $170.00

VALUE: $149.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $100.00

VALUE: $156.00

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LOT#072

LOT#112

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LOT#168

CURRENT BID: $15.00


CURRENT BID: $20.00

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CURRENT BID: $80.00

CURRENT BID: $35.00

CURRENT BID: $80.00


CURRENT BID: $47.00

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CURRENT BID: $52.00

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LOT#073

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CURRENT BID: $17.00

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CURRENT BID: $45.00

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OpinionsECHO

THE COMOX VALLEY ECHOAn independently owned and operated

newspaper published by Echo Publications at

407-D Fifth Street, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1J7

All material herein is protected by copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without written

authorization from the publisher.

Publisher Dave MacDonaldEditor Debra MartinAdvertising Manager Keith CurrieOffice Administrator Deb FowlerCirculation Manager Hedi MacDonaldProduction Manager Ryan GetzPhone 250-334-4722 Fax 250-334-3172Classifieds 250- 334-4215 Circulation 250-334-4734E-mail: [email protected]

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement Number #0661538

Letters to the Editor

A sneaky way to get funding


It saddened me learn how the CVRD recently “obtained approval” to borrow $1.9 million to renovate the curling rink. This was done through the “Alternative Approval Process”.

This process means that if 10% of the total electors in the CVRD don’t object to sinking funds into the curling rink project, it is approved. To me, that means that the “deck is stacked” for getting approval for about any project. 423 electors objected to the curling rink project which is less than 1% of the total.

Why? My guess it is due more to elector apathy more than anything else. I asked a few people why they did not register their objection to this project and the answer I received a number of times was that they did not have time to go down to the CVRD office to do so. A surprising number of people were not even aware of the issue and did not seem to care.

I venture to guess that if this Alternative Approval Process would have been turned around and would have required that 10% of the electors respond to approve this huge expenditure, that the CVRD would not have received the 4737 votes they would have needed. They may have obtained 600 electors in favor of the proj-ect for I understand that this is about the number of people that utilize the curling

facilities. My point is that this Alternative Approval Process is a sneaky way to get a multimillion dollar expenditure slipped into the “spend” column. This procedure may be legal in BC municipal law but it is underhanded and unethical.

Since we are having general municipal elections this fall, it would have been very easy to have this expenditure included as a referendum question with very little extra cost to the tax payer.

If this would have happened, with a straight “yes” or “no” answer, I think that the results would have been very different and the project would not have gained this somewhat dicey “approval”.

This Alternative Approval Process is an insult to democracy and should not be used by the elected and appointed people that are supposed to serve us, the public and not small, special interest groups. Yes, it is only going to cost about another $4.14 per household for this expense. However, an extra $4 here and another $5 there etc., etc. and yearly budgets keep going inexo-rably up, much much higher than the cost of inflation.

Elected and appointed officials, please rein in your spending and make a sincere effort to bring our costs and therefore our taxes down.

While on the subject of keeping costs

down, a number of us are wondering why the CVRD has to borrow the money to finance this curling rink renovation.

According to last year’s audit, the Rural District alone had $67 million in cash sit-ting in reserves. This is over 90% of assets. The majority of municipalities have about 20% of their assets sitting as cash in reserves. Why does the CVRD need such a huge amount of cash sitting, doing noth-ing, drawing low interest rates? This is similar to an individual maintaining a large savings account in the bank, making 1.5 to 2% interest on it and taking out a mortgage at a rate of 4 to 6% or higher to buy a house. In this curling rink fiasco, the most democratic and fair way to have man-aged it would have been to have a referen-dum. If the majority of the public would have approved the expenditure, then and only then the funds could have been taken from the vast reserves and the renovations performed without yet another increase to our taxes.

If, after you read this, are as unhappy as a lot of us are with the way our local gov-ernments are being run, please take the time and make the effort to stop at the Chamber of Commerce on Cliff Avenue and sign the Governance Review Petition.

Len PaulovichComox

Letters

To the teacher of the average child, I wanted to tell you that I would have liked to come out and let you know what I think of your plight, but again today work is keeping me busy.

You see I am working at a hotel and we are a little busier than expected this morning. It wouldn’t be so bad but the seniors tour group is making the most of the complimentary breakfast and keep bringing me the empty coffee pots, as if I can fill them from the front desk. But I smile and thank them for bringing it to my attention and I will go make some more as soon as I can, and yes I will re-fill the muffins, bagels, and fruit bowls while I am at it.

As soon as I get the coffee going, the man from room 220 calls down to see if I can send up main-tenance to unplug his toilet. I have to explain we won’t have anyone in for maintenance person until later. Sure it would be nice to have someone available 24/7 but we are a small operation and just can’t afford that. No I don’t expect him to do it himself so I promise I will try to get up there a.s.a.p.

The phone rings again and I make a mental note to myself to get back to restocking the break-fast right after I take this next call. It turns out the caller would like to cancel their next week’s reservation and have their credit card refunded. I try to explain to them that they booked through one of the on-line travel sites, it is a non-cancel-lable and non-refundable reservation, and we actually don’t have their money anyway. But they have a heavy accent and both of us struggle to understand each other. The old man is back ask-ing for his coffee again so I get the caller’s phone number and promise to call back.

I rush the coffee and whatever else I can carry to the breakfast room and notice a child at the corner table pouring the waffle syrup on to the chair beside him. The parents aren’t doing any-thing about it because... well we don’t know why.

The phone rings again, a housekeeper calling in sick. Now I have to call the other staff to see if someone will come in to cover for her. But I know I’m just going through the motions. With the small staff we just don’t have the manpower we need sometimes. Well, it means a bigger load for the rest of the staff again today. I get busy rewrit-ing the assignment lists, in between a few more check-outs, a few more phone calls and then the man from 220 calls again. I put the ‘back in 5 minutes sign’ on the desk, grab the plunger, the mop, and some rags and head on up. Apologizing profusely I take care of the toilet, thinking it’s a shame I wore good shoes today.

On my way back to the desk I can hear some-one pounding on the “ring for service” bell. I stop long enough to drop off the plunger, wash my hands, wipe the sweat off my face, remember to smile and go see who needs service so urgent-ly. Naturally the emergency is a child wanting to know if we found her swimming goggles, she was sure she left them in the pool yesterday. As I put the bell away, I tell her I will check the lost and found. But of the 15 pairs in the box, none are hers. Yes, she’s pretty sure, but can she look again. By now the tour group is wanting to check out, so I tell her she can take any pair for now but no, she wants hers and starts to cry.

Now the tour guide is pounding on the desk, they need to get going, they are on a schedule you know. But, there seem to be some extra charges. Ah yes, a couple of the rooms had movie charges posted. The tour company won’t pay for those so we have to track down guests and collect from them. The old couple from 110 insist they did not watch Debbie Does Dallas. Who am I to argue?

By now the housekeepers have started and the first load of laundry is coming down the chute. As we are shorthanded I start loading the washer. It’s been about 5 hours now without a break and I think about having some lunch. But then the first of the wedding party booked in for tonight start showing up. They don’t care that check-out time is 11, check-in time is 2 pm, and that it is only noon, they need to get in a room. Keep smiling I tell myself. What do I expect them to do they ask, the wedding is at 2 and they need to get ready. And so it goes, more guest demands, more phone calls, clean up the breakfast, more laundry... And, oh yeah, and this is all for significantly less than $20 an hour.

So you see dear teacher, I have a little trouble sympathizing with your “difficult working condi-tions”. We would all like to have ideal staffing levels, and more operating funding and better pay. But we have to deal with our employer’s limits.

As a taxpayer, I am at my limit. I can not afford for this government to bring any more money to the table for you.

Don’t you ever stop to think about where your paycheque really comes from. Hint, that would be all the rest of the working people in this province.

Greg FossenSubmitted on behalf of taxpayers who don’t get

paid with tax money

How about a class action lawsuit from the par-ents of school-aged children against the Government?

After all, we have paid them our taxes, which are supposed to pay for our childrens’ education, and they are not delivering.

Now parents are forced to pay out AGAIN, for childcare. How is that legally right? It is the Government’s responsibility to find a solution, with our money. Get on with it!

Emma GledhillComox Valley

Spare a thoughtfor taxpayers

Torn up over no support for teachersAs a teacher, presently on call, in the

Comox Valley, torn up pretty much desri-bes how most students, parents, and teach-ers are feeling, after the announcement, that the Liberal Government will not invest in Education, to assist class sizes, and com-position (the number of special needs chil-dren per classroom). In my decades of teaching, I have not seen education eroded to this degree.

I’m torn up that the Government, after telling the people of British Columbia, that they would be bargaining around the clock, all weekend, were absent from any bagain-ing table for 48 hours.

The BCTF had a proposal, backing down on wage demands, but could not dismiss class size, and composition, for the sake of all society. Needs are so incredibly diverse, in each classroom, that size, and composi-tion, are extremely important for all stu-dents, and teachers. “A teacher’s working conditions are a student’s learning condi-tions.”

The Government offered nothing new, and even dropped what they initially offered in wages. Apparently there is no money left, after the Olympics, nor the retractable roof on Rogers Arena, but we know that not to be true. There is a huge contingency fund that can be accessed, but apparently Public Education is not import-ant enough. The Government is presently saving millions in teachers’ lost wages, most who can not afford the losses, but giving back nothing to the classroom. Absolutely deplorable!

I’m torn up, because Tom Fletcher has had the nerve to say that teachers don’t care about children. Mr. Fletcher, we would not be on strike, if that was so. This is not a strike, simply for increased wages. Teachers chose class size, and composition, over salary increases, in the last two rounds of bargaining.

We have not had an increase in salaries, in four years. B.C. Teachers are some of the lowest paid teachers in Canada, and per pupil funding is only above P.E.I. I’m torn

up, because Christy Clark’s boy goes to a private school, so she doesn’t care about Public Education.

I’m torn up that the B.C. Liberals are ignoring Supreme Court, with regard to class size, and composition, for the second time. Yes, our legally binding contract was torn up. The Government has been fined by the BCTF, and is now spending huge sums of money, to fight Supreme Court.

Would that money not be better put to use in the classrooms of British Columbia? Does such a fight not tell you something about the Liberal Government? The Government is reguiring School Districts to partially pay for seismic upgrades, fund CUPE wages, take on increasing hydro costs (reason Schools have an extra week at spring break), and yet there hasn’t been an increase in operating costs in three years. School Districts are maxed out. Try to imagine what will be cut next. Will B.C. become like England, with private schools, and inner city schools?

A poorly educated society does not bode well for anyone. I’m asking you all to find out the real facts, know that teachers care, and please do what you can to support our Public Education System. It was no coinci-dence that some young boys thanked me today, for standing up for public Education. They know the importance, of a good edu-cation, even at their young age. They know “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Sharon DalyComox

There is an ugly and protracted battle going on between BC’s teachers and pro-vincial government and as predictable as those conflicts are, so must follow endless public hand-wringing about the fate of the children, and the potential dire impacts of a disrupted education.

The majority of the world can only look at our situation and think: “We should be

so lucky”. Currently, 57 million prima-ry-grade kids are out of school. Barely half of all countries are expected to provide primary education by next year. Yet it used to be much worse: due to the efforts of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and donors like Canada, since 1999 the number of uneducated children worldwide has been halved.

A good example is Afghanistan: the number of children attending school has gone from one to 11.5 million, and almost half are girls.

But the need is enormous, and later this month the GPE is slated for renewed fund-ing, and is facing an annual shortfall of 26 billion. Canada needs to double its current commitment of 60 million if the GPE is to achieve its goal.

Compared to BC, the challenges facing education in the rest of the world are far more dire.

But while BC’s education issues are com-plex, this one is very simple. The Harper government doubling its commitment will help ensure that the GPE reaches those final 57 million kids.

Nathaniel PooleVictoria BC

How about re-opening a subject that

politicians fear? Amalgamation! I think it’s time we consolidated our

local governments. Having three different municipal enti-

ties, a Regional District picking up the pieces left by expanding borders is costing 2 times the amount it probably should.

The Fraser Institute states via Freedom of Information data, that expenses to run all Municipalities has doubled the rate of infla-tion and population growth.

Check the data on running the Comox Valley, and do the math. Isn’t it time for the “Conversation?”

Pat ArmstrongCourtenay

TIME TO SUE THE GOVERNMENT

A SIMPLE EDUCATION SOLUTION

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The Courtenay and District Museum is set to go with a multitude of sum-mer activities and events. The summer kicks off with the July 1st -Celebrate Canada Day open house at the muse-um with music, cupcake walks and crafts.

Everyday throughout the summer we will be offering Fossil Tours at 9am and 1pm.

Starting July 8th, the museum is offering Children’s Summer Discovery Day Camps . The theme this year is “Mystery in the Rocks”-discovering the wonders of palaeontology and fos-sils.

The Nature Lab and Studio is anoth-er programme available throughout the summer for young people who want to explore science and art.

Every Monday afternoon starting July 7th the museum is hosting a Dinosaur Story Time.

Fibre Fridays will host young peo-ple who want to learn to knit and dye and take something they’ve made home with them.

This summer is loaded with things to do at the museum. For more infor-mation on these activities and more visit the museum’s website at www.courtenaymuseum.ca .

Elegant, authentic English tea and dainties in one of the most beautiful gardens in the Comox Valley are yours for an afternoon on Sunday, July 20th from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

A true variety of butterfly gardens, bees in the apiary, meditation gardens, a labyrinth as well as a rose garden featuring over 30 species of roses will delight your senses as you enjoy your elegant English tea while listening to soft background music.

You will be served by characters dressed as the staff of Downton Abbey and there will be a prize for best dressed character attending.

This fund raising event is spon-sored by the Kiwanis Club of Courtenay and the Gardens on Anderton for the maintenance of the Anderton Therapeutic Gardens. Tickets are $20 from Square 1 Travel or the Gardens on Anderton.

On Canada Day, drop by the Courtenay and District Museum after the parade and help celebrate our country’s birthday.

There will be free admission, bal-loons and door prize draws between 12 noon and 4 pm.

Special activities will include cup-cake walks for all ages and a hands-on craft for kids.

Musical entertainment will be pro-vided by Alan Jossul.

The Courtenay and District Museum is located at 207 Fourth Street in downtown Courtenay. FMI: 250-334-0686.

SAWCHUK RETROSPECTIVE OPENS FRIDAYA major retrospective of the

work of the late artist George Sawchuk will officially open at the Comox Valley Art Gallery on June 27th.

People will have a unique chance to view the exhibition as it is being installed during a cura-torial residency at the gallery from June 17 to 26.

Guest curator Grant Shilling will be installing dozens of sculp-tures, photos, videos, original sketches and other memorabilia as part of the exhibit, “The Book of George: The Life and Art of George Sawchuk”.

Shilling will be on-site at the gallery from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday until the show opens.

The public is welcome to drop by and view the material as it’s being installed, and may have an opportunity to talk with Shilling depending on his availability and the tasks he is undertaking at the time.

“George Sawchuk left us with a profound legacy,” says Shilling. “It’s a real honour and a real challenge to distill his enormous body of work into an exhibit. Just the process of viewing and han-dling his work is deeply moving.”

Sawchuk is perhaps best known for the acres of Forest Gallery he created in the woods near his Fanny Bay home. Sawchuk, and his wife Pat Helps, maintained the outdoor exhibition for close to 40 years.

The Forest Gallery continues to draw visitors from around the world. A google search for Sawchuk will uncover articles and descriptions in various lan-guages, as well as a multitude of photos and videos.

“George’s work has touched the lives of literally thousands of peo-ple,” says Shilling.

“The retrospective will essen-tially take place at two sites: the Comox Valley Art Gallery and the Forest Gallery in Fanny Bay.”

There will be several events

held in conjunction with the exhibit.The June 27th reception at CVAG will mark

the opening of the Sawchuk exhibit, plus two other shows.

In CVAG’s Community Gallery, Suzan Marczak will be showing a series of acrylic paintings and text-based narratives entitled “Wildwood Stories”, exploring the complex cycles of life present in the BC rainforests.

In the George Sawchuk Gallery, the children from Roseberry Preschool will present an exhi-bition entitled “If you go out in the woods today”.

This work is a response to the ‘Enchanted Forest’ (George Sawchuk’s Forest Gallery), and includes gifts for the forest in the form of handmade books, drawings and texts inspired by discussions about “what the forest has given to us”, says Lesley Henderson, director of Roseberry preschool.

The opening reception will start at 6 p.m. with an art making project, water tasting, and a feast of sugar cookies following a recipe that Sawchuk was very fond of. Opening remarks will start at 7 p.m.

On July 1 there will be a Canada Day pot-luck and readings by authors Terry Glavin and Elizabeth Bachinsky at the Helps/Sawchuk home, 372 Bates Drive in Fanny Bay. The event starts at 2 p.m.

On July 12, Shilling will give a curator’s talk at CVAG, starting at 1 p.m. And on July 15 there will be readings by authors Lee Henderson and Chris Arnett at CVAG, starting at 7 p.m.

To follow the installation residency on twitter @George_Sawchuk and on CVAG’s facebook page.

The exhibit is sponsored in part by the Campbell River, Courtenay and District Labour Council.

A portrait of George Sawchuk with his work. The photograph was taken by Mary Alice.

A detail of George Sawchuk’s work in the Forest Gallery. The photograph was taken by Ron Pogue. A major retrospective of the work of George Sawchuk opens Friday, June 27 at the Comox Valley Art Gallery.

Mysteries, dinosaurs and fun at the Museum

Enjoy tea at ‘DowntonAbbey’ on July 20

Open house July 1st at Courtenay Museum


Community

Special Information Supplement

New Car Dealers Association of BCProud to celebrate a 30 year relationship with Special Olympics BC

Summer vacation season

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By Blair Qualey

Summer vacation tips ... Conserving fuel

Town of Comox - Glacier View Drive Upgrades: Alternating one lane traffic

will be utilized from July 2 to August 29, 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Friday.

Traffic will be disrupted to allow the reconstruction of Glacier View Drive and a new sidewalk.

Any questions can be directed to 250-287-9644.

Thank you for your cooperation.Management, Wacor Holdings Ltd.

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CARRIERS WANTED

July 1st parade dignitaries always include the ‘Freemen’Everybody Loves a Parade!Since the early 1920’s, every First

of July, Courtenay has had a parade. There will be marching bands and Fire Engines. Organizations will dec-orate flatbed trucks, or cars, or wear their uniform as they walk down Fifth Street to Lewis Park. Elected officials will ride in new or old cars.

Among those “dignitaries” will be cars whose sign will read “Freeman of the City”.

“Freedom of the City” began as an ancient Roman tradition to allow a victorious General to parade through the streets. The boundaries of a city were sacred and no military pres-ence was allowed to cross the “pomerium”. So Armies were forced to camp outside. It was a rare privi-lege to enter the city.

During the Medieval Ages, this tradition continued with all military force having to remain outside the walled cities. The granting of a “Key to the City” recognized that the recipient was someone to be trusted and they would have the privilege of being able to freely move in and out of the city even after the gates were locked for the night.

By Municipal Law, a City can bestow the honour “Freedom of the City” to recognize a valued servant or the service of a military unit. In the 21st Century, Freedom of the City has no monetary privilege but every “Freeman” has an honoured place at a civic function and their names are first on the voters list.

In the past 64 years, the City of Courtenay has only bestowed the honour of “Freedom of The City “on 22 occasions, beginning in 1953 with former Mayor Charles Henry Simms, a businessman, who had served as Alderman and later hired as City Clerk. He was known to be a walking reference on anything about the city.

The three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces have been recognized: in 1993, 19 Wing CFB Comox, then in September of 1997, the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) and in August 2008, HMCS Quadra.

In 1959, the second individual to

be honoured was J. Murray Mitchell who had for decades acted as city solicitor. For many years he sang in the St. George’s United Church choir and in the Comox District Men’s Musical Society. He also served on the Board of Directors of St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Mitchell’s good friend, G. William (Bill) Stubbs was honoured in 1963. Bill had also arrived in Courtenay in 1919, boarded at the same house and they would be members of Hiram Masonic Lodge. Bill was the first secretary of the Comox Valley Great War Veterans Association. He had a 44-year career as teacher and Principal.

Bill Stubbs was influential in start-ing the theatrical career of one young student, Sidney Williams, when he cast him in the school

Christmas play. Later the two men would build sets, create songs and skits for CRA

productions like Scattered Skits. Sid would perform in the

Barkerville Review and played Century Sam for the 1958 BC Centennial. Sid was given “Freedom of the City” in April 1968, and an Order of Canada in 1984.

In 1969, Lorne A. Cleland was honoured for his services as Courtenay Fire Chief and his many years as volunteer of what was known then as the Fire Brigade.

Also to be recognized for his years as Fire Chief was Lawrence Burns who was also known for his volunteer service to the community. He received the “Freedom of City” in 1995.

Two former City of Courtenay Mayors have been honoured: George L. Hobson in 1984 and Ron Webber in 2003. Ron had spent three decades in municipal politics. George Hobson spearheaded the revitalization of the Riverside Hotel property which became the Civic Square and the renovating of the old Bickle Theatre which is now called “the Sid”.

George Hobson was an active member of the CRA and encouraged his friend Herb Bradley to apply for the position of Recreation Director. For his years of dedication to sport particularly disabled skiing pro-grams, Herb became a “Freeman” in 1984.

Teresa (Tucky) Schellinck was given “Freedom of the City” for her work with Friendly Visitors which provided “visits” to patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital, help to needy families all year and Christmas ham-

pers in December. (One year, 800 hampers left the Schellinck base-ment). Tucky also received an Order of Canada in 1988.

Two long-serving aldermen, A.H (Sandy) Strachan in 1989 and Sylvio (Skip) Blain (1999) became “Freemen”. Sandy served on council for 24 years, chairing the public works and water committees. He was the Government-appointed member of the Woods Mountain Ski Park.

Skip served on council for 16 years, but his list of volunteer activi-ties in the community included Child Development Society, Citizens on Patrol, July First Committee, a member of Kinsmen, the Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Director for both the Summer and Senior games.

Three wives of “Freemen” were honoured: Dorothy Isabelle Stubbs in 1993, Maude Hobson in 2000 and Hermie Blain in 2004.

Each of these women having served their community as stalwartly as their husbands, often in the same organizations. Isabelle Stubbs received an Order of British Columbia in 1996.

Nelson McInnis, teacher and prin-cipal, was instrumental in getting Big Brothers into the Valley. He was one of the editors of Land of Plenty, an encyclopedic history of the Comox Valley. He was honoured in 2001.

In the world of Theatre and Music honourees were Mike Butler (2000)) who “set the scenes” and did the lighting for many of the CoVal shows produced by Beryl Regier (1998).

In 1994, Walter Tarling was recog-nized for his 40 years with the Comox District Concert Band which he helped to “pull together’ in 1948.

In 2007 Edwin Grieve was hon-oured for his years of organizing events for the City, such as July First Committee. He was active with the annual Child Development Telethon.

Doris Weislein was honoured in 2009 for her work with Women of Native Ancestry and for the Headstart program for Aboriginal children.

A wall in Courtenay’s council chambers at city hall displays photographs of Freeman of the City honourees

HUNTFor Historyby JUDY HAGEN

The Evergreen Club is pleased to present the July 1st Tea Dance on Tuesday July 1st at 2 pm.

This wonderful event is part of Courtenay’s Canada Day celebrations. Originally, The Canadian Daughters group had a long running history organizing it but the torch has since been passed.

Evergreen Club volunteer Bea Tomkinson is the new convenor.

Bea says, “The tradition of the Canadian Daughters running this goes back so many years. It’s such a fun afternoon and it’s all free! Free cake, free lemonade, free tea, and free coffee! It’s all free!”

It takes place upstairs in the Courtenay Recreation’s Native Sons Hall also known as the Grand Hall.

Live music will be provided by The Georgia Strait Big Band which offers pure

dancing and listening tunes. They play Mega-hits from the Big Band Era, plus Swing and Latin from today’s popular arrangers and composers.

From the Count to the Duke, Miller and Gillespie, the Georgia Strait Big Band enter-tains with music from the most exciting composers of the twentieth century!

Evergreen Club volunteer Gail Flynn stresses, “This is an event that every age group can enjoy!” So gather your friends, neighbors, and family and swing by to check out this joyous community gather-ing. FMI call The Evergreen Club 250-338-1000.

ROAD CLOSURES will be in effect along 5th Street from Lake Trail and Willemar to

Ryan Road starting at 9:00am Tuesday July 1st. This will involve the connecting ave-nues that cross 5th Street. The public is advised to be aware of this closure and to plan alternate routes using the 17th Street Bridge as the 5th Street Bridge will be closed for the day. The portion of 5th Street from Cliffe Ave. across the 5th Street Bridge to Comox Ave. will remain closed until 4:30 to ensure the safety of all people in Simm’s and Lewis Park.

At 10 am when the 5th Street Mile begins everyone is asked to keep 5th Street clear of all pedestrian traffic to allow the runners to safely run their race. There is expected to be hundreds of runners and they will not be all running in a pack, people should not walk on 5th Street after 9:45am. The Grande Parade will start at 10:30am.

To enable people to come to all the activ-

ities planned by the July 1st Committee the BC Transit system will be offering rides on Canada Day which will assist in parking problems. The rides will be in very con-venient routes for people parking at Driftwood Mall or the Comox Mall and will be offered at the special rate of $1 per person. This is a great opportunity to experience our Comox Valley transit system!

Information available www.comoxvalleycanadaday.ca

Evergreen Seniors will carry on tradition of free July 1st tea dance

JULY 1ST TRAFFIC ADVISORY


Sports and Recreation

Transit Info 250·339·5453 • www.bctransit.com

4119

_2

Comox Valley Transit

Canada Day Special Effective July 1, 2014

Ride for $1.00 on Canada DayTake the bus to downtown Courtenay for the celebrations and to the

many beaches, parks, rivers and other fun summer destinations on the

Comox Valley Transit routes.

Visit www.bctransit.com and click on Comox Valley for schedules and

maps, including route changes due to the bridge closure.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!The Alberni Valley Museum thanks the following for helping to make the

2014 Alberni Valley Museum Regional Heritage Fair a success:

Alberni District Historical SocietyAV Community Arts CouncilAlberni Valley NewsGenealogy ClubLiteracy AlberniMayworksPort Alberni Maritime Heritage SocietyProvince Of British ColumbiaSchool District 70 - AlberniSchool District 71 - Comox ValleyComox Valley Regional District Sports & Aquatic Centre

OUR SUPPORTERS:Alberni Valley Lions ClubKen & Val Hughes FamilyQuality FoodsB.C. Heritage Fairs SocietyAlberni Valley TimesIndustrial Heritage SocietyCity Of Port AlberniB.C. Hydro Power PioneersPort Alberni Parks, Recreation & HeritageLadybird Engraving

OUR SPONSORS:All of our judges, group leaders, room monitors, time keepers, typists, tour guides, photographers, train crew, IHS Crew

OUR VOLUNTEERS:

Pam Craig, Pat Dahlquist, Tom Hall, David Hopper and Marta Williamson

OUR COMMITTEE:

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm Thursday 10am to 8pm

Phone: 250-720-2863

The Reception, Maintenance and Parks Yard Staff of Parks, Recreation and Heritage

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Comox Valley Slo-Pitch LeagueStandings June 22

TEAMBanner Landscaping BrewersSpeedy Glass DevilsCumberland Hotel Lucky DawgsRamRodsSunlife SlammersDucks Gone WildMission Possible ShockersRenegades

W119666544

L23776899

T00000000

RF170142162139134156164126

RA111142156149146153183186

Pts22181212121088

TEAMAverage JoesLoose CannonsVIIC VikingsSaucedPeanut GalleryCalm BattersBilly D’s Benchwarmers

W1010108221

L32359

1011

T0000211

RF147165182205132110

99

RA119121124122167196191

P20202016653

TIER 1

TIER 2

TEAMWrecksMalfunctionsGriffin Ball BustersKomox GrindContendersElks ZombiesC.V. Marine MisfitsOyster River Rats

W119865433

L2447669

11

T00112310

RF164171158183132154163153

RA118147129180142151204207

P22181713121176

TIER 3

TEAMPacersTULSThe AvengersTee Box BallersWeavers Leather EZ RydersWalker’s OptionalSlippery KittensCoco Locos

W99756651

L2365677

12

T21031010

RF16216716515915615516192

RA107125153136139154175228

P201914131312112

TIER 4

Tier 1: Banner Landscaping Brewers dropped Lucky Dawgs 10-3 and stopped Mission Possible Shockers 13-2 to take over first place in Tier 1 play. Speedy Glass Auto Devils split a couple of close games falling 13-12 to Ducks Gone Wild but got by the Lucky Dawgs 9-8. Sunlife Slammers won a pair of games 14-5 over the Renegades and 9-3 against Ramrod. The Shockers were 13-8 winners over Ramrod while the Renegades beat the Ducks 11-7.

Tier 2: There is a 3 way tie for first spot in Tier 2. VIIC Vikings won a double header 21-6 over Billy D’s Benchwarmers and scored a run in the bottom of the 7th edging Calm Batters 17-16. The Vikings were also 13-8 winners over Peanut Gallery to be one of the teams tied for first. Average Joes split their games this week as they were crushed 26-6 by Sauced but rallied for a 15-2 pasting over the Benchwarmers. Loose Cannons only played one game as they stopped the Peanuts 15-11 to also claim a share of first. Sauced also trampled Calm Batters 21-4.

Tier 3: The Wrecks finally lost a game but remain in first place in Tier 3. The Wrecks were beaten 15-11 by the Griffin Ball Busters but came back to beat C.V. Marine Misfits 14-8. The Malfuctions got by the Misfits 15-12 but were surprised by the Rats falling 13-11. The Rats also beat the Zombies 10-6 for their 3rd straight win. The Contenders fell 15-6 to Komox Grind but nipped the Zombies 12-10. The Ball Busters got by the Grind 13-12.

Tier 4: The Pacers made things more interesting in Tier 4 play as they played to a 14-14 draw with the Tuls and were 11-6 losers to the Tee Box Ballers. They are now leading by only 1 point over the Tuls who beat Walker’s Optional 13-8. The Coco Loco’s scored 9 runs in the top of the 7th for their first win of the season 19-17 over the Slippery Kittens. Kelly drove in 6 runs for the Kittens as she belted a grand slam and a 2 run double. Jordan smacked 3 homers for the Loco’s in their win. Weavers Leather Ez Ryders also won a pair of games 19-11 against the Kittens and 15-4 over the Avengers.

The Ballers also defeated Walker’s 12-7 and the Avengers out-scored the Loco’s 22-10.

Banner Landscaping takesover top spot in Tier 1

Thirty-two ladies enjoyed a beautiful sunny day at the Comox Golf Club Ladies Day.

Lorelei Banford had 84 for the low Gross for the day. Brenda Good lit the course up with Net 60.

Second, third, fourth and fifth low gross were won by Louise Luster-86, Nancy Riva-88, Sue Leakey-90 and Sharon Crowe- 90.

Marg Kelly came second low net with a 66. Third to elev-enth place were won by Linda Diamond-69, Yvonne Baker-70, Pat Schmidt-70, Rosalie Williams-71, Patti Harris-71, Linda Broadbent-71, Grace Coulter-71 and Joyce Land -72. The skill prizes were won by Edith Albrecht, Anne Patterson, Pat Schmidt, Sharon Crowe, Yvonne Baker and Mary Ann Aikman.

Thursday evening was not so beautiful. The ladies had a

blast in spite of the potpourri of weather. Low gross with 45 was Karen Vanetta and Low net was won by Patti Harris with 34. Second low gross and net were won by Sue Leakey 47 and Kathy Branch 39 respectively. Sue Leakey won low putts with 15.

Long putts were won by Kathy Branch and Joanne Schroeder.

Sponsored prizes were won by: Longest drive 0-23 Kathy Branch; Longest drive 24+ Joan Baudais; KP on #14 Karen Vanetta; second shot KP on 18-Marg Siddall; third shot KP on #13- Mary Buchanan; Draw for Sand Shots- Sharon Crowe; Wet winner for ball in water hazard was Joan Baudais. Joan also won chocolates for her team after she chipped in on #15.

We especially would like to thank our hole Sponsors for Tuesday and Thursday. It is important to shop locally and

tell these people how much we appreciate their involve-ment in our community: Thrifty’s, Arizona Gifts, Kathy Branch Hairstyling, Gibby’s Pro Shop, The Tee Box Restaurant, Chinook Forest Products, Bulk Barn, Panago Pizza, Playtime Gaming, and Looneyrama (Comox Mall).

- Submitted by Nancy Riva

Kyle Mudge and Club Captain Terry Christie shine on Wednesday Men’s night at Comox.

Kyle recorded gross par and Terry shot one over par.

1st 0-16 Kyle Mudge 35, Terry Christie 36

!st 17+ Kevin Loga 37 (2nd win in a row, well done), Ian Leakey 41

Low Net 1st Jim Slater 31, Brent Aitken 32, Ken Simmonds 32, Mike Simmonds 32, Ken Loga 33, Dane Petersen 33

KP Prizes 10 2nd shot 17+ Pete

Wittick Little Caesar’s Pizza 11 3rd shot 0-16 Dave

Wheeldon Thrifty’s12 Long Drive 17+ Pete

Wittick Men’s Club13 2nd shot 0-16 captain

Terry Christie BlackFin Pub14 All Ian Leakey Men’s

Club15 All Kyle Mudge (eagle)

Men’s Club 16 Long Drive 0-16 Kyle

Mudge Scott Fraser Royal Lepage

17 2nd shot 17+ Don Vanetta Boston Pizza

18 All Mike Simmonds Shilo Painting/Glacier Gutters

Thanks to Dyson (pro shop) for assistance includ-ing two toots on the starting horn.

Don’t forget to record your nine hole scores.

Welcome to our new members.

See you June 25th 5.30 for 6 pm

- Submitted by Vic Crisp

Bill Bennet recorded an ACE on hole 14 on Comox Men’s morning.

Birdies achieved by Scott McLeod, Stuart Hollond, Bill Bennet, Bill Schneider (2), Nick Usher, Marty Petersen, Fred Tomlinson, Vic Crisp, Dan Janes Ian Leakey, Vern Dean and Keith (Horton) Welch. Congratulations to all.

52 players participated with the following results:

0-16 Low Gross Nick Usher 67 (2nd win in a row), Tracy Branch 70

17 + Low Gross Vic Crisp 81, Ian Leakey 83

Low Nets Keith (Horton) Welch 61, Stan Potter 61, Hank (V12) Verdenhalven 63, Jim Poulson 63, Rick Siddall 64, Burt Meek 64.

KP Prizes 10 2nd shot 0-16 Rick Siddall Bowlzy Brkfst Comox Pacific Express

11 3rd shot 0-16 Scott Fraser Brian McLean GM

12 Long Drive 17+ Ian Smith Westview Ford Sales

13 2nd shot 17+ Fred Tomlinson Boston Pizza

5 All Don Vanetta Men’s Club

14 All Bill Bennett (ACE) Men’s Club

15 2nd shot 17+ Fred Tomlinson Bowlzy Brkfst Comox Pacific Express (2nd week in a row)

16 Long Drive 0-16 Scott McLeod Westview Ford Sales

17 2nd shot All Tracy Branch Men’s Club

9 All Andy Dean Men’s Club

18 All Rick Curiston Men’s Club

1st round Singles and Doubles Matchplay matches to be completed by June 30.

Yummy seafood chowder soup served.

See You on the 29th.- Submitted by Vic Crisp

Saturday June 21st, 101 men came out to play the blue/white tees at Glacier Greens. The weather was

good as well so were some scores since this was the 1st time we have played these tees.

HCP 0-121st Low Net Darrell Fieber

75, 2nd Shane Robinson 76 c /b, 3rd Chris Kalnay 76

1st Low Net Wayne Ogilvie 68, 2nd Lyle Torrie 71, 3rd Steve Peters 72 c/b

Snips Hole #3 Darrell Fieber 5 Dave Wacowich 9 Shane Robinson 11Terran Berger 13 & 17 Karl Cameron

HCP 13-191st Low Gross Mike Pollock

82 c/b , 2nd Wally Berger 82, 3rd Phil Nakashima 85

1st Low Net Warren Brandson 66, 2nd Ferg Webster 68, 3rd Jim Clark 69 c/b

Snips Hole No. 4 Phil Nakashima 6 Mike Pollok 15 (POG) Jim Perry

HCP 20+1st Low Gross Jack Jackson

86, 2nd Andy Clark 89, 3rd Murray Polson 91 cb.

1st Low Net Bob Henn 60, 2nd Bill O`Neill 64, 3rd Greg Conway 65

Next week tee times and 08:30 shotgun with blue tees. Meat draw winners were Stan Kirkland, Murray Polson, Steve Blacklock, and again Rick Verbeek and Ron Carter. Till next week see ya.

- Submitted by Ron Carter

Sunnydale Thursday Night Ladies played the front nine June 19th and we had high winds, rain and sunshine!

Prizes were given out for: Hole 3 for closest to the pin

2nd shot to Fran WrightHole 4 for closet to the big

rock to Cora HawkinsHole 5 for closet to the pin

3rd shot to June FullerHole 6 for longest drive to

Maylene FriesenLow Putts went to Marilyn

Curley and Most Honest Golfer was Monique Walker.

Draw Prizes were from:Booster Juice to Mary Lynn

DoubininFluids Bar & Grill to Cora

HawkinsGreat Canadian Oil Change/

Car Wash to Marilyn CurleyIndependent Grocers to

Coral TannerInvestors Group/Locals

Restaurant to Erma DerksonJo Klassen’s to June Fuller

and Erica RoyMichaels Off Main to

Maylene FriesenPanago Pizza to Monique

WalkerRoyston Roasting Co. to

Judy HughesPro Shop prize to Peggy

FergusonDonation prize to Fran

WrightThursday Night Ladies sign

up at 5:00 pm, tee off at 5:30 pm

Everyone welcome!- Submitted by Mary Lynn

Doubinin

GOLF NEWS

L-R, Cole Young, Jordyn Ryan, Ben Neufeld

Three Sharks selected to Team BC’s Prospects West Camp

After posting some of the top times in the country at this season’s BC Provincial Championships in January and Western Canadian Championships in February, three of the Comox Valley Aquatic Club swimmers were selected to Team BC’s prestigious 2014 Prospects West Camp and Duel Meet!

Ben Neufeld (15), Jordyn Ryan (14) and Cole Young (15) were each selected based on the merit of their total FINA points (the internation-al scoring system for swimmers) in an age-event category.

They joined a select group from BC in Saskatoon for an intense four day camp and competition.

The Prospects West initiative brings together all-star teams from BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan along with selected coaches to train and race. Swimmers spent their days in the classroom, gym and pool learning from master coaches and sports experts - they lived and breathed swimming over these days.

“2012 Olympian and 2014 PanPacs and Commonwealth Games Team member, Alec Page, was on hand through the weekend to pro-vide mentorship to the swimmers, as well as leading the swimmers through the activation protocol developed and supported by the Canadian Sport Institute’s experts working with the National Team swimmers.

“Alec also gave a talk on Saturday after the

dinner, recounting his progression from swim-ming in water holes on Cortez Island to stand-ing on a starting block alongside Michael Phelps at the 2012 Olympics.

“The culmination of the camp was a Tri-meet which pitted the three teams against each other in a World Cup-type timed-final format. In the past, this has been a closely fought battle between BC and Alberta, with no more than 10 points typically separating the two teams; last year, for example, Alberta prevailed by a mere three points.

“This year, however, the BC swimmers deliv-ered a standing knockout shot in the first event, sweeping the top three places in the boys 800 Free and never looked back, winning by almost 100 points. Final point scores had BC on top with 554 to Alberta’s 469, with Man-Sask pull-ing in 156 points”. (Quote from SwimBC.ca)

Not only were 3 members of our club selected (more than any other club in British Columbia), but our Head Coach Kris Bell was also selected to participate in this major annual event.

It was an incredible opportunity for these swimmers and a huge nod of recognition towards our local swim club and Head Coach Kris Bell. Way to go SHARKS!

Want to swim with the Sharks? For more information, check out our website at www.sharks.bc.ca

There are still spots available for both ses-sions at one of the longest running volleyball camps on the Island.

“The Comox Valley Volleyball Camp has pro-vided athletes with an excellent opportunity to play, improve, and excel at this awesome sport for the past ten years, and is VERY excited to offer it again this summer.”

The camp will be held at GP Vanier School gymnasium from July 7th - 10th.

Brian Stevens, camp co-ordinator and coach, has five years of CIS (University) playing expe-rience, five years of coaching Team BC (includ-ing Canada Games), assistant coached at Camosun College, and many years of club and high school coaching.

There will be a strong collection of coaches helping to facilitate the camp. Current and for-mer university athletes who are back for the summer, and all of whom attended this camp at some point in their volleyball careers, will be providing their expertise and enthusiasm at the camp.

There are two sessions of the camp available to accommodate a wide range of ages and skill

levels. The Youth Session, for boys and girls ages 11-14, will run from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. The Elite Session, for boys and girls ages 15-17, will run from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

Both sessions will focus on technical skill development, game play knowledge, tons of touches with the ball, and of course FUN.

The Elite session will also have a strong focus on position specific and game strategy compo-nents.

The camp is $120.00 which includes a T-shirt. There are 40 spots available in each session and both sessions are already filling up so register soon.

You can register your son/daughter by con-tacting Brian Stevens at [email protected] or by calling (250) 339-0434.

A registration form will be e-mailed to you which has all of the pertinent information for the camp.

This camp is a great opportunity to further your volleyball development, meet some new people, and have a great time. Be sure to regis-ter soon!

VALLEY VOLLEYBALL CAMP IN 11TH YEAR; STILL SOME SPOTS LEFT

GREAT SCORES AT COMOX

MUDGE, CHRISTIE SHINE

GREAT DAY FOR AN ACE

101 OUT AT GLACIER GREENS

ALL WEATHER AT SUNNYDALE



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Taku Kawanobe is one of many international students who have chosen to study here in the Comox Valley.

The young man from the Land of the Rising Sun has been living in the valley for a year now, absorbing the culture, the lifestyle and many new things he will be bringing back home at the end of this month.

One thing Kawanobe says he will cherish the most was playing in a slo-pitch league.

The Grade 11 student from G.P. Vanier loves baseball, a game that is revered in Japan where it is a popu-lar sport.

Although slo-pitch is quite differ-ent from baseball, it’s the closest Kawanobe could get to playing his favourite sport.

Longing to play ball, Kawanobe took his baseball glove to Lewis Park one day in May. There, he observed people playing slo-pitch. Kawnobe asked who the team manager was and upon learning who he was, tapped the shoulder of Mike Espey of the Vikings.

“He asked me if he could play,” Espey recalled. “I told him that he couldn’t at first because we were playing a league game. I tried to explain to him there are rules, insur-ance and everything. But I don’t think he understood. He doesn’t speak English that well yet.”

Espey said Kawanobe walked away, head down, disappointed. However, Kawanobe stayed and watched the whole game.

“My teammates then thought maybe we could allow him to play on our team,” said Espy. “After the game, my wife told me to ask him if he would like to play catch. And I did. His face just lit up.”

After observing Kawanobe, Espey said they got a glimpse of his skill and eventually offered him a spot on the team.

“He definitely knows how to play,” said Espey. “And we were right. Since joining our team, he has become an asset and no doubt is one of our best players.”

As soon as he became a Viking, Kawanobe asked his mom from Japan to send him his uniforms.

“I am happy to play,” said Kawanobe. “But slo-pitch, I have a hard time because I think I am play-ing baseball. It’s difficult for me to calculate the speed of the ball. I am always thinking.”

Espey described Kawanobe as a versatile player who can handle any position. Other teams in the league have come to know him and his skills.

“He can hit and is also good defen-sively,” said Espey. “He can snag those high balls easily. He can jump.

Young Japanese student savours slo-pitch experience

Taku Kawanobe slides into base, above, and gets ready to take a swing, below. He has become one of the slo-pitch league’s best players, but is returning home soon to Japan

He has made some impressive saves and moves.”One of the highlights of Kawanobe’s playing stint here

in the valley was at the Union Bay slo-pitch tournament that had teams from all over Vancouver Island compet-ing.

The 18-year-old showcased his skills that impressed many at the tournament. He helped the Vikings finish first to land the huge trophy and was also voted by other teams as the event’s Most Valuable Player.

“I won’t forget it,” said Kawanobe. “It was great.”Sadly, Kawanobe’s days in the valley are coming to a

close. He is leaving at the end of the month to return home to Japan.

The Vikings are doing their best to make Kawanobe’s last playing days here as memorable as possible. They’ve just handed him a new uniform and are planning a fare-well party for him.

Espey said they will surely miss him in the team.

Documents

Comox Valley Echo - June 24, 2014