Podcasts about area d

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) may have a nasty surprise for property owners in Campbell River and Area D. They may soon be asked to approve an additional $54 million debt to finance the second phase of the new REC-REATE Strathcona Gardens project. When they originally consented through an Alternative Approval Process (which automatically passes unless 10% of the electorate object), taxpayers were informed the cost was almost half of what is now being put forward “The April 2023 staff report indicated that both phases of the REC-CREATE project were going to be included. They had a Class A estimate they were using for the swimming pool and Wellness Center and they had a  2019 Class D estimate for the ice arena. They also said that the Class D estimate for the ice arena had been escalated. So you would assume by reading that the April  2023 staff report was costed up to be based on current construction costs and inflation.  In addition to that, what I found in the staff report was that they said that the $73 million would include both phases and that staff would strive to deliver the project within the $73 million budget.  That staff report, since it was in April 2023, was less than two years ago,” explained Deborah Rasnick, a professional accountant who worked in senior budget positions of BC public sector organizations for 15 years. “ The new business case that was presented in December of 2024, and approved tentatively by the Strathcona Gardens Commission now, has an estimated cost for phase two only of $58 million. That's on top of The previous approval. So the total cost now of the entire REC-REATE project could increase to around $130 million, and that's an 80% increase from the prior amount.”  “Same thing goes with debt. The original approval allowed for the SRD to borrow Up to $64.67 million and that was approved through AAP. Now this new REC-REATE project phase two, as they're calling it,  wants to allow for an additional $54 million, creating a total debt of up to $118 million, providing they get authority to do that from the participants in the Strathcona Gardens service area.  That increase to total debt reflects an over 80% increase from the prior balance as well.” 

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A timeline on the REC-REATE – Strathcona Gardens Revitalization Project website traces the origins of this project back to an operational review in 1998. At that time, most of the community was satisfied with the existing facility and the idea of building a new complex did not gain momentum until 2015. A community survey taken between February 2nd and March 2nd that year found that someone from 72% of the Campbell River and 64% of Area D households visited Strathcona Gardens at least once a year. Construction for Phase One,  the New Aquatic and Wellness Centre, finally began on September 10, 2024. However the estimated cost of this project had risen to $73 million and the Strathcona Regional District is exploring the idea that Quadra Island and Sayward taxpayers should be contributing. Nothing has been decided, but the SRD has received a stream of letters from hundreds of Quadra Island residents stating they do not use Strathcona Gardens and definitely do not want to pay for it! A little group calling itself the Friends of Area C collected hundreds of names on a petition opposing the suggestion that Quadra taxpayers should be included in Strathcona Garden catchment area.  Cortes Currents: How long have you been collecting signatures? “We've been collecting for two and a half weeks. We have well over 600. My last estimate, because I haven't actually collected the form, is that we're closer to 800 already.  We're actively canvassing, in some cases door to door. We have signing tables in front of the grocery stores. We have petition sign up locations at a multiple business locations throughout the island,” explained Mike Gall from the Friends of Area C. Cortes Currents: How long will you continue to collect? Mike Gall: “Well, I could set a limit and say 1,000. We think that would be a pretty good representation of the sense of the community. Or a week or so before the next board meeting, which will be February 19th. There's no set timeline for all of this because it's really a non-binding petition.”

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Campbell River's Strathcona Gardens is in the midst of re-development. Following a successful Alternative Approval Process (APP) in Campbell River and Area D, whose residents use this complex, in 2023 the Board authorized borrowing up to $64.6 million for this project. Crews are currently building the foundations. The SRD is exploring the possibility of using Area C property tax dollars to support this complex, but has not yet decided upon a course of action. This sparked a great deal of resistance from Area C residents who do not want to see their property taxes increased to pay for a ‘Campbell River' project. In a motion made by Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney in November, she referred to hundreds of items of correspondence to that effect. The flow of correspondence continues. Emails and scanned letters from 65 Quadra residents, 2 Read Island residents and 1 Maurelle Island resident were received as correspondence at the January 22, 2025 SRD Board Meeting. None of the 68 correspondents supported the project. One admitted to using the Strathcona Gardens approximately 4 times during her 40 years on Quadra Island.

Che fine ha fatto la tua voce del tuo #desiderio? Quella che orienta, spinge e accende? Lo sappiamo che a volte si affievolisce, sommersa dalle necessità e dalle aspettative…Per questo il  terzo e ultimo episodio della Christmas Edition di Area d'Impatto è dedicato a come riattivare e sviluppare l'energia dei desideri.Prendi carta e penna (ma anche un cellulare o un iPad vanno benissimo!) e preparati a seguire gli  esercizi che ti propongo come provocazioni concrete per riconnetterti ai tuoi desideri e trovare nuove direzioni di senso.Area d'Impatto si prende una pausa. Ci ritroviamo nell'anno nuovo! #Area D'impatto #Desiderio #Sviluppo #AreaDImpatto

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - At their December 11 meeting, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board passed a bylaw to regulate bulk water processing, bottling and sales on Maurelle, Sonora, Stuart, and the Rendezvous islands. Three Campbell River Directors voted against receiving the staff report for this bylaw. Director Susan Sinnott explained,  “I just want to hear from staff, the reasons necessary. Is there a pending application for people to bulk water in the distillation sound area? Is there an imminent issue?” Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch replied,  “The impetus of this. Bylaws came from the directors. So I think it's probably more appropriate for the director to speak to it.” Cortes Island Director Mark Vonesch pointed out,  “This is the same bylaw we already passed for Area D, Cortes and Quadra Islands.” Director Sinnott:  “Well, thank you, my recollection was there was concerns about water usage and aquifer protection. I just wanted to know if this was similar. I don't know if there's an issue in the Desolation Sound area that's similar.” Robyn Mawhinney is the Regional Director for Area C, which includes Quadra, Maurelle, Sonora, Stuart, and the Rendezvous islands:  “Although it says the Desolation Sound Rural Land Use Bylaw it's funnily enough, not in Desolation Sound. It's Read, Maurelle, Sonora, Stuart, and the Rendezvous Islands. If you look at the bylaws, it's really about providing an opportunity for community to have a public hearing If there is an application for a commercial water extraction enterprise.”  Director Sinnot: So raising my question again, are we regulating something that's not ever going to happen? I can't imagine there's ever going to be a person that wants to bulk water bottling or any type of extraction of a very remote area without ferry service. So one, I don't like the idea of regulating things if we don't have to, but second of all, we're intruding into an area outside our jurisdiction if it's about water preservation.” Director Mawhinney: “I would suggest that providing an opportunity for the community to have input on a commercial enterprise, which could drastically affect their drinking water is reasonable. I think when you look at what happened in Merville, if you wait until an application is coming forward it's too late.” The concern about bulk water extraction can be traced back to a Merville property owner's idea to bottle and sell the water beneath his property. On March 8, 2023, two weeks before CVRD approved MacKenzie's application, Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney asked the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) to report on the possibilities for limiting groundwater extraction within Area C. The District had just gone through the severest drought in Campbell River's records and it was about to go through the drought of 2023. On September 25, 2024, the SRD passed bylaws prohibiting ‘bulk water sales, bulk water processing and bulk water bottling' on any upland or foreshore area of Cortes or Quadra except where expressly permitted within a zone. That was when Director Mawhinney then introduced what has erroneously been called the Desolation Sound Bulk Water Regulation. Director Mawhinney: “ We've had a public hearing and the community was in support of it, as they have been for Area D, Area B (Cortes Island) and the Quadra island portion of Area C.”

Rpy L Hales/Cores Currents - The Active Transportation Planning grants that Quadra Island is about to receive, and both Cortes Island and Area D are applying for, opens the door to far larger opportunities.  As Meredith Starkey, Manager of Planning for the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), explained “Active transportation means anything human powered: walking, cycling, and rolling in the sense of skateboarding or some other type of device that you might use to roll."  "This is the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program that's administered through the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. They have  a sub grant  that is specifically for active transportation network planning."  "What we have is the network planning grant."  “We just were directed by the Board to apply for Areas B (Cortes) and D. It's this same grant that we now have for Area C. The province provides  a maximum of $50,000. It's 50 percent grant funded and 50 percent funded by the Gas Tax for us and so in total, it's $100,000 to develop the plan." "That enables us to do all the foundational background research, the data gathering part, but then also to flesh that out into a full plan. On top of that,  we're able to pull out one high level priority from that plan and do all  the engineering work, the survey, the cost estimates and  concept design work that would need to happen so that we can actually make it shovel ready.  All the groundwork that we need in order to apply for the infrastructure grant,  which is the same fund but a different funding stream within it."  Cortes Currents: So this grant is the door opener and in the next grant you actually get to do some of the stuff.    Meredith Starkey: "That is correct."  Cortes Currents: Is there a financial cap for the second stage? Meredith Starkey: "The infrastructure portion of the grant is much, much bigger.  I don't actually know the cap on it now, but it's quite substantial."

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - At their Wednesday September 25 Board meeting, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board unaminously voted to support a We Wai Kai application for funding to make a feasibility study for the Caddisfly Wetlands Restoration project, south of Campbell River. This had been a topic of some debate a month ago, when the Board decided to defer making a decision on this project. Salmon once spawned in Caddisfly Creek and if they return, it could trigger a need for setbacks along the banks. This could directly impact building projects in Campbell River, as it is one of the sources of Caddisfly Creek. As CAO David Leitch explained, “There was some discussion at a previous board meeting about supporting this application and the folks from Campbell River had some hesitancy and anticipation that it possibly would interfere with some development applications they had in the works. We've attached some correspondence from the city staff which says there aren't issues and they would support the application.” Robyn Mawhinney, Regional Director for Area C, responded, “I'm really happy to see this request for resolution of support on the agenda. I am 100 percent in support of a resolution to support the We Wai Kai Nation's application to undertake wetland restoration planning activities for Caddisfly Creek.” John RIce, Regional Director for Area D, added, “I'm also quite happy to see this back on. I know that for Area D, where Caddisfly Creek is, the wetlands behind it have historically had a problem with high water. I'm hoping that there are a lot of things that can be addressed by this.” “I also want to point out that it's Area D's Stream Keeper (Greg Roberts) that has been working quite hard on Caddisfly Creek. There's still lots of things to do and I'm very thrilled to see Campbell River supporting this. I think if you're going to be the Salmon Capital of the World, you have to be able to support creeks that could possibly have Coho.” One of the Campbell River Directors who originally called for deferment, Ron Kerr, made the motion that all the SRD directors supported: “That a resolution of support be provided for the We wai Kai First Nation's application to the 2024 Disaster Resilience Innovation Fund Grant Program to undertake wetland restoration planning activities for Caddisfly Creek.”

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is applying for a grant to develop plans for walking, cycling and rolling (skateboard, roller skates etc) infrastructure on Cortes Island and in Area D.  The Ministry of Transportation refers to these as active means of transportation and has made Active Transportation Network Planning Grants of up to $50,000 available to communities with populations under 25,000.  If their applications are successful, the SRD plans to match the funding with money obtained through the Community Works Fund (better known as the Gas Tax).  Mayor Michael Lott of Gold River read out the motion at the SRD Board meeting of Wednesday, September 15, 2024: “I'd  also like to move that an application be submitted to the 2024/25 Active Transportation Network Planning program for grant funding to develop an Active Transportation Network Plan for Electoral Area B; and that the Regional District commit to overall management of the grant if the application is successful; and that, if the application is successful, 50% of the project funding be approved from the Electoral Area B Community Works Fund to a maximum of $50,000.”  He also read the motion for Area D, which was virtually identical. Both motions passed with no opposing votes. Mark Vonesch, the Regional Director of Cortes Island (Area B), responded, “I  just want to thank staff for bringing this forward. Active transportation is definitely an issue on Cortes. People are wanting some movement on that. So I welcome this grant application and to be able to support it through the Gas Tax funding as well.”  John Rice, Regional Director of Area D said, “I'm wondering if we could tie this into the traffic study that Area D has been doing because this is also quite important to that traffic study.”   CAO David Leitch asked, “Do you have line of sight that it's going to be done by 2025?”  Director Rice: “My understanding is I think we'll be getting an update on it in November.” Campbell River Director Doug Chapman wanted to know, “How does that dovetail into the transportation study the Regional District is currently undertaking.” CAO Leitch: “This is an active transportation. This is different from the regional transportation that we're looking for because active transportation is different forms of transportation like, cycling lanes, walkways and pathways, and as opposed to the regional transportation that we're looking at, which is likely buses.” Director Rice: “When is this funding going to be available if successful?  A staff member responded, “They announce the awards in April of 2025.”

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Wetlands are key resources to address climate change and help maintain surface water flow during dry periods. But they are also largely disappearing.  According to a recent study in Nature, since 1700 approximately 3.4 million square miles of wetlands have been lost in the United States, Europe and China. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources estimates that 70 % of the wetlands in southern Canada disappeared prior to 1990. In densely populated areas, that figure is close to 98%. Unfortunately wetlands are often found in the same areas where humans like to live and this problem has been amplified by the critical need for affordable housing.  Both of the most populated Discovery Islands are attempting to assess their water budgets while they look at further development. Quadra Island is mapping its wetlands, as well as carrying out rainfall, streamflow and aquifer studies. On Cortes Island, the Community Housing Society is seeking funding to carry out a study of Cortes Island's water resources.  Meanwhile the opportunity to apply for a $30,000 grant for the proposed Caddisfly Creek restoration project may have been lost, or at least deferred, because of Campbell River's concerns about the possible impact on their plans for development.   $5,000 of the funding was for removing logs and vegetation from culvert exits to the Salish Sea, but the bulk of the application was to fund a feasibility study.  At the SRD  Board meeting of August 21, Regional Director John Rice of Area D asked, “Caddisfly affects Area D, just like it affects the city of Campbell River, but this is only a feasibility study.  Why are we  potentially holding up their opportunity to get money to do a study that is going to include both Area D and the city of Campbell River?”  Campbell River Director Ben Lanyon responded, “This feasibility study is one step towards making it even harder for Campbell River to meet its housing targets. We're choosing the environment versus housing in alot of cases, unfortunately. This isn't currently a salmon bearing stream, but changing its status will directly affect the city of Campbell River.”  To which Director Doug Chapman, also from Campbell River, added that Mayor Dahl said they have almost 840 housing units ready to go. “We're waiting for the Minister of Environment's approval. If there's an open ditch that has a pollywog in it, that delays everything.” There was a presentation in favour of the project earlier in the meeting. Katie Lavoie, Executive Director of the Greenways Land Trust made the introduction, “We're coming to you today to present on a project that we're applying for funding through the SRD.”  Shawn Koopman, Protective Services Co-ordinator for the SRD, made an application to the province's Disaster Relief and Innovation Fund on behalf of the Caddisfly Creek Restoration Project.   Katie Lavoie: “I  see a lot of familiar faces, you probably know what Greenways does. We are a Campbell River based environmental nonprofit. We've been around for 28 years. We do a lot of restoration, a lot of community work, a lot of partnering with First Nations and all levels of government and volunteer groups.”  Caddisfly Streamkeeper Greg Roberts provided some of the details. “I'm a resident of Area D. We moved beside Caddisfly Creek around 2021. I felt very fortunate to have this beautiful little ditch beside my house. I started to do some research and thought, well, I'd start by cleaning up some invasive plants and maybe doing some plantings because all that's there at this point are some deciduous trees. One thing leads to another, and I realized that Caddisfly, like many creeks on the east coast of Vancouver Island, was historically a very productive salmon habitat, particularly for Coho. That's been dramatically changed over the years through logging, road development, and urban development.

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The SRD will be carrying out the second step of a feasibility study to determine whether on-island compost treatment of Cortes Island's septic wastes would be more beneficial than the current pump-out system, and could it be delivered at a cost comparable to setting up a conventional system.  Cortes Island's septic systems need to be cleaned out roughly every three years. This is currently done by a septic truck, which takes the wastes off-island.  The SRD has just completed the first part of the feasibility study. Sylvis Environmental carried out a study which found that, ”On island composting of septage would produce a valuable soil amendment, slightly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and  keep local organic matter and nutrient resources within the community.” However it could cost twice as much as setting up a conventional treatment system. Regional Director Mark Vonesch said this is not something that Cortes Island taxpayers are interested in, but still wishes to proceed with a phase two of the feasibility study. This consists of reviewing design specifications of up to three commercially available compost systems and providing capital and operational cost estimates for each system, with recommendations for the SRD Board's consideration.  At the SRD Board meeting yesterday, Wed June 26, 2024, Vonesch explained his rationale.  “The initial report that came through showed,  it's roughly a million dollar investment into making this happen on Cortes with anywhere between $150,000 and $250,000 in operating costs each year. This is not a project that we can just move forward with using tax requisition, not something I'm interested in. I don't think Cortes is.” Vonesch wanted to proceed with phase two because, “If we can get this study done when the provincial or federal government opens up,  infrastructure funding, it could be something that we can jump on.”  “I do want to make a note  after talking with the CAO , I think there are some aspects  that weren't necessarily considered  in the first stage that could be considered in the second stage. “Cortes is such a boating  and sailing center for a lot of people, and the Gorge Harbor has gone through a huge revitalization.  If septic removal from boats could be added to that service, it could be a way to bring down operating costs.” “I'm really excited about this potential and recognize that it's a long term thing and hope we can have the board support to move forward with the second step.”  There is no cost to Cortes Island taxpayers.  Phase One of the study was funded by a $10,000 grant from the Infrastructure Planning Grant Program.  If the Board proceeded with phase two, it would be funded by a $20,000 grant from the Growing Communities Funds and $5,000 from the Liquid Waste Management Service Function 340. There was a slight hiccup when Director Vonesch moved that the Board proceed with part two for Cortes Island (Area B). The studies were proposed for Areas B and D, but Regional Director John Rice of Area D agreed to have it carried out in his area as well.  The Board unanimously voted to proceed with the second step of a feasibility study for compost septic treatment systems in  Areas B and D.

Episode: Kyle Keimer and Chris McKinny speak with Jeff Chadwick, Jerusalem Center Professor of Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies at BYU about his excavations at biblical Hebron (Tell er-Rumeide). Youtube Link - https://youtu.be/ovhfNwdcabQ Guest: Dr. Jeffrey R. Chadwick serves at BYU as Jerusalem Center Professor of Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies, and also as Religious Education Professor of Church History and Jewish Studies (in the Department of Church History and Doctrine). Dr. Chadwick has also researched, surveyed, and excavated at several historical and biblical sites in Israel, including Jerusalem and Hebron (Tell er-Rumeide) in the 1980s, Ekron (Tel Miqne) in the 1990s, and at Gath of the Philistines (Tell es-Safi) since 2001 and for the last twenty years. He is currently senior field archaeologist with the Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project in Israel (Aren M. Maeir, Bar-Ilan University, Project Director), where he directs excavations in Area F in the "upper city" and in Area D in the "lower city" of the ancient Philistine capital city. He is also director of the American Expedition to Hebron (AEH) Publication Project and associate member of the original AEH excavation staff. He has served as a member of the board of trustees of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) and is a senior fellow at the W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem. He is the author of three books, editor of a fourth, and has published more than seventy academic articles, chapters, and studies. (from the BYU website) Hosts: Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer Give: Visit our Donate Page if you want to help Biblical World and OnScript continue by becoming a regular donor. Image Attribution: By eman - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1839054  

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Area C ‘opted-in' to the Short Term Rental Accommodation Act at the SRD Board meeting yesterday. There was a spirited discussion in which the Director from Area D and two of his Campbell River colleagues discussed their reservations. Regional Director Mark Vonesch showed everyone an exception that would allow some absentee landlords to continue operating their short term rentals. When the final vote was taken Area C's motion to opt-in was approved with only two dissenting Directors.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The SRD Board will be meeting again today and three items about BC's Short Term Rental Act are on the agenda. The Ministry of Housing responded to Cortes Island's decision to opt in. 58% of the respondents of Area C’s survey on whether to opt in replied ‘Yes' and Area D will not opt in.  
 On February 28, the SRD approved Cortes Island's decision to opt in to BC’s Short Term Rental Act. The Ministry of Housing responded to this in an email last week. 
 “The request to opt-in to the principal residence requirement will take effect November 1, 2024, to give hosts notice to comply. In the meantime, this spring the Province will be standing up a new STR Compliance and Enforcement unit to investigate, take enforcement action related to short-term rentals, and direct platforms to remove non-compliant listings.” Vonesch was informed that the Ministry needs to receive a copy of the SRD resolution approving Cortes Island’s action by March 31, 2024.    Cortes Island and ‘other interested local governments' will be removed from the exempt land list this spring.  “If the Province grants a change to exempt land status, that change remains in effect indefinitely unless a subsequent request to reverse the exemption is made by March 31 of a future year.” In related news, on March 5 Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney of Area C   launched a survey to see if her constituents also want to opt in. 58% of the people who 405 repondants stated 'Yes' and  41% stated 'No.' Area C has not announced a final decision and this matter will be discussed at today's meeting.  In the same staff report it states John Rice, Regional Director of Area D, the Director has chosen to not opt-in to the principal residence requirement but is looking for public input regarding the regulatory aspects of STRs within the zoning bylaw. This will be discussed at a later date in a separate report.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Island - The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) received the go-ahead to establish a regional housing service and authorize loans of up to $10 million on an ‘as needed' basis. While the SRD can raise funding for projects through property taxes, this money must be repaid once the projects start receiving rents.   This matter was brought before the board at their January 24, 2024 meeting.  
At their November 8, 2023 Board Meeting, the SRD Board approved using the alternate approval process to seek the electorate's approval. If a minimum of 10% of the electorate - i.e. 3,456 people - had advised the SRD they were opposed, the motion would have been considered defeated, but the ‘no' vote was only 392.  When asked, Senior Manager Thomas Yates advised the board where the opposing votes came from: 
 - there were 111 approximately from Campbell River,  - 81 from Cortes Island,  - 66 from Quadra Island,  - and 133 from the Sayward area.  
 Director Doug Chapman of Campbell River moved that No. 515, being Regional Housing Loan Authorization Bylaw 2023, be now reconsidered, finally passed and adopted. Regional Director John RIce, of Area D, provided the Sayward is in Area A, whose Regional Director, Gerald Whalley, cast the only opposing vote. 
“I, just fot the record, I'm going to vote against this. It's the will of my constituents. The vast majority of them opposed it. So it's appropriate that I would oppose,” he explained.  
 Chair Mark Baker called the vote, “ All in favour? Opposed?  One opposed, Director Wally.  The motion is carried.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Directors of Cortes Island (Area B), Areas A and C are opposed to the idea that their ratepayers should help finance renovations to the Strathcona Gardens facility in Campbell River. The Strathcona Regional District's portion of financing the new aquatic and wellness centre is expected to be around $73 million. Last April the SRD Board approved a bylaw allowing them to borrow $64,670.000. This debt is currently the responsibility of property owners in the City of Campbell River and Electoral Area D, where most of the facility's users reside. At the June 28 SRD Board meeting, Directors John Rice of Area D and Susan Sinnot of Campbell River brought forward a motion that staff look into the option that ratepayers in Areas A, B, and C pick up part of the tab.

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District is moving forward with adoption of a regional fire administration support service that would provide assistance to the various fire departments in the Regional District. There was little discussion and no opposing votes at the May 10 SRD Board meeting. Regional Director Gerald Whalley, of Area A, brought forward the motion that will make this immediate, rather than waiting for next years budget. “I move option B that the regional fire administration sports service be established as part of the general administration service of the regional district,” he said. Second” responded Regional Director John Rice of Area D. “Second, Vonesch,” interjected Cortes Island's Director. Chairman Mark Baker noted that ‘Director Rice was quick on the draw,' and thus is recorded in the minutes as the seconder of this motion. Baker called the vote: “All in favor.” “Opposed?” “Seeing none, that motion is carried.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - One of the biggest stories coming out of the SRD may be the way the new Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) seems to be working together. It has only been a little more than five months since the election, but the deep personal divisions that were so apparent in the previous EASC committe are not there, at least not yet. Cortes Currents asked our two local Discovery Island Directors about this. Mark Vonesch, Regional Director of Cortes Island, said, “I wasn't involved in the last administration, but there is a lot of teamwork between the Rural Directors. We talk a lot. We don't agree on everything, but we have relationships where we feel comfortable sharing our ideas and our thoughts and reflecting on each other's ideas. Generally there's a lot of cohesiveness and support for getting things done in our own communities.” “Gerald Whalley, he's been such an interesting person to work with because his political values are quite different from mine. He doesn't really believe in climate change. He's a Trump supporter. Any tax or government intervention is overreach, but he's also been really supportive of me, of how to get things done. As long as I'm not trying to push things into his community, he's very happy and generous with his time to share with me on just bouncing ideas off in a realistic way of how to get things done in government.” “One of my hopes for politics is that people who are different from each other can sit down and have conversations. We can hear each other. We can be okay with thinking differently and having different visions, and we can come to a place that is of compromise and working well together.” Robyn Mawhinney lives across the waters on Quadra Island, “I haven't seen any friction. I haven't felt any friction. We're all there to work for the betterment of our communities. We listen and hear the will of our communities and arrive at the board table or the committee table, knowing those desires and hopefully able to represent those as well as being willing to think regionally.” “I'm happy to support Director Rice and a bylaw to legalize having four chickens in backyards of Area D and Director Whalley to find a noise bylaw that works for the Sayward Valley and Director Vonesch's Cortes Island Initiatives.” MV: “I think politics at its best is when people who think differently and have different values can work together and support each other and be colleagues and be allies and in getting positive things done and for the people that we work.” “I think it's important to recognize in politics that nobody is the same. There's never going to be a hundred percent consensus. I think the important thing is that we can hear each other. We can have empathy and understanding before each other, and we can make decisions that are best for everybody.”

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Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Editor's note: While there are no fish farms on Cortes Island, there was one on Raza Island directly north of us. The Discovery Island fish farms were in Electoral Area C. The Strathcona Regional District passed a motion for staff to prepare a report that ‘consolidates the information on open net pen transition provided to the SRD Board prior to October 2022, and updates.' “I think if we're going to look at information, we need to look at it all,” said Regional Director John Rice of Area D. “Outside of the friendly (sources)? of DFO?” asked SRD Chair Mark Baker To which Campbell River Director Susan Sinnot responded, “Anything that the staff thinks is reliable and relevant.” This segment of the Jan 25 SRD board meeting began with Director Sinnot's account of DFO's recent meeting with local government. DFO's Jan 16 meeting with local government Susan Sinnot: “Fisheries and Oceans had an invitation that came out, I think maybe in December, and I indicated I was interested in attending what they call ‘the local government transition plan engagement.' I think they'd had one previous to my being elected, but they had a further one in January, on the 16th. That was Wednesday. It was held between 9:00 and noon.” “They had agenda items: aquaculture innovation and a trust and transparency section. They were looking for feedback from local government. What I did hear them say, which wasn't quite on the paperwork, was that they basically were looking for two choices in terms of the future of aquaculture on the coast: A zero impact wild salmon in the ocean in net pens, so some sort of technology that prevents any feed or any type of flow of water escaping from the pens into the wild; and then land-based technology.” “There was a lot of discussion about innovation, but they also said that there was no current technology that permit either choice and my recollection was that they said if they can't do one of the two choices that they're proposing, then there'd be no more industry.” “It was quite confusing at the meeting. A number of the participants were saying, ‘why are we doing this? You already decided to close everything. I don't understand, you've already made your decision. Why are we talking about having transitions and accommodations of ongoing aquaculture salmon farms in the ocean? I thought you were closing them all down.'” “Last April, the Federal Court of Canada overturned the minister's decision based on procedural fairness grounds and then it went back to, I believe, cabinet. This is now the end result, the DFO consultation process because they didn't do a consultation process before they made the announcement in 2020 to close down everything.“ “They've already prearranged the two choices and they're looking for local government impacts, and wants. They were specifically asking what does local government want? And I think they were suggesting that if they did close down the entire industry, what would we need and want?”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Half of the familiar faces will not be returning to the SRD Board this term. The former Chair and Vice Chair, Brad Unger and Claire Moglove, were both defeated in their bids for re-election. So were Regional Director Brenda Leigh and former Campbell River Directors Charlie Cornfield and Colleen Evans. Neither Jim Abram (in Area C) or Noba Anderson (Cortes Island) sought re-election. Seven of the 14 directors will be new this term. “It's the biggest change of faces at the Regional District, certainly since I have been there. I would submit the board could really use some renewal. There's a lot of faces that I don't know who are coming in, so I really can't comment much on good or progressive or cooperative of a board it will be,” commented Anderson, who was originally elected as Cortes Island's representative in 2008. “It will at least give Mark Vonesch who is joining the board from Cortes, an opportunity to build relationships with other people that are new. I think that's a really positive thing for him going in rather than inheriting a lot of the dysfunction of the old dynamic.” We are going to be seeing a very different Electoral Areas Service Committee (EASC) as a result of the October 15 election. Gerald Whalley is the only one of the former Regional Directors to be re-elected. He was on the first SRD board, elected in 2008, and served as Vice-Chair. Whalley received 96.4% of the vote in Area A (Kyuquot- Nootka/Sayward). “I'm really happy that there are gonna be some people there that do have that experience. Gerald Whalley is still retaining his seat at the Electoral Area Services Committee and as an electoral area director, and I think that's gonna be really invaluable, otherwise, there's three new directors,” said Robyn Mawhinney, the new Regional Director for Area C. “To the great amount of change that we're seeing, I guess folks are ready for some new faces and some new energy, and I'm happy to be one of those.” Mawhinney was elected in Area C, defeating Marc Doll 823 to 368. Mark Vonesch was acclaimed on Cortes Island. John Rice was elected Regional Director in Area D, defeating incumbent Brenda Leigh – 707 to 587. “I have certainly noticed that when people are in office for a really long time, there's a possibility of getting stuck in that role and the community getting stuck in that particular director being in that role. Jim (Abram) and Brenda (Leigh) have both provided decades of service and worked really hard for the communities, and I appreciate that, but I really do think that some renewal is super healthy at this point,” said Anderson. Campbell River sends 5 directors to the SRD Board. This is where Kermit Dahl and his band of ‘like minded candidates'- who insist they are not a slate – were swept to power. Dahl was elected Mayor and is joined by all of his associates: Susan Sinnott, Ben Layon, Sean Smyth, Ron Kerr and Doug Chapman. The only new Councillor not in this group is Tanille Johnston, a member of the Wei Wai Kai Nation and the first Indigenous candidate elected to Campbell River's city council. The Mayor and four Campbell River Councillors will also serve on the SRD Board. Ron Kerr has served on the board since 2012. Dahl and Smyth both served as alternates on the board last term, but will now take their seats as regular board members. This will be the first term for Susan Sinnott and Ben Layon.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The legitimacy of Regional Director Jim Abrams expenses was once again discussed at the last meeting of the SRD board prior to the election. When the auditor submitted his report to the SRD Board at their May 11, 2022 meeting, Campbell River Director Claire Moglove, pointed out that there was a significant difference in what Directors were being paid. “I think for the sake of transparency in particular to the public, that we have a more of an explanation as to how that comes to be. So in particular, on the remuneration side, at some point I would love to see a breakdown of what is the regular stipend for directors and what are the meeting fees that have been incurred,” she said. Campbell River Director Charlie Cornfield subsequently objected to the idea Directors were receiving compensation for attending meetings. “Compensable meetings are supposed to be there to compensate you for loss of the day or time, or you've gotta travel and you're gonna attend a meeting just like you came to attend this one. That's fair enough, but it's not there to generate revenue. I look at every single one of the virtual meetings that we attended, and I never once thought about claiming for one of those.” Mayor Andy Adams of Campbell River added, “I'm going to move that an independent audit of the SRD Board members renumeration and expenses be conducted immediately to confirm the variances outlined in the report from the CAO.” Director Abram received substantially more than the other Directors. For example, in 2021 eight of the fourteen SRD Directors had meetings with external agencies and were eligible for enumeration. Only two of them are mentioned applying. An unnamed Campbell River Director received $320. Jim Abram, Director of Area C received $4,800. There is also specific compensation for Regional Directors attending public hearings, parcel tax hearings, select or committee meetings, et cetera. Only two Directors made claims. Abram, who looks after the largest area in the Strathcona Regional District, received $9,120 for attending 57 meetings. Gerald Whalley, whose area stretches across from the west coast of Vancouver Island to Sayward claimed $160 for one meeting. There were no claims from Area D or Area B (Cortes Island). After a thorough analysis, the auditing committee determined that Abram, should repay $8,640, which Abram agreed to do ‘without prejudice.' However, after the meeting, he told the Bird's Eye, Quadra island's weekly journal, “This was a complete miscarriage of justice, as far as I'm concerned. It resulted from a re-interpretation by our CAO of a bylaw that's been in place, in writing, for over three years. We as Electoral Area Directors have been using that as our guide as to what can be claimed. I met the bylaw on every single one of those meetings. And I was paid after the scrutiny of the finance department after every one of those meetings. And now with a re-interpretation of what the bylaw meant I'm being told. Well, this one doesn't qualify, or this one. Therefore you owe.” He told the Bird's-Eye that he had enough stress in his life. “I'm quitting this job because of stress. I don't need another stressful situation.” Director Abrams subsequently printed an apology and retraction in the October 5, 2022 edition of the Bird's-Eye. In his Chair's Report for the October 12 meeting. Brad Unger said, “The statements made in the Bird's-Eye article by Director Abram after the board meeting were false and misleading to the public. Director Abram has subsequently now placed an ad in the October 5 edition of the Bird's Eye, retracting his statements, apologizing to both the board and the CAO.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Quadra Island designer, print maker and graphic artist Robyn Mawhinney will be running for Regional Director in Electoral Area C (Discovery Islands and Mainland Islets) on October 15, 2022. The incumbent Jim Abram, who has been a director since 1988, recently announced he will not seek another term. Mawhinney explained, “I have been speaking with a lot of neighbours and community members, and I have heard that it is time for generational change. I am deeply committed to this area, the community and the land. And I want our community and Area C to continue being led by islanders, with island values.” She was born in Black Creek and moved to Quadra Island 28 years ago. Mawhinney raised her children on Quadra, built a farm, and has worked on a variety of professional and passion projects. She served on the boards of several local organizations. Mawhinney was an instigator of the Quadra Island Fall Fair and oversaw the activities of over a hundred volunteers. She also served on the board of the Quadra Island Childen's Centre. “I call myself a rural community enthusiast because I really appreciate the community that we have and the energy that it has. There's lots of ways to be engaged,” said Mawhinney. “I am currently on the trails committee, which is great because I also call myself a lover of the wilds. I do really love forests and outdoors, and I find soul medicine in the forest and I love building trails. Making them even better or creating trails for folks to have opportunities to access the wild switch can increase people's understanding and love of those places.” After completing a Tourism Management Program at North Island College, Mawhinney went on to work for several local companies. She has been the in-house designer and marketer of the Heriot Bay Inn and currently sits on the executive as secretary. She has also brought her creative touch to local companies like the Gathering Place and Tantrum Seafood. “I think that working as a designer, I've learned that collaboration yields better results. And I will be bringing that philosophy with me into my role as director, if I get it,” stated Mawhinney. She added, “Many folks probably know me as  Robyn Discothistle. That's the name that I've been using for my art practice for quite a few years, and also most of my social media handles.” Mawhinney sells her prints through the internet and at the Quadra Island Farmers Market. She said the top three issues people mention are housing, emergency services availability, and community engagement. “I've heard from many folks that they would appreciate more engagement and communication with the directors so that it can feel like we are making community based decisions.” “Something that I'm very keen to do, if, or when I am elected would be to establish an Advisory Planning Commission. It's something that is already happening on Cortes and also in Area D. I really appreciate the concept and of an Advisory Planning Commission. I've talked to people that are surprised that's even an option. I think that as a director, having community input would be really helpful and it really connects with a diverse spectrum of Islanders to give input on development or land use decisions. It's really important for our community to be able to be engaged in that way.” Q/Why should we vote for you? “I'm prepared to take on challenges and stand up for what's right. I have a lot of energy and enthusiasm and commitment to this community. I've lived here for a really long time, and I'm really deeply committed to our community area, the land and the land.” Upcoming broadcasts with Robyn Mawhinney will deal with: - Quadra Island's housing crisis - emergency services

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Forty-five percent (45%) of the respondents renting homes in rural areas say they pay more than they can afford, according to the SRD Electoral Areas Housing Needs Report. Statistics from the 2016 census support this. 41% of renters and 9% of home owners in the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) paid more than 30% of their income on accommodation. “This survey sheds light on an issue that is kind of hidden. People that are living in unstable housing aren't necessarily telling everyone about it because it can be embarrassing. ‘I can't afford the right housing,' or ‘I'm living in an overcrowded place,' or ‘I'm having to choose between good food or paying my rent,'” said Mark Vonesch from the Cortes Community Housing Society, one of the key stakeholders in this study. “I think it's the number one issue affecting Cortes. We're at a point in our history where we can address this or we can just let it slide and go the direction that Hornby has gone, or some of these other islands that no one can afford to live on anymore. They are retirement places, where people come to holiday.” The housing survey identified retiring seniors as the #1 area of population growth throughout the SRD. Anecdotal evidence points to a second demographic. During COVID, a large number of professionals also moved to the country and are now working from home. “Electoral Area D is the largest by population and the fastest growing, increasing 18% since 2011, while Electoral Areas A, B, and C increased 9%, 8%, and 8%, respectively.” There has also been a dramatic increase in the number of housing units used as short term rentals. In 2016, there were 153 Airbnbs within the SRD. By 2021, this number had grown to 635. This situation is worse in Area C, whose population centre is Quadra Island, and Area B, or Cortes Island. 97 of the 1,663 dwellings in Area C (5.8%) are used as Airbnbs. 34 of Cortes Island's 804 dwellings (4.2%) are vacation rentals. Only 37 of the 1,853 dwellings in Area D (2%), south of Campbell River, are used as short term rentals. 13 of the 474 dwellings in Area A (2.7%), which stretches from Sayward to the West Coast of Vancouver Island, are Airbnbs. While the vacation rental situation has been the focus of much discussion, they draw on only about 4.2% of the housing stock on Cortes Island. Close to a third of the island's houses (253) were vacant when the 2016 census was taken. This is more than twice the 75 rental and 40 retail units that the housing survey states are immediately needed on Cortes Island.

In this episode of Shiloh Network News, TBS Student and Shiloh Square Supervisor Jordan McClinton shares on Area D. DigShiloh.orgTheBibleSeminary.eduSupport the show

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Strathcona Regional District will be conducting an independent audit of director remuneration and expenses. “I received more money than other directors,” admitted Regional Director Jim Abram of Area C (Discovery Islands-Mainland Inlets), who then proceeded to explain how this came about. Chair Brad Unger explained, “There's no defending anything here. The motion is for an audit of director renumeration. There's no name of a director in that. It's directors, it is all of us.” Regional Director Brenda Leigh of Area D (Oyster Bay-Buttle Lake) protested, “I see this motion and this whole initiative as nothing but political right before an election!” When the auditor submitted his report to the board, at the May 11 board meeting, Campbell River Director Claire Moglove pointed out that there was a significant difference in the expenses directors were claiming. Staff was directed to prepare a report, which Chief Administrative Officer David Leitch submitted at the May 25 board meeting. There is a marked difference in the base salary the SRD pays municipal and regional directors. Municipal directors are already receiving compensation, and the stipend they receive is for the additional hours they put in as a result of sitting on the regional board. However Regional Directors do not have an additional source of income, this is their only salary. These differences are expected, the variances Director Moglove was referring to are additional charges. The first relevant chart is for attending additional board, committee, or public meetings. Jim Abram, the Director of Area C, was given the largest payment, $8,160. The smallest payment in the graph went to Kevin Jules, Director of the Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h' First Nations on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, $2,880. In 2021, eight of the 14 SRD Directors were eligible for renumeration for meetiings they had with external agencies. Only two of them are mentioned applying for compensation. An unnamed Campbell River director received $320. Jim Abram, director of Area C, received $4,800. There is also specific compensation for Regional Directors attending public hearings, parcel tax meetings, select or special committee meetings , etc. Only two directors made claims. Gerald Whalley of Area A (Kyuquot/Nootka-Sayward), whose area stretches across from the west coast of Vancouver Island to Sayward, claimed $160 for one meeting. Abram, who looks after an even larger area in the SRD, received $9,120 for attending 57 meetings. There were no claims from Area D, or Area B (Cortes Island).

Performing “Romeo & Juliet,” the Floresville High School Mighty Tiger Band makes straight first divisions at the UIL Region marching band contest Oct. 16 at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio. They will compete in the Area D marching band contest Saturday, Oct. 23, in Pflugerville.Article Link

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Richard Bynum, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at PNC, shares the many leadership lessons he learned while at the American Red Cross and in his various roles at PNC. Richard Bynum also shares why and how he intends to have an impact on reducing systemic inequities by leading the implementation of PNC's Community Benefits Plan through which the company will provide at least $88 billion in loans, investments, and other financial support to benefit low- and moderate-income individuals and communities, people and communities of color, and other underserved individuals and communities. Some highlights:-How moving cities while growing up impacted Richard Bynum's outlook on diversity.- Richard Bynum on the lessons he learned while at the Red Cross, including on 9/11.- A painful lesson Richard Bynum learned as a young manager.- Richard on the need to balance trust and expectations as a leader.- PNC's $1 billion effort to help end systemic racism and support economic empowerment for Black Americans- What Richard Bynum's hobby in genealogy has taught him about himself, his family, and the privileges Americans have today. Mentioned in this episode:-Michael N. Harreld, former Regional President of PNC Bank, Greater Washington, D.C. Area-D. Jermaine Johnson, Regional President for PNC Bank, Greater Washington, and Virginia-William “Bill” S. Demchak, CEO of PNC Financial Services-Eddie Meyers, Regional President of PNC Bank Georgia  Connect with Richard Bynum:Richard Bynum on LinkedInRichard Bynum on Twitter Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.com More information and resources are available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: PartneringLeadership.com

Originally live streamed on August 6th, 2020 at 10am PST. www.twitter.com/soarfinancial - make sure to follow us & click on the

Bem Vindos a mais um Katoon! Podcast mensal onde apresentamos um tema fechado a ser discutido, podendo ser uma obra…

Hoe klinkt de stad waar onze correspondenten wonen en werken? Jan Franke neemt ons in geluid mee naar Ramallah op de Westelijke Jordaanoever. Naar het ‘Area D', het hipste hostel van de stad. (foto: Wikipedia Soman CC BY-SA 2.5)

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Dans ce Mangacast Omake n°35, notre équipe chronique : Heartbeats, Akatsuki, Omega – Alien mégalo sous contrôle, Telle que tu es !, Re/member, Killer Instinct, Anguilles Démoniaques, Area D, Ajin, Myriad Colors Phantom World, Schwarzes Marken, et Le Garçon et la Bête ! Presque 2 heures d’émission pour partager, avec vous, nos conseils manga et animés du

Dans ce Mangacast Omake n°35, notre équipe chronique : Heartbeats, Akatsuki, Omega – Alien mégalo sous contrôle, Telle que tu es !, Re/member, Killer Instinct, Anguilles Démoniaques, Area D, Ajin, Myriad Colors Phantom World, Schwarzes Marken, et Le Garçon et la Bête ! Presque 2 heures d’émission pour partager, avec vous, nos conseils manga et animés du

Area D manga review! Brand new series! Subscribe and follow here and on iTunes!!