We are a group of coffee buddies who have a dream and we would like you to help us make our dream come true. All we need from you is a piece of your land that we can keep forever and use for our dream, and a large donation of cash.

Here's the story: A bunch of us have been getting together every few weeks for several years to talk about stuff, and we have decided we want to build a dream home. We are not really sure how we came to that conclusion, because we don't keep notes or anything when we get together to chat. That's because we like to keep our discussions sort of organic and free flowing. We don't want to restrict them with agendas or records because that would stifle our creativity. However, we are all very clear that we want to build a brand new, nothing-but-the-best, technologically advanced, ecologically friendly, fantastic dream home.

Full Story

U-17 SINGLE GAME TICKETS ON SALE

Staff at Oceanside Place in Parksville are getting ready to host five of the world’s top youth hockey teams in the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge this winter. Single game tickets for the three Challenge games to be held at Oceanside Place went on sale last week, along with family and group discounts.

“Oceanside Place is ready to welcome the world and host some of the best hockey ever to be played on Vancouver Island,” said Frank van Eynde, Chair of the District 69 Recreation Commission. “For anyone who hasn’t been to Oceanside Place yet since it opened in 2003, there’s no better time to come.”

Oceanside Place will host three of the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge games, as follows:

Sun, Dec 28, 7:00pm Germany vs. Quebec (exhibition)
Fri, Jan 2, 2:00pm Russia vs. Germany (round robin)
Fri, Jan 2, 7:00pm USA vs. Canada West (round robin)

The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is the first level in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. Five regional Canadian teams will participate, representing the Pacific, West, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic regions. In addition, five international teams will represent Russia, Slovakia, Finland, Germany and the United States.

“We’re looking forward to a festival of hockey and community spirit,” said Val McNutt, RDN Recreation and Parks Arena Programmer. “Local businesses have been so supportive and we’re anticipating a full-house at every game.”

The 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge has been awarded to Port Alberni, with games being held in Parksville, Nanaimo, Campbell River, Courtenay, and Duncan. The tournament will be held over eight days, from December 28, 2008 to January 4, 2009.

Tickets for the U-17 World Hockey Challenge single games in Parksville are $20 each, or $48 for three-game ticket packages. All tickets are general admission seating. Doors open one hour prior to game time. Families of 5 or groups of 10 or more can also purchase tickets at a discount of $16 each. Tickets are available at Oceanside Place, 830 W. Island Hwy, Parksville or by calling 250-248-3252.

A 1925 photo of two smiling hikers helped illustrate the historic significance of yesterday’s long-awaited designation of Regional Park status for Mount Arrowsmith Massif. The photo, showing mountaineers Don Munday and Tom Ingram at the mountain’s summit, was part of a presentation to the Regional Board by Peter Rothermel, a director with the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC. The Board later voted to accept a 30-year tenure offer from the Province to manage Mount Arrowsmith Massif as a Regional Park.

“People in the central-island region have always treasured Mount Arrowsmith. Now Regional Park status for this landmark will help us officially recognize and preserve that,” said Larry McNabb, Chair of the Regional Parks and Trails Advisory Committee. “I thank the provincial government for granting the RDN tenure to protect Mt. Arrowsmith Massif, as well as the Hupacasath First Nation, the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC, and the Alpine Club of Canada for committing to help us manage these lands.”

The Massif, formerly classified as Crown Land, covers approximately 1,300 hectares of alpine forests, lakes, and peaks at the top of Mount Arrowsmith. The new park is located within the RDN, and borders another Regional Park at the top of Mount Cokely, also within the RDN, managed by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.

With the acquisition of the Massif, the total area of Regional Park lands managed by the RDN increases to more than 2,016 hectares, from 716 hectares. The Regional Parks system includes nine day-use parks, seven trails, and two campgrounds. The RDN also manages more than 130 community parks throughout the region.

The new park includes several popular hiking and climbing routes, and cross-country ski areas, and is widely regarded as the most important free alpine recreation site on Vancouver Island.

Ecologically, the Massif’s significance is equally far-reaching, with the two key salmon producing rivers, the Englishman and Qualicum, dependant on its snow pack. The area also provides a habitat for endangered wildlife species such as the White-Tailed Ptarmigan, and the Vancouver Island Marmot.

“Mt Arrowsmith is arguably the most popular and well used non-commercial mountain on Vancouver Island,” said Mr. Rothermel, a resident of Qualicum Beach. “Over the past century, many people have called on governments to create a wilderness park here to protect its unique ecology. The RDN has gone the final mile in getting the job done.”

Mr. Roethermel helped campaign for the new park in recent years with the FMCBC and the Alpine Club of Canada.

The RDN began discussions with the Province on classifying the Massif as a Regional Park in 2006, and in 2007 the RDN received a joint letter of sponsorship on the proposal from the BC Ministry of Environment and the BC Ministry of Community Services. To acquire the Massif as a park, the RDN applied for Nominal Rent Tenure from the provincial Integrated Land Management Bureau on December 14, 2007. The RDN received approval of its application, along with an offer for a 30 year licence of occupation for the Massif, legally described as Block 1380, Cameron Land District, on November 12, 2008.

The new Regional Park will be managed by the RDN in cooperation with the Hupacasath First Nation of the Alberni Valley, the FMCBC, and the ACC. An October 28 Memorandum of Understanding between the RDN and the Hupacasath requires those two parties to form a committee to provide recommendations on park management. The mountain clubs, which regularly maintain trails throughout the Massif, will also take part in the long-term management planning process, expected to start in 2010 at a cost to the RDN of $35,000.

Over the next year the RDN and its partners will also work to improve public access to the Massif, address safety concerns on trails, and coordinate volunteer stewardship support. The RDN has budgeted $5,000 in 2009 for that work.

Provincial approval for use of the Massif also extends to Cercom Electronics and Island Timberlands for operation of communications towers, and to a non-operational mineral claim.

Other RDN long-term parks projects underway include the Gabriola 707 Acre Community Park Management Plan, and the Mount Benson Regional Park Management Plan.

NEW RESEARCH TO INCLUDE AREA ‘B’

Residents of Gabriola Island are getting a bigger stake in some of BC’s leading regional planning and sustainability initiatives. The island is part of a new study by Islands Trust of affordable housing, and part of an expanded Regional Planning service, adopted by the Regional Board on August 26, 2008. The expanded service means that Gabriola, as well as Mudge and Decourcey Islands, will be included in research and analytical work relating to regional development. Recent work of this type by the RDN has included the 2006 State of Sustainability Project, and the 2008 Benefits of Green Buildings Project. All other RDN communities already participate in these initiatives.

“The RDN has been widely recognized as a leader on sustainability and smart development, and these are important issues on Gabriola, Mudge and DeCourcey Islands,” says Area ‘B’ Director Berni Sperling. “Having a stake in regional planning means our residents can influence this work and have it apply to our communities.”

Gabriola, Mudge, and Decourcey Islands, which form RDN Electoral Area ‘B,’ will provide funding for Regional Planning in 2009. Approximately $3000 of the Area ‘B’ contribution to Regional Planning will be directed to the Gabriola Island Affordable Housing Needs Assessment, which began yesterday. The RDN has also started an affordable housing study to look at the issue from a regional perspective.

Area ‘B’ was removed from the Regional Planning service in 2003, when changes to the Islands Trust Act made it clear that the RDN’s Regional Growth Strategy would no longer apply to the area. The RDN’s revised planning service enables Area ‘B’ to participate in research and studies related to Regional Planning without funding the Regional Growth Strategy.

In 2007, the RDN was recognized by the Province of BC for its achievements in regional planning, and shared in a $500,000 Green City award by the Province to seven BC Communities. The RDN was noted for its development pattern focused on urban containment, efficient regional transit, and advanced systems for solid and liquid waste management.

Support broadened for the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Action for Water plan last week, with a message of encouragement from the provincial government. Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment James Mattison commended the RDN for its Action for Water program in an October 10 letter to RDN chair Joe Stanhope. His letter also highlighted aspects of Action for Water that would complement the Province’s new water plan, Living Water Smart.


“The Action for Water program aligns well with the Province’s vision and goals for water management outlined in the Living Water Smart plan,” reads the letter, which also calls for continuing discussions on water management between the Province and the RDN.


RDN Chair Joe Stanhope said further discussions would be a key element of Action for Water.


“Cooperation with the provincial government is a big part of our Action for Water plan, so this support from the Ministry of Environment will help us move forward. It’s also great to have recognition from the Province of the RDN’s leadership on watershed protection and water sustainability,” he said.


The RDN is holding a referendum on Action for Water during this year’s local Elections on November 15. Residents in the RDN’s seven Electoral Areas will vote on implementing the strategy, aimed at sustaining the regional water supply. It would include watershed planning to reduce the impacts of population growth and resource depletion, a limited well testing program, and development of more comprehensive water resource data. Municipalities in the RDN will also have the option of participating in the strategy, if it is approved by the Electoral Areas.


Action for Water was initially set forth in the RDN’s 2007 Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Action Plan.


Living Water Smart was released in June, 2008 as the Provincial blueprint for water use. It outlines a vision for water conservation in industry, government, and the residential sector, and calls for 50 per cent of new municipal water needs to be met through conservation by 2020.


Both Action for Water and Living Water Smart aim for cooperation between all levels of government on water management. Action for Water’s section on watershed planning is also backed by a commitment in Living Water Smart to “support communities to do watershed management planning.”


Assistant Deputy Minister Mattison’s letter of support, and complete information on Action for Water, are available at www.ActionForWater.ca.


Contact: Mike Donnelly
Manager, Utilities
Regional District of Nanaimo
250-390-6545

Operation Christmas Child... submitted by Eric Frost

It is that time of year again when we ask you to fill a shoe box for a child in need with the things our children take for granted, Samaritan's Purse knows that you lovingly and thoughtfully filled a shoe box and if it i stuffed full of wonderful gifts, that is how it goes out, they desire to send a shoe box as the giver intended it, therefore, they will not take out anything in order to supplement another shoe box. But when they arrive at Calgary they are checked for anything unsuitable or not allowed by customs.

Shoe boxes packed in BC. will be delivered in Costa Rica, Argentina, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Uruguay.

Shoe box gifts are given to children suffering from war, poverty, famine, disease and disaster, regardless of race, religion or gender. In each country that receives shoe boxes, Operation Christmas Child works with a volunteer team of local pastors, charities, and civic leaders, which represent several different denominations and organizations. This team identifies the children of greatest need and coordinates the distributions.

To read about some of the children who have received shoe box gifts from Canadians please visit web site (www.samaritanspurse.ca). also plan to come and hear Guest Speaker Sharlene Lapadat who helped deliver boxes in Nicaragua. Thursday, October 16th at 7 pm at Gabriola Fellowship Church, 775 Church Road. Your Local Collection Centre. More information? call Eric Frost at 247-7589.

The following is my summary of a significant health care meeting, held on Gabriola last week, and attended by senior representatives from the Ministry of Health and Vancouver Island Health Authority, along with stakeholders from the Gabriola community, including myself. Ministry of Health and Vancouver Island Health Authority representatives have verified these statements for accuracy. The following key issues were presented by MoH and VIHA:

Gabriola has a population of 4,500, half of whom choose to receive their medical care off island, leaving a total of approximately 2,300 who choose to seek medical care here on this island. Medical Services Plan billing figures for Gabriola physicians support these figures.

The average volume for a successful family medical practice in the province of British Columbia is 1,200 patients per doctor. Gabriola can therefore support two full time physicians, or that equivalent in part time physicians.

No matter what we as a community think or want, no new physician is going to come to Gabriola and set up a medical practice, knowing they will not succeed financially, and be unable to pay their expenses.

We already have sufficient physicians to cover the current needs of the island, and some Gabriola physicians are still accepting new patients. We cannot expect to recruit or retain another full time physician without a dramatic change in population or usage.

Two full time medical doctors, or the equivalent in part time physicians, cannot provide full time emergency care or urgent care on Gabriola Island. The toll it would take on them, as individuals, would be unacceptable.

B. C. Ministry of Health says it has already spent $70,000 and countless hours on Gabriola, attempting to reach resolution of our health care requests. No other community in B. C. has received as much funding or support.

Ministry of Health has designated Gabriola as a site to receive incentive funding in the Family Physicians for B. C. program, which assists in recruiting doctors to the island. Most other communities that have requested this designation have not received it.

Gabriola has been designated to receive MOCAP funding for after hours medical care. No other similar community in B. C. has received MOCAP funding. Even without MOCAP, physicians in B. C. are paid extra for seeing patients after hours, the increments of pay increasing with the lateness of hour and advanced age of the patient.

Gabriola's population is slightly younger than many other communities in this area, and somewhat more healthy. Our chronic care statistics are consistent with those of other communities in the province.

Gabriola is not unique, special, or more deserving. There are at least thirty similar communities in the province who have no physician at all. It is in our best interests to work together to appreciate and support the existing health care services already available on the island.


Verna Gregson

The issue of a bridge to Gabriola has been around for as long as I have lived here and, in fact, many years before I came along.

The Ferry Corporation has agreed to contribute $5000 toward a survey of residents to see how much interest there is for a bridge. The Gabriola Island Ferry advisory committee has agreed to the survey as part of a look at several transportation options. Since we on Gabriola live with governance by special interest group, it should be noted that this committee does not speak for Gabriolans and has no mandate from Gabriola residents.

Every time this issue comes up it is always presented as a purely economic issue, the cost of ferry fares and ship upgrades as opposed to the cost of a fixed link. Of course, cost is always an issue and most of our lives are governed by the cost of one thing or another and our natural desire for a bargain. But then, that is precisely what is wrong with our way of life, where everything is a race to the bottom so to speak. This is not a cost of living issue, this is a quality of life issue. We need to look at the big picture because in the end replacing our ferry with a bridge will not be decided on a purely economic basis.

I do not have any issues with the ferry, how it is run or the cost of a fare and unlike some residents, I am not afraid of the boat or the water that it travels on. I have chosen to live on Gabriola and am very willing to pay and do whatever it takes to continue to do so. The day may come when I will be unable to live here and will then move to someplace more conducive to my age and requirements. I will do so cheerfully and not expect to have my every whim accommodated. Until that day, I will happily take my mini cruise and be thankful for what I have.

Nurse Practitioners will provide Access and Stability
for health care on Gabriola Island

Gabriola Professional Centre has sent a proposal to Vancouver Island Health Authority to acquire a position for a Nurse Practitioner on Gabriola Island. A Nurse Practitioner is an advance practice, master's degree nurse who would work collaboratively with the local physicians to ease their load, and would also work directly with the people of our island to provide educational and preventive health care services.  They would ensure increased access to primary care for our community as a whole, continuity of care for high maintenance and/or senior patients who experience complex conditions, education to patients and their families who wish to become informed partners in their own well-being and/or disease management, and coordinated support for the frail and the elderly as they experience end-of-life issues.  Local learning sessions, conducted in the community by a Nurse Practitioner, based on common chronic diseases and conditions, and accompanied by follow-up action or treatment sessions and group discussions, would advance our goal to help our community stay healthy, get better, live with disease and cope with the end of life. 
   
A Nurse Practitioner would maintain a registry of patients and their treatment in order to establish a planned and coordinated approach to the care of each patient as an individual, as well as each patient as part of a support group.  Although family physicians remain the cornerstone of our primary health care system on Gabriola Island, we seek a shift toward a more patient-centered model, where patients and their families can have the knowledge and the confidence to assume the role of partners in their health care and well-being.
   
It is important to know that a Nurse Practitioner is a salaried position, paid by VIHA.  That is, if there is a Nurse Practitioner located in Gabriola Professional Centre, there will be no financial gain from this.  VIHA pays minimal overhead expenses for the space used, but there is no profit for the landlord and, in fact, there will probably be a loss.  Gabriola Professional Centre is pleased to offer office space for a Nurse Practitioner, and will do everything we can to help it work for the community.  We must also acknowledge that a Nurse Practitioner may cut into the billings of the physicians, as they perform some services that might otherwise be done by a doctor.  Both Dr. Harding and Dr. Mackenzie, of Gabriola Family Medicine in Gabriola Professional Centre, are well aware of this and entirely comfortable with it. 

We all believe the addition of a Nurse Practitioner is in the best interests of access to primary health care and stability of primary health care in the Gabriola community.  Access and stability are the two most important elements of health care on our island.

The following article appeared in the July 16 edition of the COMOX VALLEY RECORD.


The southernmost end of the Comox Valley Regional District is being considered as a potential site for wind-power production.

Zero Emission Energy Development Inc. has applied for an investigative permit for Crown land at Mount Schofield, in electoral Area A, to research the potential for wind-power generation there.

While the application is made to the provincial government, the Area A Advisory Planning Commission was asked for feedback on the proposal as part of a referral process.

"The APC is of course strongly in favour of anything ... that's going to reduce our carbon footprint," said director Suzanne Murray about the discussion at the APC.

While the potential for green energy was met enthusiastically by the group, committee members did ask about the impact on the environment from setting up a tower and investigative equipment. Those concerns were addressed by a representative for the company.

"They had to use existing logging roads and everything would be read remotely," said Murray, meaning that staff wouldn't have to travel in the area often.

The Comox Valley Regional District isn't involved in approval of the permit at this stage, and acts only as a referral agency. If the Crown grants the investigative permit, then a licence of occupation would be sought --- and at that point the CVRD would be involved in considering a temporary industrial use permit.

posted with the permission of
Colleen Dane
Reporter, Comox Valley Record
(250) 338-7816 x241
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Recent comments in our local papers have hinted that I, as the Regional Director, am somehow in the way and unwilling to deal with the problems identified on Huxley Park. Huxley Park came about as a result of a rezoning of the property which Folklife Village occupies. The Huxley property is not a Regional District community park it is private property, owned by the original owner who received the rezoning. There is a society which operates the property in its present state, holding a long term lease. Recently the society approached RDN parks staff, requesting that the RDN take over the lease which is held by the society. RDN parks staff has agreed to meet with the society on the park in early July to discuss the issues. Other than the tennis court, the property is in need of repair and a major clean-up and no one would argue against that. A point to remember is that most of the undesirable activities which happen at the back end of the property actually occur on private property adjacent to the Huxley property. The RDN is, by legislation, restricted on spending tax dollars on property the RDN does not hold title to. The main stumbling block to the RDN taking over administration of this property is the fact that it is private property held in fee simple title by the original owner. My personal opinion of what should happen on this property will have to wait for another time as I am concentrating here on the legal issues which stand in the way of the RDN taking over the administration of this property.

Zero Emission Energy Development – Wind Farm Proposal on
707 acre Community Park - Electoral Area ‘B’ (Gabriola Island)

The wind farm proposal was discussed at the April 17, 2008 meeting of the Local Trust Committee and the Trust Committee advised that it has sent a response to the Province of British Columbia indicating their concerns regarding the proposed wind analysis investigation for a wind farm on Crown Lands on Gabriola Island. There was a strong indication that a zoning amendment application for the 707 acre parklands to allow for the development of a wind farm would not be received positively by the Trust Committee given the original conditions on donation of the lands.


ZED Wind Farm Proposal

Alastair King, President of ZED, has assembled a team of consultants to locate suitable sites within British Columbia to develop and construct wind farms as part of the British Columbia Energy Plan that was announced in 2007. In addition to identifying 707 acre Community Park as a potential site, as of May 5, 2008, ZED has submitted twenty-five land use applications to the Provincial Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) to develop and lease Provincial Crown Land for wind farms. Within these twenty-five applications, ZED has applied for a site on Gabriola Island that is on Crown Land in addition to one other Crown Land site in the proximity of Electoral Area ‘H’ / Comox Valley Regional District border at Mt. Schofield.

At the March 25, 2008 RDN Board meeting, ZED appeared as a delegation and proposed that the Regional District enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would allow the company to conduct wind test analysis for a year by way of an 80 metre tall meteorological tower. Should the wind test analysis be favourable, then their proposed MoU would provide ZED the option to proceed with the construction of up to six windmills on the 707 acre Community Park site.

Upon construction of the wind farm, the estimated 10 MW of power would be sold by ZED to BC Hydro and added to the Provincial hydro grid. Documentation provided by ZED estimates that 10 MW of electrical power generated by the proposed wind farm is enough power to supply 2,600 homes.

The general specification for the wind turbines have been proposed as follows:

Power: 1 Mega Watt – 2.5 Mega Watt depending on wind regime
Rated Wind Speed: 10.0 – 12.0 m/s
Cut in Wind Speed 2.0 – 3.0 m/s
Cut out Wind Speed 30.0 – 35.0 m/s
Colour: White
Height: 80 Metres to Hub
Blade: 35 – 40 Metres from Hub
Blade Area 6,000 – 7,000 m2
Foundation Area 25 m x 25 m

707 Acre Community Park

In 2005, the Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) approved a bylaw that permitted the transfer of 35 residential densities from 286 hectares (707 acres) of forest-zoned lands in central Gabriola Island and the subsequent rezoning of the 286 hectares to Forestry-Wilderness Recreation. The LTC then asked the Regional District of Nanaimo to receive the 286 hectares on a freehold basis and to manage the land as Community Park on behalf of the residents of Electoral Area ‘B’.

The six properties making up the 286 hectares represent an undeveloped second-growth forest land that was largely clear-cut within the last 10 to 15 years. The lands provide for passive outdoor recreation and have been used for some time by Island hikers, cyclists and equestrians. The land deal represented the first use of Gabriola’s Official Community Plan provision supporting the creation of parkland and the protection of large blocks of forest through the transfer of residential densities.

In July 2005 the Regional District of Nanaimo accepted the offer to take title of the lands and to manage the lands as an Electoral Area ‘B’ Community Park. The 707 acre Community Park is currently the largest park in the Regional District’s Community and Regional Park system and the third largest public owned park in the Regional District, next to Little Qualicum Falls and Rathtrevor Provincial Parks.

Permitted uses for the 286 hectares of Forestry-Wilderness Recreation lands include: (a) forestry, (b) forest wilderness oriented recreation, (c) ecological reserves, and (d) environmental protection. Permitted structures include portable sawmills and structures to accommodate passive outdoor recreational activities, environmental protection projects, forestry and forestry research and education.

With respect to managing the 286 hectares, on July 25, 2005 the Local Trust Committee made the following motion:
“That the Regional District of Nanaimo undertake a process in conjunction with the Trust Fund Board and the public to create: a management plan for the donor lands, covenants restricting sale or subdivision, except as necessary to consolidate the titles and covenants necessary for conservation and preservation of environmental values.”

It was understood by Local Trust Committee and Islands Trust Fund staff that a formal management plan with public consultation would not be initiated until the necessary funds and resources were in place. In the interim, the RDN has managed the park with a focus on clarifying access points, posting signage, eliminating any hazards such as illegally dumped material and working with the local Fire Chief in developing a fire fighting plan for the large property.

At the April 22, 2008 Regional Board meeting, the Board approved applying to the UBCM Community Tourism Program to secure funds to undertake a management plan beginning in late 2008. On June 6, 2008 the RDN was notified that the UBCM grant funding was secured.
Land Use Conditions
The permitted uses for the 286 hectares of Forestry-Wilderness Recreation (FWR1) lands include: (a) forestry, (b) forest wilderness oriented recreation, (c) ecological reserves, and (d) environmental protection. Public utilities are not permitted in FWRI. Permitted building and structures in FWR1 include structures to accommodate passive outdoor recreation activities; portable sawmills; and other non-residential buildings and structures to accommodate environmental protection projects, forestry and forestry research and education. The maximum height of all buildings and structures is 9.0 metres (29.5 feet). The minimum average lot area and minimum lot area is 286 hectares (707 acres) therefore the land can not be subdivided.

In order to provide for the investigation, development and construction of a wind farm on the Community Park, the property would require an OCP amendment and a Land Use Bylaw amendment; this includes the construction of the temporary 80 metre tall meteorological tower to conduct wind tests for approximately one year. The Regional District of Nanaimo, as the owner of the land, would be required to submit a rezoning application to the Islands Trust to consider a formal rezoning of the property to permit this use.
Governance Implications
The 707 parkland is owned by the Regional District as an Electoral Area B Community Park. All operational costs and land use decisions directly affect the Electoral Area B Community Park Budget and Electoral Area B residents. The land was not acquired and is not managed as regional parkland.

The Islands Trust is responsible for land use planning on Gabriola Island. In order to provide for the investigation, development and construction of a wind farm on the 707 acre Community Park, an OCP amendment and Zoning Bylaw amendment will be required and approved by the Islands Trust.



June 10, 2008 Regional Board Committee of the Whole Resolution:

“That the request from Zero Emission Energy Development to investigate and develop a wind farm on the 707 acre Area B Community Park on Gabriola Island be denied.”

Editor: On May 30, 2008 I had RDN staff send the following letter to the Integrated Land Management Bureau.



May 30, 2008



Mr. Gary Morley
Senior Portfolio Administrator
Integrated Land Management Bureau
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
142 - 2080 Labieux Road
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6J9


Dear Mr. Morley:

Re: Gabriola Island Fill Land – Brickyard Beach
Parcel ID CRO 020829
BC Assessment Folio 999-99999904

I am writing in regard to the oceanfront fill land along South Road by Ferne Road, more properly known as un-surveyed Crown foreshore being part of the bed of False Narrows, Nanaimo District. As you are aware, the area was roughly developed many years ago by unknown community members and a pit toilet, picnic table and parking area installed. Maintenance of the toilet has been sporadic over the years. Often, the toilet is in a deplorable state giving rise to many complaints by the public. Proximity of the toilet to the ocean and sensitive aquatic habitat is cause for additional concern.

In the absence of any action on the part of the Provincial Crown to maintain this piece of land and the structures on it, I respectfully request that the toilet structure be removed and the toilet pit filled in. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to a timely response.

Sincerely,





Bernie Sperling
Director - Electoral Area B

c.c. Tom Osborne, RDN General Manager of Recreation and Parks
Wendy Marshall, RDN Manager of Parks Services
Carol Mason, RDN Chief Administrative Officer

At the In Camera RDN Board Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 10, 2008, the ZED Wind Farm proposal was reviewed and the following resolution was brought forward to the Regular Committee meeting through arise and report and was approved:

“That the request from Zero Emission Energy Development to investigate and develop a wind farm on the 707 acre Area B Community Park on Gabriola Island be denied.”

The Committee of the Whole recommendation will now be forwarded to the Regional Board Meeting on June 24, 2008.

Given the staff report was dealt with in camera due to land and legal matters, a background memo is being prepared. I will post this once it is ready.

In addition to the matter above, the RDN received a second request on Friday June 6th, 2008 for the use of the 707 Community Park Lands from the Gabriola Radio Society and the resolution below was approved:

"That the request from the Gabriola Radio Society to locate a broadcast tower on the Electoral Area B 707 Community Park be denied."

Submitted by Verna Gregson, March 4, 2008

The recent Gabriola Primary Health Care Services stakeholder’s meeting included, for the first time, physicians Dr. Geoff Harding and Dr. Jim Mackenzie, from Gabriola Health Centre, along with Verna Gregson, manager of Gabriola Health Centre and Heather Taylor, Nurse Practitioner student. We were pleased to be invited by Dr. Owen Heisler, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), and Valerie Tregillus, Executive Director of Primary Health Care, Medical Services Division, B.C. Ministry of Health (MOH). Both government representatives indicated they want to make a fresh start on Gabriola and involve all island health care providers, rather than focusing on one group or one facility. Also in attendance were Anne Ardiel, Corporate Director of Medical Affairs for VIHA, and Victoria Power-Pollitt, Director of Primary Care for VIHA, as well as Dr. Daille Hoffman, physician, Dr. Francois Bosman, physician, and Lawrence Spero, Harvey Graham and Faye Weller from GHCS.

The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Health and chaired by Valerie Tregillus. The government representatives made it clear they did not come to Gabriola to discuss anything from the past, and stated it is their intention to move only forward from here on. They asked that we commit to creating a community plan, which would outline the steps needed to develop and enhance health care on Gabriola Island, and a community profile, to examine the existing demographics and health care needs and facilities on the island. In return, VIHA and MOH will support us by providing facilitation and guidance for the planning process, health care statistics for the area, and remuneration for the participating physicians. But, the bottom line was, if we cannot create a credible and cooperative plan of action, Gabriola will get no government support.

Dr. Owen Heisler discussed the status of MOCAP funding, which is currently undergoing complete revision. He promised the new model will be fair and equitable, but would make no comment as to whether or not Gabriola could hope to receive funds. It will be at least several months before the results of the revision are known and, until that time, neither MOH or VIHA will commit MOCAP funding anywhere within the Vancouver Island Health Authority region.

We all agreed to cooperate in planning a sustainable population based primary health care system on Gabriola. We also committed to a Memorandum of Understanding, as the initial stage of the planning. The principal commitments from the government in this Memorandum are funding for recruitment of an additional physician for Gabriola, and a rapid, remunerated and facilitated planning process. In return, Gabriola must be prepared to provide relocation support and a positive environment for a new physician, and to promote community participation in the planning process.

Dr. Heisler concluded the meeting by stating he felt we had made positive steps forward, and was pleased to meet new faces and have more health care providers at the planning table. We were glad to be there, and thank VIHA and MOH for the invitation to participate, at last, in health care discussions on Gabriola Island.