With Michele Babchuck moving on to the provincial legislature, the Strathcona Regional District Board needed a new Chair. Gold River Mayor Brad Unger, who had been her Vice Chair, was chosen by acclamation. The only real election, during the Board’s Nov 4th, 2020 Board meeting, was for Vice Chair.
Continue reading The SRD Chooses a new Chair and Vice ChairAll posts by Roy Hales
BC’s first Ocean Plastic Depot
A 2014 study estimates there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the ocean. There is also a great deal of polystyrene. These are two of the most prevalent types of ocean debris washing up on our beaches. The Ocean Legacy Foundation decided to do something about it and partnered with the qathet Regional District to open up BC’s first Ocean Plastic Depot in Powell River.
Continue reading BC’s first Ocean Plastic Depot
High expectations for this year’s Chum returns
This program was funded by a grant from the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Government of Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative.
According to data on the Pacific Salmon Explorer website, Northeastern Vancouver Island’s Chum runs have tended to be about 42% lower in the last decade. 2016 was an exception. Pete Calverley, from the Quadra Island Salmon Enhancement Society, recently told the National Observer, “This year’s chum spawners are the result of a strong parent run four years ago.” The final numbers are not in yet, but there are high expectations for this year’s Chum returns.
Continue reading High expectations for this year’s Chum returns
SRD released funding for Cortes Island’s community halls
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) released the funding for Cortes Island’s community halls. Though they were to have received this money in quarterly instalments, it has been close to a year since the SRD passed the Bylaw “to establish a community hall service within and for the benefit of Electoral Area B (Cortes Island).” The minutes of that meeting refer to the need for “a further report outlining next steps for implementing the community hall service.” Former Chair Michele Babchuk and the SRD’s Corporate Officer did not receive authorization to ‘execute the contracts’ until last August. A spokesperson from the Whaletown Community Club (WCC), which operates Gorge Hall, said the funds needed for a year of operations have now been deposited directly into their bank account. Manson’s Hall Manager, Mary Lavelle, confirmed that a similar deposit was made into the Southern Cortes Community Association’s (SCCA) account on Friday, October 30th, 2020.
Continue reading SRD released funding for Cortes Island’s community halls
Campbell River’s plan to increase property taxes and cut services
In response to reduced revenues arising from the pandemic, the city of Campbell River plans to increase property taxes and either defer or cancel $1.5 million dollars worth of services.
Continue reading Campbell River’s plan to increase property taxes and cut services