As many of you are probably already aware, Michele Babchuk has set aside her role as Chair of the Strathcona Regional District board to become the NDP candidate for North Island.
Continue reading Election 2020: Michele Babchuk, the NDP candidate for North IslandAll posts by Roy Hales
Election 2020: Candidates on Vancouver Island
While none of the other candidates in our riding (North Island) are known as of yet, Michele Babchuk is the NDP candidate. (Cortes Currents will interview her later this week). The NDP have held this riding since 2005 and obtained 47.54% of the vote in 2017. Babchuk’s most serious opposition will most likely come from the Liberal candidate (35.57%), though it is also noteworthy that 14.75% of the electorate went Green in 2017. 338Canada describes North Island as an “NDP safe” seat. Here are some of the other candidates on Vancouver Island and guesstimates of their chances.
Continue reading Election 2020: Candidates on Vancouver Island
EASC lets proposal to extend Quadra’s fire protection die
Three quarters of Quadra Island lies outside the fire protection zone. BC Wildfire Service responds to forest fires in this area, but normally do not come on to private property. Last June, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) asked North Island residents if they would like to have the same level of coverage as the south. While roughly half of the respondents said they thought all Quadra residents should have the same level of protection, 64% indicated they were happy with the present system and less than 10% were willing to pay for any additional coverage. The Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) instructed SRD staff to draw up a report on how to move forward. Staff suggested forming an advisory group, comprised of representatives from each of the residential areas on the north island. Instead, EASC decided to let the proposal to extend Quadra’s fire protection die.
Continue reading EASC lets proposal to extend Quadra’s fire protection die
EASC rejects SRD Staff report on Directors input
The latest version of a Strathcona Regional District staff report on directors input into the reporting process was not received by the Electoral Areas Services committee. Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson said. “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever voted in opposition to receipt of a report in 12 years.” Regional Directors Jim Abram and Brenda Leigh joined her in opposition.
Continue reading EASC rejects SRD Staff report on Directors input
Surge Narrows Store revitalization project
The old Surge Narrows Store, on Read Island, closed its doors in 2007. A Strathcona Regional District staff report sates, “since that time the building and its associated boardwalk, floating dock and fuel shed have been left in a state of disrepair.” Last November, the SRD board applied for a $2.2 million grant to revitalize the property and was turned down. Now it looks the Surge Narrows Store Revitalization project is going forward.
Continue reading Surge Narrows Store revitalization project