For the first time in her 13 years as Cortes Island’s Regional Director, Noba Anderson writes that there is so little substantive information in the Strathcona Regional District Budget that she cannot do her job. Anderson made this comment in a report, in which she alleges witnessing the erosion of the budgeting process over the last number of years.
Continue reading So little substantive information in SRD Budget that she cannot do her job, Director claimsTag Archives: Brad Unger
Strathcona Regional District gives Cortes Director a statement of expectation
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) board isn’t going to pursue allegations of inside influence and the disqualification of Cortes Island director Noba Anderson in court.
Nor did the SRD board opt for its Plan B — to discipline the director.
Instead, after in-camera consultation with legal counsel, the SRD board voted Feb. 10 to issue a public statement to Anderson on its expectations around a director’s conduct when communicating with SRD staff or board members.
Continue reading Strathcona Regional District gives Cortes Director a statement of expectation
SRD Board undecided about legal action against Anderson
Cortes Island Director Noba Anderson violated an agreement that one of her land partners would communicate with staff regarding the subdivision of her property on Cortes Island, according to the Strathcona Regional District (SRD).
Anderson’s lawyer, Matthew Voell, pointed out that staff made a request, which Anderson acknowledged receipt of – that is not an agreement. He produced a long stream of emails demonstrating that staff repeatedly initiated the direct contacts with Anderson. Voell maintained that Anderson ‘communicated with Regional District staff in her personal capacity and not in her role as a director,’ used her personal email address, and ‘almost always copied her land partner Ms. Lovena Harvey.’
Continue reading SRD Board undecided about legal action against Anderson
North Vancouver Island Mayors support fish farms
Salmon farming is a significant local employer in Northern Vancouver Island. According to a recent report there are 572 Campbell River, Sayward and the Discovery Islands residents working in this sector. 702 people are said to have indirect jobs, which means the industry is bringing about $324 million a year into the local economy. Another 512 direct and indirect jobs, representing $135 million, are in Port Hardy and Port McNeill.
Continue reading North Vancouver Island Mayors support fish farms
How will the Feds help communities depending on fish farms?
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A coalition of industry stakeholders and Vancouver Island mayors wants Ottawa to outline how it plans to address the potential impacts of its decision to phase out fish farms in the Discovery Islands.
Continue reading How will the Feds help communities depending on fish farms?