In January 2019, Cortes Island was rocked by the news that 14 residents filed a legal petition, in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, to remove their recently re-elected Regional Director, Noba Anderson, from office. The petitioners claimed that “Anderson took money from her constituents for personal gain and a number of those same constituents received gifts and grants in return.” Many hoped that the affair was finally over after the lawyers from both sides filed a joint application stating “There is no basis for the declarations sought by the petitioners.” The Supreme Court Of British Columbia adopted this application as its judgement. However the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) refused to pay Director Anderson’s legal fees and subsequently censured her for revealing confidential materials to an undisclosed recipient. On Monday, July 13, 2020, this conflict entered a new phase: Regional Director Noba Anderson is Suing the SRD.
Continue reading Regional Director Noba Anderson is Suing the SRDTag Archives: David Leitch
Strathcona Regional District Reopens Its Corporate office Today
The public is encouraged to contact them through telephone, email or other electronic means. “Persons exhibiting COVID-like symptoms are strictly prohibited from entering” the building. “Where in-person business cannot be avoided, appointments are required with physical distancing in place.” People “are required to wash or sanitize their hands before and after entry … Floor markings are provided identifying traffic flow and directing visitors where to stand when approaching front desk(s).” The Strathcona Regional District reopens its corporate office today.
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Can Blue Jay Lake Farm Opt Out?
Bluejay Lake Farm straddles the boundary of the Cortes Island fire protection service area. All of the buildings are north of the line, where there is no protection for structures. The property within the protected area is mostly field and forest. Can Bluejay Farm opt out of the protected area?
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Regional Directors Put Cortes Affordable Housing Project At Risk
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
An affordable rental housing project on Cortes Island is in peril after a trio of rural directors voted to postpone public hearings in their regions until September.
Strathcona Regional District’s rural directors Jim Abram, Brenda Leigh and Gerald Whalley voted to defer the rezoning hearing for Rainbow Ridge, a 20-unit subsidized rental home project for families, singles and seniors, at the May 27 board meeting.
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Public Hearing For Rainbow Ridge Postponed Until September – Or Later
The political maneuvering began as the agenda, for the Strathcona Regional District Board’s May 27th meeting, was adopted. Regional Director Jim Abram added a “subsequent,’ which he said was way down the agenda. A number of comments, scattered throughout the video below, show that the other rural directors knew what was coming. Regional Director Brenda Leigh alluded to Abram having “something better to propose.” Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson expressed disappointment that one of her colleagues “is trying to put forward a motion ahead of time to not even allow this discussion.” Two major Quadra Island projects – the proposed BC Ferries passenger service and new firehall – have also been delayed because of the Electoral Areas Services Committee’s (EASC) prearranged decision. The public hearing for Rainbow Ridge is postponed until sometime after September 7th, 2020.
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