Public rezoning hearings are proposed for four projects on Cortes and Quadra Islands. The final agreement with Cortes Island’s community halls is close to being signed. A parcel tax to help 32 Quathiaski Cove property owners pay their portion of the Quathiaski Cove Sewer Extension. Surge Narrows Community association is requesting a tax exemption for the proposed park on Read Island. These are among the Discovery Island Items to be discussed at the August 19th SRD Board Meeting.
Continue reading Discovery Island Items at the next SRD Board MeetingTag Archives: Quathiaski Cove
Should BC Ferries Board Local Residents First?
Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
BC islanders are feeling trapped and calling for action on a Covid-19 measure that allows residents to board ferries first as the summer tourist season heats up.
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Cortes Island Stores Granted Assured Loading
For Curt Cunningham, of the Squirrel Cove General Store, it means not having to leave at 5 AM to ensure he can board the first ferry leaving Cortes Island on Monday mornings. He can stay in bed for another two hours. Cunningham will no longer worry about the consequences of being forced to wait for another sailing on the trip home. (Three loads of ice cream melted in the ferry parking lot last year.) There will be no more nights when he is forced to sleep on Quadra, or Campbell River, because there was no room for his truck on the last ferry. He will not have to ask an employee to open the store in the morning. BC Ferries granted assured loading to Cortes Island’s commercial food trucks.
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BC Ferries Asks SRD Board To Reconsider Postponement
On May 27th, three members of the Strathcona Regional District’s Electoral Areas Service Committee put all public hearings within the SRD on hold until sometime after September 7th. Three large projects on Quadra and Cortes Islands are being deferred. Though SRD staff told Regional Director Brenda Leigh the meeting could easily be held electronically, she was ‘not willing to put her life in jeopardy’ for the sake of a meeting on Cortes Island. Regional Director Jim Abram echoed the idea that in-person meetings were preferable and added that this would let directors and staff go on summer holidays. Now BC Ferries asks the SRD Board to reconsider delaying the public hearing for its new Quadra Island berth.
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Do Quadra & Cortes Need Public Transit?
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Residents living in isolated communities without public transit and no access to or desire to own cars always face challenges getting to medical appointments, work, essential services and in maintaining social connections.
But the COVID-19 crisis is driving up the risks while simultaneously curbing traditional workarounds that rural residents rely on to navigate the lack of transit.
Continue reading Do Quadra & Cortes Need Public Transit?