Tag Archives: Tammy Allwork

Tourism, Transportation

Cortes Cruiser: A New Way To Get Around Cortes Island

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Eric Denis grew up in Quebec and is the technical operator of machines at Island Sea Farms. Melissa Steblyk comes from Alberta, is a substitute teacher at the Cortes Island School, and also manages the Gorge Marina. Last May, they launched a moped rental business called Cortes Cruiser in the Gorge.

It didn’t start out that way.

Melissa Steblyk: “Eric’s got three kids, and his oldest is almost 16. We were thinking a scooter would be a great option for him when he gets his license.”

Eric Denis: “In March, we bought that first bike. It was one of those Yamaha BWS—just a little bit of a beater. It was for my kids, so it was like, ‘We’ll fix it up.’”

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Fire

Cortes Fire Department Preparing For The Worst Case Scenario

The Cortes Island Fire Department is preparing for what could be the driest summer on record. They have purchased more equipment, a new pumper truck, and are about to start recruiting for a much larger wildfire brigade. After a year and a half as the interim Fire Chief, Eli McKenty may be staying on. This was not the story Cortes Currents expected to cover. An open fire prohibition came into effect at noon on Friday, May 17.

They were flushing water through one of the trucks in the front yard, when I arrived. Chief McKenty took me up to the office where it was quieter. There are two other desks there. BC Emergency Health Services Unit Chief Kim Robertson was away, but Office Manager Tammy Allwork was working on her computer. Their work spaces were meticulously laid out, with everything in its place. A few books and papers were sprawled across McKenty’s desk.

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Community

Cortes Island Fire Firefighters Dinner

More than 100 people turned up at Mansons Hall on Friday, December 15, for Cortes Island’s first firefighters dinner. 

“It was wonderful to be able to thank the firefighters and their families and their close friends for all the time and effort that they put in. I think we have an amazing crew and it’s really something as chief, and the board, we need to be mindful of and make sure it’s an amazing place for them to participate. A lot of small fire departments are really struggling with staff these days. We have a really strong crew,” explained Fire Chief Eli McKenty.

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Business, Indigenous Nations

Gorge Harbour Marina Resort fires new co-managers, shakes up management team

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

After being sold last year to the local Klahoose First Nation, Cortes Island’s Gorge Harbour Marina Resort got off to a rough start this spring. The new co-managers hired by Klahoose Nation’s business arm, Qathen Xwegus Management Corporation (QXMC), were recently fired. 

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Business

Cortes Island Boating under new ownership/management as busy season approaches

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

In 2021, the Klahoose First Nation on Cortes Island purchased the popular Gorge Harbor Marina Resort. It attracts boaters from the Pacific Northwest providing docking facilities, a general store, an RV/campground, a hot tub and a restaurant. Along with tourists, locals flock to the site for yoga classes, massages and free music most evenings during summer months.

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