Shoreline Workshops

GREEN SHORES FOR HOMES & SHORELINE MAPPING WORKSHOP

Wednesday March 13, 1:30 - 4:30 pm at Forbes Hall 

Learn about recent shoreline and watershed maps developed for Thetis, eelgrass mapping and conservation projects, and how using the Green Shores for Homes approach can improve properties and our coastal ecosystem. 

Speakers: Paul de Greeff, Murdoch de Greeff Inc; Brian Emmett, Archipelago Marine Research; Kate Emmings, Islands Trust Fund; Nikki Wright, SeaChange Marine Conservation Society

SHORELINE PROTECTION FOR THETIS – a community workshop

Wednesday March 20, 1:30 - 4:00 pm at Forbes Hall

The Thetis Island Local Trust Committee is seeking community involvement as they start to look at possible tools and mechanisms that the community can use to protect our island’s shorelines. This interactive workshop will be facilitated by James van Hemert of HB Lanarc - Golder.

Thank you!

Aleksandra Brzozowski

Island Planner

Ferry Unloading Procedures...

New Ferry unloading procedures - do you like it ?

It's temporary - if you don't like it -  SPEAK UP !   

Write to:    harjinder.jangu@bcferries.com    who is the Senior Master for our route.

I don't like it because:

- cars getting damaged by people with strollers,  large suitcases, backpacks (think summer camps) making their way to the front.  It's a fact that people have to lift strollers between cars in order to  get out of the waiting room or to the front of the boat.

- slow people on the ramp = delays = overtime = more $$  (walk-on ramp in Chemainus is too narrow, on busy days foot passengers have no choice but to walk up the car ramp.) There are a lot of people  who can't walk very fast. They will feel pressured to hurry up the car ramp in order to get out of the way of the cars. With the old system they could take their time going up the foot passenger ramp. Not too mention how this will slow everything down - it's a long, steep hill.

- People having to stand in the rain and car fumes while waiting to get off (covered area is not big enough) or having to hurry out of the waiting room at the last minute - again feeling pressured to hurry up       

- Dangerous situation when cars are driving up behind foot passengers who might decide to cross to the waiting room in Chemainus at the last minute  (or even worse when the people have to walk around a truck delivering to 49th in Chemainus while the cars are driving up behind them)

Summer is coming: think ahead to busy summer schedule with 80 kids getting off and 50 getting on.....  Enough said: if you agree,  TELL THEM YOU WANT THE OLD SYSTEM BACK.

Simone Luckham

Chemainus Fire Victims seeking Assistance

Cowichan Neighborhood House Association IS seeking donations for victims of a recent fire in Chemainus.   Please phone (250) 246-3203 if you have any items to donate.

Thank you

Myla Frankl

Islands Trust Council Approves 2013-2014 Budget

On March 6th at its meeting on Thetis Island, the Islands Trust Council approved a 2013-2014 budget of $6.9 million. The budget represents a $101,269 increase in expenditures and will result in a 1.3% increase in Islands Trust property taxes in 2013. A typical property assessed at $450,000 is expected to see a tax increase of approximately $4.

The approved budget supports current service levels, improves bylaw enforcement resources, provides a new permanent position to manage the website and other computer applications for trustees and staff, and supports the following projects: 

·         Further research and advocacy for sustainable and affordable ferry services;

·         Nearshore mapping (eelgrass and forage fish); and 

·         Riparian areas mapping to meet the provincial regulation that requires local governments to protect potential fish habitat. 

The 2013-2014 budget will complete or advance programs to address land use planning issues in all local trust areas in consultation with islanders. Examples of these initiatives are affordable housing, farm plans, groundwater and shoreline protection. Each of these topics includes public consultation activities. 

Islands Trust Council Chair Sheila Malcolmson reflected, “During our budget deliberations, we were challenged with a reduced 2013-2014 contribution from the province and increased wages negotiated by the province under the BCGEU collective agreement. Before proposing this budget, Trust Council’s Financial Planning Committee carefully considered the options for keeping taxes as low as possible while providing the many projects islanders ask for and meeting mandatory obligations facing local government. Trust Council carefully considered input from trustees and constituents before making its final decision.”

Click here for full budget details.

Eleanor Culver's 95th Birthday

Hello all,

I am Noni Fidler, Eleanor Culver's oldest daughter, and I am making a memory album of greetings and remembrances for Mom's 95th Birthday.   Mom and Dad lived on Thetis for 18 years so I am sure many of you remember sharing a glass of wine or one of Mom's amazing meals or walking in her beautiful garden on Clam Bay.   If you have a photo to share or a story or a birthday card you can reach me

by e-mail at nkfidler@gmail.com or

by phone at 250-325-8533, or

by mail at 1440 Barrett Road, Gabriola Island V0R 1X5  

I need some time to mount your submissions so would appreciate it if you can get them to me by the last week in March at very latest.

Thank you

Noni Fidler

TIVFD looking for HO Scale Buildings ~

Your Fire Department is looking for HO Scale buildings (usually used with model train set-ups) to use as training aids at the fire hall.  Let us know if you have any you would like to donate.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

cell:  250-252-0544

BC Ferries April 1st Fare Increase

ANNUAL APRIL 1 COMMISSIONER-APPROVED TARIFF INCREASE

Click here for full information.

VICTORIA – BC Ferries is advising customers of increases in passenger and vehicle fares, reservations made less than seven days in advance, and Assured Loading Tickets (ALTs) on April 1, 2013.

In accordance with the BC Ferries Commissioner’s Order 12-02 issued on October 1, 2012, prices for vehicle and passenger fares will rise by 4.1 per cent on average on all routes across the fleet on April 1, 2013.

The fee for reservations made less than seven days in advance will increase from $17.50 to $18.50. Reservations made a week or more in advance will remain the same at $15.00. The reservation fees apply on the three major routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, the Horseshoe Bay – Langdale route, and the Comox - Powell River route.

The last increase in reservations made less than seven days in advance was in 2005. The $15.00 fee for reservations made more than seven days in advance has not changed since the reservation product was introduced on the three major routes connecting the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island over 15 years ago.

The cost of 10 ALTs will increase from $1250.00 to $1350.00. ALTs provide priority travel on the three major routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island when presented to the ticket agent at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time, and are valid for a two-year period. The last increase in the cost of ALTs was in 2007.

Fare increases are required due to the rising cost of operating and capital expenditures.

FAC BC Ferries Consultation Summary

COASTAL FERRIES CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY REPORT

The following news release was published yesterday by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure:

The Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement summary report was released today, summarizing the input received during an eight‐week public consultation process conducted in fall 2012.

The consultation and engagement provided information to British Columbians on the challenges facing the coastal ferry system. The process sought public input on the principles to guide service adjustment decisions and strategies to further the Province’s long‐term vision for the ferry system.

Over the eight weeks, senior ministry staff hosted 40 public consultation meetings in 30 communities, along with one webinar. More than 2,000 people attended the public meetings and almost 2,000 feedback forms and written submissions were received. The strong public response clearly reflects how much people value the coastal ferry service. Given the volume and detail of comments received during the consultation, government will take the time necessary to thoroughly review the feedback and develop a plan for service adjustments to achieve $26 million in savings to 2016.

The government initiated the consultation and engagement following the review of the Coastal Ferry Act by the independent BC ferry commissioner. The commissioner raised the need for a long‐term vision and indicated that all parties – BC Ferries, ferry users and the Province ‐ need to contribute to ensure the sustainability of the system.

In response to the commissioner’s review, the government committed an additional $79.5 million to 2016 to reduce pressure on fares, bringing B.C. taxpayer funding to more than $180 million this year.

There will be further consultations before any specific service reductions are implemented.

Click here to view the Summary PDF

Best Regards..

Keith W. Rush 

Welcome, Piper!

Piper Udonstar was born December 31st 2012. She is a black Labrador Retriever (dah). Dulcie has welcomed Piper to the family with the idea that she can be her playmate and the pictures reflect that. Our first night was uneventful with me only taking her outside twice. All are welcome to drop by and visit our new addition just give us a call.

Tom & Gloria

More pictures, click here.

Islands Trust Council on Thetis

The Islands Trust Council (26 trustees - 2 each from the 13 local trust areas) is holding its regular quarterly meeting on Thetis this week. Beginning at 1:45 on Tuesday, March 5, and running through 12:45 on Thursday, March 7, this public meeting will take place at Overbury Resort in their pavilion. Come see local government in action and perhaps participate in the town hall session on Wednesday, 2 - 3 pm. There is one "closed to the public" session on Wed., 8:30- 10:30 am, you are welcome to observe all the rest. The 2013/14 Budget will be debated and approved on Wed. afternoon. For a full schedule and budget information look under "Highlights" on www.islandstrust.bc.ca . The schedule is also  posted at the Community Centre.

It's been 25 years since TC came to Thetis... Hope to see you there! 

Peter Luckham and Sue French, your local trustees

Jamaica Donations

This year again Capernwray will send a group of students to Jamaica to do some building projects and visit orphanages.
Once again we are hoping to take humanitarian help with us and look for any clothing in good condition, board games, cloth grocery bags, Teddys/dolls.
If you have anything you would like to contribute please drop these items at the Kempe home (on Pilkey Point 68) by Sunday March 10th as we are leaving Wednesday the 13th.

Thank you kindly
Ralf Kempe

How do you like the new unloading procedures on the ferry?

It's temporary - if you don't like it - SPEAK UP ! 

I don't like it because:

- cars getting damaged by people with strollers,  large suitcases, backpacks (think summer camps) making their way to the front

- slow people on the ramp = delays = overtime = more $$

- people having to stand in the rain and car fumes while waiting to get off (covered area is not big enough)

- dangerous situation when cars are driving up behind foot passengers   (even worse when the people have to walk around a truck delivering to 49th in Chemainus)

WHY FIX IT IF IT AIN'T BROKE.  Our ferry and terminal are not set up for this system: most of all, the walk-on ramp is too narrow, so on a busy ferry the foot passengers have no choice but to walk up the car ramp. Enough said: if you agree,  TELL THEM YOU WANT THE OLD SYSTEM BACK.

Simone Luckham