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[] | 2016-08-29T22:52:45 | null | 2016-08-30T08:40:52 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Froyal-sendoff-tigers%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-favicon.png?fit=32%2C32 | en | null | Royal sendoff for Tigers | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | By MELTON PAIS
ROYALS tamed Kone Tigers with an 8-5 victory in the elimination finals of the Port Moresby Rugby League Under-20 division on the weekend.
The Black Swan International-sponsored Royals, who have had some finals football experience from last year, ran in two tries against maiden finalist Tigers, who managed a four-pointer and a field goal.
Royals, through centre Elizah Ohue, scored the first try inside the opening 10 minutes but the conversion attempt by centre Joel Amos was unsuccessful, giving them a 4-0 lead.
The match was only 25 minutes each way.
The Tigers U20, who have proven to be a strong team in this year’s PRL competition, managed to score an unconverted try through prop Jeremy Timothy to level the scores 4-4 before the break.
Returning from the half-time break, Tigers’ quick-thinking halfback Hoge Wasup took a field-goal 10 minutes into the second-half to push his team to a 5-4 lead.
However, Royals proved they were worthy contenders for the finals when they scored the winning try through interchange winger Jethro Ken in the match’s dying minutes.
The conversion went wide but Royals won 8-5.
PRL’s normal competition games ended the previous weekend and last weekend’s matches at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium and the National Football Stadium, were to determine the top-eight contenders for the U20 and A grade and the top-five for the women’s division.
Kone Tigers lost to a better Royals outfit last weekend but still have a chance to make the finals as both teams are in the top-four.
Royals have a bye this weekend before the major semifinal next weekend.
Related | http://www.thenational.com.pg/royal-sendoff-tigers/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/5bbed37282473d51da843967e660dc29d5d768c5e5276c7bd0318ceaaf1a8516.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T00:52:55 | null | 2016-08-30T10:15:10 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Flae-city-govt-demolishes-illegal-public-toilet%2F.json | http://www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Damage.jpg | en | null | Lae city govt demolishes illegal public toilet | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | POLICE and Lae City Council officials tore down a building and a fence last Saturday, claiming that the owner-developer had failed to observe proper construction procedures.
City manager Roy Kamen was present when the Eriku public toilet building and fencing were torn down by police officers and council workers at around 11am last Saturday.
Market tables were damaged and trees near the building were cut down.
Kamen said they had to remove the fence because the developer, Luke Yawau of Comfort Management Services Ltd, had set up structures without getting approval from the provincial physical planning board.
The council was also not consulted about the development.
“He built a new structure there. That building belongs to the city council. He is only a tenant,” Kamen said.
Kamen said a fence the developer put up and the extension to the building were not in the agreement signed with the council.
“There is an existing agreement in place that says that benefits from the toilet should be shared 70:30 per cent by him and city council,” Kamen said.
“To date, he has not paid the city council any money (30 per cent of the proceeds).”
Kamen said they had asked Yawau to stop building extensions and erecting perimeter fences but he ignored that.
Yawau said he had done nothing wrong to deserve such treatment from the council and police.
He said the extensions he made were just “variations” to the existing building. “I admit I have not paid the 30 per cent council component of the income because they have not assisted me in any way to improve the facility,” Yawau told The National.
Related | http://www.thenational.com.pg/lae-city-govt-demolishes-illegal-public-toilet/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/3a280ba577f209ac54e80f3a3cbe102ae61f845c7f55c49b7498cf884e0abe82.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T22:52:51 | null | 2016-08-30T08:39:01 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Fgovt-pursue-projects%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-favicon.png?fit=32%2C32 | en | null | Govt to pursue projects | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | By MALUM NALU
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill says major infrastructure projects culled from the 2016 Budget will be continued next year as the country goes through a “painful” period.
“It is painful because we are cutting some basic expenditure items that are going to cut costs but limit some of our activities for some of our departments,” O’Neill said.
“But we tried our very best to maintain no cuts to districts, no cuts to provinces, no cuts to free education policy, free health policy, no cuts to the infrastructure.”
He said some projects with the Works department budgeted for this year which had not started would be deferred to next year.
He said the Asian Development Bank and other donor-partners were working with the Government on the exercise.
“Some of these ADB-funded projects will continue.
It’s not as if we are saying that the economy is not travelling well, so you shut down the shop and go for a holiday.
“The economy is still functioning, it’s still turning over.
“We’ve got mines that are now starting to produce well.
“We will start to see an increase in the revenue.”
O’Neill said the culling was basically because of lower oil and gas revenues.
“When you have an economy that collapses from US$110 (K348.65) price (per barrel of oil) down to US$27 (K85.58) per barrel, that’s a huge drop in anybody’s language,”he said.
“Obviously, the revenue coming into the country gets affected. That is why our revenue for this year is down by almost US$2 billion (K6.34 billion).
“We used to get mining and petroleum taxes for almost K2 billion a year.
This year we’ll be lucky if we get K200 million (K633.91 million).”
Related | http://www.thenational.com.pg/govt-pursue-projects/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/6aa070b1d4b0eee16170678c967bd14e37b8186e4cf6aebf07b2fd4467dc423c.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T08:55:14 | null | 2016-08-31T12:13:33 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Fhelicopter-firm-helps-farmers-remote-areas%2F.json | http://www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/AirLogistics.jpg | en | null | Helicopter firm helps farmers in remote areas | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | By MEMO HAUKE
A HELICOPTER company is helping farmers in remote villages of Central which have no roads to sell their garden produce.
Airborne Logistics PNG buys the farm produce from the farmers at the villages which it then sells to consumers in Port Moresby. It also delivers store goods to the remote villages.
Doug Allgood, the chief operating officer, said they made the arrangement last year after noticing the difficulties the villagers faced because they had no roads to transport the produce to the nearest towns.
“The company now has three helicopters to serve the local people,” he said.
They fly on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Koari, and the rest of the weekdays to Goilala.
“Both weekends are off unless they are chartered by individuals or companies,” Allgood said.
Pilot Steve Farley said he was happy to serve the needs of the local people.
“It takes us 15 minutes to reach the village from Port Moresby.
It costs money but saves locals time of walking.
“The villages are situated next to each other but right on the top of the mountains.
“When we return we weigh and purchase local produce from the local people to sell at the airport for Port Moresby residents to come and buy. On average the Airborne Logistics brings about two tonnes of local produce every day to sell to Port Moresby customers.”
Local Hezron Laimo said it would take him a day or two of walking, after getting dropped off at the main station, to reach his village.
Laimo thanked the company for making air transport available to the people.
“I am very happy with this company for serving our needs and wants.
“Life has been tough for us especially in the areas around Koiari.
“Our villages are situated right on the mountains tops and there is no road.
“Life has been mainly based on garden food and whenever we want supply, we would walk for a day or two to visit the town station or travel to Port Moresby.”
Airborne Logistics is located in Port Moresby. It buys from farmers and in return, the company sells food and store goods to the farmers. It has been operating since 2009 providing passenger and cargo charter, external load operations (sling), aerial survey, exploration support and logistics and medical evacuation.
Airborne Logistic chief operating officer Doug Allgood had said the company has agents in these areas to do its sale of white goods and inform the people of the flights schedules to the areas. Its vegetable market is at the Corporate Jets Hangar on Jackson Parade.
Related | http://www.thenational.com.pg/helicopter-firm-helps-farmers-remote-areas/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/953e10ad2561f2c88af618ff80a6405b749f02e03d5dca8de9f986d8d0321af1.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:53:48 | null | 2016-08-31T08:41:27 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Fdemise-rice-due-poor-returns%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-favicon.png?fit=32%2C32 | en | null | Demise of rice due to poor returns | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | By MALUM NALU
RICE production and promotion over the last 100 years have stagnated because of poor returns on labour input, says former Department of Agriculture and Livestock secretary Mathew Kanua.
He said it was also not true that Australia had sabotaged or frustrated growth of a local rice industry in PNG in the guise of protecting its own industry.
Kanua said that in a paper to the Rural Industries Council discussing the Government bringing in a foreign rice investor into the country, as well as the National Rice Policy 2015-2030.
“Rice has been cultivated in PNG for more than 100 years,” he said.
“None of the reasons given on page 26 (of the National Rice Policy) for failure of the crop to gain expansion into a full-blown industry is true.
“The real reason why rice production and promotion stagnated is because of very poor returns on labour inputs, relative to export tree crops.
“In other words, the more profitable option for farmers is to expand tree-crop production rather than pursue rice.
“No amount of policy is going to change this social and economic reality of the smallholder farmers.”
Kanua also said it was not true that Australia had “sabotaged or frustrated growth of a local rice industry in PNG in the guise of protecting its own industry”.
“The facts are that Australian administration promoted rice production, especially in the Bereina area, and also in Sepik from the 1950s onwards,” he said.
Kanua said it was well-documented that in the 1950s and 1960s, “relative to rice development pushed very hard by the colonial administration, cocoa and coffee development was spontaneous, picked up very fast by the village people, with relatively little effort by the administration even though investments were made in cocoa/coffee extension”.
“So what was the difference?
“Export tree crops pay more, returns on labour were higher than rice.
“This has not changed in nearly 65 years as demonstrated by reliable data now available.
“The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations stated that export crops were more profitable for PNG farmers than nearly all food crops, especially rice (FAO 1986 report – Rice Development Policy).”
Related | http://www.thenational.com.pg/demise-rice-due-poor-returns/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/84e31b19b812750f7a5f4c1c74b943a9eade8985f22d58f83fc6d411531b2f7e.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T08:55:08 | null | 2016-08-31T12:26:53 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Fvillages-get-clean-water%2F.json | http://www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/CleanWater-1.jpg | en | null | Villages get clean water | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | By ZACHERY PER
YEARS of walking long distances to access clean water for over 6000 people in three major villages in the Lower Bena area of Eastern Highlands is now a thing of the past.
A new water supply for the villagers was launched last Tuesday.
Governor Julie Soso, Tablelands Water and Sanitation managing director Livingstone Mangero and Lower Bena LLG president Robert Kutupa turned on the taps to allow fresh water to flow into Segoya, Hofagayufa and Sogomi villages.
Women, children and people cheered as they finally had fresh water flowing to their village.
The water supply was among six community impact projects that were launched last week.
While turning the taps on for the water supply coming from the top of Mt Segoya to Hofagayufa and Sogomi village, Kutupa thanked Soso for supporting the project with K213,000.
He acknowledged Tableland Water and Sanitation for the implementation of the water supply project, bringing fresh and clean water to the door steps of the people.
Company managing director Mangero presented the certificate of completion and the expenditure report of the project fund to Soso.
The project was supervised by health and safety standards officers James Pok and Martin Melton from the Eastern Highlands provincial health authority.
Mangero said water sourced from Mt Segoya was fed to nine hamlets, five elementary schools, Hofagayufa Primary School and several churches.
“The project was started in June this year and completed in mid-August,” Mangero said.
“We ran the pipes and taps for over eight kilometres.
“The water will also be connected to new Unggai-Bena district headquarters at Lahame hill.”
Soso commended the company for completing the work which brought relief to the people.
She presented K10,000 to water resource owners at Mt Segoya for sourcing the water from their area.
“I expect to travel to every part of the eight districts to commission community development projects,” Soso said.
“I applaud Kutupa for funding the impact projects.”
Related | http://www.thenational.com.pg/villages-get-clean-water/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/8cfde801a6a303ad9100a5af243ab2700ba2226355ab177dca7f1eb0efc0ced4.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T00:53:37 | null | 2016-08-31T10:11:54 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Felectorate-missing-out%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-favicon.png?fit=32%2C32 | en | null | Electorate missing out | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | I WAS frustrated during the vote of no confidence in Parliament
on July 22 as ourelected MPs showed their stand
by supporting either the Government or the Opposition.
However, the people of Kagua/Erave have not seen their
MP’s name on either the Government or Opposition list.
It has been 10 years since James Lagea entered Parliament
as Kagua/Erave MP and by now he should be a senior
minister in the Government or a senior shadow minister in
the Opposition. It is better that you vacate the seat and let
the people elect a new leader in 2017.
– Mark Talipa, Lae | http://www.thenational.com.pg/electorate-missing-out/ | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/a8790085234930c1d7566190de516dd48d1c0c4872c715bb5e2c156ade2b3101.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T22:52:47 | null | 2016-08-30T08:37:24 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Fbudget-unaffected-soe-loans%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-favicon.png?fit=32%2C32 | en | null | Budget unaffected by SOE loans | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | By MALUM NALU
STATE Enterprises and Public Investment Minister William Duma says borrowings by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) do not impact the budget.
He said this during debate on the 2016 supplementary budget last week.
“In the case of the SOEs, as we all know, although it is common knowledge that they are owned by our shareholders – the people – under our structure, technically and legally speaking, they do not qualify as State,” Duma said.
“Therefore, for instance, even companies such as Ports Corporation were able to borrow more than K1 billion to fund its work.
“None of the borrowings affect the State’s budget process as opposed the Fiscal Responsibilities Act.
“Even if SOEs were to borrow, it would not affect the Budget.
“That is why I can say that over the last few months, Kumul Consolidated Holdings has been able to negotiate with blue-chip finance houses all over the world who have agreed to lend money for most of its projects. There is a strong signal.
“Despite what others may say, these are blue-blood, world-class finance houses who are prepared to lend billions to companies owned by our people, this Government.
“It simply goes to demonstrate that we shall have our income-producing assets that are intact, that are still producing revenue. We can still weather the storm and survive as a country.”
Duma said the fact that blue-chip companies such as Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs had indicated that they were willing to fund the State as well as SOEs, “just goes to show that we are on the right track”.
Related | http://www.thenational.com.pg/budget-unaffected-soe-loans/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/8a059790e6f23772558c5e20e1ca1ef374d495073538aaec17beae39534933a6.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T00:52:09 | null | 2016-08-29T10:11:42 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Fsaraga-settlement-student-skips-four-grades%2F.json | http://i0.wp.com/www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-favicon.png?fit=32%2C32 | en | null | Saraga settlement student skips four grades | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | A STUDENT attending a Community Learning Centre (CLC) in the Saraga settlement at 6-Mile, Port Moresby, has skipped four grades after enrolling at the Holy Rosary Catholic Primary School.
Eight-year-old Banabas Tehe is in Grade Three after skipping three initial classes of the elementary schooling system.
He was part of the centre which is part of Digicel PNG Foundation’s Community Learning Centre sustainable programme.
The programme offers preschool education, learning phonics, reading and basic numeracy skill through specially developed methods of teaching.
Students coming into the normal schooling system have been performing well beyond the others and Tehe is just one of them.
Father, Barnabas Tehe, gave credit of his son’s achievement to the Saraga CLC, saying the centre is helping more children in their early years learning.
Chief executive officer Beatrice Mahuru said: “The CLC sustainability programme is designed to fill the early education gap, giving socially marginalised children in the urban settlements and rural villages an opportunity to develop a love for education in their formative years.”
Related | http://www.thenational.com.pg/saraga-settlement-student-skips-four-grades/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/5bba04a86144ec8dfe78d5eecab8859605598fd829644e9070176fe66f404fd3.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T02:52:07 | null | 2016-08-29T11:41:47 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Fduban-supports-upng-students%2F.json | http://www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Madang.jpg | en | null | Duban supports UPNG students | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | TWENTY-six students from Madang who attend the University of Papua New Guinea have received plane tickets from their MP Nixon Duban to return to their studies.
Duban presented the tickets costing K50,000 to the 26 self-sponsored students at the Divine Word University (DWU).
Duban, the Petroleum and Energy minister, said 18 of the students were from Madang and others from other districts in the province but Madang district had come in to help them, seeing the importance of education.
Duban also presented a cheque for K10,000 to the Madang Students’ Association to support Madang Day celebrations on Saturday.
“While you reconcile with me, you owe your parents a lot of explanation as to why you don’t want to study and go on to a demonstration which is politically induced,” Duban told the students.
He said during the strike and protests recently by students, he did not condemn or encouraged the students.
Duban said election was the only constitutional process to give mandate to people in parliament and not at the University of Papua New Guinea forum square or road between Waigani and Admin College.
“Democracy is abused when taken to that extent,” he said.
Duban said the National Executive Council salvaged this academic year because it cared about students’ education and life.
University of Papua New Guinea Madang Students Association president, Cyril Iwap, apologised on behalf of the Madang students for their involvement in the boycotts and protests.
Related | http://www.thenational.com.pg/duban-supports-upng-students/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/9889ddae45a410998e943f464577d61e23cf3d86ca08dfad8fea0deb8650f369.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T02:52:50 | null | 2016-08-30T10:55:47 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenational.com.pg%2Fmumu-hails-shipping-subsidy-scheme%2F.json | http://www.thenational.com.pg/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Mumu.jpg | en | null | Mumu hails shipping subsidy scheme | null | null | www.thenational.com.pg | By ELIZABETH VUVU
THE shipping franchise subsidy scheme is progressing very well on the south coast of New Britain, according to Department of Transport Secretary, Roy Mumu (pictured).
Speaking during the New Guinea Islands inter-connectivity workshop in Kokopo, East New Britain, last week, he said these routes included Rabaul to Kandrian (West New Britain) and to the south coast of New Ireland.
“We have just introduced a trial one from north coast of Rabaul to Gloucester and the workshop discussed other options.”
Mumu said similar progress was being made on the South coast of New Ireland to areas in the northern part of the province to Djaul and Mussau Island.
He said the workshop discussed other routes that could be considered in the scheme and Manus was welcome to join if it had any plans.
ENB acting provincial administrator Wilson Matava acknowledged efforts of the department for the subsidised transport between the south and west coast New Ireland, ENB, WNB.
The franchise shipping was an important support from national agencies, which show how important sea transport is to the New Guinea Islands region, according to Matava.
Related | http://www.thenational.com.pg/mumu-hails-shipping-subsidy-scheme/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.thenational.com.pg/d03c51f71995327d16b503d23f30a0b3bc5836ea2766a73a8b5a482248cbc39a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:13:15 | null | null | Resident wonders where his choice was in putting shelter in former corrections facility | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F387833451.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/designimages/facebook_logo.png | en | null | No kidding around with View Royal shelter | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | No kidding around with View Royal shelter
Re: Choices shelter to operate to spring 2017 (Gazette, July 13)
I am a resident who lives nearby and unfortunately appear to have become a lone wolf opposing the extension of this shelter beyond the initial notion of it being a temporary fix. Government has a responsibility for the homeless situation and that remedy must occur immediately.
Living nearby, I wish to point out that when this idea came to light the residents were not consulted and the Town of View Royal said they had no choice, as the property is owned by the province.
What has now been made public is Mayor David Screech saying “we won’t consider another (extension) until they put in a proper zoning application.” Are you kidding me? He has publicly said this facility is not operating properly within the zoning by-law.
Try cutting down a tree without a permit, or leaving an extra bag of garbage out for collection, or parking without a resident permit. The Town bylaw enforcement staff takes action and cuts you no slack. Why should they, as they need to impartially enforce the bylaws. But why not in this situation?
Another issue for the mayor and council in the article is that the Town receives a $150,000 grant in lieu of taxes for that property from the province. Are you kidding me? What about us nearby residents who have had their livelihood impacted, as a former youth jail is now converted to a residence? What are we granted?
This facility was a custody centre and has the potential to serve as something suitable within the current purpose-zoned designation within the community plan.
When this initiative began the mayor was quoted as saying he supported this as a temporary measure. Are you kidding me? We now see that the true intent is to encourage it being rezoned and give the public an opportunity to weigh in on its future use. And if the residents are opposed?
Finally, there’s the comment that “Our Place hosts community meetings.” Unfortunately for us neighbours who are apparently being consulted, the time of day in which those meetings are held is when most of us are at work in order to earn a wage, live in peace, and follow the bylaws imposed upon us while loyally paying our municipal taxes. No kidding!
Len Meilleur
View Royal | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/letters/387833451.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/bc2c3b370e89d429d30e227f0ad8698ee0aae59d81276c1ba6fcd64e7a398d46.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:50:39 | null | null | Mayor says those who ‘go it alone’ may increase costs for neighbouring jurisdictions | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F390969661.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/75560oakbayNilsJensen2012PNov30.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Cracks in municipal co-operation disturbing: Jensen | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen
Tim Collins
News contributor
Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen is concerned about cracks appearing in longstanding co-operation between some Greater Victoria municipalities.
“The co-operation for fire safety is a prime example. We had a mutual aid system that worked well for 30 years, and suddenly their new fire chief (Victoria Chief Paul Bruce) comes in and everything is open to renegotiation. And the most frustrating thing is that the system worked for everyone’s benefit, and now it’s all open again,” Jensen said.
Jensen said Bruce recently entered into separate negotiations with the union representing Victoria’s firefighters (International Association of Fire Fighters, Local No. 730). Those negotiations resulted in a deal that Jensen said may have the effect of whipsawing up the wages for all the other municipalities in Greater Victoria.
Part of the problem arises from the fact that, in mid-June of this year, Victoria moved to withdraw from the Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association (GVLRA). That association until recently represented the bulk of the municipalities in Greater Victoria, and presented the various municipal unions with one unified collective bargaining agency, allowing for a stronger bargaining position for those municipalities.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said it was Victoria’s feeling that the GVLRA had been a good option for Victoria when it was formed in 1976 but that Victoria’s Human Relations Department had, in recent years, handled many of the services once provided by the GVLRA.
“It was just time for us to go it alone,” Helps said.
It’s a move Jensen maintained will put other municipalities in a difficult situation.
“Of course, when we go to negotiate, the union will hold up the agreement with Victoria as a starting point and we’re left negotiating from a position that we had no part in establishing in the first place,” said Jensen.
Helps vehemently denies the assertion that Victoria’s actions will result in a whipsawing of labour agreements.
“This is not something that we did without careful consideration. We hired a consultant and, based on the report we received, this was the best course of action for everyone concerned,” said Helps.
Jensen is also concerned about the new 911 call centre being considered for Greater Victoria. Although 911 calls are currently integrated for police services, some question exists as to whether calls for fire services will be handled by the one central location. While most municipalities have signed on to the centre, Langford and Victoria have not yet agreed to be a part of the centralized system.
“It’s a CRD responsibility to construct the building to house these services, and because we can’t get these municipalities, particularly Victoria, to commit to the integrated system for fire, they (the CRD) don’t even know how big the building has to be,” said Jensen.
Helps takes issue with the concern.
“We are on board to join in the fire services agreement and the 911 co-ordinated service. As recently as yesterday I was having those discussions and we are definitely going to be on board. We just haven’t formally agreed to it as yet,” Helps said.
Jensen maintained, however, that although these issues may not seem significant in and of themselves, they point to a disturbing trend for some municipalities, particularly Victoria, to want to “go it alone.”
Not a proponent of the amalgamation of Greater Victoria municipalities, Jensen acknowledged that it only makes sense for the municipalities to work together, particularly in the provision of services that cross municipal boundaries.
“I believe in service integration,” said Jensen.
“We’re all stronger if we work together. We can keep down costs and provide a better level of service to all residents of Greater Victoria. But when municipalities start opting out and going their own way, it unravels decades of co-operation.”
Editor's note: This is an updated version of a previously posted story. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/390969661.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/fa51c4eb70122a64c794f6cd3bc8385dfa216de3e67ccf548ce6f4c9fc8acb4a.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-31T00:50:40 | null | null | Two sides avert job action that has loomed for months | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391803281.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/18051BCLN2007Canada_Post_TruckWikimediaCommons.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Canada Post, postal union reach tentative deals | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have reached tentative agreements, averting the prospect of a labour dispute that has loomed over the talks for months.
In a statement, Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk says the agreements were reached "voluntarily," but provides no other details about the deals themselves.
The issue of differences in paycheques for rural mail carriers — most of whom are women — and urban letter carriers had been at the forefront of protracted contract talks between the two sides.
The negotiations were extended twice since the weekend, when a deadline expired on a 72-hour job action notice issued last Thursday by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
The two sides were in talks nearly around the clock at the request of a special mediator appointed Friday by Mihychuk.
Canada Post described the tentative agreements as short-term. It said they are for two years and that four-year contracts were typically negotiated in the past.
"The agreements will avert a work disruption, bringing much-needed certainty in the postal system for our employees and customers," said Canada Post in a statement. "Canadians can now use the postal system with confidence."
The tentative agreements, however, still must be ratified by the members.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is Canada Post's largest union, representing more than 50,000 postal workers
The Canadian Press | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391803281.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/47465c4f1e3d43a0f7080af801e01652ddced9ac58888b289fbfe127306ddfde.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T16:46:31 | null | null | The West Shore Arts Council, in partnership with the M’akola Housing Society, is seeking artists to lead the Family Art Studio program. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fentertainment%2F391352291.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Artists needed for workshop series | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The West Shore Arts Council, in partnership with the M’akola Housing Society, is seeking artists to lead the Family Art Studio program, a family-friendly art making series with the aim of bringing individuals together through a creative and collaborative process.
Instructors are needed for two workshops, scheduled for Sept. 15 and 22, that will be offered to M’akola residents.
Artists are invited to submit a proposal detailing their background and the project they would like to lead the group in.
Each workshop will accommodate 35 to 40 residents and art projects must be designed as a collaborative activity for families to participate in. Material costs will be covered by the West Shore Arts Council and the M’akola Housing Society.
These workshops will be held in a sheltered outdoor area and organizers ask that artists consider that when submitting a proposal for the art making project.
Orangizers also ask that anyone interested, submit a proposal as soon as possible.
For more information and proposal criteria go to westshorearts.org/event.php?id=273.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/entertainment/391352291.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/d7142a91c25a270c1b096ab238134e4ab9a9b6279c2e1b917457c0d9ae9c8cef.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:45 | null | null | Colwood club curling action gets underway in early fall | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F390609491.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Signups on now for Juan de Fuca curling leagues | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | You may not need to hurry hard, but area curlers are invited to sign up for leagues and lessons at the Juan de Fuca Curling Club.
The club began accepting online registrations for the 2016-17 season on Monday, in advance of the in-person sign-up day Tuesday, Sept. 6 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.
Space is available in all leagues, from mixed to men’s, women’s, 55-over seniors and juniors. For more information, visit juandefucacurlingcentre.com.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/390609491.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/10d6cbbc018c9465cd791c0cc2225e90439fc6653640cac6e87f9395e2330e2f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:42 | null | null | Future development plans for the city should take longtime residents into account | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F387492241.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/designimages/facebook_logo.png | en | null | Let’s not lose the charm that makes Colwood special | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Let’s not lose the charm that makes Colwood special
Re: Potential abounds for Allandale pit site (Gazette, July 6)
It sounds again like Colwood wants to change the official community plan to suit the City, not to serve longtime residents.
Mayor Carol Hamilton states that there is not much surrounding development. This is, and has been since around 1971, a residential area where a lot of families live.
Many residents have lived here 30 or 40 years, supporting Colwood when others didn’t wish to travel the infamous Colwood Crawl. Many citizens served in the military and made Colwood home, and raised families who are now raising their own families.
Myself, I have lived here 20 years and raised three kids. We moved here for the rural lifestyle and chose Colwood because we like the trees and the friendly neighbours, you know, a safe community where kids play and residents walk.
By comparison, Langford has kept up a 30-per-cent growth rate for years, with its growing pains including an increase in crime, accidents on the roadways, loss of doctors and unrelenting traffic.
I have always loved coming home to the peace and quiet of Colwood, a community that has relied for years on residents volunteering, including its firemen. These are good citizens who make Colwood a safe, friendly city.
We got little return for our property taxes for years, but we did that because we enjoyed the rural life. It has started changing fast. Ugly walls have sprung up and where there were trees, hundreds of houses and condos are popping up.
My neighbourhood is to be fully developed, but I propose the city not change the area so drastically. No 40-foot towers, heavy industrial or big-box stores.
This is a residential area and to turn the tables on the people who made Colwood is a crime. While the newcomers will outnumber us in a short couple of years, I ask for acknowledgement from the City that we still count.
Let the business park be near the city’s core, not next to residential areas. Keep the community strong and safe for all ages, including aging veterans. Growth is good for us all, but we do not want to follow Langford’s example.
Let’s keep some of the Colwood charm.
Jean Elliott
Colwood | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/letters/387492241.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/237b8b286ce293c89cca74607e5a116be2044491add4d5dc6fa5c814e3f06ada.json |
[
"Katherine Engqvist"
] | 2016-08-26T13:06:50 | null | null | Langford-based non-profit offers motorcycling classes for all ages and levels | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Flifestyles%2F374661481.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/34077goldstreamGNG-SA-WarmSpringWeather-KE.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Novice and experienced motorcyclists learn to corner like pros | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The beautiful weather of late has seen many motorcyclists out on the roads, like this rider on Ocean Boulevard at Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood. Many people turn to motorcycle specialists for riding lessons before hitting the road.
The sunshine has many motorcyclists polishing their chrome and taking advantage of getting out on the open road without the chance of showers dampening the mood.
In the spirit of learning the proper techniques, the Vancouver Island Safety Council offers programs for those who have never been on a bike, as well as riders looking to give their skills a bit of a tuneup.
Stirling Bates, a senior instructor with the Safety Council, said riders can save themselves some grief by not only learning fundamental skills but also how to interact with other road users.
“One of the most encouraging parts of our program is the number of parents that send their children to us,” he said, adding that many of those parents are riders who have taken the courses. That is the number one compliment the program could get, Bates said.
While it may be the more-pleasant year-round riding conditions, or the longer, drier summers we’ve had of late, Bates said they’ve seen a modest increase in people taking their classes over the years.
“We have people as young as 16 with no car driving experience … to people in their 70s,” he said with a laugh. Sometimes instructors wonder why riders wait that long. “Everybody’s got their own story.” Those stories and experiences are often swapped when riders take a break.
While empty-nesters with time on their hands and those with more disposable income make up a certain portion of the course participants, Bates said the latest trend is for more younger riders to get involved.
“We used to get people in their late teens or early 20s, or people in their 40s and beyond.” Now, they are seeing a lot more post-secondary students and young professionals getting into it.
“I’m always surprised with the number of doctors and nurses that take our course,” Bates said, especially given the bad reputation motorcycle riding can have amongst emergency professionals. “If you do it properly, it can be very pleasurable.”
The Safety Council’s programs focus on three areas: skill building, riding proactively with space management, and a general perspective of the road that helps riders see how the decisions made by other motorists can impact them. “Then when you’re expecting them, it’s no surprise,” Bates added.
The Langford-based non-profit has lessons for novices with no riding experience and a traffic skills course for riders looking to gain real-world experience. There’s also expert rider programs for people with varying experience and skill levels who want to expand their horizons.
It’s these programs that Bates said attract riders from all over the region, Vancouver Island and sometimes the B.C. mainland.
“Training is not universally available across the province.” He said for riders in areas north or east of Hope “there’s not training available for them.”
A number of the courses are taught at Western Speedway in Langford and at Camosun College’s Interurban campus, which Bates said allows them to practice on a closed course, helping to limit the number of distractions.
At Western Speedway, he said “the worst distraction we get is Canadian geese and deer walking across.”
With new courses starting almost weekly, space is filling up quickly -- and slightly earlier than usual due to the weather.
“We always encourage people to register early,” he said. While there are still some spaces in upcoming programs, Bates said that by May, there is usually about a two-and-a-half month wait for courses.
For more information go to visafetycouncil.com.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/lifestyles/374661481.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/8964c64b95b762dc27b7514fa3a4c2ffccee6ab112ada169c865f2c7c2705666.json |
[
"Don Descoteau"
] | 2016-08-26T13:14:07 | null | null | Goaltending, defence among the team’s strengths heading into training camp | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F390608971.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/18714goldstreamGNG-GuineyGrizzshot.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | BCHL Grizzlies’ camp opens with plenty of promise | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Victoria Grizzlies forward Nick Guiney is one of the veterans back for another season with the B.C. Hockey League club. The Grizzlies training camp gets underway on Monday in Colwood.
There won’t be a Mann Cup lacrosse series at The Q Centre this year forcing the Victoria Grizzlies to play their exhibition games and first four league contests away from home ice.
While the continued success of fellow Colwood tenants, the Victoria Shamrocks, means the B.C. Hockey League Grizzlies are hosting their training camp at the Juan de Fuca Arena starting next Monday (Aug. 22), the picture is already looking more rosy than last year, according to their head coach.
“We’ve got a (largely) veteran team coming in and there is an expectation that we’ll have a better start than last year,” said Craig Didmon, who recently returned from a week in Boston for a scouting trip. “We’ve got kids coming from all over North America to fight for a spot on the roster.”
Whether partially due to being displaced or a variety of other reasons the Grizzlies had a miserable start last season, posting only two victories in their first 14 games. They stabilized later in October and climbed back into the hunt for a playoff spot, only to fall short by two points.
With a good core coming back, including both of last year’s goalies, standout Matthew Galajda and capable backup Mitchell Benson, the situation means Didmon and his staff will have their work cut out for them when camp gets underway next Monday.
“We’re going to have some tough decisions to make,” he said. “We also have six or seven forwards back and four returning defencemen.”
Some of the new players coming to camp, such as former Victoria Cougars junior B player Mikko Somerville and Manitoba’s Dane Stinson on the blueline, are all but assured places on the roster.
And a healthy crop of local forwards, including junior B grads Cory Hatcher (Westshore Wolves) and Marty Westhaver (Peninsula Panthers), plus 16-year-old Lach Hadley, Nolan Welsh (brother of Grizzlies d-man Tyler) and Jordan Guiney (brother of Victoria forward Nick), are expected to battle for the remaining handful of spots with some of the out-of-towners attending camp.
“As much as we’re trying to fill those final spots, we do have a good idea of what the dynamic of the team looks like,” Didmon said. “Training camp, as much as it’s going to be (a battle), it’ll be to see how those (expected newcomers) fit in.”
The club starts camp with about 50 skaters on Monday and will run two days of practises and intersquads, with players separated into main camp and Young Guns groups. The camp roster will drop to 40 by the time the Grizzlies play their first of four exhibition games in as many nights, Aug. 24 at Juan de Fuca against Alberni Valley, then drop to about 25 for the weekend exhibition games.
The final cuts will be made through the following week and the club will be down to pretty much its opening roster when it plays exhibitions in Nanaimo Sept. 2 and in Sooke against the Clippers the following night.
The practises and exhibition games are open to the public. Intersquads go at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Monday, and 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 Tuesday. Practices and workouts on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are primarily for non-rostered players and start at noon.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/390608971.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/e959fd10755d12c612d9a4bccb11bc65df0af8eb4a74f1c6def36c4b52e071a6.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T00:51:02 | null | null | Last week's CRD announcement is reminiscent of a famous Bill Murray flick. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F391777031.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | EDITORIAL: New sewage plan may have arrived too late for CRD | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | As someone said recently, last week’s announcement by the CRD’s sewage project board to shortlist McLoughlin Point and/or Rock Bay for potential treatment plant sites reminds one of the movie Groundhog Day. That’s when the days keep repeating themselves again and again until the characters get it right.
We can only hope that’s what is happening as the Capital Regional District steams toward the Sept. 30 federal funding deadline to have significant progress made on a plan for treatment. Both sites have been in play before, although the Township of Esquimalt did its best to take McLoughlin Point off the table.
A West Shore option was not featured in the recent announcement. But last week a group headed up by West Shore businessman Bill Beadle made a presentation to the sewage board, promoting their plan for Langford and Colwood to join forces on a separate treatment plant that helps achieve the CRD’s goal.
Beadle and consultant Patrick Lucey claim the alternate proposal will not only save West Shore taxpayers hundreds of dollars annually over the proposed CRD plans, it will remove the West Shore’s population growth from the equation in terms of the core plant.
While we’d like to acknowledge that Beadle has been actively pursuing a better deal on sewage treatment for Langford residents for the better part of two years, we wish this alternative plan had been ready for presentation to the CRD sewage committee much sooner than the 11th hour.
The sewage committee’s vote to pursue Clover Point and McLoughlin/Macaulay Point for possible treatment plant sites back in March happened rather quickly. But we fear that under the new board, inserting a separate West Shore option at this late stage of the game will be seen as arriving too late to be given a full airing and investigation.
It’s a shame, as potentially good ideas like this have been severely lacking on this massive project for some time. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/391777031.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/cde98606c861ec8f1043500060d28a2089991024bba1d7ce853f072c32cdd89f.json |
[
"Jeff Nagel"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:16 | null | null | $60 a year increase for most drivers once optional auto insurance increase is included | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391304001.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/52753BCLN2007CarcrashLangleyfile.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | ICBC seeks 4.9 per cent basic rate hike as crashes, costs climb | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | ICBC wants to increase basic auto insurance rates by 4.9 per cent – the fifth straight annual increase – as it continues to grapple with rising numbers of crashes, claims and dramatically increasing costs.
The typical driver will pay $3.50 a month or $42 a year more for basic insurance if the hike is approved.
But the corporation is also raising optional rates by 2.8 per cent so the average customer who buys both basic and optional insurance with ICBC will see their insurance bill rise $5 a month, or $60 a year.
ICBC CEO Mark Blucher said the basic rate hike would have been much worse – 15.5 per cent translating into a $130 annual premium increase – had the province not approved another major transfer of $472 million from the optional to the basic side of operations.
A compounding factor has been the long decline of interest rates, which result in less investment income revenue to ICBC.
"These external pressures have really created a perfect storm and it's a really significant challenge for the organization," Blucher said in an interview Thursday.
ICBC had raised rates 5.5 per cent a year ago, and the province's rate smoothing policy requires the annual change be within 1.5 per cent of the previous year's increase.
The number of crashes has climbed 15 per cent in two years and damage claims are up 11 per cent.
Vehicles are increasingly reliant on technology and expensive materials that have become more costly in recent years as the loonie sagged against the U.S. dollar.
Despite much safer vehicles, injury claims have soared to $2.4 billion, up 60 per cent from $1.5 billion in 2008.
"We've seen no evidence that these strong trends are abating," Blucher said. "In fact, if anything, they're continuing to escalate going forward."
Blucher also noted there are more cars on the road in B.C. today – 3.1 million up from 2.8 million in 2011 – and people are driving more because of cheaper gas, contributing to more accidents, particularly in densifying urban areas.
And he pointed to personal injury lawyers as an aggravating cause of ICBC's spiralling claims costs.
"B.C. is the only province in Canada where you can sue another motorist for even a minor traffic accident," Blucher said, noting an increase in lawyer-represented claims and advertising by injury law firms.
Internal operating costs have been cut by $186 million a year, and ICBC is counting on more savings ahead, through its modernization program, by more aggressively combatting insurance fraud and from a hoped-for drop in distracted driving as motorists respond to stiffer penalties.
But transfers from the optional side to bolster the basic side will likely be needed for the foreseeable future, Blucher said, because basic premiums can't keep up with rising costs.
In a surprise move, the B.C. government will this year forgo extracting its usual $160-million annual dividend from ICBC's optional side into general revenue.
"Forgoing the dividend this particular year is one strategy amongst a litany of others we're employing to get that basic trate increase down," Transportation Minister Todd Stone said.
Stone said the $514 million the province has transferred out of ICBC in dividends since 2012 is small compared to the $1.4 billion over the same period that has been shifted from the competitive optional side to basic to apply downward pressure on basic rates.
The minister would not say if the government would permanently give up the ICBC dividend.
Adrian DIx, the NDP critic for ICBC, said the dividends to government have exceeded $1.2 billion since 2010 and predicted they'll resume after next year's election because the BC Liberals are "addicted" to using ICBC as a "profit centre."
Dix said the reliance on shifting huge amounts of capital from optional to basic raises troubling questions.
"Next year they've got to find that $472 million," Dix said. "What they've done is create a disaster at ICBC and their only hope is to deceive the voters until after the election."
He said ICBC's new move to hire more claims staff underscores problems with completing the computer modernization that was supposed to make operations more efficient.
"The transformation project has taken longer than World War 2 and is not close to finished."
ICBC's basic rates rose 11.2 per cent in 2012 and at least five per cent every year since.
The new rate hike is subject to B.C. Utilities Commission approval.
ICBC Rate Pressure Charts | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391304001.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/37052720ee004b464077b328d94759d056228645ab8f4b96d69f23162bb6aa82.json |
[
"Kevin Rothbauer"
] | 2016-08-30T02:50:32 | null | null | Fire crews tired after spending days monitoring blaze | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391678641.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Lack of wind prevents further damage from Bamberton fire | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The first major forest fire of the season forced the Trans-Canada Highway to close for a few hours on Thursday, and kept firefighters busy for several days.
The fire in the Bamberton area, near Bamberton and Trowsse roads, started on the east side of the highway early on Thursday afternoon, and jumped the highway around 3:30 p.m. Just over a hectare was burned on the east side of the highway, and just under a hectare was burned on the west side.
Mill Bay fire chief Ron Beck reported that firefighters from his hall were on the scene from 12:30 p.m. on Thursday to 10 p.m. on Friday, back on Saturday until 2 p.m., and again on Sunday for three hours of cleanup.
“I've got some very tired guys right now,” he said on Monday.
About 20 Mill Bay firefighters were joined on the scene by crews from the Malahat, Cowichan Bay and Shawnigan Lake halls, and from the Ministry of Forests' Coastal Fire Centre.
While Beck appreciated the efforts of all the crews that helped out, he had special praise for the Malahat firefighters and the long hours they put in. The fire was just outside of Malahat's fire coverage area.
“Malahat went above and beyond,” Beck said. “They stuck by our side for a long time.”
The Coastal Fire Centre also battled the blaze from the air, with about four drops from a tanker and several more from a helicopter that spent several hours on the scene.
“Once it jumped the highway, the ministry called for air support right away,” Beck said.
While it was admittedly scary when the fire breached the highway, Beck acknowledged that the firefighters were lucky with the weather.
“What really saved our bacon was that we didn't have wind,” he said. “It's unusual here on the Island not to have wind. If we would have had wind, we might have had to evacuate Mill Bay and further.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391678641.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/7467d5fa1191af3dc479eafbb95d39faf15b69f5e7c1cb6cdb258673d3b0d448.json |
[
"In A Frame Protesters' Video",
"An Armed Donald Wesley Jr. Patrols Lelu Island Near Prince Rupert."
] | 2016-08-26T13:12:57 | null | null | Representative of Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation says it doesn't support efforts to stop oil and gas development | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F388602211.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/100*55/64474BCLN2007DonnyWesleyjrLelu7web.jpg | en | null | LETTER: U.S. foundations protecting salmon | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | LETTER: U.S. foundations protecting salmon
Re: Tree spikers cling to Lelu Island (B.C. Views, July 20).
Tom Fletcher seems to believe protecting salmon is not only bad, but dishonest. He suggests it’s an effort to cover up an international plot to kill B.C.’s oil and gas opportunities and Alberta’s oilsands.
His column falsely asserts that, along with other groups, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has “poured money into anti-LNG campaigns in B.C., as they funded opposition to oilsands development before them. Indeed, the record suggests the long project to establish what environmental front groups named the Great Bear Rainforest was a strategy to stop hydrocarbon exports from western Canada, even as U.S. sources ramped up production.”
The foundation’s Wild Salmon Ecosystems Initiative supports groups working to ensure that all factors – social, environmental and economic – are fairly respected in development decisions. It does not fund efforts to stop oil and gas development.
Salmon support a huge economy that provides jobs, social and cultural benefits. And, in British Columbia, unlike many other parts of North America, we still have a chance to keep most salmon watersheds intact. This is why the foundation supports the efforts of communities to protect these fish. This means ensuring that scientific evidence is fully addressed in project development, including siting decisions.
We are proud supporters of the Great Bear Rainforest, not because we are “anti” anything else, but because this is a unique region. Like the Amazon and the Great Barrier Reef, it is recognized by experts around the globe as one of the planet’s most important and unique natural wonders.
It is a region that deserved to be protected on its own merits – a fact so clear that federal, provincial and First Nation governments came together with industry and environmental groups to ensure it would be. To portray this impressive collaboration as an anti-oil and gas does a disservice to the broad array of Canadians and First Nations that prioritized its preservation.
The Moore Foundation supported this as part of our commitment to assist groups that seek to protect wild salmon habitats along the West Coast. People, issues, organizations and funds cross the Canada-U.S. border all the time. There isn’t anything unusual about Canadian environmental groups requesting and receiving donations from international foundations that share the same environmental goals.
Ivan Thompson, B.C. Program Officer, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Vancouver | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/letters/388602211.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/dc790a245a802d250087f20e77681c6b5f8bf74dbcea75eac7bb9a493e1e7cd4.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:13:23 | null | null | Colwood councillor Rob Martin explores some additional options for commuter rail | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F389510421.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/designimages/facebook_logo.png | en | null | LETTER: Temporary rail option during Mackenzie construction | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | LETTER: Temporary rail option during Mackenzie construction
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Re: Commuter rail considered during interchange build (Gazette, Aug. 3).
I would like to offer an additional option for our commuter light rail in the CRD, during the construction of the Mackenzie overpass.
Road-rail vehicles have been around since the 1930s. The last true attempt to create a road-rail bus was in the 1970s.
I am certainly not an engineer, but it would seem if we can create self-driving cars, we certainly can create a commuter bus that can drive both on the road and the rails.
My suggestion would be buses in the morning getting on the E &N rail on Station Avenue at the current Transit hub in the Westshore.
Rail into town, get off the rail and drive back by highway to the Westshore against the rush hour traffic. That way, the track is used as a one way corridor and we could have buses traveling down that rail every 10 minutes.
In the afternoon, the rail line would reverse and rail buses would travel back out to the Westshore, then drive back to Victoria via the highway, against rush hour traffic.
Such frequent service would certainly accommodate both commuting workers and students travelling to our university and college campuses.
Have our decision-makers seriously considered this option to see if it is financially feasible?
Rob Martin
Colwood councillor | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/letters/389510421.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/aa21a343b3dd3875a48fc58fb4ae50083f8d7db8e1c633c104e1a88031d0a931.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T20:50:39 | null | null | Workers could take job action as early as Thursday -- right before the Labour Day long weekend. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391776381.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/3630vicnewsEmpressWikipedia.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Empress Hotel workers give 72-hour strike notice | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Unionized workers at the Empress Hotel gave 72-hour notice of job action on Tuesday morning, right before the Labour Day long weekend.
The earliest a strike could begin is Thursday morning if a deal cannot be reached.
“The ‘new’ Empress has a dirty secret: the renovations have led to harm and stress on the people who work there,” Stu Shields with Unifor said in a statement.
He said staff are being forced to work overtime because they aren’t enough people on shift. Some have worked 60 days straight.
The hotel announced its renovation plans earlier this year, including in the popular Bengal Lounge.
“The renovations are incomplete if the staffing levels remain stuck in the past,” Shields said.
Uniform Local 4276 represents nearly 500 workers at the Empress, including those in housekeeping, groundskeeping, serving, engineering and guest relations.
More to come. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391776381.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/ce0f2a87e6b2196fa6fed205d7d7ead84106fea9e4294030ec5521871df7fcf6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:13:09 | null | null | One Langford resident welcomes foreign investors in the region | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F388586051.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/designimages/facebook_logo.png | en | null | LETTER: Foreign cash boosts region says reader | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | LETTER: Foreign cash boosts region says reader
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This week we heard that B.C. intends to bring in a real estate tax on foreign buyers.
Foreign investors who now dare to purchase real estate in Metro Vancouver would pay an additional property transfer tax of 15 per cent under legislation introduced on July 25 by the provincial government.
The finance minister indicated, “the tax is aimed at addressing low vacancy rates and high real estate prices in southern B.C.”
The legislation also includes a provision that would also enable the City of Vancouver to amend its community charter in order to levy a vacancy tax.
This is great news for Victoria area developers, and municipalities outside of the Lower Mainland that have promoted development.
More specifically, the law of unintended consequences will result in any future foreign investors parking their money in Victoria and possibly the Okanagan. As Adam Smith indicated over 200 years ago, money can walk when supply and demand are manipulated.
Moreover, if the province were to implement this policy province-wide it would unduly depress prices in markets where demand is soft already.
More specifically, no municipality outside of the Lower Mainland would support this restriction on ownership.
In other words, this policy and tax initiative is likely to remain a Lower Mainland measure. That would be fine with the Okanagan crowd, as Kelowna prices start to creep up.
We should all send the finance minister and the mayor of Vancouver, a big thank you for sharing the wealth.
As a resident of Langford, I would love to see more foreign investment in my municipality.
This municipality has a great mayor and council with a proven track record in attracting investment in one of the most rapidly growing communities in B.C. Their job just got easier.
Avi Ickovich
Langford | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/letters/388586051.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/b2c4070a98004a8d951204cdbd42a4cbef310a75d11fbf30edd520962f7a75c5.json |
[
"Alistair"
] | 2016-08-26T13:11:27 | null | null | Alistair MacGregor is the New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F389898471.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Rookie MP pumps electoral reform | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The beautiful island summer is upon us and it has been great to return from my first House of Commons session in Ottawa and reconnect with the community.
Although this time is easy to take for granted, we cannot forget that some of the most difficult questions on the very essence of our democracy are being contemplated in Ottawa right now.
Both the NDP and the Liberal Party of Canada promised that the 2015 election would be the last held under the first-past-the post electoral system. The Liberal government had plans to set up a parliamentary committee to study electoral reform and were insisting on giving themselves the majority of the votes on the committee. Had this original committee structure come to be, it would have ensured that one political party, the Liberals, could unilaterally decide what our new electoral system would be.
Through hard work and effective opposition, the House of Commons adopted an NDP motion that would ensure that the electoral reform committee would not be ruled by one party, but would be proportional to the popular vote from the last election and also include the Bloc Québécois and the Green Party. This committee is meeting over the summer months to start on work that will lead to their report to government.
What is very clear is that the way we vote in our representatives needs to change and that there needs to be a proportional system where no vote is wasted and all count equally, no matter where you live.
The first-past-the-post system now in place leads to false majorities. In the 2011 election, Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party received 39 per cent of the vote, but was able to hold the balance of power in the House of Commons. Similarly, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals are also benefitting from 100 per cent of the power in the House, despite receiving just 39 per cent of the popular vote.
One of the worst examples in modern times of this distortion came in 2006, when the Liberal Party of New Brunswick won a majority government, despite more people in the province voting for the Progressive Conservative Party.
Governments should represent a genuine majority; Parliament should be representative of the people. In a proportional system, all voters have a reason to cast a vote without the fear of it being wasted.
Electoral reform is about more than just how we vote; it also ensures we have a fair system that cannot be bought. In the 2015 election, Canadians endured one of the longest campaigns in this country’s history, which only served to allow the larger parties to spend more on political advertising.
After hearing from constituents during and after the campaign on how difficult it was to suffer through such a marathon, I have proposed Bill C-279, which would limit the electoral period to a maximum of 46 days. This would effectively make it impossible for a government to call marathon election periods and close the door that had been opened to big-spending, U.S. style politics.
In the spirit of building a movement to fix our democracy, I will be hosting town hall meetings on electoral reform. I’d like to hear your thoughts on ensuring our government is more representative of our population, making every vote count and stopping marathon election campaigns.
Details of the events will be on my website and Facebook page; please join me in September and give voice to your ideas to build a better democracy for all of us.
Alistair MacGregor is the New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/389898471.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/ab925d6dce65381ed14cbdb15988687dd0bfca810f669c052e072e6b645edee6.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-28T18:51:14 | null | null | Victoria and Maple Ridge looking at best-of-five series now | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391542691.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Shamrocks win close WLA finals game on road, game 3 in Colwood tonight | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The Victoria Shamrocks did what they had to and won on the road to even up their Western Lacrosse Association finals series at a game apiece with the Maple Ridge Burrards.
By finishing strongly to secure an 11-9 win in Maple Ridge last Friday, the Shamrocks enter tonight's (Aug. 28) game 3 at The Q Centre (6 p.m. start) with some momentum on their side.
Friday's tight game saw the teams tied 2-2 after the first and Maple Ridge up 8-7 after 40 minutes. The shared goaltending duties for the Shamrocks came in handy again, as starter Adam Shute was replaced by Cody Hagedorn for the third period. The latter gave up just one goal and the visitors clamped down defensively, limiting the Burrards to just eight shots on net.
The Shamrocks maintained good pressure throughout and outshot Maple Rodge for a second straight game, this time 49-36.
Jeff Shattler led Victoria’s offence with four goals and three assists, while Rhys Duch had six helpers. The two were named first and third stars of the game, respectively.
The Rocks also got the hat trick from captain Corey Small, who also chipped in two assists. Cory Conway added two goals and two assists to the attack, with single goals coming from Braylon Lumb and Jon Harnett. Tyler Burton was again outstanding in the faceoff circle winning 14 of 16.
For the Burrards it was Dan Taylor leading the way with the hat trick and three helpers to take second star honours. Ben McIntosh and Mike Mallory had three and two goals, respectively.
Another large crowd is expected for the Sunday night game in Colwood. Fans can get tickets for games 3 and 5 by visiting victoriashamrocks.com or by visiting the team office at 120-967 Langford Pkwy.; call 250-478-7625 for opening hours.
– with files from Janice Huckin | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391542691.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/f364aee4afa51ab4340aa93d89dbd5f8244b04739a9451ada19b89e9a773c347.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:50:22 | null | null | Western Speedway in Langford played host to the Island Batteries Night at the Races last weekend. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391351741.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Hemrich, Wilkie win 50-lap mains at Western Speedway | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Cole Sorenson
Special to the News Gazette
This past weekend Western Speedway played host to the Island Batteries Night at the Races, featuring the Keg Late Model Series Twin 50 lap main events, as well as the Galaxy Motors Stock Cars, Mini Stocks and Marlin Motors Hornets.
The start of the first Twin 50 saw Phil Lagan and Bud Hobbs lead the field to the green. Lagan would lead early on in the main, before being passed by the No. 52 car of Geoff Morris.
Shaun Ross and Wade Bland tangled on lap 18, which brought out the caution flag and sending both drivers to the back. On the ensuing restart, Dave Hemrich snatched the lead away from Morris, and went on to win his first main event in two years.
The second Twin 50 had Mike Soppitt and Shaun Ross on the front row for the start. Soppitt would get an early advantage, with Bland tearing through the field to reach second place.
Bland made his move on lap 18, charging ahead of Soppitt. With only nine laps to go and looking set for another win, the engine on Bland’s No. 07 car went away, forcing him to pull into the pits and handing the lead over to Aaron Wilkie.
Wilkie raced to his second main event win of the season, but Bland still managed to earn enough points to be crowned the 2016 season champion in the Late Models.
Other winners on the night:
Late Models – Heat race 1: Geoff Morris; heat race 2: M. Soppitt
Galaxy Motors Stock Cars – Dash: Brendan Moore; heat, feature main: Tyler Robinson
Mini Stocks – Trophy dash: Sean Constantine; heat race: Caleb Van Bree; feature main: Ryan Patterson
Marlin Motors Hornets – Trophy dash, heat race 1: Ashley Creed; heat race 2, feature main: Jason Day
This Saturday (Aug. 27) the smell of diesel will be in the air, as the ground-pounding NABRA Big Rigs take to the track. The trucks will be joined on the card by the demo cars and trucks, mini figure 8s, bombers, claimers and Capital Drifters.
The grandstands open to fans at 4:30 p.m., qualifying is at 5:30, Fan Fest is at 6:00 (time permitting) and racing at 6:30. Visit westernspeedway.net for more information.
editor@goldstream
gazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391351741.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/84a2337bed33cc9fcec8138e198814ed429ebe1b54ec1efa3ad0a80c0cb9e9c5.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-29T18:50:25 | null | null | Province has alternatives if Canada Post employees begin strike action | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391636531.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/40679BCLN2007CanadaPostMailboxwikim7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | B.C. prepares for possible postal disruption | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The B.C. government's plan B for income assistance cheques and other time-sensitive documents could be re-activated as the long-running Canada Post labour dispute reaches another deadline.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is in a legal position to strike as of Monday, but postponed threatened rotating strike action after weekend talks with a federal mediator. Its initial action would be an overtime ban rather than a full-scale walkout that would disrupt mail delivery.
Canada Post served lockout notice in July, with the two sides far apart on issues including pension changes for future employees and pay for rural carriers.
Income assistance, rent subsidy and other B.C. government payments are not affected if they are direct deposit. For mailed cheques and information, updates on possible postal strike effects to the Ministry of Social Development will be available as necessary at this website or at 1-866-866-0800.
Phone and online contacts are set up for questions about affected provincial departments:
• Ministry of Advanced Education and StudentAidBC online here.
• Ministry of Children and Family Development 1-877-387-7027
• Medical Services Plan payments online here or 1-877-405-4909
• ICBC inquiries 1-800-663-3051
• Family Maintenance and Enforcement program 604-660-2528
• Public Guardian and Trustee online here or 604-660-4444
• Vital Statistics 1-888-876-1633
• WorkSafe BC online here or 1-888-967-5377 | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391636531.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/d3a5e1568e95c51ac3f15c967cf4624bed49b6d018dfdee0e0b46351489b8b87.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:35 | null | null | West Shore Parks and Recreation’s latest masterpiece available now | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F389897761.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | EDITORIAL: Recreation guide a great resource | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Gazette readers around the West Shore likely noticed something special accompanying their newspapers this week.
West Shore Parks and Recreation just released its annual fall Activity Guide. It’s a resource you’ll want to keep close at hand, as it’s chock full of ideas designed to promote fitness, fun and fellowship.
Want to know when those regular open swimming sessions or lessons are happening for children or adults? Check the guide for listings. How about aqua fit classes, or public skating or drop-in hockey times? They’re in there, too.
In fact, there are most likely programs and regular recreation offerings contained within the pages of the Activity Guide that you never knew existed, such as Dance for Wee Ones (age 2 and 3), Broken Bike (a repair how-to class) and Concussion Management. It’s a veritable treasure trove of activities, designed with the goal of providing something for pretty much everyone in the community, regardless of age or ability level.
The West Shore’s recreation programmers take great care to develop and provide fitness and recreation opportunities for area citizens, and those who visit the West Shore on occasion or perhaps solely to use fitness facilities.
Many of those programs are developed in conjunction with community sports, social and volunteer organizations, which recognize the potential for expanding their own membership through teaming up with the municipal parks and recreation department.
Besides its listing of specific programs and regularly scheduled sessions at the Juan de Fuca facilities, the Activity Guide also provides a great calendar to help keep track of those must-do special events that come up around the West Shore through the course of the year.
We encourage you to thumb through the Activity Guide and if you haven’t already signed up for a program, consider taking that step and adding some activity and vibrancy to your life. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/389897761.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/4087a5605644dafa68ae17ba217c1e146a985d029e2a106e5d53b00ed68d104a.json |
[
"Katherine Engqvist"
] | 2016-08-26T16:48:30 | null | null | Earlier meetings aim to better accommodate City staff | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391329431.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/63785goldstreamGNG-ALRRezoning2-KE.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Langford council changing timetable starting in September | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | An earlier start time for council meetings in Langford should still allow the public time to arrive and participate, says Mayor Stew Young, photographed between Coun. Matt Sahlstrom, left, and Coun. Lanny Seaton during a meeting at city hall.
Langford council meetings will be starting a little earlier than usual come September.
“We’re going to try it and see what it’s like for six months,” said Langford Mayor Stew Young. “It may work and it may not work, we’ll see.”
Over the summer months, council meetings have been getting underway at 5 p.m. instead of the typical 7:00 start time. According to a recent staff report, this start time has worked well for staff and council members felt there could be some merit to changing the time on a permanent basis.
But in order to better accommodate the public, staff suggested a new start time be set at 5:30 p.m. for those that are commuting back to the West Shore.
If that time doesn’t work, Young noted, it could easily be pushed to later, although, he didn’t foresee any problems. “It’s better than having the meeting in the middle of the day,” he said, nodding to some of the other councils in the region.
“I don’t know why 7 p.m. was picked in the first place.” He added there have been discussions on changing the start time for roughly 20 years.
In the long run, Young noted it will save the city a bit of money, as staff members won’t have to wait around as long for council meetings. “It’s more of a hardship for our staff than anything … It’s just a little bit better for everyone that works for us.”
Some residents have expressed frustration over the 7 p.m. start time, he added, because it interrupted their evening routine. Now, he said, residents can come straight from work.
“I think it will still give everyone time (to arrive on time).”
Plus, he said many residents don’t sit through the entire meeting and often only stay for the item that interests them. Young added residents can also have their opinions heard in committee meetings before an item goes to council.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391329431.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/55e9dfdc44eb33e78429582c1b3d06a13fa0ebf295a38a8f7d5dec42b336e747.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:51:47 | null | null | Woodworker’s creations part of upcoming Stinking Fish Studio Tour | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fentertainment%2F387488021.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/31453goldstreamGNG-Detlefinworkshop.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Metchosin-based artist thinks outside the box | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Metchosin artist Detlef Grundmann works on a piece in his home workshop. He is one of 10 members of the Stinking Fish group whose home studios will be open to the public to tour through this week.
Chiarina Loggia
Special to the Gazette
Detlef Grundmann loves to make boxes, but not ordinary utility boxes.
His boxes are exquisite wooden creations with finely crafted design elements that literally go outside the box. Whether it is a box with legs, live edges or even knot holes, each piece is meticulously crafted to a silky smooth finish that brings out the natural beauty of the wood. Created for holding jewellery or keepsakes, or even for just admiring, each one is a unique gem.
“I see a piece of wood and it somehow speaks to me, showing me its possibilities and hidden beauty,” he says.
Grundmann brings this fine craftsmanship to all the woodworking he does, whether it is commissioned furniture, his signature display platters; even such functional pieces as cutting boards, coasters, frames and rolling pins. Inspired by both the Arts and Crafts movement and Asian design, he creates pieces with clean lines, natural shapes and traditional joinery.
He rarely applies stains to his pieces, preferring to let the natural colour and pattern of the wood shine.
“Its patterns and colour will determine the shapes and proportions of what I create with it. Beyond that, I look for negative spaces created by such things as legs, holes and shadow lines to give the pieces presence and dimensionality,” he explains. “Somehow the wood’s story and my own get intermingled into a unique and, I hope, compelling one. “
Whether finished with a foodsafe wax for his utility pieces or a harder wax/oil finish, the wood glows with the care and attention to detail he gives every piece.
Grundmann loves to work with local woods such as big leaf maple, Garry oak and arbutus, including some sourced from his property in Metchosin. Other native North American woods such as walnut, with its dark lustre, and cherry, with its warm red colour, are two other favourite woods and are often used as a contrast in his boxes and cutting boards.
This talented artist hasn’t always been a woodworker. For much of his adult life he worked in the software field in Vancouver. A decision to move to Metchosin allowed him to hone his woodworking while living in the West Coast nature he loves. It also allowed him to become part of the local, juried Stinking Fish Studio Tour, of which he has been a member for 10 years.
His studio, Pebble Woodworks, is named for a beloved cat and you’ll find his pawprint signature in many of the pieces he creates, whether on the front of his cutting boards (see inset photo) or tucked away on the underside of his furniture and boxes.
Grundmann is taking part in the Stinking Fish summer tour, which runs this year from July 21 to 25. Opening day Thursday will see many of the artists on the tour doing demonstrations. While demoing is too dusty an affair during the tour for Grundmann, he welcomes any and all queries about his work, his tools and his beautiful boxes. stinkingfishstudiotour.com
editor@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/entertainment/387488021.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/56538f5e5f5cf90408015c2e48cb0ab492a6affb92bb2103a0cf8a388d0d067b.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:50 | null | null | Notice means delivery could be cancelled as early as Monday | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391302051.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/68221BCLN200782072cranbrookdailyCPweb.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Postal union issues strike notice after it says Canada Post refused special mediator | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The union representing most workers at Canada Post has issued a 72-hour notice of job action as it tries to bargain a collective agreement with the Crown corporation.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says the notice spells out what actions it is planning, but stops short of a full-blown walkout.
CUPW national president Mike Palecek says Canada Post forced the labour disruption by refusing to accept a request from the federal labour minister to continue negotiations with the help of a special mediator.
But a spokesman for the agency says that's not the case.
The union's strike mandate was set to expire at midnight.
The two sides have been in negotiations for more than nine months but are far apart on key issues including pay equity for rural carriers and proposed changes to the Canada Post pension plan.
The Canadian Press | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391302051.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/e042e4ea9c762425536e0f876dc02a2cf718d3b66711999e04d1fee18dbd6ca9.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:39 | null | null | Photographers from across the province competed in amateur competition | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fcommunity%2F391187111.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/2985abbotsfordAmateurphotographjers.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Voting open for People's Choice Amateur Photography Competition | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Cameras were the focus as 70 photographers from across B.C., including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Kelowna and Nelson, competed in the fourth annual Next Generation BC Amateur Photographer of the Year Contest at the recent Abbotsford International Airshow.
Sponsored by London Drugs and Black Press Media, the contest took place Aug. 12-14, as participants captured their best air, crowd, static, and wildcard shots.
Photographers experienced close-up action at the airshow including Friday's twilight show, and earned the "hot-side" tour at the airshow where they shot exclusive aircraft including the F-35, CF-18, FA-18, Breitling Jet Team, the Snowbirds and more for a chance to win the title of B.C.'s next Amateur Photographer title.
Awarding categories also include The Best in-air photograph ($750 grand prize), The Best ground/static scene photograph ($500 prize),The Best crowd scene photograph ($250 prize ), The Best video submission ($500 prize) all courtesy of London Drugs and honorary acknowledgement for Best Wildcard entry.
For the People's Choice Award Winner, the time has arrived for the public to vote on their favourite photo and be entered for a chance to win BC Lions game tickets.
For voting and contest information, click here. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/391187111.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/c09fb236ad7f6ca76d97d235cd9ffb91bcc5d0b2f086568208b3d68764126f7d.json |
[
"Don Descoteau"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:37 | null | null | Vanier Cup champ UBC takes on Rebels grad Tyler Fong and the Manitoba Bisons this Friday at Westhills | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391082681.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/54676goldstreamGNG-TylerFongBisonsfootball.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Football fans, get ready to feel the Thunder in Langford | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | University of Manitoba Bisons safety Tyler Fong (19) helps wrap up a UBC Thunderbirds ball carrier in CIS football action last season. Fong, a native of Langford and former Westshore Rebels and Mount Douglas Rams player, joins his teammates this Friday (Aug. 26) in the first Thunder Bowl exhibition game against defending Vanier Cup champion UBC at Westhills Stadium.
A Langford native son and former Westshore Rebels player is excited to be coming home, however briefly, for the inaugural Vancouver Island Thunder Bowl at Westhills Stadium this Friday.
Tyler Fong, a fourth-year safety with the University of Manitoba football team, will suit up for the Bisons for the highly anticipated exhibition game against the defending Vanier Cup champion UBC Thunderbirds. Kickoff is 7 p.m. and fans can expect a Friday Night Lights style atmosphere.
“It’s one more chance to play at home in front of my friends and family,” said Fong, who is entering his pro draft year.
The Bisons finished third in the Canada West conference last year, after winning the title the year before. Fong feels he and his teammates have some unfinished business with the T-Birds.
“UBC is great competition; it’ll be good to see what they’ve got coming out of training camp,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a good game.”
A graduate of the Mount Douglas Rams high school football program, Fong attended Simon Fraser University for a year before joining the Rebels for a season. The year playing junior ball helped prepare him for the rigours of CIS ball, said Fong, who earned a scholarship to play for the Bisons.
“The BCFC is a pretty good conference,” he said, adding it gives players looking for more playing time a good option. “The players out here always have a high calibre, but a lot of guys don’t know what they want to do,” he said, referring to developing players who might otherwise ride the bench with a CIS program.
A number of Greater Victoria players will be playing Friday, including linebacker Julian Luis for the Bisons, and tailback Marcus Davis for UBC.
Proceeds from the game benefit Greater Victoria Minor Football, the Westshore Rebels and the UBC Football Island Scholarship Fund. For ticket information, visit vithunderbowl.com.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391082681.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/0c43a8efed8eed2e4c301a723107acbc3f446e5279bfcb1fef91db96782fd6b0.json |
[
"Joel Tansey"
] | 2016-08-26T13:02:40 | null | null | News headlines from 10, 20 and 30 years ago in the Goldstream Gazette are recalled. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fcommunity%2F391091571.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | West Shore News Through the Decades, for the week of Aug. 24 | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | 2006
The Bear meets the Bear, when golf legend Jack Nicklaus teed it up at Bear Mountain Golf Club. The most decorated golfer in the history of the PGA Tour was on hand with his son, Steve, to play the course they designed for the first time. The elder Nicklaus shows flashes of his old skills, stringing together a pair of birdies early on the back nine.
Also making the news the week of Aug. 24, 2006:
A break-in at the West Shore Rowing and Paddling Centre leaves the non-profit organization short two outboard motors and three brand new kayaks. The thieves cut a hole in fencing protecting the equipment, unbolting the two motors from boats and loaded it all into a dark-coloured Chevy or GMC truck. The vehicle was caught on surveillance footage leaving the grounds, but the license plate was obscured. The loss, estimated at about $8,000, puts the centre in a financial bind.
And, a fire at Royal Colwood Golf Club keeps the City’s volunteer firefighters busy for two hours. The fire breaks out around 11 p.m. in a large pile of wood chips in the club’s maintenance yard, located off Aldeane Road. Nineteen firefighters and two engines respond to the call, which sees the blaze in full swing by the time they arrive. A machine is used to pull the pile apart to ensure the fire is fully extinguished.
1996
Langford’s Prince Edward Legion loses its last veteran of the Great War when Fred Rennie dies. Rennie, 100 at the time of his death, lived in Colwood for 37 years and fought in both world wars. During the First World War, Rennie fought in the Battle of the Somme on July 16, 1916, escaping from one of the bloodiest battles in history with little more than a scratch on his leg.
Also making the news the week of Aug. 24, 1996:
A light rapid transit line between Langford and downtown Victoria is estimated to cost about $289 million to build, according to a draft report of an ongoing study.
That price would include the purchase of an 18.1-kilometre route, possibly using the Galloping Goose Trail in Langford.
And, about 50 people attend an open house on that report in Colwood. They hear that the capacity of the LRT system would be 2,400 passengers per hour, roughly equivalent to building two more lanes on the Trans Canada Highway. The travel time between Langford and downtown Victoria would be 32 minutes and the operating expenses would be $9.1 million per year.
1986
Colwood RCMP want to reward good drivers in the western community, but have had a hard time finding them. Sgt. Deane Cole says the driving situation is so bad that he has to spend quite a bit of time looking for safe drivers for the Traffic Safety Recognition Project. RCMP and police in various areas report one good driver a week to a radio station. The driver receives prizes and acknowledgement. “At times it’s difficult to find a safe driver,” Cole said. “If you follow him for two or three miles, somewhere they will fail to signal a turn or they do some other minor breach of the driving statutes.”
Also making the news the week of Aug. 24, 1986:
Specially-trained cougar hounds and wildlife conservation officers comb the Sooke area for a cougar on two separate days, but to no avail. The cougar is initially spotted on West Coast Road by a Sooke RCMP officer. On the Tuesday, Conservation Officer Tony Grabowski and two hounds search the area, but find no signs. On Sunday, he returns with four hounds after more sightings are reported.
– compiled by Joel Tansey | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/391091571.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/a491ae32bc1953483b769d225160ffd5609c72f96137de7970f1f416e4ae1280.json |
[
"Lexi Bainas"
] | 2016-08-26T13:10:50 | null | null | Four fire departments have been involved in fighting a forest fire near Bamberton Provincial Park in Mill Bay. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391341891.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/67988cowichanvalleycitizenfireforweb.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Malahat blaze snarls traffic | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Four fire departments — Mill Bay, Malahat, Cowichan Bay and Shawnigan Lake — have been involved in fighting a forest fire near Bamberton Provincial Park in Mill Bay.
The blaze was apparently located on Trowsse Road and broke out about 1 p.m.
By 3 p.m. traffic was stopped northbound to allow firefighters to safely battle the blaze.
By 4 p.m. the Coastal Fire Centre said it had 26 firefighters, two officers, and two helicopters deployed to Mill Bay wildfire. The fire had jumped the highway by 3:30 p.m. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391341891.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/13da83a0b86519ab50a2f671566625e4c7afb3380e5b6ee508f81a224ddb8983.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:58:49 | null | null | The View Royal micro brewery is among those affected by a hike in markup for exports to Alberta. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fbusiness%2F390496371.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/72108goldstreamGNG-craftbeer-jt.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Alberta decision an inconvenience for 4 Mile Brewing | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | B.C.’s craft brewers, including 4 Mile Brewing in View Royal, saw their products face a markup hike this summer in the Alberta market.
The taps won’t exactly run dry, but the Alberta Gaming and Licensing Corporation’s decision to hike its markup for out-of-province microbreweries is less than ideal for View Royal-based 4 Mile Brewing Co.
While Vancouver Island and the rest of B.C. are clearly 4 Mile’s main markets for distribution, the microbrewery does ship its beers to Alberta and Manitoba as well.
“It’s kind of a secondary market for us,” said Graham Haymes, one of the owners of the family-run business, adding that 4 Mile entered the Alberta market this spring.
Two of its beers are sold in that province and they plan to distribute a seasonal fall brew there as well.
As of Aug. 5, those products will be sold with a $1.25/L markup in Alberta, up from just 10 cents per litre before the province’s monopoly liquor wholesaler decided to hike the rates on all microbreweries producing under 20 million litres per year.
A subsidy system for Alberta craft breweries will give them an advantage over their B.C. competition.
“While our membership is based in B.C., we have been encouraged by our neighbours in Alberta in their growing affinity for craft beer,” Ken Beattie, executive director of the B.C. Craft Brewers Guild, wrote in a statement last month.
“It is disheartening to see that the Alberta government does not recognize that such extreme increases in markup to craft brewers outside Alberta will damage what could be a growing industry in the province and reduce affordability and selection for its own craft beer lovers.”
The office for Joe Ceci, Alberta’s Minister of Finance, was not immediately available for comment.
Four Mile had been in business for many years before deciding to enter the craft brewing game three years ago, just as the wave of microbrewing momentum was beginning to crest.
Haymes says their venture into the market is going well so far. “It’s a pretty competitive market right now,” he said. “We’ve focused on building up a core business locally in View Royal with the brew pub and then expanding into Victoria … and then reaching out as we’ve added capacity and the equipment to brew.”
The company distributes five beers in the Victoria area and three in Vancouver, with more options coming out of their main location on the West Shore.
They’ve also recently expanded and doubled the size of their liquor store on Goldstream Avenue in Colwood, giving them 5,000 square feet to work with.
– with files from Tom Fletcher/Black Press
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/business/390496371.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/cd1ac5bd3f4b97e455e608879f713520aef00a737e122c3862f288cd9fc78bc0.json |
[
"Rick Stiebel"
] | 2016-08-26T12:56:08 | null | null | Chris Millington and Dancin set to Splash again on Inner Harbour | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fentertainment%2F386846591.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/53220goldstreamGNG-MillingtonButchartGdns.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Colwood musician keeps Butchart Gardens tradition swaying | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Chris Millington (front row centre) and Dancin (from left) Dave Flello, Masako Hockey, Duncan Meiklejohn, Morry Sterans, Jennie Carson, Don Cox and Bradley Clarke are performing at Butchart Gardens and the Symphony Splash.
What’s better than a chance to dance on stage while the band is playing a favourite song?
Shaking your booty to the beat in beautiful Butchart Gardens to the musical stylings of Chris Millington and Dancin, of course.
This summer marks the 16th year Millington and company will perform evening concerts at the popular tourist destination in Central Saanich, where it’s not unusual to see the stage filled with people dancing in front of the band.
“We’re doing a wider range of music that appeals to a broad audience,” the Colwood resident said. “You see people of all ages dancing with their kids all the time.”
The eight-member band seamlessly blends older tunes such as Wilson Pickett’s rhythm and blues classic “The Midnight Hour” with more current hits like Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud,” Millington added. On any given night, the band may roll out songs by the Beatles and Santana alongside hits by Mayer Hawthorne and Pharrell Williams.
“We have four band members doing a great assortment of vocals, rhythm and blues, rock and pop,” Millington said.
He appreciates the open stage at Butchart Gardens because it gets people out of their seats. “The interaction is great,” he explained. “We really like playing for people who like to dance.”
Chris Millington and Dancin will perform at the Gardens on July 19 and 26, and Aug. 2, 9 and 16.
All shows start at 8 p.m., and the concert is included with visitors’ regular admission.
“It makes for a nice night to come out and see the Gardens, check out the concert and dance,” he added.
Chris Millington and Dancin will also play at the Symphony Splash in Victoria’s Inner Harbour on Sunday July 31 at 4 p.m.
“We did it a couple of years ago and it’s great to be asked back,” he said. “It’s an affirmation of what we’re doing.”
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/entertainment/386846591.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/25c2eb8a4238b04d387441ad827bc16fa9f7b4ae5f6acf240a1319f0ae5baedf.json |
[
"Don Descoteau"
] | 2016-08-29T08:51:22 | null | null | Maple Ridge erases 5-0 deficit, wins 14-11 in overtime to take 2-1 lead in WLA finals | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391575571.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/20880goldstreamShamrocksMapleRidgeWEB.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Home floor provides little advantage for Shamrocks | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Maple Ridge Burrards sniper Dan Taylor, right, winds up for a shot in the Victoria Shamrocks end during Sunday's game 3 in the Western Lacrosse Association final at The Q Centre in Colwood. The visitors scored the final five goals of the game to win 14-11 in overtime.
Just when the Victoria Shamrocks appeared to grab some momentum, the Maple Ridge Burrards snatched it away.
So it went for much of game 3 in the Western Lacrosse Association championship final, won 14-11 in overtime by the visiting Burrards, who took a 2-1 series lead on Sunday at The Q Centre.
The Shamrocks had no answer for Burrards goaltender Frankie Scigliano in the 10-minute, non-sudden death overtime period. At the other end, Maple Ridge attackers Ben McIntosh at 5:56, and Mike Mallory at the 8:21 mark slipped past the Rocks defenders to give their team an 13-11 lead and forced the Shamrocks to lift goalie Cody Hagedorn for the extra attacker.
A broken-up play in the Burrards end saw Zack Porter heave the ball up floor to a streaking Colton Porter, who bagged an empty netter at 8:48 that sent fans streaming to the exits.
Visiting teams have won all three games so far in the series, which shifts to Maple Ridge for game 4 on Tuesday then returns to Colwood on Wednesday (7:45 p.m.) for game 5.
The Shamrocks, who opened up a 5-0 lead in the first period before Maple Ridge scored the first of three shorthanded goals on the night, let the Burrards back into the game slowly but steadily. It was 5-1 after one and 8-6 after 40 minutes. While the Shamrocks never trailed in regulation, they failed to put the Burrards away when they had the chance.
Late in the third period, when goals by Rhys Duch and Corey Small 26 seconds apart gave the locals a 11-9 lead with barely two minutes to go, the Burrards stormed back. Mallory tallied in a four-on-four situation at the 18:42 mark, then Dan Taylor knotted the score with 30 seconds left, beating Hagedorn down low.
The Shamrocks took a timeout out and had possession of the ball for much of the remaining time, and fired two quality shots at Scigliano, who stood tall in the net to keep the ball out.
The loss spoiled a stellar performance by the Shamrocks' Jeff Shattler, who racked up four goals before the game was half over and finished with five points. Small and Cory Conway led the attack with a goal and six assists each, while Duch scored twice and Cole Pickup, Chris Wardle and Ethan Garland had singles.
Taylor was top man for the Burrards, totalling four goals and four helpers for eight points.Riley Loewen had three goals and Mallory and McIntosh two each. Connor Goodwin, Lyndon Knutilla had the other Maple Ridge goals.
Scigliano finished with 40 saves on 51 shots, while Hagedorn turned aside 43 of 56 Burrards shots.
If necessary, game 6 would be played in Maple Ridge on Friday, with game 7 if needed back at The Q Centre on Sunday night at 6 p.m.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391575571.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/d9016da1307837f81aace8f41f264289c93afcb679033498a6245a1c590340fa.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-26T13:08:17 | null | null | In honour of Canada's 149th birthday, we have compiled some Canadian trivia questions. How many can you answer? | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Flifestyles%2F384892721.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/17474summerlandCanadaflag.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | CANADA DAY QUIZ: How well do you know Canadian trivia? | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | null | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/lifestyles/384892721.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/bc06b9f73461793b2c765297e82f1dbb7248dcaaf02dcb71875ddb16610068fe.json |
[
"Joel Tansey"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:17 | null | null | Stargazing enthusiasts will gather in Metchosin to observe and listen
to presentations | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fcommunity%2F391226761.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/17857goldstreamGNG-starparty.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Great weekend to gaze into the heavens in Metchosin | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | An aurora storm is photographed over Victoria as observed from Taylor Beach in Metchosin. The annual Star Party on the nearby municipal grounds this weekend is expected to attract experienced and novice astronomers alike.
A group of stargazers is hoping for warm evenings and clear skies this weekend as Metchosin hosts the annual Star Party, put on by the Victoria branch of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC).
There’ll be presentations by guest speakers, door prizes and of course, plenty of stargazing to highlight the weekend-long event, which starts Friday (Aug. 26) and ends on Sunday.
While organizer Sherry Buttnor expects the majority of those in attendance will be experienced astronomers, everyone is welcome. She believes the weekend will serve as a great introduction for anyone looking to get into the hobby. Some of the society’s telescopes will be available for anyone who doesn’t have their own equipment.
Rita Mann, a researcher with a PhD in astronomy, will deliver the first presentation of the weekend, Friday at 8:30 p.m. Her talk will centre around the origins of the solar system, answering questions about the system’s genesis using a powerful telescope that is sensitive to the conditions in which planets are born.
Maan H. Hani, a PhD student at the University of Victoria, will present on Saturday night and discuss some of his research about the formation of galaxies and super massive black holes.
Buttnor, a Metchosin resident and space enthusiast for the better part of four decades, has seen an increased interest in outer space in the digital age, but said many are using the Internet, rather than telescopes, to observe the wonders of the universe.
While she admits that orbiting telescopes are taking amazing deep space photos, they are no replacement for observing the sky for yourself. “There’s nothing like looking at it in real time … You can look at glorious pictures of Saturn from any number of satellites or spacecraft that have gone out that way. But when people actually look at it live in a telescope and realize that the light they are looking at in the telescope left Saturn earlier when they were having dinner, it’s a real feeling of connectedness,” she explained.
Metchosin remains one of the best places in the region for stargazing, although Buttnor believes that continued development in the West Shore, particularly in Langford, has affected the quality of the viewing opportunities.
“It’s hurting us big time. I moved out here in 1992 and the sky was black, it was really nice, and now the sky’s kind of a light, muddy brown colour,” she said.
Even with all her years of learning and observation, Buttnor continues to discover new aspects of the vast night sky.
“There’s so much out there to see and learn about. It’s a lifetime thing and you could never get to the end of it. It’s so much fun,” she said.
Buttnor believes that some remnants of the Perseid meteor shower should be visible this weekend, along with a host of planets.
The Star Party will take place at the Metchosin municipal grounds. The event is free, but a $20 donation is suggested for those who choose to stay overnight.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/391226761.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/1c6de4dda957b83dcb24284a7047dbe58d80cac1ecc52dff38c0f270fe04debb.json |
[
"Don Descoteau"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:54 | null | null | Steady driving and some timely putts propelled Scutt to his second PGA of B.C. Championship crown on Tuesday at Royal Colwood Golf Club. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391298411.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/50804goldstreamGNG-Scutt2016PGABCchamp.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Olympic View pro Gordy Scutt recaptures PGA of B.C. golf title | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Gordy Scutt, a staff pro at Olympic View Golf Club, captured his second winner’s trophy at the PGA of B.C. championship at Royal Colwood Golf Club on Tuesday.
Steady driving and some timely putts propelled Gordy Scutt to his second PGA of B.C. Championship crown on Tuesday at Royal Colwood Golf Club.
Scutt, a teaching professional at Olympic View Golf Club who also won the tournament in 2014, shot the tournament’s low round of 67 to finish at 138. That gave him a one-stroke victory over runners-up Phil Jonas of Hazelmere Golf and Tennis Club and first-round leader Luke Bogdan of Ledgeview Golf and Country Club in Abbotsford.
The winner admitted to struggling somewhat off the tee on Monday when he carded a 1-over 71. He hit his drives well in round two, he said, and put himself in good position to score.
“I was going along pretty steady all day,” Scutt said. “I hit a lot of greens (in regulation) and made it as stress free as possible.”
Playing with Point Grey’s Dave Zibrik and fellow mainlander Chris Lee, who like Scutt were among seven players who shot 71 on Monday, he was the model of consistency. He cranked it up a notch late in the round, sinking a 20-foot putt for birdie on the par-4 16th hole. After driving about 285 yards on 17, Scutt used a gap wedge to hit his 115-yard approach shot within a handful of feet, then sunk it for another birdie.
On the long 448-yard par 4 18th hole, he hit another good drive to within about 145 yards, hit a 9-iron to within about 20 feet and used two putts to notch a par.
Then it was a matter of waiting for the leaders to finish up.
Bogdan, who opened with Monday’s best round of 69, entered the day with a one-stroke lead over Pacific Golf Academy’s Sergej Dronov, Clark MacPherson of McCleery Golf Club and Mark Kitts of the Quilchena club. Bogdan managed to shoot par, but it wasn’t enough to catch Scutt.
Jonas was one of three players to shoot 68 on Tuesday – Scutt’s clubmate Kevin Maxwell was among them – and pulled himself into a second-place tie. Maxwell shot an uncharacteristic 80 on the opening day and had to settle for a tie for 22nd spot at 148.
Scutt said he enjoys the PGA of B.C. Championship tournament for the camaraderie and the level of play.
“This one’s open to all (B.C.) professionals. It’s kind of nice to see all the guys, and to play against that kind of field, with strong competition,” he said.
It’s been a good summer for Scutt, who earned a $6,000 payday for the win and continues to lead the Vancouver Island Pro Tour Order of Merit by a narrow margin ahead of Maxwell. Scutt has won twice on that Tour this year and won the Order of Merit in 2010 and 2013.
He played in the PGA Championship of Canada at Victoria Golf Club in July and made the final cut from 58 players to 16, then lost in his first round of match play.
He’ll round out his summer playing the final few events on the Island Pro Tour, where he looks to earn the club bragging rights over Maxwell.
Other Greater Victoria finishers in this week’s tournament included Justin Fram (Victoria, 73-75–148, tie 22nd), Mac McLeod (Royal Colwood, 74-75–149, 24th), Mark Bicknell (Victoria, 74-77–151, tie 31st), Lindsay Bernakevitch (Victoria, 74-77–151, tie 31st), Winston Mitchell (Victoria, 75-77–152, tie 38th), Richard Chlopan (Royal Colwood, 78-75–153, tie 41st) and Matt Cella (Olympic View, 79-74–153, tie 41st). | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391298411.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/09fc14848fe91afa92dbe03d395c11600f9f4008e47e4b4f0756b21cecf053ea.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-26T13:11:00 | null | null | Last few details finished this week to realignment project | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391344631.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/69156goldstreamGNG-SALeighGoldstream-KE.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Goldstream Avenue and Leigh Road intersection see new traffic signals | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Motorists travelling through the Goldstream Avenue and Leigh Road intersection are taking a new route this week.
Motorists travelling through the Goldstream Avenue and Leigh Road intersection are taking a new route this week.
Signal lights at the intersection were activated at noon on Tuesday, just in time to give motorists a chance to adjust to the realignment before school starts next month.
Along with the realignment and the addition of left turn lanes in all directions also came the permanent closure of Donna Avenue at Leigh Road, due to its proximity to the intersection. A new connection has been made between Donna Avenue and Hartsdale Drive, allowing vehicle access to Goldstream Avenue.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391344631.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/a73a72ca656b54898ec661b66cb536aa84e8ebc2f57389948da9bae3fb9a403c.json |
[
"Rick Stiebel"
] | 2016-08-26T13:03:51 | null | null | Will be living in the city of Cali as part of a youth exchange | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fcommunity%2F390605161.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/17319goldstreamGNG-RotaryColombia2.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Eleven months in Colombia awaits young Metchosin Rotarian | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Metchosin resident Lucas Christ-Rowling is off to Colombia to learn Spanish and immerse himself in a different culture as part of Rotary International’s Youth Exchange program.
Lucas Christ-Rowling is positively pumped about the opportunity to immerse himself in Colombian culture for the next 11 months. The Metchosin resident will soon head to Cali, the country’s second-largest city, about eight hours from Bogota.
The trip is part of a Rotary International Youth Exchange – in conjunction with the Sidney By The Sea Rotary – which arranges for students to spend a year in a foreign country while facilitating the same experience for students from other countries to come to Canada.
Christ-Rowling, 17, got interested in the program through his mother, who spent a year in Denmark as part of a Rotary International Youth Exchange when she was in high school in Ontario.
“She really encouraged me to try it and said it was a really rewarding experience,” he said. His mother, a former Rotarian, hopes there will be a similar program available for youth on the West Shore soon.
Christ-Rowling, part of the first class to graduate from Royal Bay secondary in June, will be returning to high school in Cali.
‘I want to accelerate learning Spanish,” he explained. “I’m also really looking forward to learning about the culture and history of Colombia.”
Christ-Rowling feels fortunate that the family he will stay with lives across the street from the school he’ll attend. That should expedite the learning curve, because he won’t have to waste time commuting, he explained.
While he plays drums, guitar and piano, Christ-Rowling has never learned to dance, so he is looking forward to that challenge as well. “It’s the salsa capital of the world,” he said.
Another aspect of the trip that intrigues him is the opportunity to play soccer. “I’m very excited about playing in a country where they are so passionate about the sport,” he said with noticeable enthusiasm. “The passion and energy is there every day for soccer and I’m really looking forward to experiencing that.”
Christ-Rowling will also be making presentations to different youth groups and organizations about what life is like in Canada.
“I’m also open to volunteering opportunities that arise,” he added.
Although he admitted being a little nervous about learning a new language and adapting to a different lifestyle and culture, Christ-Rowling said he’s fortunate that there is a well-organized support network in place.
“Living with a second family there will also give me a more personal connection to the country,” he noted.
Once his time in Colombia is complete, Christ-Rowling is leaning towards studying political science and humanities.
“Gaining a global perspective and understanding will help with that,” he said. “Being bilingual will help open doors to many education and career opportunities.”
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/390605161.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/453a5c792b997fe07fc9ab4b04df496f4c0330eec6064893937eb0de12f1dd0b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:58:26 | null | null | Executive director Julie Lawlor checks in with some news from the WestShore Chamber of Commerce. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fbusiness%2F391100411.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/62409goldstreamGNG-artexhibit-001.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Supporting local, unique: Coast Collective Arts Centre | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Young artists like Royal Bay secondary grad Hannah Jubb are among those featured at the Colwood-based Coast Collective. The arts centre moved to its current location about seven months ago and continues to adjust to life in a new building, says Julie Lawlor.
This autumn, the Coast Collective Arts Centre celebrates eight years as the West Shore hub for community arts and culture.
Operated by the Society for Arts on the South Island (SASI), Coast Collective provides the opportunity for residents of the West Shore, visitors and tourists to experience and access the arts. In addition to welcoming more than 15,000 visitors per year to their free public gallery, Coast Collective provides original art work to municipal and community offices and public spaces, offers more than a hundred workshops each year, and last but not least has a gorgeous gift shop in their premises next to the Holiday Inn at 318 Wale Rd. in Colwood.
Coast Collective moved to these new premises in January when it became clear that the necessity of a building site in close proximity to their location at Pendray House would likely mean the closure of the arts facility. Like all moves it is taking time to adjust, and Coast Collective is reaching out to its community for support during this time of transition.
Executive Director Cindy Moyer said: “Support can come in many guises, and the best one is via the public’s continued and increased patronage at our new location as we head into the second half of 2016. That means shopping local at Coast Collective for cards, gifts, fashion and home decor, and taking advantage of our great art classes and maker workshops for creative people of all ages. Any and all support is greatly appreciated,” she added.
Another way you can support Coast Collective is by purchasing tickets to their “Raise the Roof” fundraiser, taking place at Langford Legion on Oct. 15 from 8 p.m. to midnight. The low ticket price of $22.40 includes admission, dancing, mid-evening snacks and applicable taxes. Music will be provided by the funk and soul band Groove Kitchen, and there will be silent auction items on display. If you are interested in promoting your organization and helping Coast Collective through the donation of a silent auction item, I’m sure Cindy would be delighted to hear from you.
As a Chamber, we recognize that the arts not only support quality of life, but also support the local economy. In the case of Coast Collective, their central Colwood location means that visitors will also dine, shop, and potentially stay in the West Shore, supporting neighbouring West Shore businesses. As a tenant, employer and supplier, SASI also provides a direct and measurable impact on the local economy.
The West Shore is starting to come into its own with regards to tourism, with a number of tourism projects and initiatives currently under development. As the only centre for the visual arts in our area, there would be a significant gap in the West Shore offer if Coast Collective should close its doors. So stop by and have a look. I’m not going to say the word, but Coast Collective offers a great chance to do your early Chr!$+mas shopping!
Julie Lawlor is executive director of the WestShore Chamber of Commerce. You can reach her at jlawlor@westshore.bc.ca or by calling 250-478-1130. For more information on Coast Collective, please visit coastcollective.ca. To find out more about the WestShore Chamber of Commerce at westshore.bc.ca. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/business/391100411.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/389cd1e64917b347ff9f0c61a6b6fe346ebf9a4095f7a5af5b9dae8cf9847d6a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T18:50:27 | null | null | Elizabeth May’s committee work may prove critical | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F391327351.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | EDITORIAL: May as leader good for country | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | While the West Shore has no Green Party of Canada members of parliament, the recent decision by federal Green leader Elizabeth May to stay on in her party’s top job is a good sign for all Canadians.
Yes, the Greens have just one MP, May, sitting in the House of Commons and on the surface it appears they have virtually no clout when it comes to swaying the Liberal majority government on legislation.
But May’s track record working as a member of parliamentary committees – she currently sits on the Special Committee on Electoral Reform as well as a related subcommittee – is solid and she may help the country move closer to the proportional representation system so needed. As Saanich-Gulf Islands MP, May has been visible around Greater Victoria, including the West Shore, and she has done a creditable job engaging residents in the political process.
Her previous decision to step down over her party’s support of an international campaign for a boycott of sanctions against Israel received mixed reviews. But we’re glad she looked at the bigger picture and chose to continue using her platform as Green leader to influence other parliamentarians on such important issues as electoral reform and climate change initiatives.
Being in a parliamentary minority, or in the case of the Greens, barely fourth-party status, has to be tough for MPs when it comes to being proactive and trying to see meaningful legislation brought forward.
The record of private member’s bills being passed is rather dismal in Ottawa. But opposition and other MPs like May play critical roles in the committees that help craft policies that often turn into government sponsored legislation.
May has proven to be a political force to be reckoned with during her time in public service. She has worked too hard for too long to have her talents wasted, just when some of those ideas seem to be gaining momentum. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/391327351.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/d63b2835eeb42e419ea57ad63c8b1beedf558218229814f3aa152b24030ffa7e.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-26T12:55:40 | null | null | Game that gets users out in real life with smartphones had required Canadians to find workarounds before Sunday | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fentertainment%2F387179451.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/29783BCLN2007pokemongo.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Pokemon Go officially launches in Canada, virtual reality game crashes app's servers | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Prospective Pokemon trainers can officially download the mobile gaming sensation Pokemon Go in Canada as of Sunday afternoon.
The augmented-reality game launched in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan earlier this month.
But before Sunday, Canadians had to find workarounds to play the game north of the 49th parallel.
The game sends players into the real world to search for the mythical digital pocket monsters known as Pokemon, who appear onscreen when users hold up their smartphones in various locations at various times of the day.
RELATED:
Pokemon Go prompts Vancouver Police warning
Canadian gamers embrace Pokemon Go
On Sunday afternoon, it was announced on the app's Twitter page that the game is available for download in Canada on Android and iOS devices.
But the app's servers overloaded in the hour after the announcement, and wannabe players had to wait a little longer before they could register an account.
The Canadian Press | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/entertainment/387179451.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/0bdcebc8299375c7810502c42e1b9cd140174d1c2759f81b1959cc93e412d78c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:50 | null | null | One resident warns of the negative aspects of the gambling industry | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F388586501.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/designimages/facebook_logo.png | en | null | LETTER: More needs to be done to fight gambling addiction | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | LETTER: More needs to be done to fight gambling addiction
Re: Seniors excited about proposed casino for Victoria (Gazette, July 27)
As a 75 year old senior, I am excited about another casino locating in Greater Victoria, but not for the reasons given in the article.
Don’t other seniors and the general public realize that the B.C. Treasury takes in over a billion dollars annually from gambling - more than comes in from forestry. And for the small indulgences and pleasures it offers a few of us seniors, it increases the number of confirmed addicts, including adults, children and grandchildren. And that costs us hundreds of millions of dollars to repair families and relationships damaged by this so-called benign pastime.
That my fellow seniors can’t appreciate that is beyond me.
Everyone connected to the gambling industry must confront the scope and magnitude of gambling addiction in this province. And all of us must demand that our politicians face this social disease and use our money for programs that enhance the family and community.
Otherwise we become party to turning our provincial government, including municipal governments, into the most insidious pimps ever known.
Dale Perkins
Victoria | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/letters/388586501.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/8dc1100f2847766b3e33169815a202f9757a11332f4220296f03e631636e6c87.json |
[
"The Former E N Railway Station In Langford Has Been Touted In The Past As A Potential Stop Or Terminus Of A Commuter Rail System To Downtow Victoria."
] | 2016-08-30T20:51:35 | null | null | Saanich resident writes in response to a letter about commuter rail in Greater Victoria. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391782621.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/100*66/6550goldstreamGNG-KW-RailwayPApr0914.jpg | en | null | Market test needed for commuter rail | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Market test needed for commuter rail
Re: Regional commuter rail system could pay for itself (Letters, Aug. 10)
Eric Neilson’s verbose letter has three notable points. The E&N track only serves a limited market, primarily CFB Esquimalt and associated dockyards, as Victoria eliminated tracks on the Johnson Street Bridge and commuters don’t want a long walk or another route transfer. It is worthwhile if the cost is low, but it seems late now to help the McKenzie interchange.
Neilson advocates user pay, a very good principle. But in competition with subsidized roads, the only attraction might be higher speed, which saves the one scarce resource – individual human time. It is, however, pie-in-the-sky at this point given the timing and the lack of a market test before Victoria abandoned the E&N on the new bridge.
What has been needed for decades is a modest market test of commuter rail using the E&N trackage. Recall that harbour ferries here were a dismal failure, but the airport leg of the Skytrain in Vancouver has been quite successful – all surprises. Without a test, advocates of rail transit are just theorizing.
Unfortunately Neilson throws in a gratuitous xenophobic scheme to force local manufacturing, a hypocritical approach given the trade of manufacturers here, and the amount of money coming here from taxpayers of B.C., tourists, and retirees. Manufacturers have to perform, government meddling instead results in failures like management of the E&N trackage.
Keith Sketchley
Saanich | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/letters/391782621.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/11c55a5698585aed7fc6ca6bc934e5f299ab7084ef8c07293f11be9fc6265c35.json |
[
"Katherine Engqvist"
] | 2016-08-26T13:10:41 | null | null | The program allows West Shore RCMP the means to trace lost or stolen bicycles. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391096421.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/60255goldstreamGNG-StolenBikes-KEPAug1215.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | West Shore bike registry continues to grow | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | RCMP spokesman Const. Alex Berube stands amongst stolen property seized last week. He said often bikes are dismantled and have parts swapped to hide their identity.
A relatively new program offered by the West Shore RCMP is starting to gain traction as more and more residents sign on.
Launched in the winter of 2015, the local detachment’s bike registry has seen nearly 200 bicycles registered. This free program gives police a means to trace lost or stolen bicycles. The registration decals are also meant to act as a deterrent to potential thieves.
“We have received a positive response from community members and its success will only be measured by the number of bikes that have been lost or stolen, that will be found and returned to their owners,” said Const. Alex Berube, West Shore RCMP spokesperson.
So far this month, six bicycles have been reported stolen on the West Shore, the same number stolen for the entire month last year.
Last August, officers also discovered a cache of roughly 40 stolen bicycles, both whole and in pieces. Of those bikes, only three were able to be returned to their rightful owner by retracing serial numbers.
“The difference with your registered bike is we will be able to return the bicycle to you if found. We have all the bicycle’s info, including photos, to help with these bike theft investigations,” Berube noted. “Not to mention that a bike thief might think twice about stealing a bicycle identified as being registered with West Shore RCMP … We are all about preventing thefts.”
Bicycles are often stolen by opportunity seeking thieves, he said, as they are a quick, silent and effective way for prolific offenders to move around an area to commit crimes. Unlike motor vehicles, they lack licence plates that help identify the owner, which is the main motivation behind the bike program. The local detachment is hoping to see the registry continue to grow as more residents learn about it.
To register your bike, visit the West Shore RCMP, 698 Atkins Ave., Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. You can also go to bit.ly/2bB7K9G to request a copy of the forms online before visiting the local detachment.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391096421.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/64bd118d923319d676a769717f251bbf5b92129d91346a22825280b9d9666716.json |
[
"Jacob Zinn"
] | 2016-08-26T13:04:54 | null | null | Regional teams finish among leaders in B.C./Yukon championships | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fcommunity%2F391350071.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/71580goldstreamSN-lifeguardchampionship.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Lifeguard competition puts training to the test in Saanich | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | In green shirts, Nick Svab (left) and Sean Chambers of Team Gong Show from Surrey perform first aid on an “injured” Matt Treble during the recreation of a cycling accident at the 2016 Barnsley B.C./Yukon Lifeguard Championship. The two-day event, held at Saanich Commonwealth Place, featured a manikin relay, pool simulations and a variety of first aid scenarios to challenge lifeguards on their knowledge and judgment in times of crisis.
It’s not every day that lifeguards get to use their training, but at least once a year, they get to sharpen their skills through an annual competition.
Eleven teams of lifeguards from across the province, including five teams from Vancouver Island, dove headfirst into the 2016 Barnsley B.C./Yukon Lifeguard Championship last weekend at Saanich Commonwealth Place.
The two-day event featured a manikin relay, pool simulations and a variety of first-aid scenarios designed to challenge their knowledge and judgment in times of crisis.
“I think a lot of members of the public don’t always know the level of training that lifeguards have,” said Dale Miller, executive director of the Lifesaving Society’s B.C. and Yukon branch. “This competition certainly shows that level of training and displays the skills that they have. We feel this is an amazing opportunity for them to raise their skills to another level.”
Four of the five Island teams were from Greater Victoria, including Extreme Caution, The Heart Stoppers, Fantastic Rookies 2.0 and Mouth to Mouth, with Qualicum’s Ravensong Aquatic Centre team rounding out the Island entries.
The championship recreated real-world first aid scenarios, such as CPR on someone who’s choking, and assessing a cycling crash. Miller said the training lifeguards receive can be translated to many situations outside of swimming.
“I’ve had two recent situations where lifeguards have performed first aid out of the pool setting, outside of their jobs,” he recalled. “One incident was three young fellows from Kitimat on their way back from the Pemberton Music Festival. They came across a car accident, and with their skills, they reacted well, were calm under pressure, and they knew what to do.
“The other one was in Salt Spring just outside the aquatic centre – a man fell down from a heart attack. The lifeguards were out there quickly with a defibrillator and used their first aid and rescue skills and saved his life.”
Of the Greater Victoria teams, Extreme Caution placed second overall, placing first in the priority assessment, first aid and individual first aid competitions, but falling behind in the pool simulations, manikin relay and Barnsley relay.
The Heart Stoppers managed to excel where Extreme Caution didn’t, placing first in the relays but slipping in the other contests, resulting in their third place finish.
Fantastic Rookies 2.0 placed seventh overall, but left Saanich Commonwealth Place with the title of Rookie Team of the Year.
The top team of the competition was Abbotsford’s Eh Team, having aced the pool simulation and consistently placed second or third in the remaining competitions.
Miller said this year’s event was very successful and he hopes more lifeguards from around B.C. will turn out for next year’s competition.
“It’s nice to be able to take them out of the pool setting and test their first aid skills in different scenarios,” he said. “These are skills that they carry for a lifetime.”
editor@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/391350071.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/996b0469cd9c27a93fca0d599e65b4f5e25f30f9a69e15cb9b11883ec6ed128d.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:11:56 | null | null | Premier Christy Clark isn't going into next year's election with a promise to jack up Canada's only significant carbon tax | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F391051701.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/42735BCLN2007ClarkPolakNissanLeaf7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | BC VIEWS: B.C. fails to save the planet | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Premier Christy Clark and Environment Minister Mary Polak plug in an electric car at an announcement of the government's latest climate change plan in Richmond Aug. 19.
A B.C. Liberal operative was out with the online spin hours before Premier Christy Clark confirmed the much-leaked news in a Friday afternoon announcement at an obscure location in Richmond.
The, er, freeze is continuing for B.C.’s ground-breaking, world-saving carbon tax, which hasn’t changed since before Clark was elected in 2013.
The spin was Olympic-themed, with a picture labeled to show B.C. as a swimmer far out in the lead in the pool, to symbolize that it’s the other provinces that need to catch up in the race to save the planet.
Clark has been saying that for years, and there is merit to it. Even without a tax on “process emissions” such as from cement kilns, B.C.’s carbon tax encourages imports of non-taxed cement from the U.S. and China.
Alberta business professor Andrew Leach, who advised the Stephen Harper and then Rachel Notley governments on greenhouse gas policies, summed up the problem this way.
“Until the rest of the world has policies that impose similar cost, you’re not actually reducing emissions to the extent you think,” Leach said. “You’re just displacing the emissions and the economic activity to other jurisdictions.”
Alberta is moving to join B.C. with a modest carbon tax, but the NDP government plans to spend the proceeds rather than return them in income tax as B.C. has done. And Washington state and most of the rest of the world have no carbon tax as such, so their businesses benefit from B.C.’s “climate leadership.”
B.C.’s foreign-funded eco-radical community was, needless to say, appalled. The Pembina Institute’s Matt Horne and career protesters Tzeporah Berman and Merran Smith were named to the premier’s advisory committee last year, along with business, academic and aboriginal representatives.
They concluded that increases to B.C.’s broad-based tax on carbon fuels should resume its upward march in 2018.
Other committee members, including the mayors of Surrey, Comox and Burns Lake, were not heard from. Public discussion on this issue is now reduced to a staged conflict between those who demand a holy war on deadly carbon dioxide “pollution,” and those who don’t care if their grandchildren perish in a hell-fire of fossil fuel use.
We’ve just come off another El Nino year, like the hot year of 1998. Regular readers will recall the last time I discussed this topic was this spring, where I questioned the premier’s dire warnings of another horrendous forest fire season.
What followed has been one of the slowest forest fire seasons in the last decade, although dry conditions have finally emerged this month. Climate predictions, like next week’s weather forecast, are less than consistent.
I am regularly sent messages calling me a “climate change denier,” the nonsense term that continues to be used by federal Environment Minister Catharine McKenna among many others. I know of no one who denies that climate is always changing, at times dramatically.
If you wish to believe that paying an extra seven cents a litre for gasoline in B.C. is helping to slow the very gradual increase in temperatures we’re seeing in the northern hemisphere, you are free to do so.
You may even be persuaded to take a government subsidy and buy an expensive, short-range electric car. Me, I’m off to Prince Rupert and Revelstoke pretty soon, so I’ll stick with my little four-cylinder gas sipper for now.
Hydro-powered B.C. represents a small fraction of the less than two per cent Canada contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions. We’re not the problem, and no, the world is not looking to us for guidance.
Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca Twitter: @tomfletcherbc | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/391051701.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/8a52664fe5d2966f1e955dd9868161e158a3f6e3172ce177ca4f92d85ebad2f5.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:00:23 | null | null | Vehicle traffic up 5% with no net fare increase and discounts offered for vehicles pulling boats and travel trailers | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fbusiness%2F391094851.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/59772BCLN2007ferrySpiritofBC7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | More discounts coming as BC Ferries traffic rises | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | BC Ferries sailings have been busier this year, thanks in part to strong tourist traffic and no net fare increase.
BC Ferries plans to continue its campaign of price promotions this fall and next spring in an effort to maintain increased passenger and vehicle traffic.
First-quarter results for the Crown corporation show passenger traffic up 2.5 per cent and vehicle loads up 5.1 per cent for the three months ended June 30, compared with the same period in 2015.
Buoyed by a strong tourist year for B.C. and no net fare increase, BC Ferries carried 5.3 million passengers and 2.1 million vehicles in April, May and June. The 1.9 per cent average fare hike was erased by a reduced fuel surcharge due to long-term contracts for cheaper diesel fuel.
Helped by reduced operating costs and higher retail sales from terminals and on-board gift shops, net earnings were $27 million for the quarter, up from $18.8 million in the same period last year. Revenues were up 4.9 per cent to $219 million, while costs for the quarter went up 1.5 per cent to $178.6 million.
BC Ferries CEO Mike Corrigan released the first-quarter results at the corporation's annual meeting in Victoria, where he also announced that unspecified pricing promotions will be offered this fall and next spring. This year BC Ferries has been offering discounts on over-length vehicles pulling boats or travel trailers.
Corrigan also announced he will be stepping down as CEO at the end of the fiscal year next March. He was promoted in 2012 to replace former CEO David Hahn, and presided over a controversial service review that saw sailings reduced on money-losing routes.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone praised Corrigan for reducing operating costs and embracing new technology, including three new medium-sized ferries using liquefied natural gas fuel that have been built in Poland.
LNG retrofits are also scheduled for the Spirit of B.C. and the Spirit of Vancouver Island, the workhorses of the main Tswassen-to-Vancouver Island route.
Corrigan's term also saw the first cable ferry in the BC Ferries fleet, the Baynes Sound Connector to Denman Island. Stone said the cable ferry cut fuel costs by half. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/business/391094851.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/9bfa5116bddb990ca3519ae70448d2965f44bc7b441185379f0df356f7ed0e9c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:07 | null | null | A Colwood resident believes an LRT from downtown Victoria to the West Shore is a can't lose proposition. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F389798431.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTER: Regional commuter rail system could pay for itself | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The Aug. 3 Goldstream News Gazette doubled down on its attack on commuter rail for the CRD. The front page article is confusing, given that the ICF and the E&N lines represent sub-optimal (at best) options for commuter rail from the West Shore to Victoria, Saanich and Sidney.
Both fall back on the oft-used argument that any deviation from the conventional norm of bigger and wider single-passenger vehicle, fossil-fuel dependent highway infrastructure “better have a strong economic plan.”
I wonder what “bullet-proof economic plan” the McKenzie interchange has? At a cost of at least $85M, what return on investment do citizens in the West Shore hope to reap from this wonderful (and likely useless) interchange? How many big capital projects come in on budget in B.C.?
The business plan for the interchange is this: commuters on the West Shore are in for commuting hell starting this fall. They will bear the added cost of wasting their time in traffic jams heading into Victoria, across town to UVic or out to Sidney. It’s funny that our wasted time never seems to make it onto balance sheets of these “business plans.”
Commuters will bear the extra cost of filling their personal vehicles with gasoline at ever-volatile prices. Local businesses that need access to the roads during the day will bear the costs of having to wait longer as the construction drags on.
Once the project is completed, commuters will identify new and interesting bottlenecks in the system, such as Quadra Street and MacKenzie, Spencer Road, Millstream Road and the Six Mile mess in View Royal. Yes, while the interchange will alleviate some of the westbound traffic slowdowns from the downtown and UVic areas, it won’t take long until traffic piles up somewhere else.
The entire interchange is funded by taxpayers and will never directly remit a single cent to its costs (it is simply a road, after all). What a terrific business plan; get other people to pay for it.
Construction of a well-designed light rail transit commuter system, with logical stops beginning in Kettle Creek, through Westhills, but also from the Costco area, with connections in Colwood Corners, Royal Bay, into Victoria downtown, Cook Street Village, out to UVic and on to Sidney is a can’t lose proposition.
A properly planned system – one that does not necessarily use the existing rail network – would accommodate the inevitable growth of the West Shore regions while reducing traffic on the roadways. It has a cost-recovery mechanism built-in; the ridership.
Perhaps, with matching funding from the feds and the province, as is the case with the McKenzie interchange project, any added tax burdens to residents could be offset by an ownership stake in the system. Once profitable, the LRT could even pay dividends to the original investors – all of us who chip in.
That’s not to mention the costs savings in peoples’ time not driving (or idling) into Victoria in personal or commercial vehicles and the litany of hidden expenses that go along. As well, the LRT should be made with Canadian manufactured steel and cars and installed by local workers.
We’re way overdue to start thinking of alternatives to car commuting, other than building bigger, wider roads. If the E&N bureaucracy is impeding the conversation on LRT development, it should be shelved. But if it is willing to play a positive role, then it would be welcome as a stakeholder.
Eric Neilson
Colwood | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/389798431.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/fba3bb8f4abdcadc9354cc205297d682b04c089382a677afd447118ff260ee40.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:46 | null | null | One resident wants 'roadsters' without mufflers stopped | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F389510591.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/designimages/facebook_logo.png | en | null | LETTER: Traffic noise problem in Langford | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | LETTER: Traffic noise problem in Langford
I am writing to bring to your attention an ongoing problem with speedsters in Langford.
Since moving here 19 years ago, my husband and I have noticed an increase in the frequency of speeding, unmufflered, souped-up vehicles racing up and down the highway and particularly near Millstream Road exit 14. Our house is above the southeast corner of the highway and the Millstream overpass. Our windows are new, remain closed all year (since we have air conditioning) and most of the time traffic is a background purr. Except, that is, for these “roadsters,” who disrespect their fellow citizens at all hours of the evening and night (especially on weekends).
They roar about with abandon oblivious to the harm they are causing with their noise pollution. I have variously heard them street racing, or tearing onto the highway down to a subsequent exit, leaving and rejoining the highway, then tearing back, often squealing around the rock island adjacent to the Millstream overpass. They occasionally squeal round and round in one of the nearby shopping parking lots.
At one time, years back, Langford was known by some as “Dog Patch,” a place where many of the wealth-disadvantaged hung out. Thanks to our mayor, those “Dog Patch” days are gone.
Our roads have been replaced with wide, flower-decorated loveliness. Even our strip malls have been given facelifts.
The rest of Greater Victoria visits us for our wide range of free parking shopping opportunities. We have an outstanding recreation centre and kids playground, the best movie theatre in town, Bear Mountain golf course, a Saturday market, new Y facility and much more.
So, I think you will agree, it is long overdue that these “Dukes of Hazzard” be put in their place. It is time to get out the ticket book and stop them from treating us with such a lack of respect, not to mention being stopped from breaking the law, damaging the roads we all pay for, and devaluing our community.
I sincerely hope the West Shore RCMP will have the time and resources to deal with this for the last time and are able to make clear to these persons that this is not acceptable behaviour in any community.
This small group of law-breakers disturbing so many, for so long, and so often, must end.
Delphine Cummings
Langford
Editor’s note: The West Shore RCMP is investigating this complaint. The Capital Regional District’s Integrated Road Safety Unit has also been contacted regarding this problem. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/letters/389510591.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/0ce6597dcef91bb6cd88fc094a4757037e60205e54e90c875cdd268caf7653c6.json |
[
"Katherine Engqvist"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:27 | null | null | As rags soaked in substances such as wood stain dry, they create heat and can ignite | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391226371.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Truck fire serves as good reminder for West Shore residents | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Langford Fire Rescue is reminding West Shore residents to be extra careful when disposing of oily rags or other materials soaked in combustible substances.
The department was recently called to a fire that started in the back of a pickup truck at roughly 3 a.m. By the time crews arrived on scene the truck was fully engulfed, said Assistant Chief Chris Aubrey. The owner had been doing work on a fence and bits of cedar, oily rags and cans of stain were left in the bed of the pickup. That combination is believed to be what started the fire.
“It just got bigger and bigger. Eventually it broke the back window,” Aubrey said, adding “neighbours were alerted by the sound of the horn going off.”
As rags soaked in substances such as wood stain dry, they create heat and can ignite. This process can be accelerated by sunshine, but generally combustion occurs after a few hours, Aubrey noted, and is often not something residents think of when they finish working on a project.
Oily rags were also believed to be the cause of a house fire last summer. Aubrey noted he’s even attended a fire where the rags smouldered and caught fire in the laundry basket at a commercial kitchen after staff had finished cleaning for the night.
“Never put them in the dryer,” he said, even if rags have gone through a washing machine.
Aubrey noted the best way of disposing of soiled rags is to place them in a sealed metal container. That way if a fire does occur it will burn up the oxygen in the container and put itself out. He noted some residents even fill the container with water as a preventative measure.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391226371.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/ae78f017d6afeadfb5118eff9526b38f532851b6aa78c52c67f6998dc06292c3.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:12:19 | null | null | Premier Christy Clark has pulled out the duct tape to fix up rural schools, school buses and the minimum wage | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F390325601.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/3565BCLN2007ClarkOakesruralschools7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | BC VIEWS: Premier Red Green’s fast fixes | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | A totally spontaneous expression of gratitude breaks out for Premier Christy Clark and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes at the Quesnel rodeo after a rural school fund was announced in June.
Comedian Steve Smith, better known as Red Green, is touring B.C. in September, reprising his popular TV series in which he fixes every conceivable problem with duct tape.
Green’s “I’m Not Old I’m Ripe” tour hits Chilliwack, Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Surrey, Vernon, Kelowna and Prince George.
His formula for deploying the handyman’s secret weapon has proven so popular that Premier Christy Clark may have been inspired. She’s had quite a flurry of hasty repairs in the last few months. Here’s a recap.
The B.C. minimum wage was starting to lag behind other provinces, even after the overhaul it received in 2015, where annual increases are tied to inflation.
Like Red’s truck tires, there has been a lack of inflation, and a surge of government spending back east leaving B.C. in the dust. B.C.’s wage rose 20 cents last year and was set to go up by another whole dime this fall.
There was that familiar ripping sound in May as Clark and Jobs Minister Shirley Bond announced the September increase will be patched up to 40 cents, with another 40-cent increase next fall. Two wraps should hold it until after the election.
Remember the episode where Red taped two old Hyundai Ponies side by side to make a handyman’s Hummer? The school system has seen that kind of work in recent months.
The first roll was applied by Education Minister Mike Bernier when he announced in March that the ministry’s “fix-it fund” was going from $35 million to $40 million. Then in mid-May, he announced 80 successful projects. The “fix-it fund” had fattened to $45 million, and Bernier was just getting his sleeves rolled up.
Hey school districts, remember the $25 million in “administrative savings” the ministry demanded for the second year in a row? Now that you’ve squeezed that from your budgets, Bernier’s good news at the end of May was that the government’s giving it back to use for “front line services for students.”
One of those services could be “maintaining schools despite falling enrolment in certain regions,” Bernier announced May 31, foreshadowing the next layer of repairs.
Sure enough, a “rural schools fund” was rolled out on June 15. Clark and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes made the announcement in Quesnel, where Kersley and Parkland elementary schools were going to close.
Also eligible for a special fund was Okanagan-Similkameen, where Osoyoos high school students were going to be bused a half hour to Oliver. This is hardly unusual in rural schooling around B.C., but these are swing ridings, you see.
Kootenay Lake district declined the opportunity to keep Yahk elementary open, with an anticipated fall enrolment of zero students. This all comes during the annual ritual combat between the ministry and Vancouver school board over keeping half-empty schools open.
Bernier had one more roll in his overalls. School bus service, one of those things jettisoned or saddled with hundreds of dollars in fees per student as districts scraped up those “administrative savings,” was selectively saved with another $15 million fund announced last week.
There have been a few other country fixes. They’re not going to ban weddings on farms any more, for instance.
That old jalopy in the back yard you’ve been trying to soup up and get back on the road? Soon you can get a collector plate for that thing, which is perfect if you can only get it running once or twice a year.
To paraphrase Red, if the voters don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Tom Fletcher is B.C. legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press. Email: tfletcher@blackpress.ca Twitter: @tomfletcherbc | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/390325601.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/4382e6a73b45cf2092acaafc4586a7373ec1da6a2db82db05f61ee5e9ba30447.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:39 | null | 2014-02-04T00:00:00 | Guns intercepted at Pacific region border crossings up 116 per cent compared to this time last year | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391214101.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/12413BCLN2007Gunsabb-HuntingtonCBSA2014-2.4.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | U.S. border gun seizures double | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Guns seized from visitors entering Canada at the Huntington-Abbotsford border crossing, 2014.
Canadian Border Services Agency has seen a 116 per cent increase in the number of firearms seized in the Pacific Region in the first half of 2016.
With a 10 per cent increase also recorded in the Prairie region, the CBSA is working with U.S. officials on a firearms awareness campaign to remind Americans about restrictions on bringing guns into Canada.
"Attempting to smuggle firearms across the border can result in immediate forfeiture, hefty fines and even significant jail time," said Kim Scoville, CBSA's regional director general for the Prairie region.
Visitors entering the border inspection line should declare any firearms at their first opportunity. Border services officers will take possession of the weapon if it is declared, but the visitor has the option of shipping it back under CBSA supervision or surrendering it without prosecution.
The RCMP has procedures for visitors bringing firearms into Canada | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391214101.html | en | 2014-02-04T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/44662478724873258e7d2ccbb7bc9b4b28d0a7692c354eea493a5169a173b806.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-26T13:04:14 | null | null | CRD Park naturalists explore the coastline in East Sooke Regional Park | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fcommunity%2F391065521.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Tree walk, coast stroll are on tap | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Petroglyphs are one of the highlights of an upcoming coastline walk with Capital Regional District Park naturalists, this Saturday (Aug. 27) from 10 a.m. to noon in East Sooke Regional Park.
The walk is suitable for anyone aged eight and up, and sturdy shoes are recommended. Meet at the kiosk in the Aylard Farm parking lot off Becher Bay Road. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/391065521.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/c8c84264eb8fde6e66c32c09923046945a83a1739e32d1a3f84b2bfeaa288ff2.json |
[
"Rick Stiebel"
] | 2016-08-26T12:54:16 | null | null | Capital Regional District’s Arts Development Service has launched Building our #Arts Future Together | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fentertainment%2F388192312.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Survey addresses state of the arts | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | If the arts speak to you, here’s an opportunity to speak to the arts.
The Capital Regional District’s Arts Development Service has launched Building our #Arts Future Together, a public consultation and engagement process to encourage regional community participation in identifying priorities and actions for the CRD Arts Strategy.
An online survey at placespeak.com/CRDArtsFuture will provide arts groups the opportunity to weigh in on the direction of the regional future of arts, said Colin Plant, chair of the CRD arts committee.
“Building our #ArtsTogether will provide many opportunities to participate in shaping the CRD Arts Strategy,” Plant said.
The survey is open to arts groups, whether they currently receive CRD grant funding or not.
Pre-consultation sessions in June helped to shape the design of the public consultation and engagement process and outreach to diverse stakeholders, including more than 100 arts groups.
In addition, arts community workshops will be held from Sept. 19 to 24 at various locations throughout the region to provide more opportunities to participate. The workshops will be followed by an Arts Champions Summit, taking place Nov. 3 to 5, with registration expected to open soon.
Community members interested in participating should visit placespeaksFuture.com./CRDArtsFuture.com.
The CRD Arts Development Service is supported by Saanch, Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Metchosin, Highlands, View Royal and Sidney.
The CRD awarded $2,121,240 in operating grants to 31 organizations in 2016.
For more on the CRD Arts Development Service, visit crd.bc.ca/services/arts-funding. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/entertainment/388192312.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/7ca914470c949475bd03c9f8650c6f80af44340a39136a038652f8efac7ac941.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:06:33 | null | null | Small communities have more than 400 doctor vacancies, with 'telehealth' and visiting specialists filling gaps | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Flifestyles%2F385489111.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/32759BCLN2007Kelly-Doug15-2.4.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Video links grow as rural health care shrinks | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Doug Kelly, chair of the B.C. First Nations Health Council
With patients in urban areas having difficulty finding a family doctor, the situation in rural B.C. is going from bad to worse, MLAs on the province's health committee were told Monday.
Ed Staples, a member of the B.C. Health Coalition, described his efforts to improve the situation in Princeton, a community of about 5,000 people that four years ago was down to one doctor providing on-call service.
Princeton now has four full-time doctors and two nurse practitioners, but there are still people who can't find a doctor in the region, including Penticton an hour and a half away. A recent search of the College of Physicians and Surgeons website turned up the nearest doctor accepting patients in Courtney on Vancouver Island, Staples said.
Health Match BC, the province's web portal for recruiting doctors, nurses and other health professionals, currently has more than 400 general practitioner vacancies, with 37 communities seeking 85 doctors. The result is "bidding wars" between communities to offer incentives to relocating doctors, and foreign doctors using a rural community as an entry point before relocating to the Lower Mainland, he said.
The B.C. government has announced its latest videoconferencing service for health care, linking psychiatrists with young people in Cranbrook. The service is available twice a month at the local Children and Family Development office, supplementing visits by specialists in communities such as Cranbrook and Princeton. Health Minister Terry Lake says video conferencing and electronic health records are a key part of the solution for reaching patients across B.C.
Doug Kelly, chair of the B.C. First Nations Health Council, told the committee of an Abbotsford doctor who travels to Carrier Sekani territory around Prince George for part of his practice, in a pilot project with Northern Health.
Kelly said video links and nurse practitioners are part of the solution to delivering rural and remote care, but the main obstacle is the business model for doctors that has them cycling through as many as 20 patients an hour to bill enough to cover their office overhead.
Committee members were also reminded that graduating doctors are increasingly reluctant to take on the demands of family practice, especially in smaller communities where they may find themselves on call around the clock. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/lifestyles/385489111.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/864a58aa43c084c3e40736fff72bca814cff12df9e75a1c6c0219385c5e76b2e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:18 | null | null | A Colwood resident writes about her concerns regarding chronic speeders on Fulton Rd. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F390353261.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | LETTERS: Speed problems persist on Fulton | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Re: Traffic noise problem in Langford (Letters, Aug. 5)
I heartily agree with Delphine Cummings’ comments, but the problem is not restricted to Langford. Colwood has similar problems and in particular on Fulton Road, the main road going up Triangle Mountain.
The speed limit is 50 km/h, but the majority of truck, van and motorcycle owners seem to think it is 80 km/h, as that certainly is the average speed they go up it, putting the pedal to the floor.
A few days ago a young man lost control of his vehicle on the way up and crashed into a ditch. Perhaps a deer got in the way but excessive speed gives you much less time to react.
There is a motorcyclist who has an extremely noisy bike who goes up at a tremendous speed at night, estimated at close to 100 km/h. We had some friends over the other evening and one of them made a comment about a future organ donor. Sadly, that could be the result, as deer frequent the area.
Many cars speeding down seem to think that honking their horns at the deer will make them get out of the way. That is a noise they don’t relate to and it is a waste of time.
Lastly, my husband saw a young cyclist biking down the hill who had stayed away from the edge of the road, as it is not even.
A car behind him was honking at him to move over and get out of the way.
Some people seem to have lost all sense of courtesy and sharing the road (even with the deer).
The few seconds extra it takes to slow down a bit may in fact save your life.
Eileen Bell
Colwood | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/390353261.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/2a3dd97c1f6fb498ffbbf5af5b21a10b27d654e90121541812f5c307c13d6b43.json |
[
"Katherine Engqvist"
] | 2016-08-26T13:10:12 | null | null | Waterfront park space set to open on east side of property | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391227121.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/18031goldstreamGNG-HomeFinderRoyalBay-KE.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Royal Bay development fast taking shape in Colwood | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Ben Mycroft, Royal Bay project director, stands in Meadow Park. Behind him, a naturalized play park featuring old-growth stumps carved into climbing structures waits for children. Mycroft said this park, and the many others planned for the site, are not just for Royal Bay residents to enjoy, but all Colwood residents.
Colwood’s newest seaside community welcomed its first residents last week.
“We’re pretty excited, there’s so much happening,” said Ben Mycroft, Royal Bay project director.
But while amenities for those residents continue to be added to the site, developers are also looking to offer more to neighbouring residents.
“We focus a lot on the public realm,” he noted, as crews continued to make improvements to Latoria Boulevard. “It’s neat to start to see the integration with surrounding neighbourhoods.” Mycroft added that he is increasingly seeing neighbouring residents out walking their dogs or going for a run through the site.
The entire Royal Bay project is designed to eventually become a series of inter-connected communities. All of those mini communities will share a certain walkability, with all homes within a five-minute walk from a park.
With 2,300 homes planned to house approximately 7,000 people, that’s a lot of park space. Mycroft said roughly 25 per cent of the site – approximately 100 acres – is earmarked for parks and it was a significant part of the site design. “It’s a real focus for the development.”
With its own master plan that has been adopted by Colwood council, Royal Bay will take an estimated 20 years to fully build out. “For Victoria that’s the reality of how fast you can build homes,” Mycroft said, noting it is also a nice, measured pace for Colwood residents. “We’re here for the long haul,” he added.
But it’s not just houses that are popping up on the current landscape. While the site spent 100 years as a gravel pit, the developers are working hard to introduce new ecosystems and restore some natural elements.
“We’re very proud of Meadow Park … It’s the first park we’ve built,” Mycroft said of the new green space, visible from Latoria Boulevard. “We’ve invested in this beautiful park that’s going to be an asset to all Colwood residents.”
A blue construction fence is keeping onlookers from entering the space while the last few finishing touches are made.
But residents can clearly see that the manicured, urban-style space also incorporates wood elements in a naturalized play park. “There’s an old growth stump that has been carved into a play feature,” Mycroft noted.
The park also features a storm channel that connects with Murray’s Pond. While the rock bed is dry in the summer months, it will flood during stormy weather.
Landscaping in the park is also a step in a new direction. “We’ve introduced a Garry oak ecosystem,” he said. “It’s quite rare; it’s a threatened ecosystem in the Victoria area.”
A similar landscaping design is also featured along the site’s main road, Latoria Boulevard, which will eventually connect directly to the new Royal Bay Beach Park, scheduled to open on Sept. 10. That beach access may just be the site’s best kept secret. The roughly 1.3 kilometres of waterfront used to provide the main access to the site’s mine. In more recent years, it has seen its fair share of grad parties as public access was limited. That is all set to change next month.
“It’s very important to us to provide access for not just future Royal Bay residents, but all Colwood residents,” Mycroft said. “It’s pretty cool that we’re able to provide this new amenity.”
Less than a kilometre away from Esquimalt Lagoon, the park has been a priority for the development and the plan is to “make it an exciting and vibrant recreational venue.”
More details on the Beach Park will be released closer to the grand opening. In the meantime, Mycroft said, the goal is “re-connecting to other parts of Colwood.”
Part of that means minimizing some of the negatives that go along with construction.
“We go to great lengths to keep all of our neighbours happy,” he said. “Purely out of respect for our neighbours, we require our contractors to use non-disturbing backup indicators.” He noted they also invest heavily in dust suppression measures.
While those water trucks make regular appearances travelling on Latoria Boulevard, it’s also hard to miss the site of the future Neighbourhood House.
“The idea behind the Neighbourhood House is to provide a sense of place for Royal Bay,” Mycroft said. “The residents we’ve talked to have expressed real excitement.”
The building itself is meant to be an icon on the Royal Bay landscape, both in design and by offering a number of amenities for residents including a cafe, recreational space and areas for families to use for events. Construction is expected to begin this fall and be completed by the end of 2017.
With more homes taking shape on the massive property, it’s definitely getting harder to see the old gravel pit.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391227121.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/ddc31e98dc302b9a6848f5e6aacfbbfd74f41a37e0d509811e2dcaa4c8f180ce.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:42 | null | null | Residents in a section of Fleetwood Court are concerned about the stability of a nearby rock retaining wall. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F391051781.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/42815goldstreamGNG-Fleetwoodwall1.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Retaining wall issue in Langford a bit of a conundrum | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Fleetwood Court resident Johnathan Chase Singfield checks out exposed tree roots at the base of a large retaining wall below his home.
When a section of Fleetwood Court was built high above Setchfield Road in Langford, the area topography required the use of large, engineered rock retaining walls to safely support the hillside and minimize the potential for the homes to slide down the hill in the event of an earthquake.
The lack of sewer services in the area at the time prompted developers to create septic fields below the walls, but after the homes were hooked up to the new sewer lines, the need for the septic fields was negated.
It was only a matter of time before someone moved to develop on the property below. In recent weeks, crews working on one such site have been clearing brush, digging, pushing around soil and generally preparing the land for the development of five single family homes.
As reported last week in the Gazette, residents of three homes directly above are concerned how close the digging is coming to the base of the wall and whether the integrity of the structure is being compromised.
Sounds to us like a valid safety issue. While it seemed as of last week that a distinct lack of communication existed between the developer and neighbours, we were somewhat surprised when the City of Langford stated that such situations are a private property matter.
If that is the case, then whose responsibility is it to ensure that steps are taken to prevent a potential disaster? In general, the onus falls upon property owners above the retaining wall, since the developers who constructed it and their homes are long gone.
But what happens if a developer looking to build on the low side of the wall picks away at the earth around it and damages the integrity of the hillside? It seems a bit like poking a hornet’s nest then blaming the hornets after getting stung.
At least one homeowner has consulted their insurance provider to get more information on who would be at fault in the event of a failure of the wall and collapsing of the hillside.
This scenario seems a great opportunity for the City to show leadership and work with the developer in advance to help ensure the safety of its residents and prevent something devastating from happening. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/391051781.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/0fa8767908fcf3a91350b5ecf8a398323577df92ea1a0782d7c57f3f24dd88bb.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-30T18:50:38 | null | null | Some urban districts struggle with overcrowding, special funds for declining rural schools, bus service to take effect | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391773061.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/2045BCLN2007Schoolstudentblurwide-BJ7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | B.C. school enrolment up for second year | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Students return to public school next week, with changes to curriculum and some provincial exams.
Students are returning to class next week in most of B.C.'s public schools, with enrolment expected to be up province-wide for the second year running.
Education Minister Mike Bernier says early forecasts show about 529,000 students, an increase of 2,900 from last year. But that increase is centred on fast-growing school districts, while many rural areas continue to struggle with declining student numbers.
Among changes that parents and students will see this year is a new curriculum in place up to Grade 9, with a test year for changes in the senior grades. Bernier said the new emphasis on collaboration and communication skills does not mean a watering down of the basic skills, and is designed to improve students' ability to work at modern jobs.
Report cards are to continue this school year, but the ministry is reviewing its system with an eye to providing more frequent updates. Parents are being consulted on the changes, Bernier said.
Foundation Skills Assessment tests in grades four and seven are also continuing after years of protests from teacher unions, but that program is also being examined for possible changes. FSA tests will be "enhanced" but not eliminated, Bernier said.
Provincial exams continue for graduates in math and English, but science and social studies will now be assessed at a classroom level rather than school-wide tests, Bernier said.
The ministry provided a series of top-ups to education funding this year, for bus service and to keep selected rural schools from closing. Applications are still being taken for a transportation fund until Sept. 30, requiring districts to drop across-the-board school bus fees to qualify.
Districts may still charge transportation fees for international students or those from outside a school catchment area.
NDP leader John Horgan highlighted the crowding in Surrey school district, where 7,000 students remain in portables despite an expansion program. The NDP says the B.C. government's claim of record per-student funding ignores a reduction of education funding as a share of the provincial economy.
"Since 2001, the B.C. Liberals have dragged public education funding in this province from the second best in Canada to the second worst," Horgan said. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391773061.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/0752cbe39b804126a88200ce3afe73b7bce0e17612f5feb06ab7cc51dbe86a95.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:08 | null | null | Lanterns, art installations, entertainment featured Sept. 24 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fentertainment%2F390341841.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/9633goldstreamGNG-LightUptheHillsimg2.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Langford neighbourhood set to Light up the Hills | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Kristi Hoffman with the West Shore Arts Council tries her hand at crafting a lantern in advance of the Light up the Hills lantern-making workshops around the West Shore. The sessions are being held in preparation for the first ever Festival of Light in Westhills.
Westhills is getting ready to light it up next month for the first ever Festival of Light.
Sloganed “Light up the Hills,” this celebration of art, music and performance, co-sponsored by Westhills and the West Shore Arts Council, brings together various aspects of the arts community with residents of this growing Langford neighbourhood and beyond.
On Saturday, Sept. 24 starting at 7:30 p.m., families and neighbours in Westhills will join together in an engagement in art. Three upcoming lantern-making workshops will provide the vehicle for creating a special light with which to walk through the neighbourhood on the night, and residents are also encouraged to decorate their homes for this special evening.
The workshops, to be led by West Shore artists, are planned for Sept. 17 (3 to 6 p.m.) at Eagle Ridge Centre, Sept. 20 at the Langford Legion (4 to 6 p.m.) and Sept. 21 at the Coast Collective Arts Centre at 318 Wale Rd. in Colwood. Registration is required and a $9 fee applies. Visit westshorearts.org for more signup information.
The Lighthouse Academy of Dance and Victoria Conservatory of Music will provide the entertainment for the evening. The musicians will form a contemporary band playing a mash-up of jazz, folk and gypsy styles.
Organizers put out a call for South Vancouver Island artists to submit proposals for original illuminated installation designs, to be placed along the walking route. The three artists or groups selected are expected to be announced soon.
The deadline for volunteers to sign up for the event is Sept. 1. Visit westshorearts.org and click on events, then click on Light Up the Hills Call for Volunteers to find a form to fill out and submit to info@ westshortearts.org. For updates on schedule and entertainment lineup, visit the Light Up the Hills page on Facebook.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/entertainment/390341841.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/ebb209131590f86e865f5c3d89e18c259183dc1136d87e1b3a461cbc8a581662.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:07:05 | null | null | Collector plates will be available next year for modified as well as stock cars made between 1958 and 1974 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Flifestyles%2F389536851.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/25111BCLN2007Chevrolet_Camaro1969-wikim7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Collector program expanding to 'muscle cars' | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Modified versions of the 1969 Camaro SS and other popular vehicles will soon be eligible for B.C. collector plates, allowing occasional use for parades and car shows.
The B.C. government is expanding its collector vehicle licence system to include eligible modified cars made between 1958 and 1974, to capture the popular "muscle car" era of the 1960s.
The ICBC collector plate program gives car enthusiasts a lower-cost licence plate that allows occasional use for parades and classic car shows. ICBC plans to take applications starting in 2017 for eligible modified vehicles up to 1974, and replica cars resembling North American production cars from 1942 and earlier.
With strict rules that the cars must be in "collectible condition," changes will take in modified popular cars from the Dodge Duster to the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, as well as replicas of the popular Ford "deuce coupe" from the 1930s.
Premier Christy Clark announced a break for older cars this spring, allowing vehicles from 1940 or earlier and their replicas to run without fenders or mud flaps when the highway is dry and paved.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone said the collector car industry is significant for B.C., with registered collector vehicles having doubled to 26,000 in the past 10 years.
"We want to see this specialty vehicle program remain viable, preserve vehicle history and evolve with the times," Stone said. "That's why we are opening up the opportunity to owners of specialty cars within the 'muscle car' era."
Currently, the standard collector plate is available to cars 25 years or older, as well as discontinued or limited production vehicles 15 years or older. It requires a stock engine with no performance enhancements, no rust, dents or "significant wear and tear" of the interior.
Modified vehicles from 1958 or older are currently eligible for collector plates, if they retain the shell of the original body but have parts replaced or modified in the chassis, engine, suspension, steering or brakes.
Owners have to apply for a collector or modified collector plate, with purchase and parts bills, photos and inspection reports.
Applications for collector and modified collector programs are available on ICBC's website, www.icbc.com, and can be dropped off at Autoplan brokers. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/lifestyles/389536851.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/1b76ff1b3644e984b06535a2700ad44d7afe0818d99d7cb622e4dfb968968ed4.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:08:52 | null | null | Totem symbolizes Coast Salish tradition of respectful listening, with little effect on ill-tempered debate in Victoria | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Flifestyles%2F379233101.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/77020BCLN2007talkingstick7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Talking stick tradition comes to B.C. legislature [with video] | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Aboriginal elders brought a Coast Salish talking stick into the B.C. legislature this week, in a solemn ceremony that had little lasting effect on the heckling and interruptions of political debate in Victoria.
A replica of the totem pole on the grounds of Government House, the ornate stick represents the right to speak and receive a respectful hearing in aboriginal tradition. It was carved by Songhees artist James Delorme and presented to former Lieutenant Governor Steven Point in 2011 at a ceremony to mark the official naming of the Salish Sea.
Current Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon was on hand May 11 to present the stick to B.C. legislature Speaker Linda Reid, with a ceremonial prayer in the SENCOTEN language by elders Elmer George and Mary Anne Thomas.
"We present it to everybody this House but also to everybody that may come through these doors in the future," said Chief Ron Sam of the Songhees Nation.
Reid said in a statement the talking stick will remain in the legislature until the next election in May 2017.
After the ceremony, Reid continued her struggle to maintain order in the rancourous debate of question period, which has declined more frequently into shouting matches as the next election approaches. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/lifestyles/379233101.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/8dcc76bde6b2b08fa2d4b3dfa8aee57598d2b1e79138a57b7976b78d1ed5e5a6.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:08:29 | null | null | 1,800 new spaces in 30 communities to start construction this fall, minister Stephanie Cadieux says | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Flifestyles%2F381686451.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/36574BCLN2007daycarewikimedia7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Child care spaces funded for 30 BC communities | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Daycare spaces are in short supply in some areas of B.C. and costs are high.
More than 1,800 new child care spaces should be under construction by this fall, with the latest round of financing from the B.C. government.
New or expanded facilities in 30 communities have been selected from funding applications received in January, said Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux. The $11.3 million budget for this year is the third phase of a child care expansion project funded by the ministry.
The province's goal is to have construction underway by September.
"It will vary somewhat from provider to provider, depending on whether they are building a facility from the ground up with this money, or whether they are adding to an existing facility," Cadieux said.
Projects in the Lower Mainland include six sites in Surrey, two each in Abbotsford, Langley and Coquitlam and one each in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Burnaby, Delta and Squamish.
On Vancouver Island, funding goes to three projects in Duncan and one each in Nanaimo, Victoria, Comox, Port Hardy and Tofino.
In the B.C. Interior, three projects are approved for Kelowna, two in Penticton, and one each in Naramata, Castlegar, Cranbrook, Enderby, Princeton, Houston, Kamloops, Merritt, Vanderhoof and Dawson Creek.
For a full list of facilities and number of spaces, see backgrounder here.
The ministry has posted a new child care map on its website to help parents locate facilities here.
The province provides child care subsidies to qualified low-income parents, and covers about 15 per cent of daycare operating costs. But the cost of land and operations drives the price of child care up to $1,400 per month or more in urban areas. Cadieux said the province is working with municipalities to review regulations.
"We're looking at the restrictions we put on child care providers in terms of outdoor space, in terms of sun access," she said. "We want to make sure that child care is safe and that we have quality, but we also want to make sure that we're not creating a situation that is unreasonable." | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/lifestyles/381686451.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/907967b30a0e03a39555569fe0ccda2e38a30e56de58e6c8a3b836f2670d7038.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-26T13:13:32 | null | null | Game 3 against Burrards set for Sunday at 6 p.m. back in Colwood | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391356351.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Shamrocks look to regain upper hand in game 2 of WLA final | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The road to a fourth straight Western Lacrosse Association championship won't be a cakewalk for the Victoria Shamrocks.
The three-time defending WLA title holders head to Maple Ridge for game 2 tomorrow night (Aug. 26) down 1-0 in the series after losing the opener 11-6 at The Q Centre on Wednesday.
For those fans unable to make the trip to the Cam Neely Arena for the contest, a live feed will be shown at Brown's Social House on Goldstream Avenue in downtown Langford. Game time is 6 p.m.
Game 3 in the best-of-seven series returns to Colwood on Sunday for another 6 p.m. start.
Wednesday's game saw the Shamrocks start well and eventually outshoot the Burrards 53-43. But the slim 3-2 lead they built by the 8:30 mark of the first period evaporated quickly, as the Burrards scored the next seven goals in the game to take control.
Back to back power play goals from Cory Conway and Rhys Duch early in the third period pulled the Shamrocks to within four at 9-5. The locals had more man advantage situations in the period, but Maple Ridge goalie Frank Scigliano came up big. He would be named the game's first star.
Duch and Corey Small led the Shamrocks attack with two goals and two assists each. Junior callup Braylon Lumb scored the team's other goal, giving him seven in as many playoff games.
Dan Taylor had a goal and six helpers to lead Maple Ridge, while Ben McIntosh and Jarrett Davis had two goals each.
In net, Shamrocks starter Adam Shute was lifted for Cody Hagedorn after the sixth goal midway through the second period.
Fans looking to get tickets for Sunday's game can purchase them at Shamrocks team store (967 Langford Pkwy.), by calling 250-478-7625, or by visiting victoriashamrocks.com. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391356351.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/727a77c4ea2c940a042073c546679b161d570c757bbe6a21cf9a774d10566f3f.json |
[
"Joel Tansey"
] | 2016-08-27T20:51:12 | null | null | There was very little thunder in this year's Thunder Bowl, as UBC were dominated by the visiting Bisons by a 50-7 score. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391500761.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/58345goldstreamDSC_0637.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Slideshow: Bisons roll over Thunderbirds at Westhills Stadium in Langford | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | null | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391500761.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/0cb31169c7c96b2a75dd07bb2bcae8fb3b5efd59a6057c440a0b66690e0cee94.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:49:57 | null | null | The Shamrocks, Rebels and the Thunder Bowl will make this a busy sports weekend on the West Shore. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391352131.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/72712goldstreamGNG-ShamrocksGm7-3.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Jock Talk: Football, lacrosse lead sports parade on the West Shore | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Greg Harnett, left, and the Victoria Shamrocks host the Maple Ridge Burrards in game 3 of the Western Lacrosse Association final this Sunday at 6 p.m. at The Q Centre.
Senior lacrosse action is heating up with the Victoria Shamrocks taking on the Maple Ridge Burrards in the Western Lacrosse Association best-of-seven final. Play opened at home on Wednesday (after the Gazette deadline), and continues with Game 2 in Maple Ridge tonight (Aug. 26) and Game 3 at The Q Centre on Sunday at 6 p.m. If necessary, Game 5 will be played Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 7:45 p.m. in Colwood and Game 7 here Sunday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.
See CIS football Vanier Cup-winning University of British Columbia Thunderbirds take on the University of Manitoba Bisons tonight (Aug. 26) at Westhills Stadium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with kick-off at 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit Greater Victoria Minor Football, Westshore Rebels and the UBC Football Island Scholarship Fund. Visit vithunderbowl.com/ for tickets.
The Westshore Rebels aim to extend their winning streak this Saturday, when they take on the Valley Huskers at 4 p.m. at Westhills Stadium.
Community youth basketball returns to the hardwood this fall and Westshore Basketball is accepting registration for its Tuesday night beginner camps, running Oct. 4 to Nov. 29. The first group is for children aged five to seven with limited experience and takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. The second group, for more experienced players aged 7 to 9, takes place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For registration or other details email bball.westshore@gmail.com or visit westshorebasketball.com.
Woman2Warrior, the women’s 5k obstacle adventure race, hits the track, trails and grass at West Shore Parks & Recreation this Sunday. A dozen obstacles are designed to challenge strength, agility, balance and endurance. Event-day registration is available; visit victoria.woman2warrior.ca for details.
The Langford Legion is planning its third Mighty 91 Golf Tournament and dinner. The 18-hole scramble includes lunch and dinner at the Legion, transportation, 18 holes at Olympic View Golf Club, including cart and practice balls, and other prizes. For details visit rcl91.ca or phone 250-478-1828.
Victoria Eagles Baseball, a regional high-performance club, opens its instructional fall ball session Sept. 6. The program, running eight weeks to Oct. 28, is open to all players born between 1998 and 2004, no matter where they played in 2016 or where they intend to play in 2017. Visit victoriaeagles.com for details and registration information.
Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 12 student at Mt. Douglas Secondary. Send your coming sports events to jocktalk@telus.net. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391352131.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/b82332775d33a120193606bba12b0a663303cc9aac6e76fc148c3a1df2e07dba.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:49 | null | null | A City project to install traffic lights and realign the intersection of Goldstream Ave. and Leigh Rd. is nearly complete. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F390352491.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | EDITORIAL: Langford getting handle on traffic | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Residents, visitors and commercial drivers alike are adjusting to a changed traffic situation at the corner of Leigh Road and Goldstream Avenue this week and will continue to do so in the coming days and weeks.
The City of Langford’s project to realign the intersection and install traffic lights to help deal with the increased traffic flowing through the area is all but done. We applaud the City for tackling head on one of its most persistent road problems, one directly related to increased volume and questionable safety.
As the area with the fastest growth in its population in the Capital Region, Langford is slowly, but surely getting a handle on its internal traffic situation. Traffic logjams on main thoroughfares such as Millstream and Jacklin roads will no doubt continue, especially with no apparent slowdown to the number of single-passenger vehicle trips being made – a challenge faced by not just Langford, but municipalities across the Capital Region.
The City has for some time been tasked with how to make traffic flow smoothly between its boundaries. The engineering department has taken steps to address that over the years, replacing the old Millstream Road with Veterans Memorial Parkway, working with the province on exits from and on-ramps onto the Trans Canada Highway, and other projects.
The West Shore Parkway extension is expected to take stress off Sooke Road/Island Highway between Glen Lake and the View Royal on-ramp, when it opens fully in spring 2018. Likewise the Bear Mountain Parkway completion to the TCH, as it relates to ongoing congestion on Millstream.
We suggest some next steps could be widening Jacklin Road all the way to Sooke Road. With the increased development planned for Jacklin, the transportation systems in the area will also need upgrading. We also hear rumblings of the province making Sooke Road four lanes throughout the West Shore and beyond, which would also help.
Traffic planning is a slow, long-term process and intensive growth complicates that. City planners have a tough job ahead, but so far, they’re keeping the traffic wolves at bay. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/390352491.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/eb67f202869232255c0c173accfa3e579a0c2b285d9fbf7535b4c24435a1647d.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:08:39 | null | null | Gift From Within aims to register 1,000 more registered donors and raise money for the Canadian Transplant Association | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Flifestyles%2F379725191.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/77020BCLN2007EilieenandWeiZhang7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Cross-Canada ride to encourage organ donation | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Eileen Zheng donated a kidney to her mother Wei and is encouraging other people to register as organ donors.
When Eileen Zheng wanted to donate one of her kidneys to her mother, family members were at first concerned about the effect of the procedure on both of them.
But five weeks after the surgery, Wei Zheng was recovering from polycystic kidney disease after seven years on kidney dialysis, and Eileen was logging up to 65 km a day on her bicycle. And a year later, Eileen is preparing to ride across Canada to encourage more people to support organ transplants.
"I want to raise awareness, so more people are willing to register after seeing that I'm healthy after donating an organ," Eileen said at a ceremony at the B.C. legislature to launch the bid Monday. "We're hoping to raise at least 1,000 more organ donors compared to last year, and around $75,000 for the Canadian Transplant Association, for the life-saving work they do."
She has three and a half months to make the journey, starting with a Terry Fox-inspired dip of her bike wheel in the Pacific before heading east towards St. Johns, Newfoundland. Eileen's ride is called Gift From Within has a website where people can link to organ donor registration sites in each province, and her route stops and updates will be posted.
There are more than 45,000 people currently waiting for organ donations across Canada. B.C. residents can check their registration status or sign up to become a donor here. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/lifestyles/379725191.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/c6adfb81a75abaf5d8c79d8affd5cce347b8f086f6489050d859c67df965db69.json |
[
"Joel Tansey"
] | 2016-08-28T02:51:07 | null | null | The Rebels' top ranked rushing attack continued to roll in Friday night's win, moving them to 5-1. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391518291.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/71754goldstreamGNG-Rebels-jt.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Westshore Rebels stay hot, take 45-28 win over Valley Huskers | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Jamel Lyles (22) flips the ball in the air and celebrates a second half TD with his lineman Christian Krause (75) during the Rebels' 45-28 win over the Valley Huskers. The Rebels moved to 5-1 with the win.
It was a blustery day at Westhills Stadium, but the Westshore Rebels didn't seem to mind.
"We run the ball so it didn't really matter," said head coach JC Boice following his team's 45-28 win over the Valley Huskers on Friday night.
And run they did.
Jamel Lyles led the way for the Rebels with three TDs, two on the ground and one via a late first half punt return, and well over 200 yards rushing.
As usual Lyles was the beneficiary of some tremendous blocking up front, a fact that wasn't lost on the standout back, as he was quick to credit his line for his continued success.
On one of his many highlight reel runs, Lyles took a handoff and cut to the right side of the field before finding the left side of the field more to his liking. Lyles beat the bulk of the Huskers defense to the opposite side of the field and waltzed into the end zone for a 40-yard score.
The Rebels MVP could have had an even bigger game if not for some unfortunate penalties and appeared to show some frustration towards the end of the contest after having another touchdown come back.
"It's almost good frustration because I know what our team is capable of and I set the standards high for everybody, not just myself. I do take it out sometimes in the wrong way but they know that it's not like that and they have high expectations for themselves too," Lyles said.
Quarterback Ashton Mackinnon and receiver Nathaniel Pinto had scores of their own in what was another dominant offensive showing for the Rebels, despite the penalty trouble.
While the ground game continued to roll, Boice did express some frustration with his team's aerial attack.
"We've got a lot of work to do with our quarterbacks. Our receivers are winning routes and we've just gotta come out and do a better job of throwing the ball," he said.
The Huskers stayed with Westshore in the opening half, with signal caller Noah Falconer making use of a tailwind to find several receivers on deep passes, but Westshore was able to halt the Valley offence after the first quarter. The Huskers managed 14 points in the game's opening 15 minutes but would score just 14 more the rest of the way, including a late TD with the game already out of reach.
It was a potential trap game for the favoured Rebels, who had to avoid looking ahead to their upcoming matchup with the league-leading Okanagan Sun, but Boice had a different take.
"Every game for us is a trap game. We're young and we're learning how to win. We're re-establishing a culture of excellence...Every week is a fight...It felt like our kids responded," Boice said.
The Rebels will be off on Labour Day weekend and then they'll take the field in the all-important rematch with the Sun. In their previous matchup in Kelowna, the Rebels let the game slip away in a narrow 27-21 loss. The rematch will take place on Sept. 10 at Westhills Stadium.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391518291.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/f4c7815b90f1c8920c2c1be6cc1ff5848d4fb5c22f300d4e235641c19bd198fd.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-28T22:50:19 | null | null | Talks continue, with rotating overtime ban set to begin Monday if no agreement by midnight Sunday | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391545211.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/68221BCLN200782072cranbrookdailyCPweb.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Postal workers union give details of job action if no deal is reached Sunday | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | OTTAWA – Contract talks continue between Canada Post and its largest union, but neither side is hinting as to whether any progress has been made.
A federally appointed mediator has been meeting with the two sides since Friday to try to reach a deal.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says if there is no deal by midnight, it would begin job action on Monday by having its members refusing to work overtime on a rotating basis, starting in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
CUPW served 72 hour strike notice Thursday night, accusing Canada Post of forcing a labour disruption by refusing to bargain in good faith.
The two sides have been deadlocked for months on the issues of pay scales for rural letter carriers and proposed changes to pensions for future employees.
A CUPW news release says the initial job action will cause little disruption to Canada Post customers and that its members will still be delivering mail every day.
The Canadian Press | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391545211.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/90110aa5b5d9250789a1a73993f268ea86cabb83d99b2e7fcf879cf85ff179f0.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-26T12:53:48 | null | null | Iconic band's cross-Canada final tour kicked off in Victoria | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fentertainment%2F388398531.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/85851BCLN2007e_MUSIC-Tragically-Hip20160723T1330.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | VIDEO: Tragically Hip fans on tour's 'touching and heartfelt' first show | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The Tragically Hip kicked off their 15-date, cross-Canada tour Friday night with a sold-out show in Victoria. Fans Lexi Ratz and Hillary Krupa say there was a feeling of togetherness in the crowd.
Video courtesy of Canadian Press. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/entertainment/388398531.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/f5d34543ef6c2ff328769fd4e685c5fbbaf4801a35f273ca287dba0cb9dadd35.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:36 | null | null | Gold mine near Prince Rupert shut down last summer for permit violations, owners charged for failing to report spill | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fbusiness%2F390008831.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/31694BCLN2007minebanksislandgold7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Banks Island miners face 18 pollution charges | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Two men and a mining company in receivership have been charged with 18 pollution infractions related to their shut-down gold mine on an island near Prince Rupert.
Benjamin Mossman and Dirk Meckert are scheduled to appear in Prince Rupert provincial court Sept. 7. Also charged is Banks Island Gold Ltd., which went into receivership after being shut down last year for provincial permit violations.
The Yellow Giant mine was ordered shut down by the Ministry of Environment in July 2015 after a tailings spill was reported on a tip. There is one charge of failing to report a spill of a polluting substance, and the other 17 charges are for failing to comply with permits.
North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice raised the issue in the legislature this spring, after receiving a letter from the Gitxaala First Nation referring to two separate tailings spills. Rice said the ministry did not inspect the operation for 15 months, until receiving a complaint.
NDP mining critic Norm Macdonald told the legislature a worker at the mine "became fed up, put his job on the line, sent the ministry and me a tip and pictures that documented what was going on there."
Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett said the mine was shut down when the situation was brought to its attention. The mine's 90 employees lost their jobs.
The province has a $420,000 security bond from the mining company, to provide ongoing monitoring. In March the mines ministry and Banks Island Gold removed explosives from the mine site and in May ministry technical staff assessed the hazardous materials on site.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service, which recommended the charges, would not comment on the current condition of the Banks Island site, because it is evidence for the prosecution. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/business/390008831.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/bf08ab3d2b7404c326786a937103faa10f0c52863195c74671da8d3c4de5cbf3.json |
[
"Katherine Engqvist"
] | 2016-08-28T18:48:13 | null | null | Start of the school year a tough time for some families | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fcommunity%2F391329321.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/63692goldstreamGNG-FullCupboard.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Local institution looks to address food bank demand | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Island Savings employees Cindy Bryson and Jodi Keller stop for a quick photo at a barbecue fundraiser for The Full Cupboard. The program kicked-off last week with an initial $8,800 raised through employee and member donations over the summer.
As the first day of the new school year inches closer, expenses continue to add up for parents. It is also a time of year when local food banks’ shelves are looking rather empty.
Island Savings has set its sights on addressing that need. The company’s aim is to provide 650,000 meals to Island children and families over the next three years. Their new community investment program, The Full Cupboard, looks to reduce hunger across the Island through a combination of food, funds and awareness raising activities. Every dollar raised will go directly to 11 food banks located in neighbourhoods served by Island Savings branches, including the Goldstream Food Bank.
“At this time of year, thousands of Island parents are stretched to buy new clothing and school supplies while still managing to put food on the table,” Island Savings president Randy Bertsch said in a release. “Thanks to the buying power of food banks, one dollar a day can feed a child in B.C. – and so raising funds with our members and employees through The Full Cupboard will relieve some of this immediate need for food while we develop capacity-building programs to reduce food bank dependence in the long term.”
Island Savings launched the program last week with an initial $8,800 raised through employee and member donations over the summer.
“Summer break is often the toughest part of the year for families,” added Allan Lingwood, interim executive director of The Mustard Seed in Victoria. “School-based meal programs end, parents have to address additional childcare needs and then stress over preparations for their children going back to school.”
Lingwood noted the The Mustard Seed alone sees up to a 25-per-cent increase in both food bank use and family hamper distribution as parents face competing priorities heading into September.
“Creating The Full Cupboard – working towards a reality where no Island child goes hungry – is a natural fit with the values we’ve been living out on Vancouver Island, Salt Spring and Pender since our business began,” continued Bertsch. “One in three Island food bank users is a child, a fact that our communities need to be acutely aware of if we’re going to be able to move the dial on hunger.”
Islands Savings has been working on addressing that need through its Growing Island Families Together (GIFT) program for the past six years. GIFT aims to help at-risk children across the region build self-confidence and resilience and increase engagement within their local communities. The Full Cupboard is an expansion of that program.
Until Sept. 1, Island Savings will donate $1 for every share The Full Cupboard video receives from the organization’s Facebook page (facebook.com/islandsavings). Financial donations to the program can also be made at any Island Savings branch, including in Langford at 2917 Jacklin Rd. or online at islandsavings.ca/thefullcupboard.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/391329321.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/7fc4db318ec3454ac3297b56308bfdd49cbc69196f156c9a20cf3d1d82ad8824.json |
[
"Rick Stiebel"
] | 2016-08-26T13:02:13 | null | null | Spillover being seen from red-hot Vancouver market | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fbusiness%2F391349961.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/71485goldstreamGNG-ViewRoyalhomefinder-AL.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | HOMEFINDER: Greater Victoria attracts out of town buyers | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | This View Royal home that was purchased by out of town buyers, sight unseen. Experts are saying Greater Victoria’s many amenities are attracting a number of out of town buyers.
Vancouver’s turbo-charged real estate market already has buyers and businesses looking at Vancouver Island, and that is likely to increase in light of the provincial government’s recent 15 per cent tax hike for foreign buyers.
Realtor Mike Nugent, president of the Victoria Real Estate Board, said that in 2015, the VREB handled about 8,000 property sales, a total he expects will rise to 11,000 in 2016.
Buyers in Victoria from different countries and Vancouver represent about two-and-a-half per cent for 2015, a total consistent with most recent years on average, Nugent noted, but he expects that to increase significantly once figures are finalized for 2016.
“Some immigrant buyers and buyers from the Mainland seem to like Saanich, Gordon Head, Oak Bay and Fairfield because those neighbourhoods are close to UVic,” Nugent said. “It could be up to a quarter of the sales for some of those neighbourhoods [by the end of the year].”
The B.C. Real Estate Association’s latest projections call for an increase in home prices of 15.4 per cent this year, followed by another 6.2 per cent in 2017.
A Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C. Regional Check-Up Report indicates that a surplus of home buyers equates to population growth, increased housing starts and overall job creation.
Eric Erikson, CFO for Redlen Technologies attended a CPABC Victoria economic roundtable earlier this summer. He said in a media release that the impact of Vancouver’s real estate market on Victoria is “massive.”
“We’re starting to see bidding wars that we’ve only heard of in Vancouver,” he said, citing as an example a home in Victoria listed for $800,000 that sold recently for more than $900,000 after offers were presented on a specific evening. “Cars were lined up around the cul-de-sac and not one of the potential buyers was from Victoria.”
High real estate prices in Vancouver are also responsible for driving talent in the $4 billion tech industry to Victoria, said another roundtable participant, CPA Mark Mawhinney an investment advisor at Odlum Brown Ltd.
Victoria’s amenities and culture are the most similar to Vancouver, he noted. “You can have a very fulfilling professional life here and I think Vancouverites are starting to figure that out,” he said. “Certainly the tech industry is seeing that. A number of Vancouver tech companies are opening offices here and relocating their staff.”
Sonterra Ross, a CPA and COO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, indicated the salary level matched against housing and living costs is responsible for an increase in talented young people considering a move to Greater Victoria.
“For young professionals and their families, if they can get a good paying job here in Victoria and enjoy a lower cost of living, they’ll relocate here. It’s an opportunity for them to minimize debt and save,” said Ross, another participant at the CPABC roundtable.
The influx should address the challenge of finding qualified people, an issue common to many businesses in Victoria, said Simon Philp, director and team leader at CIBC. He added that relying solely on the quality of life to retain those workers could cause other issues
Chuck Chandler, a resident partner at Hayes Stewart Little & Co. in Victoria, said in CPABC editorial that it is important for the sustainability of the regional economy to take advantage of the growing in-migration and subsequent real estate boom.
“Growth in population means that businesses will benefit from a bigger pool of skilled talent,” Chandler said. “However, as a region we must work to retain incoming talent by offering greater incentives beyond higher wages to individuals and not rely solely on quality of life to retain them.”
For more on the CPABC Regional Check-up, check out bccheckup.com.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
Q: WHO’S BUYING HOMES IN GREATER VICTORIA THESE DAYS?
Some believe the recently imposed 15 per cent tax hike for foreign buyers in Metro Vancouver will drive them to look at alternative markets, including Greater Victoria.
But some experts are pointing to young professionals flocking to the region as the cause of a possible increase in buyers not from Victoria. While we won’t know if that is true until the figures for the year are finalized, some experts are urging businesses not to wait to take action.
More and more young professionals are opting for the Island lifestyle as opposed to Vancouver living because of Greater Victoria’s similar amenities and culture at a lower cost of living. But industry experts are warning that keeping workers based solely on quality of life isn’t a solid long-term plan. More incentives are needed across the region to keep this influx of professionals on a more permanent basis.
That is an area West Shore municipalities are excelling in as they look to create more high-end jobs, amenities and recreational facilities that will keep their residents close to home. While quality of life is a key factor, it isn’t the only one attracting new buyers.
GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE » MONTH TO DATE AUG. 22/16 COURTESY VICTORIA REAL ESTATE BOARD
» 599/741 -- NET UNCONDITIONAL SALES / TOTAL, August 2016
» 811/952 -- NEW LISTINGS / TOTAL, August 2016
» 2,139/3,688 -- ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS / TOTAL, August 2016 | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/business/391349961.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/722e6f94a700b92197a564c32413a13d1a4e0d9ce9bef729863ee5333494999a.json |
[
"Joel Tansey"
] | 2016-08-26T13:14:02 | null | null | Surrey product has high hopes for what's to come in his football career | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391089001.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/57542goldstreamGNG-Lyles2-jt.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Lyles powers football Rebels to fast start in BCFC play | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | This year, Jamel Lyles of the Westshore Rebels has his sights set on a national junior football championship. Going forward, his goals are even bigger.
When he's not bursting by defensive linemen, stiff-arming linebackers or barrelling over safeties, the B.C. Football Conference's leading rusher enjoys the quiet and tranquility of gardening.
"It's peaceful. It's time to myself, time to think and time to reflect," says Jamel Lyles, the first-year Westshore Rebel who's quickly, and literally, becoming a runaway candidate for the league's Outstanding Offensive Player award.
Perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise. Lyles, often the loudest guy in the room according to his teammates, is also deeply reflective.
His determination isn't spurred on by the typical athlete narratives; the doubting high school coach, the college recruit that says he's never going to make it or the prospect of fame and fortune. Then again, Lyles does say his ultimate goal, however lofty, is to play in the NFL and make the Hall of Fame.
None of these are a part of the conversation when I ask Lyles to explain his list of motivations. Instead, it's the plight of others that inspires him.
"One thing that really gets to me is kids with disabilities from birth. They never really got the opportunity to be able to pursue different things … They never got to experience sports to the fullest. That's always in the back of my head whenever I'm strapping up or I'm in the weightroom."
Lyles, while engaging and thoughtful with his answers, is mostly quiet and reserved throughout our pre-practice interview.
According to his teammates, that's only how he is when meeting someone new. In the locker oom, Lyles is bursting with energy. Confident, but never cocky.
"He's loud. You know when Jamel's in the building," says receiver Lerenzo Ihanza. "He has that presence that's hard to miss."
"He's very enthusiastic. When he gets into something, he's in it," says guard Christian Krause.
On the field, Lyles has virtually transformed a Rebels team that floundered in 2015, scoring just 205 points in a 2-8 campaign. The team is sitting firmly in second place at 4-1 following last weekend's 47-23 win over the Valley Huskers in Chilliwack.
His speed, power and versatility – Lyles returns kicks and filled in as a defensive back in Weeks 1 and 4 – makes him a weapon in multiple facets of the game.
In his first four games this season, he had piled up 697 yards and six touchdowns on the ground while averaging a chain-moving 8.5 yards per carry. His early season dominance had him a full 287 yards ahead of the league's second-best rusher, Nate Berg of the Vancouver Island Raiders.
Blocking for him "is awesome," says offensive lineman Krause. "You know he's going to hit that hole hard … You make your block and you know he's going to read you right and get that big play when we need it."
Ihanza, tasked with trying to block for Lyles further downfield, has a different take.
"It's difficult. You don't know where he's going; he could go anywhere. He could be on the left side one minute and two seconds later he's on the right side," Ihanza said, laughing.
Lyles credits himself with good breakaway speed and "decent" vision.
"When I see a hole I like to hit it, and hit it hard and fast," he says.
Krause can vouch for that from both sides of the line. The Mount Douglas grad used to play on defence and line up against Lyles, then at Lord Tweedsmuir in Surrey.
"Honestly, he probably hit me as hard as I've ever been hit before," says the 6’6”, 305-pound lineman. "I met him in the hole one play and he dropped me."
It's that physical aspect that Lyles hopes to continue to improve upon, which is probably the last thing his opponents want to hear.
"I want to be able to develop into more of a power back in a sense and put on a little bit more weight as I grow up," says Lyles, who is listed at 5'11" and 205 pounds.
It's a future he hopes will include the big stage of the NCAA and later the NFL.
Last year Lyles was named the 2015 Canada West Rookie of the Year after bursting onto the scene with 719 rushing yards and 130 receiving yards as a Canadian Inter-university Sport rookie for the University of Manitoba Bisons. He says the CIS experience was a good one, calling his year in Winnipeg a "turning point" for his career.
"Playing in the CIS made me realize that I could probably pursue my dreams down south, maybe next season," he says.
That's a big reason why he made the decision to join the Rebels, as playing junior football will save him a year of NCAA eligibility, leaving him with three should he get the opportunity to take his talents to the States.
"It's nice to be back home for a little bit before I pursue (an opportunity) somewhere else," he adds.
After the interview is completed and the camera and notepad are packed up, Lyles sprints off the field, hops the fence and bounds into the stands.
Before getting into practice mode, however, he stops to offer one more thing, shaking his head in disbelief that he forgot to mention it earlier. It’s that he wouldn't have had an ounce of success this year without what he deems to be a CIS-caliber offensive line.
"They're huge right now," he says.
Before the extra thought is jotted onto the notepad, Lyles is back on the field.
He quickly jumps right into opening calisthenics drills in a practice that's just one small piece of a much larger puzzle for a man who's got a big personality and even bigger dreams.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391089001.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/8e0821c740c6b6937fba09c10336ff5f2ef6fab5d94b48ef4fc4f10ce7e561d6.json |
[
"Don Denton"
] | 2016-08-29T22:51:29 | null | null | The Victoria Royals held the first day of their main training camp for the 2016-17 Western Hockey League season | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391660721.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/48795vicnewsVN-VictoriaRoyalsCamp20161online.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Victoria Royals back on the ice for training camp | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | It may be sunny and hot outside but the ice is in and hockey is back.
The Victoria Royals held the first day of their main training camp for the 2016-17 season this morning at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre.
Head coach Dave Lowry and his staff were running drills on the ice through the morning. Familiar faces on the ice for the first session included goalie Griffen Outhouse and Jack Walker.
The Royals' first pre-season game will be September 2 in Kamloops against the Blazers with their first home pre-season game September 10 against the Vancouver Giants.
They kick off their season at home Friday, September 23 against the Prince George Cougars. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391660721.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/b33dabaf926401937e2b2fc42a6f3ac2732508653fea1f5daca3adb798ec3f4d.json |
[
"Joel Tansey"
] | 2016-08-26T13:00:49 | null | null | Lakepoint One attractive to those with an active lifestyle | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fbusiness%2F390606941.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/17989goldstreamGNG-HFcondodevelopment-jt.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | HOMEFINDER: Langford condo open house draws numerous potential buyers | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | A few prospective buyers take a look at a neighbourhood model of the Westhills development during an early bird VIP information session on Aug. 9. Approximately 150 potential buyers were on hand to get a closer look at the developers’ Lakepoint One condo project.
A rare condo development in the West Shore has caught the eye of a multitude of potential buyers, but not necessarily in the demographics one might expect.
Thirty year-olds have been some of the most interested parties in the Lakepoint One condominium development in Westhills, and that cohort was among the many to get a sneak peek at the development through an early bird information session on Aug. 9.
Developers believe the project has been popular amongst older Millennials for its reasonable starting price, its location near Langford Lake and the new YMCA-YWCA Westhills, and other amenities that lend themselves well to an active lifestyle.
“It’s been interesting, because we didn’t know going in who we were going to see,” said Dale Sproule, the project’s sales and marketing director.
“We thought with the price point that we might see [younger buyers]. One reason we put so many lifestyle amenities in the building was to see if it would stimulate that demographic and it certainly has,” he added.
According to Sproule, developers aren’t necessarily seeing interest from those looking to downsize, but from people of all ages that are hoping to change their lifestyle, with an eye towards living in an area that will allow them to be more active.
Condo amenities include kayak and paddle board storage space, a rooftop terrace and a pet wash area.
The 46-unit Lakepoint One project is the first of two condos being planned for the area.
It’ll be six stories, with the bottom two floors to be used as retail space and the top four for residential.
The second building could be as tall as 15 stories.
The units in Lakepoint One should be ready near the end of 2017 or early 2018.
“We’re already under construction and we’re on budget and on time,” Sproule said.
He believes the strong response from potential buyers – registered potential buyers were lined up outside the project’s showroom well before the information session started – has been the result of a strong market, coupled with demand for a new condominium development.
“There hasn’t really been a new condominium built on the West Shore for quite some time, so we’re a sort of first for that and I think there’s some pent-up demand for that,” Sproule said.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE » MONTH TO DATE AUG. 15/16 COURTESY VICTORIA REAL ESTATE BOARD
» 396 / 741 -- NET UNCONDITIONAL SALES / TOTAL, AUGUST 2015
» 571 / 952 -- NEW LISTINGS / TOTAL, AUGUST 2015
» 2,174 / 3,688 -- ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS / TOTAL, AUGUST 2015 | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/business/390606941.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/0db09a269c257ad162227dbf0318545be6fbaa0593f89556fb0286053632261e.json |
[
"David Suzuki"
] | 2016-08-27T20:50:49 | null | null | More urban agriculture could be part of the solution to food crisis | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F391327951.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Urban agriculture in the spotlight | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Humans are fast becoming city dwellers. According to the United Nations, “The urban population of the world has grown rapidly from 746 million in 1950 to 3.9 billion in 2014.”
Sixty-six per cent of us will likely live in urban environments by 2050. The number of mega-cities (more than 10 million inhabitants) is also skyrocketing, from 10 in 1990 to 28 in 2014 – home to more than 453 million people – and is expected to grow to 41 by 2030.
Along with concerns about climate change and the distances much of our food travels from farm to plate, that’s spurred a renewed interest in producing food where people live. Urban agriculture won’t resolve all food production and distribution problems, but it could help take pressure off rural land while providing other advantages. From balcony, backyard, rooftop, indoor and community gardens to city beehives and chicken coops to larger urban farms and farmers markets, growing and distributing local food in or near cities is a healthy way to help the environment.
And it’s much more. As writer and former Vancouver city councillor Peter Ladner writes in The Urban Food Revolution: Changing the Way We Feed Cities, “When urban agriculture flourishes, our children are healthier and smarter about what they eat, fewer people are hungry, more local jobs are created, local economies are stronger, our neighborhoods are greener and safer, and our communities are more inclusive.”
Local and urban agriculture can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and recycle nutrient-rich food scraps, plant debris and other “wastes.” Because maintaining lawns for aesthetic value requires water, energy for upkeep and often pesticides and fertilizers, converting them to food gardens makes sense.
A 2016 study from the U.S. Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future found that urban agriculture could “increase social capital, community well-being, and civic engagement with the food system,” as well as enhance food security, provide ecosystem services, improve health and build residents’ skills. Gardening is also therapeutic.
The study found many climate benefits, including reduced emissions from transporting food; carbon sequestration by vegetation and crops; possible reduced energy, resource inputs and waste outputs; and enhanced public interest in protecting green spaces. Noted limitations included possible increases in greenhouse gas emissions and water use, “if plants are grown in energy – or resource-intensive locations;” less efficiency than conventional agriculture in terms of resource use and transportation emissions; and, depending on practices, pollution from pesticide and fertilizer use. The study found urban agriculture positive overall, but concluded support from government is required to make it viable.
Urban agriculture isn’t new. In the First and Second World Wars, Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Australia and Germany encouraged “victory gardens” to aid the war effort and reduce pressure on food systems and farms. Gardens and chicken coops appeared in yards, parks, school fields, golf courses, railway edges and vacant lots. Sheep grazed on sports fields and kept grass in check. Peter Ladner notes that, during the Second World War, the U.K. had 1.5 million allotment plots producing 10 per cent of the country’s food, including half its fruit and vegetables; by war’s end, more than 20 million home gardens supplied 40 per cent of U.S. domestically consumed produce.
Granted, there were fewer people and more open spaces then, but it’s still possible to grow a lot of food in urban areas, especially with composting and enriched soil techniques. Ladner writes that Toronto plans to supply 25 per cent of its fruit and vegetable production within city limits by 2025. A study from Michigan State University concluded Detroit could grow 70 per cent of its vegetables and 40 per cent of its fruit on 570 vacant lots covering 5,000 acres of city land.
One patch of Detroit land where 12 vacant houses were removed to grow food has supplied almost 200,000 kilograms of produce for 2,000 local families, provided volunteer experience to 8,000 residents and brought the area new investment and increased safety.
Cities needn’t be wastelands of car-choked roads and pavement. Incorporating food production into ever-expanding urban areas makes cities more liveable and enhances the natural systems that keep us alive and healthy. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/391327951.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/c8d35648b700f05543da4f82e95022145d08368892e60566a2a962fb4b6239b9.json |
[
"Shannon Lough"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:05 | null | null | Two months after having an endoscopy Joan Dudoward received a letter telling her that the endoscope used was not cleaned properly. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391353941.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/73852princerupertWEB.Joan-Dudoward.SL.35.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | VIDEO: Prince Rupert woman treated with unclean medical equipment, Northern Health, B.C. Centre for Disease Control confirms more than a hundred affected | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | A routine check-up at the hospital has turned into a nightmare for a Prince Rupert woman.
A month-and-a-half after having an endoscopy to inspect her nose and throat, Joan Dudoward received a letter from Northern Health stating that the endoscope used at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital was not cleaned properly.
From April until the end of June 2016, the endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a light and a camera used in nonsurgical procedures, was being cleaned with the wrong cleaning solution to disinfect the equipment. There were 104 patients affected and Dudoward was one of them.
“I was majorly stressed out,” she said in an exclusive interview with the Northern View. “I'm a cancer survivor. I try to keep my health up for my mom, I'm a caregiver for a 95-year-old woman.”
Dudoward had gone to the Prince Rupert hospital for an endoscopy on June 29 at 3:30 p.m. after complaining to her physician about reoccurring plugged ears and a sore throat. She received the letter from Northern Health on Aug.24, which stated the error did not impact the diagnostic outcome of the tests and the process error has been corrected.
The letter also states that the BC Centre for Disease Control has been consulted and “the risk of a patient being exposed to a virus as a result of this process error is extremely low.” The contact number for the director of acute care services is offered in case she has any other questions or concerns. Dudoward has many.
She called to find out why the instrument wasn't cleaned, what had happened and how many people had gone through the procedure before and after her. “She said she's not permitted to tell me anything about this,” was the response Dudoward said she received.
The vice-president of medicine for the Northern Health authority, Dr. Ronald Chapman, was quick to respond to media inquiries and stressed the importance of transparency. He said, based on previous experience, once they realized the mistake had occurred they consulted the BC Centre for Disease Control as well as the Northern Health infectious disease specialist in Prince George.
“The risk for the patient is extremely low. We're not concerned that it will at all have any negative impact on their health,” Dr. Chapman said. He added that it's Northern Health's policy to make patients aware even if the risk to them is low. “We believe it's important to be open with those patients and to be fairly transparent so at least they are aware of the mistake. In this case, we don't recommend any particular follow up or tests for the patients.”
This type of process error has happened before, Dr. Chapman confirmed. Not with the same scope, but he said there are many different endoscopes used and each are made by different manufacturers that have various recommendations on how to clean the equipment.
“The health sector is run by human beings and it's fairly complex. If mistakes do happen what we encourage our staff to do is to make management aware so they can learn from that experience,” he said. “I'm happy to say where those mistakes have happened in our environment, a process has been put in place and we haven't had any repetitions after some of those learning experiences.”
For the 104 patients that were affected by this incident, Dr. Chapman said their general practitioners have been notified and if they have any questions they can speak to them and the infectious disease specialist. They can also contact Northern Health's Patient Care Quality Officeto register a complaint.
For Dudoward, who had a bone marrow transplant in 2011 to battle leukemia, she is concerned and has already scheduled a meeting with her physician in early September.
“I'm thinking that my body is not going to be able to fight off infection like I was able to before the cancer because chemo takes a lot out of your body so this is like a bomb exploding in my life,” she said. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391353941.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/e26bd102535b8b33a7fe86973bbcb59791b377e7c702062bf274715a4f8ff5af.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T22:49:19 | null | null | Volunteers to ask seniors about staff, food, privacy, medications and other conditions in residential care | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Flifestyles%2F391445481.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/18269BCLN2007Nursinghomeflickr7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Senior home survey seeks volunteers | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | B.C. has 300 seniors' care facilities, and residents and their loved ones are to be surveyed on conditions.
More than 250 volunteers have signed up to compile a survey of seniors in residential care, and B.C.'s Seniors Advocate is looking for more.
The 27,000 seniors living in 300 residential care facilities around the province are being asked about their experience with care home staff, the quality of food, privacy, medications and other conditions.
It's the first comprehensive survey done in B.C., to measure resident satisfaction and provide a "roadmap" for improvements, said Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie.
Interviews will be conducted in person by trained volunteers, and a matching mail-out survey will be sent to each resident's most frequent visitor.
The project is seeking volunteers with a range of professional backgrounds, ages and ethnicities. To apply as a volunteer, visit www.surveybcseniors.org or call the Office of the Seniors Advocate at 1-877-952-3181. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/lifestyles/391445481.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/2841de93ad3657cbd95ac8e666022a85ded0f8bb6cb2ffd335afb01352179084.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-26T13:14:13 | null | null | West Shore hockey players in good hands for upcoming season | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fsports%2F391350601.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Juan de Fuca hockey head coaches announced | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Association has announced its head coaches for the various tiers for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
They are as follows:
Atom Tier 1 - Cohen Oatman; peewee Tier 1 - Warren Campbell; bantam Tier 1 - Jesse Schroeder (non-parent); midget Tier 1 - Chris Kueber (non-parent).
The deadline for registration payment was July 31, but the association is currently accepting names for a wait list in all of its age groups. For more information, visit jdfminorhockey.com and click on registration. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/sports/391350601.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/2cf24ae170c41a9e8217848f59fdebf24b15833f2588bee6e7ec5850ef418bf6.json |
[
"Staff Writer"
] | 2016-08-27T18:47:58 | null | null | Guided tour of Devonian Regional Park shines spotlight on trees | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fcommunity%2F391065671.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Tree-mendous trees walk in Metchosin | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Tuesday, Aug. 30, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Devonian Regional Park in Metchosin is the site for a guided walk spotlighting trees.
Suitable for walkers five and older, this forest adventure sees participants follow clues and riddles along the trail to meet Devonian’s giants. Meet at the kiosk near the parking lot off William Head Road.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/391065671.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/22eb9a7321e26995d8d421f0882c0f811058d23897ff6f1cf042a84bd98ae0da.json |
[
"Katherine Engqvist"
] | 2016-08-26T12:55:14 | null | null | Latest instalment in Harry Potter series reaches eager fans | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fentertainment%2F388709161.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/19453goldstreamGNG-HarryPotterGoudy.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | The magic continues for Harry Potter fans | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | From left: Sophia Venables, Lukas Swain and Levi Venables jump with excitement at the Greater Victoria Public Library’s Goudy branch. The three friends were eagerly waiting for the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child last week when they saw the cover cutout go up.
It was a day many Harry Potter fans never thought they’d see again. The eighth story - told nineteen years from where the series left off - was released to fans eagerly waiting on Sunday.
The Greater Victoria Public Library sent all of its copies of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to Langford’s Goudy branch for last Sunday’s release. Goudy is the only branch in the GVPL system that is open on Sundays and library officials didn’t want fans to have to wait until other branches reopened Tuesday, after the long weekend, to borrow a copy of the book.
“In a different way all ages can enjoy this book,” said Andrea Brimmell, the GVPL’s West Shore district co-ordinator.”We hope this one will live up to our expectations.”
Brimmell was raising her own children when the first books in the series came out and noted how much it brought families together. She’s hoping this book will be no different, with families reading to each other from the story’s pages. “I remember all that excitement. It really turned so many children on to reading.”
The GVPL has 30 copies of the book, 15 of which went to patrons that had placed a copy on hold. In an effort to speed up borrowing times, and see more patrons get their hands on this story faster, the other 15 copies have been marked as “fast reads” meaning they have a borrowing period of only 14 days, compared to the typical 21 day period. They also cannot be renewed or used to fill the hold list. As these copies are returned to the library they will be distributed across GVPL’s 11 branches.
“There was about 150 people that put holds on them,” Brimmell said, noting that is actually pretty low for a Harry Potter release. “This book hasn’t had as much hype… Nonetheless a lot of people are excited, very excited.”
The demand for the title will be monitored with more print and digital copies added as needed. Brimmell noted right now the 30 copies meets their demand but added “I’m sure there will be a lot more interest.”
Ebook versions were also available Sunday at 9 a.m. on the 3M Cloud Library platform. A mobile app is available free with a GVPL library card.
In typical Harry Potter release fashion, the Goudy branched welcomed those of all ages on Sunday toting robes, broomsticks and wands. The branch also had colouring sheets and a big cutout of the book cover to take pictures with.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage and had its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30. It is based on an original story by Harry Potter series author J.K. Rowling with Jack Thorn and John Tiffany.
The Goudy branch, 119-755 Goldstream Ave., is open Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. as well as from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and Saturday, and from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. For more information go to gvpl.ca.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/entertainment/388709161.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/80b0fd1570dcb92d29b1d950aa038c2cc0c34039c43c616762ae7ac6c820571d.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:07:21 | null | null | Few BC Parks bookings going to commercial operators, solution is more campsite spaces, Environment Minister Mary Polak says | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Flifestyles%2F385640471.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/18489BCLN2007CampingBarriereLakeJasonKoppwiki7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Provincial campsite rush mostly B.C. residents | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Solitude in the wilderness is still available in B.C., between holiday weekends when demand peaks at B.C.'s most popular parks.
Foreign visitors and those on package tours are a small fraction of the demand for B.C. Parks campgrounds around the province, but B.C. resident campers are still using a few tricks to get spaces for high-demand parks.
Some have protested the use of online reservations by motorhome tour operators who sell them as part of a package for tourists.
"Our provincial campsites are not products to be sold, they belong to the people of B.C.," Green Party leader Andrew Weaver said this week.
Environment Minister Mary Polak told Black Press numbers are being tracked for the current year, and the proportions haven't changed much. In 2015, fewer than one per cent of reservable B.C. Parks spaces were booked by tour operators, who also use private camping facilities.
Three quarters of reservations are from within B.C. The second highest share is from Alberta at 14 per cent, the U.S. accounts for 3.6 per cent, the rest of Canada 2.8 per cent, and all European countries combined are 6.6 per cent of the total.
The BC Parks system has 10,700 camping spaces in total, and 5,600 are reservable, to manage demand for the most popular spots.
First-come, first-served sites are kept out of the reservation system in some popular locations to accommodate travellers who drop in along the road. For high-demand periods like the recent Canada Day weekend, savvy campers work the reservation system.
At Golden Ears Provincial Park, one group booked for two weeks as soon as the 90-day eligibility window opened, then dropped the first week, giving them the coveted Canada Day weekend dates before they were generally available.
"Every year we look to change things to keep people from cheating, and every year they find new ways," Polak said. "Really the only answer is going to be finding a way to expand the number of sites that we have available."
It's shaping up as a record year for the Discover Camping reservation service, with 92,000 bookings so far this year.
B.C. Parks has added four new sites for this summer. Reservations can be made for Garibaldi Provincial Park in the Whistler area, Ruckle Provincial Park on Saltspring Island, Okanagan Falls Provincial Park, Inland Lake Provincial Park near Powell River and Dry Gulch Provincial Park near Radium Hot Springs. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/lifestyles/385640471.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/fedda684f9b01d006a7d5ba91bcde69279ff43d5af375b53f45acb3d9a1a97bd.json |
[
"Katherine Engqvist"
] | 2016-08-30T20:50:40 | null | null | Targeted enforcement campaign reiterates scope of problem | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391777161.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/3883goldstreamGNG-SAGoldstreamLeighConstructionUpdate2-KE.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | RCMP crack down on construction zone speeders | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Local RCMP officers are urging residents to slow down in construction zones, a scenario of which there is no shortage of on the West Shore.
The local detachment focused some of its efforts last week on a crackdown of motorists zooming through the orange safety cones.
Ten tickets were handed out to offenders, including one who was an off-duty flagger, according West Shore RCMP Const. Alex Berube.
Taking part in a speed trap on Sooke Road between the Slegg Lumber store and Awsworth Road, Berube said that before drivers reached him they passed at least four traffic advisory signs and an electronic reader displaying vehicle speeds.
“I was parked after that and still caught people (travelling) up to 90 km/h in the construction zone, which is (a 60 km/h limit),” he said.
Fines for speeding in a construction zone range from $196 to $253.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391777161.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/fefa078bfdaaa734cb3eb0a8f15bfd675fc336bdfc30ad9bb3e2e3eed4fc89b9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:07:50 | null | null | Learn to Fish program offers instruction and loaner equipment to help children aged 5 to 15 catch a trout | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Flifestyles%2F381548981.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/69540BCLN2007Rainbowpembertonfishfinder7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Free fishing lessons for kids [with video] | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Courses offer loaner equipment and training in casting and proper fish handling.
Children aged five to 15 can take advantage of fishing instruction sessions being held around the province by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. this summer.
The Learn to Fish program has been running since 2006. It provides loaned fishing gear as well as instruction on how to cast and retrieve, identify different fish species, handle fish properly and fish ethically within the regulations.
Locations and registration information for Learn to Fish courses is available here.
The Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. is financed by revenue from B.C. fishing licence sales.
A sample of the instruction videos available on the society website: | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/lifestyles/381548981.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/29330d9d0537708595d27b7bcd15c47ff4b2966b4658e35670d57557ee2ba2e6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:30 | null | null | A Langford reader writes about federal spending habits that he says show a preference to helping others over Canadians. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fopinion%2F390607401.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Federal government funding priorities seem rather misguided, reader writes | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Thousands of Victorian properties are being seized despite record low interest rates. Foreclosure actions by major banks and lenders to repossess homes, units, businesses and land resulted in 7,830 people losing an asset in the past five financial years.
This situation is crazy. When the Canadian government is planning to spend $138 million to upgrade immigration establishments, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has no problem spending $1.6 billion on Syrian refugees, while only promising to match Red Cross donations for Canadians impacted by the Fort McMurray wildfires.
These immigrants receive health care, financial assistance and settlement allowance. I’m not saying they don’t deserve it, but Canadians who support this country through taxes also deserve help, not to mention the military and many other institutes that brought Canada to the special place it holds in the world today.
Yes, we have a responsibility to help those in trouble overseas, but when you see the chaos it has caused in Europe, I feel our government must take more care in what it is doing.
You see thousands of healthy young men arriving in Europe when they should be staying in their own country, defending their families there with the help of the international communities, not flooding other countries and bringing their hatred and violence to those countries.
Education is needed before anybody decides to desert their own country.
The billions spent in this way would have far greater effect if they were directed toward supporting these people at home, and many lives would be saved instead of wasted when they try to leave.
Paul Collins
Langford
Calls for re-envisioning of Canada Post
I was inspired by the vision for a renewed and imagined Canada Post.
The Leap Manifesto proposes to transform this cherished national asset into a community and economy-building network. The government should adopt the Delivering Community Power proposal, which calls for postal banking, services for seniors, and coast-to-coast charging stations for electric cars, among other ideas.
Canada Post is the country’s largest retail and logistics network -- and as a Crown corporation, all of us own it.
Geoff Gosson
Victoria | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/opinion/390607401.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/c940383fa8b1fa579a9dd1ab6e359d311b6a271d09ee117e43482dd6f12b9fe0.json |
[
"Rick Stiebel"
] | 2016-08-26T12:59:12 | null | null | There’s much more to being a landlord than collecting rent | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fbusiness%2F389513351.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/17994goldstreamGNG-HomefinderPropMngt-RS.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | HOMEFINDER: Property managers are licensed professionals | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Claire Flewelling-Wyatt, general manager for residential property management for Pemberton Holmes, says property managers fulfill the role of liaison between property owners and tenants.
If you think all it takes to be a landlord is placing an ad and cashing the rent cheques, think again, very carefully.
Most people think renting their house is quite easy, says Claire Flewelling-Wyatt, general manager of residential property management for Pemberton Holmes.
“If you get a good tenant it can be,” she noted. “But with the way the Residential Tenancy Act is laid out, you can get into trouble very quickly.”
Whether it’s a multi-million dollar property or a one-bedroom apartment, the problems can be the same because the rules are the same, she said.
“Under the tenancy act, everyone must abide by the same rules,” Flewelling-Wyatt said. “If you don’t understand those rules, you have no business being a landlord.”
Property managers act as a liaison between the owner and the tenant by marketing and arranging showings, executing leases and taking care of maintenance and tenancy issues.
“It’s not as much property management as people management,” Flewelling-Wyatt said.
A lot of the reasons for that is that homeowners believe the property they’re renting is their investment or their home, while renters are coming in with the intention of making it their home, she explained.
“Those two ideals can clash, so property managers have to manage both sets of expectations to ensure a smooth relationship,” she said. “You have to wear a lot of different hats.”
Managing trades including plumbing, electrical, contractors, insurance, lawyers and in some cases social services requires a varied collection of skill sets.
“We’ve had to deal with emergencies like flood, fires, suicides, murder, loss of life. A lot of judgment is required to deal with those situations,” Flewelling-Wyatt said. “You have to be very thick-skinned. The burnout rate is about five years.”
Other aspects of property management include collecting rent and making good decisions regarding maintenance to keep costs down. There’s also working with non-residents, explaining tax implications and helping the owner understand financial statements because the property is being run as a business.
“There are consequences when people don’t pay rent,” she added. “It can involve arbitration, small claims court and situations that involve lawyers and lead to court.”
Add to the mix that commercial and strata properties fall under a different set of rules, and it’s easy to understand why professional property managers must be licensed through the B.C. Real Estate Association.
“Pemberton Holmes has established its reputation through the level of training, experience and professionalism we provide,” Flewelling-Wyatt said.
Pemberton Holmes is a family-run business that has handled property management and real estate sales in the Victoria area and the South Island for more than 100 years. Four generations have carried on the family tradition since Joseph Pemberton first embarked upon his real estate ventures in 1887.
Offices in Victoria, Langford, Sooke and the Cowichan Valley handle listings that include residences for rent and for sale, strata management and commercial property rental and sales. For more information go to thepropertymanagers.ca.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/business/389513351.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/f97fd43dd69b19ed837a30e117bc5479a612d882ef73a66061c98fd1f0959c69.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:01:46 | null | null | Designer of Kicking Horse and Jumbo resorts gets approval to proceed with $175 million project east of Prince George | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fbusiness%2F390477731.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/66407BCLN2007Oberti-Oberto7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | B.C. approves Valemount glacier resort plan | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | The B.C. government has approved a master development plan for a new year-round ski resort in the Cariboo Mountains west of Valemount.
Valemount Glacier Destination Resort is a $175 million project led by Oberto Oberti, who designed the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort near Golden and the controversial Jumbo Glacier Resort proposal west of Invermere.
The Valemount plan includes lifts and gondolas that would carry skiers and sight-seers to the summits of Mount Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Mount Arthur Meighen. Its vertical drop of 2,050 metres would be higher than Whistler-Blackcomb and the largest in North America.
"There are very few places in the world, and none in North America, where you go and ride a lift to the very top and the glacier is below you," said Jill Bodkin, a director of the company.
Valemount is a remote community of about 1,000 residents near the Alberta border east of Prince George. The region is west of Jasper National Park, which attracts visitors from around the world.
On the project's website, Oberti says people will travel to Switzerland for this kind of mountain resort experience, so a three-hour drive from Prince George isn't an obstacle to success.
Valemount Mayor Jeanette Townsend called the master plan approval "exciting news." She said the community attracts visitors who stay there to avoid the expensive accommodation in Jasper and the resort will take it to the next level.
Chief Nathan Matthew of the Simpcw First Nation said his community has been involved since the beginning, and he sees the project as an important economic development for the northern part of Simpcw's traditional territory. | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/business/390477731.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/515a79fca520f8e27fe8d7708443fa3cfe2f222035bf52ce0d08eb891065141a.json |
[
"Kendra Wong"
] | 2016-08-26T14:47:39 | null | null | Langford-based sailor oversees training programs for association | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fcommunity%2F391350251.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/71698goldstreamVN-SailingAssociation2PAug1916.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Sailing club offers many lesson options | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Adam Checketts, left, training officer with the Canadian Forces Sailing Association, his eight-year-old daughter, Gwynneth, and Ryan Kaye, junior advisor with the association, show off the regional club’s boats at the Esquimalt Harbour.
Sitting on a 24-foot Sonar sailboat and feeling the invisible power of the wind as it pushes the craft through Esquimalt Harbour, it’s easy to see why Ryan Kaye and Adam Checketts love sailing.
While the ocean is calm on this sunny Friday afternoon, the boat known as Oi! travels smoothly over the water with its passengers aboard. Across the harbour are Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse, with CFB Esquimalt to the left. There are no sounds other than the gentle lapping of the water against the boat.
“It’s a different world and it’s not our usual world,” says Checketts, a Langford resident. “It’s so peaceful. The boat is quiet and you’re not interrupting your scenery, you’re joining with it. From the wind in your sails to being quiet and sliding along the water, you’re part of the environment.”
Both men are members of the Canadian Forces Sailing Association (CFSA) and about 10 minutes earlier exhibited their boating knowledge by working to catch enough wind to carry the boat along: Checketts pulls up the main sail, followed by the jib, while Kaye pulls on the halyards to tighten the lines.
Meanwhile, Checketts’ eight-year-old daughter, Gwynneth, keeps her eyes on the windex – an arrow atop the mast that points in the direction the wind is blowing. Slowly, she moves the tiller and within a couple of minutes, the wind catches the small craft. The boat floats quietly and effortlessly as it sails out of the harbour, its passengers facing the Olympic Mountains.
Kaye, 26, grew up with grandparents who sailed and over the years the sailboat has become a second home. He learned to sail when he was 14 with the CFSA, taking courses for two consecutive summers. The following year he volunteered with the association and the next, returned as an instructor teaching children how to sail and race.
He moved on to sail competitively with much larger boats around Vancouver Island and has sailed in the 14-day VanIsle 360 race, as well as around Seattle and Sidney.
“When you get to the start line, there’s a serious adrenaline rush. You have two, three seconds to make a decision that could cause two boats a lot of time and effort,” Kaye says. “I find that really fun.”
Checketts and Kaye say there’s also a social aspect to sailing, a venue that allows them to hang out with friends for the day. For the most part, the duo agree, sailing is a peaceful and calming experience and something that more Islanders are picking up on.
According to Checketts, the association’s training officer, the number of people enrolled with the CFSA has remained steady over the past few years, with more people taking it on as a life-long passion, instead of taking a course and then dropping it. The same children often return year after year, he adds.
CanSail Optmist learn to sail programs start with Opti Wet Feet (for kids age four to seven) and Opti Basic (six to 11) for beginners. Designed to teach children about safety on the water, hands-on topics include lifejacket use, dealing with capsizing and man overboard drills. From there, young sailors can take more courses at various levels, while individuals over 18 have their own set of CanSail programs.
“Sailing is like learning how to ride a bike. Once you learn how to sail, you can sail anything,” says Checketts, noting there were roughly 98 students signed up for courses in July and August.
“The physics of how a boat moves through the water is the same as any boat … things just get bigger.”
He is quick to note the association’s programs are not just for families of people in the Canadian Forces, but for anyone.
The CFSA was established 67 years ago and has more than 300 members, with berthage for approximately 130 sailboats. For more information, visit cfsaesq.ca. Registration for the CFSA programs is handled through the Pacific Activity Centre, 1001 Maplebank Rd. in Colwood.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/391350251.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/5e30e7dd0cbf4fadf96302c244a5c7126ff1ac2c8852797cb56decfb282878c5.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-26T16:48:25 | null | null | Officials don't say how they captured the snake, which will be turned over to animal control. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fnews%2F391408121.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/5603BCLN2007SnakeCityofVictoriaTwitter.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Elusive snake finally coaxed out of drain pipe under Victoria street | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | This photo was posted to the City of Victoria's Twitter feed Thursday night around 8:30 p.m.
A reclusive reptile that has been living in a storm drain below the streets of Victoria now has a new home.
A tweet posted Thursday night by the City of Victoria shows a city worker holding the snake.
Officials haven't said how it was coaxed out of the drain, but the tweet said it would be turned over to animal control officers.
When it was spotted in the drain during routine maintenance last week, experts said it appeared to be a nearly two-metre long harmless corn snake, but a closer look at the photo released Thursday night shows it may be a boa constrictor.
It originally rebuffed all efforts at capture, including a heated tube and offerings of dead mice, because it was shedding its skin.
Officials didn't want to harm it or tear up the street, so the pipe was sealed until the moulting was complete and the snake was more co-operative.
(CFAX)
The Canadian Press | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/391408121.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/72e68c4e398645fc702abe6705207649e02c7adce326b97f291df3fb1a20355a.json |
[
"Joel Tansey"
] | 2016-08-26T12:50:43 | null | null | The organizer of the concert series will take his turn behind the mic on Aug. 14. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldstreamgazette.com%2Fentertainment%2F389300531.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/71477goldstreamGNG-WillingkidsCD2web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Ready Willing Band to take the stage at Langford's Music in the Park | null | null | www.goldstreamgazette.com | Langford musician Peter Willing shows off his family friendly CD, Rockin’ Out With Ollie, inspired by and named for his grandson. The CD, which has raised $6,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Victoria will be on sale at a discounted price during the Aug. 14 edition of Music in the Park.
For the past seven years, Peter Willing has helped organize Langford’s annual Music in the Park summer concert series and on Sunday Aug. 14 he’ll take his turn behind the mic as his Ready Willing Band takes to the stage at Veterans Memorial Park.
Willing, who released the children’s album Rockin’ Out with Ollie just over two years ago, will be performing songs from that CD as well as some classic rock and R&B tunes that should be very recognizable to the audience.
“They’ll be kind of bluesed up and they’ll have a kind of R&B feel to them. You’ll recognize the tune but it’ll just be a little bit different than it was on the radio originally,” Willing said.
Joining Willing on stage will be guitarist Steve Moyer, drummer Paul McLellan and bassist Steve Hansen.
“My Ready Willing Band is a mix-mash of great, talented guys,” Willing said. “I call it the Ready Willing Band because it’s just whoever is ready or willing to play with me at the particular gig.”
Willing’s Ollie CD will be available for purchase at the show for a discounted $10 price tag. Since its release, the CD has raised funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Victoria.
From an organizer’s point of view, Willing has been very pleased with how the Music in the Park series has gone so far this summer.
“We’ve had a terrific turn out... It’s become a regular part of Langford and it seems to be growing every year,” he said.
The Maureen Washington Quartet will perform on Aug. 21 and Rukus will close out the series with an Aug. 28 show.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com | http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/entertainment/389300531.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.goldstreamgazette.com/366c82d30c26579bf849c23971e7c83ab0a763431d46f2a6e5d8f1186180d331.json |
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