Letters to the Editor
Digging up facts on Target
A September 29th letter to the editor told the story that Target Marine’s hatchery was built in a residential area. Here are the facts as I know them:
Historically the hatchery site, 8 kilometers up Sechelt Inlet Road, was cleared and used for cutting shakes and sorting logs. The neighboring site, before becoming the Tillicum Bay Marina, was historically used for dumping logs as well as processing herring. To the north of the property the Jackson Brothers log sort operated up until the mid 2000s.
When the hatchery was built in 1987, the land was zoned Rural 1. It was agriculture land. Shortly after the hatchery opened, a new Sechelt OCP was presented at a public hearing with the rural designation. The OCP was subsequently altered, designating the hatchery property as residential, without a new public hearing or any input from the land owners. This altered version of the OCP was passed by Sechelt Council in August 1987. Zoning Bylaw 25 followed the OCP and down-zoned the hatchery to Residential 3 rendering the hatchery a legal non-conforming use. A portion of the property was rezoned to Marine 3 in 1998 making the hatchery conforming once again.
Target Marine’s property is approximately 60 acres in area, which is a similar size to the neighborhood of Tuwanek. The hatchery operation takes up approximately 5 acres within which the caviar production will fit. The rest of the property has been left as forest.
Not only are there are no residences on the property, but no residences can even be seen from the hatchery. Only two residences border the hatchery zone, both of which are supporters.
Rely on the facts. Come for a site tour and get informed: Monday – Friday at 2:00 pm.
Justin Henry
Target Marine Hatcheries
Seeking ban on traps
I am a member of a Committee of Concerned Citizens on the Sunshine Coast, asking Council to pass a humane, simple bylaw banning the setting of body–gripping animal traps in the District of Sechelt. We learned of these traps when a pet dog was caught in one in our area. We attended the September 21 Council where the bylaw was discussed and then, disappointingly, deferred.
We had provided substantial material, including a legal opinion, supporting such a bylaw, so it was pretty painful to hear Councillors Taylor, Lute and Kershaw repeat over and over “It would be illegal! It couldn’t be enforced!” Clearly they had not read the opinion we provided from the law firm Roberts and Stahl of Vancouver referencing the Community Charter, 2003 and the Municipal Act 2001. The opinion concluded, “… it is within the jurisdiction of any British Columbia municipality to pass by-laws prohibiting the use of leg-hold, conibear and snare traps within its boundaries.”
It’s the same concept as the prohibition against the discharge of firearms within the District - a simple matter of public safety. We’re not asking Council to take over the entire trapping industry or the provincial management of wild life - just a simple safety measure in our community. Gibsons has already passed the most comprehensive bylaw in BC, if not in Canada, banning these traps, receiving wide - and positive - media attention. In its supporting policy Gibsons also provides a strict and transparent procedure for Conservation Officers to deal with “nuisance” animals while leaving the safety concerns of the by-law in place.
Enforcement would be simple. It would be a bylaw. It would be enforced by a bylaw enforcement officer. If the officer found someone violated the bylaw by setting a trap within the District that person would pay the penalty.
Councillor Ann Kershaw, in defence of her position against the bylaw, unbelievably claimed that the role of a political leader is to obey and not challenge existing laws. (In this case existing laws allow traps to be set anywhere further than 200 metres from a building.) If all politicians followed Kershaw’s concept nothing in society would ever have improved. Councillor Kershaw, for instance, would not now have the right to vote, much less sit on Council. Fortunately all Councillors don’t share her definition of leadership.
We have again sent our information to Council. We’re hoping it will give Councillor Allan the firm ground he needs, when the motion is returned, to join Councillors Thirkell, Janisch, and Mayor Inkster in their support of a ban on body-gripping traps in our municipality. This bylaw would add another piece of security for our pets, for other animals, our children, residents and visitors—for anyone who would walk freely in the District of Sechelt. Maybe Councillors Taylor, Lute and Kershaw could reconsider and make the motion unanimous.
It would be a good thing to do.
Gene Errington
West Sechelt
An open letter to fellow Sechelt citizens:
In the September 16 issue of the other coast newspaper, it was reported I was being accused of “Abuse of Office”. The charge against me is totally untrue.
The Wakefield Development on Highway101 planned to have a Bistro where they could serve food and alcohol. I originally voted - like the rest of Council - to approve the application. When it became known to me that the application would permit beer and liquor off-sales at the Bistro, I could no longer support the application. There had been many complaints from the Community about noise levels and traffic with the old Wakefield Pub and I did not want to see that repeated.
Of the seven members of Council, six Members voted on the new proposal, two in favour, four against, and one declared a conflict of interest. The Zoning change was defeated. I personally voted against the motion because I felt that it was not in the best interests of the District of Sechelt and especially the local residents.
Information regarding a possible liquor store at the Tsain-Ko Mall had no bearing on my vote.
I weighed the Bistro/off-sales proposal and the best interest of the District and the Community and voted according to my conscience as I have always done and will always do.
Ed Steeves,
Mayoral Candidate
for Sechelt
Future of Sechelt financially sound?
My husband and I moved here from West Vancouver two and a half years ago. I mention this to point out that by moving from an area with some of the highest real estate values, we had many choices. Sechelt was not, for various pre-conceived notions, on our buying radar but we fell in love with a property here, bought it, and then did our research on the community later. We have friends here who, at that time, believed (and convinced us) that the newly elected Council had the vision to “turn this town around”, so to speak. Though charmed by the ‘quaintness’ of our new town, we are now very concerned about the sustainability of it all as we observe a resistance from Council toward positive development and note the closure of viable businesses. Coincidence, perhaps, that on the eve of an election we see two developments fast tracked? It is these types of positive ventures that will increase our visibility and ultimately Sechelt’s tax base. This will enable us to enjoy the vibrancy, as do other smaller BC communities, and it is this vibrancy that will have a direct impact on our/your property values. Keep in mind that most often our homes are our largest financial asset and can provide us with the greatest non-taxable gains, but only if there is one, come time to sell. We will only see this property value growth if people from off the coast decide to invest in real estate on the coast and this is not going to happen by accident. We like to think that we made the right decision in coming here and consequently don’t want to further entrust the current collective Council with our financial well being. We will be looking for change come November 19 and encourage you to do the same.
Carolyn White
Sechelt
Help bring Christmas to needy
On behalf of the Elves Club, I am writing to ask for your financial support to help with our Christmas Hamper distribution.
Poverty on the Sunshine Coast does exist and every year the number of requests for assistance increases just a little. It is because of a strong community spirit and a commitment to “neighbours helping neighbours” that we have never had to turn down a request. Thanks to this generous spirit we were able to deliver 760 hampers to make the holiday season a little more joyous to over 2,000 men, women and children.
As always, we are greatly in need of donations of non-perishable food items. If everyone who can begins to put aside an item or two on a regular basis, it would make a huge difference come holiday time. Drop-offs and depots will be open soon.
The Elves Telethon will be held on Saturday, December 3rd, in the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons. I would like to invite you to join us to share a talent or make a donation “live and on the air”. This is a great way to show the community how much you care, and allows us the opportunity to thank you in person. Please fax 604-886-8036 or email elvestelethon@coastcable.com
We hope that you can help. Your support is deeply appreciated. Please know that someone’s life will be a little brighter because of you.
Jeanne Sylvester
Elves Club Secretary
Let citizens choose for Smart Meters
Though BC Hydro is all about saying how safe and how much ‘we’ will benefit from ‘Smart Meters’, people that have had them coming to their neighbourhoods are fighting like crazy, taking their electric companies to court to be able to have a choice, until sometime in the future when it is clear if it is indeed safe or not.
In the meantime, several counties in Northern California have taken PG&E who - by the way, owes BC a ton of money - to court, won and now have ‘opted out’ of Smart Meters in their communities.
A friend of mine who lives in the desert in California has told me that she finds it difficult to stay in a house with Smart Meters, as it disturbs her nervous system. Granted she is very sensitive. So am I. We are bombarded with toxins in our water, our air and now BC Hydro wants to amp up what is attached to our homes and that runs 24/7.
If it turns out it is actually safe - and there’s no harm in short or long term exposure – great, but if not, then the damage will be done. Then it’s too late. It’s really like Hydro is playing the ‘shoot now, ask questions later’ game with our health and safety. That is not a democratic process; that is dictatorship by a Corporation.
Write BC Hydro if you are unsure; if you are okay with this write your Health Minister, talk to your council. If you want me to email you a long form letter to send to the appropriate people, I will be happy to do that. I also have the addresses where to send them. A sign on your driveway stating you do not grant the installers permission to trespass is not a bad idea either. www.citizensforsafetechnology.com
Baeleay Callister
Halfmoon Bay
baeleay@telus.net
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