Pender Harbour Advisory Council/Rotary Community Volunteer Awards
The Pender Harbour Advisory Council and the Rotary Club of Pender Harbour are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Pender Harbour Community Volunteer Awards. The awards were be presented at the Pender Harbour Advisory Council’s Fall Town Hall Meeting and AGM on Sunday, October 14, 2018.
All of the awards presented this year were Lifetime Achievement Awards. A departure, in this second year of the awards, was the eligibility of organizations within the area. The award criteria included:
Exemplifies the spirit of community service
Is a leader and role model
Breaks new ground
Supports and encourages the development of others
Shows vision, initiative and creativity
Makes a difference
Is respected for their contributions
Award Recipients:
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 is awarded to Don Fraser
This Lifetime Achievement Award recipient has been tied to the Harbour for over 46 years, having first come to visit his family’s property on Narrows Road, and as an adult, he decided to make it his home.
His inspiration for leading the charge to beautify Pender Harbour came 18 years ago after witnessing community members come together to renovate the Community Hall in Madeira Park. He knew that by bringing people and resources together, much more could be done to improve the appearance and livability of our community.
It was at that point that this leader in our community gathered together a dozen or so influential people at the top of the hill in Madeira Park and walked them down the then grey and dingy main drag. He opened their eyes to both the current condition of the place, but also painted a picture of how lovely it could be. And they listened and they believed.
In 1999 this group would become, under our recipients leadership, the Pender Harbour Growth and Development Partnership which was the precursor our current Pender Harbour Advisory Council. Virtually all of the purposes and goalsof the Advisory Council were set to paper by this group nearly 20 years ago.
When the group needed to spearhead a fundraising drive to help complete many of the beautification projects around the Harbour, they simply put up a sign and over $10,000 of unreceipted donations were received in no small part because the donors knew the money was in good hands. Contributors knew that our recipient’s motto of “It is better to beg forgiveness than ask permission” would ensure the funds were put to good use in short order.
This year’s recipient has served on the Board of the Community Club for many years, has been active in the Chamber of Commerce, was a founding member of the Pender Harbour Advisory Council Board.
Not only was our recipient’s reputation and influence in the Landscaping community sufficient to secure Madeira Park as the focus of the UBC Landscape Architecture’s Vision for the Future project, but he also spearheaded and supported the Iris Griffith Wetlands project on Lagoon Road, which is an absolute treasure.
His skills as a Master Gardener and his landscape supply business positioned him well to take on the task of creating the community garden that is the outstandingly memorable feature of Madeira Park. But this wasn’t enough. He created the feature corner of Madeira Park and the Sunshine Coast Highway. While he’s never kept track of how much money he has personally spent on what he has done in Pender Harbour, he did commented that $11,000. worth of topsoil went into the ground around the community hall. It’s no wonder things grow so well there!!
This year, the cost of supporting the Garden came from a $2,500. grant from the SCRD and an additional $1,500. from the Pender Harbour Community Foundation. Unfortunately, neither of these sources can be tapped again for the Gardens but our recipient dreams of a summer fundraiser for the gardens, which will involve locals, tourists, and dual citizens in a celebration and fundraiser for this important asset to our community.
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 is awarded to the Egmont and District Volunteer Fire Department
The Egmont and District Volunteer Fire Department [EDVFD] was originally formed in the early 2000s. The goal was to provide faster/greater fire and medical response to the north end of the peninsula. Equipment and training started to come together in the mid-2000s, with the completion of the fire hall in 2009 by the volunteers. The hall currently has 18 members[and looking for more], and has answered 32 calls so far this year.
The success of the department was made possible by dedicated local volunteers, and the fantastic support of the Pender Harbour fire department through training and automatic aid [which is still ongoing]. EDVFD has recently been granted a fire rating by the Insurance Underwriters that is equivalent to any comparable hall on the coast and makes fire insurance in Egmont affordable for the community. Again, the support of Pender Harbour is acknowledged in achieving this. The award was accepted by the CapTain, Chris Cervenko.
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 is awarded to the Pender Harbour Volunteer Fire
The Pender Harbour Volunteer Fire Department was established on May 15 of 1967 with the formation of the Pender Harbour Fire Protection District. With this, the Pender Harbour Fire Brigade that had formed in 1959 turned over its assets which included a fire boat named "Texada Queen" and a fire truck that had been purchased from Sechelt in 1964.
The Pender Harbour Volunteer Fire Department has grown from those early days. With two fully equipped fire halls, one in Madeira Park and one in Garden Bay, five vehicles that do various jobs and up to fifty volunteer firefighters coverage provides for fire, rescue, motor vehicle incidents and medical assistance. There are in excess of 100 calls per year.
The Volunteer Fire Department works extensively with Egmont & District Volunteer fire department and BC Emergency Health Services
In recent years they have begun a junior firefighter program, and several of these former members have gone on to have careers in emergency services. The award was accepted by Bill Gilkes and Bruno Pepin for their respective Fire Halls.
The Pender Harbour Advisory Council is a volunteer organization which exists to support the vitality of the communities of the Pender Harbour area as excellent places to live, work and play for residents and visitors. The Council will provide the Pender Harbour area with a structure that allows residents to identify issues of broad community concern and have them effectively addressed.
All of the awards presented this year were Lifetime Achievement Awards. A departure, in this second year of the awards, was the eligibility of organizations within the area. The award criteria included:
Exemplifies the spirit of community service
Is a leader and role model
Breaks new ground
Supports and encourages the development of others
Shows vision, initiative and creativity
Makes a difference
Is respected for their contributions
Award Recipients:
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 is awarded to Don Fraser
This Lifetime Achievement Award recipient has been tied to the Harbour for over 46 years, having first come to visit his family’s property on Narrows Road, and as an adult, he decided to make it his home.
His inspiration for leading the charge to beautify Pender Harbour came 18 years ago after witnessing community members come together to renovate the Community Hall in Madeira Park. He knew that by bringing people and resources together, much more could be done to improve the appearance and livability of our community.
It was at that point that this leader in our community gathered together a dozen or so influential people at the top of the hill in Madeira Park and walked them down the then grey and dingy main drag. He opened their eyes to both the current condition of the place, but also painted a picture of how lovely it could be. And they listened and they believed.
In 1999 this group would become, under our recipients leadership, the Pender Harbour Growth and Development Partnership which was the precursor our current Pender Harbour Advisory Council. Virtually all of the purposes and goalsof the Advisory Council were set to paper by this group nearly 20 years ago.
When the group needed to spearhead a fundraising drive to help complete many of the beautification projects around the Harbour, they simply put up a sign and over $10,000 of unreceipted donations were received in no small part because the donors knew the money was in good hands. Contributors knew that our recipient’s motto of “It is better to beg forgiveness than ask permission” would ensure the funds were put to good use in short order.
This year’s recipient has served on the Board of the Community Club for many years, has been active in the Chamber of Commerce, was a founding member of the Pender Harbour Advisory Council Board.
Not only was our recipient’s reputation and influence in the Landscaping community sufficient to secure Madeira Park as the focus of the UBC Landscape Architecture’s Vision for the Future project, but he also spearheaded and supported the Iris Griffith Wetlands project on Lagoon Road, which is an absolute treasure.
His skills as a Master Gardener and his landscape supply business positioned him well to take on the task of creating the community garden that is the outstandingly memorable feature of Madeira Park. But this wasn’t enough. He created the feature corner of Madeira Park and the Sunshine Coast Highway. While he’s never kept track of how much money he has personally spent on what he has done in Pender Harbour, he did commented that $11,000. worth of topsoil went into the ground around the community hall. It’s no wonder things grow so well there!!
This year, the cost of supporting the Garden came from a $2,500. grant from the SCRD and an additional $1,500. from the Pender Harbour Community Foundation. Unfortunately, neither of these sources can be tapped again for the Gardens but our recipient dreams of a summer fundraiser for the gardens, which will involve locals, tourists, and dual citizens in a celebration and fundraiser for this important asset to our community.
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 is awarded to the Egmont and District Volunteer Fire Department
The Egmont and District Volunteer Fire Department [EDVFD] was originally formed in the early 2000s. The goal was to provide faster/greater fire and medical response to the north end of the peninsula. Equipment and training started to come together in the mid-2000s, with the completion of the fire hall in 2009 by the volunteers. The hall currently has 18 members[and looking for more], and has answered 32 calls so far this year.
The success of the department was made possible by dedicated local volunteers, and the fantastic support of the Pender Harbour fire department through training and automatic aid [which is still ongoing]. EDVFD has recently been granted a fire rating by the Insurance Underwriters that is equivalent to any comparable hall on the coast and makes fire insurance in Egmont affordable for the community. Again, the support of Pender Harbour is acknowledged in achieving this. The award was accepted by the CapTain, Chris Cervenko.
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 is awarded to the Pender Harbour Volunteer Fire
The Pender Harbour Volunteer Fire Department was established on May 15 of 1967 with the formation of the Pender Harbour Fire Protection District. With this, the Pender Harbour Fire Brigade that had formed in 1959 turned over its assets which included a fire boat named "Texada Queen" and a fire truck that had been purchased from Sechelt in 1964.
The Pender Harbour Volunteer Fire Department has grown from those early days. With two fully equipped fire halls, one in Madeira Park and one in Garden Bay, five vehicles that do various jobs and up to fifty volunteer firefighters coverage provides for fire, rescue, motor vehicle incidents and medical assistance. There are in excess of 100 calls per year.
The Volunteer Fire Department works extensively with Egmont & District Volunteer fire department and BC Emergency Health Services
In recent years they have begun a junior firefighter program, and several of these former members have gone on to have careers in emergency services. The award was accepted by Bill Gilkes and Bruno Pepin for their respective Fire Halls.
The Pender Harbour Advisory Council is a volunteer organization which exists to support the vitality of the communities of the Pender Harbour area as excellent places to live, work and play for residents and visitors. The Council will provide the Pender Harbour area with a structure that allows residents to identify issues of broad community concern and have them effectively addressed.
Official Community Plan Success in Committee
Following the September Public Hearing in Madeira Park on the Pender Harbour Official Community Plan (OCP) the SCRD Planning Committee voted to accept the will of the 166 citizens of Pender Harbour who signed a petition requesting changes as well as those who spoke and sent letters. The SCRD staff recommended amending the OCP to omit the section where summaries of the plans are provided and adding instead brief policy statements that explain the relationship the plans have to the OCP. It appears that this is acceptable to the SCRD Board. For more information, please see Coast Reporter coverage at https://www.coastreporter.net/news/local-news/scrd-directors-vote-to-revise-pender-ocp-1.23467678
Media Coverage on Dock Management Plan
Global News, May 24, 2018 https://globalnews.ca/video/4227762/sunshine-coast-dock-owners-in-an-uproar
Vancouver Sun, May 21, 2018 http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/unauthorized-docks-to-be-demolished-in-pender-harbour
Coast Reporter, April 5, 2018 http://www.coastreporter.net/real-estate/province-releases-pender-dock-plan-1.23256672
Global News, May 24, 2018 https://globalnews.ca/video/4227762/sunshine-coast-dock-owners-in-an-uproar
Vancouver Sun, May 21, 2018 http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/unauthorized-docks-to-be-demolished-in-pender-harbour
Coast Reporter, April 5, 2018 http://www.coastreporter.net/real-estate/province-releases-pender-dock-plan-1.23256672
Dock Management Plan
A team from the Dock Management Plan Working Group, consisting of Len Lee, Elaine Park, Bill Charlton, and Sean McAllister reviewed where the dock management plan issue stands right now, at the Pender Harbour Advisory Council Town Hall Meeting on May 6, 2018
To view their presentation, please see: http://www.penderharbourdockplan.com/
Regarding Questions Posed to Pender Harbour Advisory Council on the Dock Management Plan
The Provincial government recently issued an announcement that the new Dock Management Plan for Pender Harbour was released and in effect. While somewhat different from earlier iterations of the Dock Management Plan, many questions have still been raised in interpreting the plan. Some of these have been posed to the Pender Harbour Advisory Council, and we carried all of these forward to our meeting with the Provincial and shíshálh Nation Dock Management Plan teams.
The questions we asked on behalf of the residents fall into two categories:
The shíshálh Nation and the Ministry are prepared to answer questions which fall into the first category but are not prepared to answer questions that fall into the second category.
While the PHAC Directors have read the documents and are trying to provide advice to residents of Pender Harbour, there are no simple answers to all the questions raised. The best course of action is to contact the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (the Ministry) or the shíshálh Nation, depending on the nature of your issue. What we do know, follows:
1. The policy document is now in force and is considered to be final.
2. There will not be any further consultation or dialogue with the community as a whole.
3. Tenured dock owners are already getting explanatory letters from the Ministry.
4. A new brochure regarding the DMP is being distributed now by the Ministry. This is available in several places in the community and also in .pdf format, including our website http://www.penderharbouradvisorycouncil.com/
5.The Ministry staff encourage dock owners with questions to call the Ministry at the number listed in the brochure, 604-586-4400.The shíshálh Nation staff encourages contact with them early in any new tenure application process regarding archaeological inquiries so that they can help facilitate any review, if required.
6. Remember that each inquiry or application regarding foreshore use, which is crown land below the high tide line, is unique and its ability to comply fully with the new Management Zone requirements will have to be assessed on a case by case basis.
7. The full text of all of the Provincial Governments decisions and related materials on this issue can be found on their website at https://arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/viewpost.jsp?PostID=43285
A team from the Dock Management Plan Working Group, consisting of Len Lee, Elaine Park, Bill Charlton, and Sean McAllister reviewed where the dock management plan issue stands right now, at the Pender Harbour Advisory Council Town Hall Meeting on May 6, 2018
To view their presentation, please see: http://www.penderharbourdockplan.com/
Regarding Questions Posed to Pender Harbour Advisory Council on the Dock Management Plan
The Provincial government recently issued an announcement that the new Dock Management Plan for Pender Harbour was released and in effect. While somewhat different from earlier iterations of the Dock Management Plan, many questions have still been raised in interpreting the plan. Some of these have been posed to the Pender Harbour Advisory Council, and we carried all of these forward to our meeting with the Provincial and shíshálh Nation Dock Management Plan teams.
The questions we asked on behalf of the residents fall into two categories:
- The first category is about the mechanics of getting or keeping a tenure. Questions like what do I do if I want to build a new dock and have never had one and what do I do to keep my existing dock or change it in some way (new or replacement applications).
- The second category is about the reasons for the DMP, disagreement with the policy, and suggestions for improvement.
The shíshálh Nation and the Ministry are prepared to answer questions which fall into the first category but are not prepared to answer questions that fall into the second category.
While the PHAC Directors have read the documents and are trying to provide advice to residents of Pender Harbour, there are no simple answers to all the questions raised. The best course of action is to contact the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (the Ministry) or the shíshálh Nation, depending on the nature of your issue. What we do know, follows:
1. The policy document is now in force and is considered to be final.
2. There will not be any further consultation or dialogue with the community as a whole.
3. Tenured dock owners are already getting explanatory letters from the Ministry.
4. A new brochure regarding the DMP is being distributed now by the Ministry. This is available in several places in the community and also in .pdf format, including our website http://www.penderharbouradvisorycouncil.com/
5.The Ministry staff encourage dock owners with questions to call the Ministry at the number listed in the brochure, 604-586-4400.The shíshálh Nation staff encourages contact with them early in any new tenure application process regarding archaeological inquiries so that they can help facilitate any review, if required.
6. Remember that each inquiry or application regarding foreshore use, which is crown land below the high tide line, is unique and its ability to comply fully with the new Management Zone requirements will have to be assessed on a case by case basis.
7. The full text of all of the Provincial Governments decisions and related materials on this issue can be found on their website at https://arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/viewpost.jsp?PostID=43285
PHAC scores Grant to Start Dealing with Derelict Vessels
Federal Government supports Pender Harbour Study of two derelict boats in Pender Harbour
The Pender Harbour Advisory Council (PHAC) is pleased to announce that the Federal Government has agreed to provide $10,000 to kick off the first phase of PHAC’s new program for dealing with derelict boats in Pender Harbour. The study will attack the two most objectionable and long-standing examples of derelict boats: the Lulu Island and the Kwatna.
The local MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones was in Madeira Park to deliver the good news. The federal Abandoned Boats Program (ABP) provides grant and contribution funding to assist in the removal of abandoned and/or wrecked small boats posing a hazard in Canadian waters. The ABP has two key components:
• The assessment and removals (A&R) component funds boat removal assessments, and 75% of the permanent removal and disposal of abandoned and/or wrecked small boats.
• The education, awareness and research (EA&R) component
The PHAC, under the leadership of Board members Eliza Kinley & Penny Harrison, applied for a grant under the A&R Section and has been awarded $10,000 towards the assessment of two abandoned boats. The next step is the actual assessment, including the cost of disposal. After that comes the grant application for disposing of them. The PHAC is undertaking this endeavour on behalf of the PH community and all boaters in Pender Harbour.
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For more information contact: Alan Stewart, President Pender Harbour Advisory Council – Madeira Park Mobile: (604) 740-2353 E-mail: phadvisorycouncil@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168802656631512/
The Pender Harbour Advisory Council (PHAC) is pleased to announce that the Federal Government has agreed to provide $10,000 to kick off the first phase of PHAC’s new program for dealing with derelict boats in Pender Harbour. The study will attack the two most objectionable and long-standing examples of derelict boats: the Lulu Island and the Kwatna.
The local MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones was in Madeira Park to deliver the good news. The federal Abandoned Boats Program (ABP) provides grant and contribution funding to assist in the removal of abandoned and/or wrecked small boats posing a hazard in Canadian waters. The ABP has two key components:
• The assessment and removals (A&R) component funds boat removal assessments, and 75% of the permanent removal and disposal of abandoned and/or wrecked small boats.
• The education, awareness and research (EA&R) component
The PHAC, under the leadership of Board members Eliza Kinley & Penny Harrison, applied for a grant under the A&R Section and has been awarded $10,000 towards the assessment of two abandoned boats. The next step is the actual assessment, including the cost of disposal. After that comes the grant application for disposing of them. The PHAC is undertaking this endeavour on behalf of the PH community and all boaters in Pender Harbour.
------30------
For more information contact: Alan Stewart, President Pender Harbour Advisory Council – Madeira Park Mobile: (604) 740-2353 E-mail: phadvisorycouncil@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/168802656631512/
Community Volunteer Awards, AGM, and Town Hall Meeting
The Pender Harbour Advisory Council Town Hall Meeting
Pender Harbour Community Hall ~ September 10, 2017 at 1 pm
The event was chaired by PHACS President Alan Stewart
Alan opened the meeting by recognizing special guests: Area A Representative to the SCRD, Frank Mauro, MLS Nicholas Simon, Chief Warren Paul of the Sechelt Nation, members of the Pender Harbour Advisory Council Board and winners of the Community Volunteer awards.
Alan briefly discussed some changes in Pender Harbour in the last 5 years using demographics from the 2016 Census provided by the Pender Harbour Health Centre Board.
Mike Price, PHACS Board Member and President of the Pender Harbour Rotary Club introduced the winners of the community volunteer awards: Doreen Lee, Lifetime Achievement Award; Barrie Wilbee, Lifetime Achievement Award; and Bill Gilkes, Volunteer of the Year for 2017. Mike thanked the many volunteers in Pender Harbour for all that they do for our community.
Moving into the presentation part of the program:
• Amanda Peterson, Pender Harbour Fitness and Aquatic Centre, introduced their fall program and the Community Recreation brochure.
• Darcy Murray and Francine Clohosey of the Pender harbour Community School, spoke about their work with youth needing support in the community. What is new with this program is access to more support through the schools including food support, First Nations leadership program, and more activities for young people. Now, youth are much more likely to come forward and ask for help when they are in need. Francine mentioned creating an inventory of all of the activities available for youth and the Youth Advocate Collective.
• Michael Jackson, Executive Director of PODS (Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station) said that PODS is within $180,000 of achieving their goal of acquiring the Irvine's Landing property for their facility. Now is the time to step up and donate! They have a partnership with Simon Fraser University which will bring hundreds of students, researchers and professors to the community. Over 10,000 volunteer hours have been spent on the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society projects to date in 2017. They have opened an information facility in Madeira Park, and the PODS website is https://www.openpods.com/
• Bill Charlton presented a new Chamber of Commerce initiative “Pender Harbour Christmas” He referenced the murals in Chemainus and suggested the Pender Harbour could become a Christmas light focal point for the Sunshine Coast. The website is http://penderharbourchristmas.com/
• Nicholas Simon, MLA for Powell River and the Sunshine Coast, acknowledged that we were meeting in the traditional territory of the Sechelt First Nation. He introduced Chief Warren Paul. Chief Paul noted that the draft Dock Management Plan had created conflict with previous Sechelt First Nations Councils. He said that the Sechelt Nation currently wants to work together with everyone and find a middle ground where we can all meet and agree. Nicholas Simons noted that the contracts for archaeological and environmental studies, as recommended in Barry Penner's report had been awarded in the last week and that the work would be completed in early 2018. He offered to meet with the DMP Working Group.
• Frank Mauro, Area A representative with the SCRDacknowledged Chief Paul and thanked him for his message on working together with the community. Frank addressed the many terms and issues concerning derelict vessels, which include: structures that are not actively being worked on but are anchored in the waterway without permission, sunken boats, vessels (owner was known and boat is working) those needing anchor lights, structures without tenures, permanent liveaboards discharging sewage into the Harbour, etc. There is a new federal government program for the removal of derelict vessels and for education around the issue. There is also Harbour Authority funding for derelict vessels left at their docks. Frank is looking for a group or society to take on making an application for funding to remove derelict vessels. The application deadline for the removal of derelict vessels is October 30, 2017.
The meeting moved into the “Open Mic” part of the program, where Town Hall Meeting participants get to inform PHACS and the meeting about their concerns. Issues raised in this part of the meeting will sometimes find their way into our strategic plan.
· David (from Davis Bay) mentioned the need for affordable housing and urges the community to create and rent out basement suites.
· Annie Schroeder, Marketing Director for Sunshine Coast Tourism introduced herself. To the community.
· Michael Jackson said that the Lagoon Society was looking at applying for a grant for emergency spill response equipment to be located at Irvine’s Landing.
· Tom Seeley (Madeira Park) question to Nicholas Simon and Chief Warren Paul ”What about the Pender Harbour Indians?” They are interested in their status and their artifacts. They have inquiries before the federal government. Melissa Andronyk RE Pender Harbour First Nation asking to move the issue forward with the Sechelt Nation
· Lynn Squire re Traffic going by Tyner Park and the lack of signage and parking people accessing the Lily Lake Trail and Tyner Park. Lily Lake development also has a parking problem because of the park.
The Town Hall Meeting was adjourned and the meeting moved into the Pender Harbour Advisory Council AGM.
Pender Harbour Community Hall ~ September 10, 2017 at 1 pm
The event was chaired by PHACS President Alan Stewart
Alan opened the meeting by recognizing special guests: Area A Representative to the SCRD, Frank Mauro, MLS Nicholas Simon, Chief Warren Paul of the Sechelt Nation, members of the Pender Harbour Advisory Council Board and winners of the Community Volunteer awards.
Alan briefly discussed some changes in Pender Harbour in the last 5 years using demographics from the 2016 Census provided by the Pender Harbour Health Centre Board.
Mike Price, PHACS Board Member and President of the Pender Harbour Rotary Club introduced the winners of the community volunteer awards: Doreen Lee, Lifetime Achievement Award; Barrie Wilbee, Lifetime Achievement Award; and Bill Gilkes, Volunteer of the Year for 2017. Mike thanked the many volunteers in Pender Harbour for all that they do for our community.
Moving into the presentation part of the program:
• Amanda Peterson, Pender Harbour Fitness and Aquatic Centre, introduced their fall program and the Community Recreation brochure.
• Darcy Murray and Francine Clohosey of the Pender harbour Community School, spoke about their work with youth needing support in the community. What is new with this program is access to more support through the schools including food support, First Nations leadership program, and more activities for young people. Now, youth are much more likely to come forward and ask for help when they are in need. Francine mentioned creating an inventory of all of the activities available for youth and the Youth Advocate Collective.
• Michael Jackson, Executive Director of PODS (Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station) said that PODS is within $180,000 of achieving their goal of acquiring the Irvine's Landing property for their facility. Now is the time to step up and donate! They have a partnership with Simon Fraser University which will bring hundreds of students, researchers and professors to the community. Over 10,000 volunteer hours have been spent on the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society projects to date in 2017. They have opened an information facility in Madeira Park, and the PODS website is https://www.openpods.com/
• Bill Charlton presented a new Chamber of Commerce initiative “Pender Harbour Christmas” He referenced the murals in Chemainus and suggested the Pender Harbour could become a Christmas light focal point for the Sunshine Coast. The website is http://penderharbourchristmas.com/
• Nicholas Simon, MLA for Powell River and the Sunshine Coast, acknowledged that we were meeting in the traditional territory of the Sechelt First Nation. He introduced Chief Warren Paul. Chief Paul noted that the draft Dock Management Plan had created conflict with previous Sechelt First Nations Councils. He said that the Sechelt Nation currently wants to work together with everyone and find a middle ground where we can all meet and agree. Nicholas Simons noted that the contracts for archaeological and environmental studies, as recommended in Barry Penner's report had been awarded in the last week and that the work would be completed in early 2018. He offered to meet with the DMP Working Group.
• Frank Mauro, Area A representative with the SCRDacknowledged Chief Paul and thanked him for his message on working together with the community. Frank addressed the many terms and issues concerning derelict vessels, which include: structures that are not actively being worked on but are anchored in the waterway without permission, sunken boats, vessels (owner was known and boat is working) those needing anchor lights, structures without tenures, permanent liveaboards discharging sewage into the Harbour, etc. There is a new federal government program for the removal of derelict vessels and for education around the issue. There is also Harbour Authority funding for derelict vessels left at their docks. Frank is looking for a group or society to take on making an application for funding to remove derelict vessels. The application deadline for the removal of derelict vessels is October 30, 2017.
The meeting moved into the “Open Mic” part of the program, where Town Hall Meeting participants get to inform PHACS and the meeting about their concerns. Issues raised in this part of the meeting will sometimes find their way into our strategic plan.
· David (from Davis Bay) mentioned the need for affordable housing and urges the community to create and rent out basement suites.
· Annie Schroeder, Marketing Director for Sunshine Coast Tourism introduced herself. To the community.
· Michael Jackson said that the Lagoon Society was looking at applying for a grant for emergency spill response equipment to be located at Irvine’s Landing.
· Tom Seeley (Madeira Park) question to Nicholas Simon and Chief Warren Paul ”What about the Pender Harbour Indians?” They are interested in their status and their artifacts. They have inquiries before the federal government. Melissa Andronyk RE Pender Harbour First Nation asking to move the issue forward with the Sechelt Nation
· Lynn Squire re Traffic going by Tyner Park and the lack of signage and parking people accessing the Lily Lake Trail and Tyner Park. Lily Lake development also has a parking problem because of the park.
The Town Hall Meeting was adjourned and the meeting moved into the Pender Harbour Advisory Council AGM.
- Bill Charlton expressed concern about the sad state of many Pender Harbour Roads. He also expressed interest in having a meeting with Chief Warren Paul and Nicholas Simons regarding the Dock Management Plan.
Signs of the times
Pender Harbour Hikers and Sunshine Coast Community Forest Contribute Trail Signage to the Community . . . read more
“Slow-No Wake” Buoys and signs are part of a Pender Harbour Advisory Council initiative to get boaters to slow down both to reduce damaging wakes and make the harbour a safe place for all water users. Summer is coming and everyone will be heading for the water.
