comox valley echo - february 20, 2015

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POLITICS

18.NDP deputy leader visits to get input on platform

COURTENAY

10.Next step taken to fi nd outnew fi re hall costs

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EXPECT TRAFFIC DELAYS IN COMOX.03

15.SEARCH STARTS FOR VALLEY POET LAUREATE

OYSTER RIVER

09.Fire Rescue honours its best

COURTENAY

02.Long-time director retiring

21.LOCAL DAIRY FARM GOES HIGH TECH WITHROBOTICS

www.comoxvalleyecho.com

COURTENAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA • Friday, February 20, 2015

www.comoxvalleyecho.comFRI DAY .COURTENAY,BC. FEBRUARY 20, 2015 2

For the latest Comox Valley Weather visit: www.comoxvalleyecho.com

Comox Valley Weather

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud.Low 3°C. High 8°C.

SaturdaySunny.

Low 2°C. High 9°C.

Sunday


Monday


Tuesday


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BY MICHAEL BRIONESEcho Staff

After 22 years of serv-ing the City of Courtenay, Tillie Manthey, the direc-tor of fi nance and assis-tant chief administrative offi cer, is leaving her post and will be retiring on

May 31.Mayor Larry Jangula

made the announcement during Monday’s council meeting. He congratulated Manthey, who has worked in local governments in B.C. and Alberta.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to have

worked with her,” said Jan-gula.

“She has consistently

gone above and beyond the call of duty and bal-anced many city budgets.

I know this is no easy task. She will certainly be missed. We thank her for the years of service in the City of Courtenay.”

In all the time he has worked with Manthey, Jan-gula said he always found her to be “very approach-able and made budget issues, which to me are always diffi cult, easier to understand.”

Chief Administrative Of-fi cer David Allen said this is good news for Manthey but “bittersweet” for staff and her colleagues.

“She has been an incred-ible asset to the organiza-tion,” said Allen. “Over the two years that I’ve been here, she’s really helped

support me and my role and has been an excellent colleague. So thank you.”

Over the next few months, Manthey will help the city with a transi-tion plan said Allen “to en-sure that we can maintain a strong foundation she’s built while she’s been here. She’s left the budget in great shape.”

Allen added that “it might be our loss but cer-tainly it’s her family’s gain. She’s going to be spending a lot of her time with her husband Mark, her chil-dren Erika and Peter, and her young grandchildren.

“If this was a made for TV movie, I’d call it ‘Free Tillie.’”

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Comox begins work to replace failing storm drainConstruction foreman warns public there will be long traffi c delaysBY MICHAEL BRIONESEcho Staff

Those wishing to access the Marina Park in Co-mox may face delays due to a major work to replace a failing storm drain on Port Augusta Street.

It’s a 60-year-old storm pipeline that has began to collapse and may pose a risk to private property in the area.

The problem is the cur-rent main is located four meters undergroun.

“We want to bring it out to the road so it’s more ac-cessible,” said Brett Green, Comox’s

public works foreman.

“We’ve had issues. It’s col-lapsing and because it’s so deep it’s a big deal to go and fi x it.”

The plan is to replace it with 150 metres of new storm main and upsize it so it would meet the needs of the town down the road.

Green said the major confl ict that’s going to arise from the project is the traffi c situation in the Port Augusta Street, just adjacent to the Black Fin Restaurant.

Work will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“It’s a narrow road and we’re going to be digging,” said Green.

“We’re anticipating de-lays of up to 20 minutes. The biggest delays will be on February 23rd, 24th and 25th.”

Green said they’re ad-vising people to use the West Marina parking lot but would prefer if they could park some where in the downtown area and walk down.

There will be parking re-strictions to the section of Beaufort Avenue between Nordin Street and Port Augusta Street.

Access to private park-ing off Beaufort Ave will be maintained, but may be subject to detours or mi-nor delays.

“We certainly want peo-ple to come to the Marina and use it,” said Green. “We’re just asking them to park in the west parking lot or try to time it around the traffi c control people.”

Town crews are now do-ing exploratory work in the area. This is just the fi rst phase of the project, which has some complexi-ties.

“One of the things that make this fairly diffi cult in scope is there’s two high

pressure fuel lines that runs to the base there that we’re weaving in and out of constantly,” Green ex-plained. “There are also natural gas mains, high pressure water mains and two sewer lines. There’s a lot of infrastructure under-

ground that is confl icting with us. We can deal with it but it’s going to slow us down.”

Green said that all the businesses in the Port Au-gusta corridor will remain open and their parking won’t be confl icted at all.

Comox work crews have already started to replace failing storm drain on Port Augusta Street

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Courtenay council has approved capital funds to carry out the design and costing for the proposed East Courtenay satellite fi re hall project.

The $150,000 fund, which will be included in the 2015-2019 general capital fi nancial plan, will help the city determine

the best way to proceed with the plan.

At this time, the price of the proposed fi re hall is expected to be around $5.5 million. But city staff believe this estimate may be high. They want to de-termine the precise cost for the benefi t of the pub-lic, which will eventually vote on the money that will need to be sourced from new borrowing.

The initial concept called for a combined emergency services building but the scope of the project was reduced to simply provide a fi re hall for the Courte-nay Volunteer Fire De-

partment as other groups that included the Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue, as well as the Co-mox Valley Emergency Program opted out of the proposed plan. Staff feels

this will bring down the overall cost.

Councillor Erik Eriks-son wanted to revisit the project and revive the fi re service select committee.

“During the election campaign the issue of fi re services came up quite a bit and I still fi rmly be-lieve that the people of Courtenay are asking for us to take a second look at it,” said Eriksson.

“Not necessarily op-posed to but a second look at it. I’d like to know how we can bring the mat-ter up to the fi re services committee because the is-sue of fi re services in the valley is very important. I’d like to know and I liked to be involved in especial-ly how, what our relation-ship is with our fi re de-partment, the Comox Fire Department, the base fi re department and other fi re departments in the valley.

This matter is so impor-tant to the people in the valley that we should re-institute the fi re services committee and talk about the overall picture.”

CAO David Allen said what Eriksson was re-questing was beyond the fi re services commit-tee’s mandate, which was mainly to determine the feasibility of a creating a fi re training facility and satellite fi re hall, and to examine the design and cost of the project.

“You can broaden the terms of reference of the fi re services committee but you can’t broaden it beyond the actual capac-ity for the city to have control,” said Allen. “What councillor Eriksson is talk-ing about is a governance issue that is much broader than the city’s ability to weigh in on.

(Continued on page 5)

Funds approved to determine cost and design of satellite fi re hall


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(Continued from page 4)

“Those wider and broad-er governance issues are typically not dealt with in a single entity’s commit-tee structure. That would require a broader, sort of cross-jurisdictional ap-proach.”

Allen said if the public reads the information on the proposed fi re hall they would better understand why the city is proceeding with this plan.

“If they can review it line by line, section by section, it spells out its rationale on the staff recommenda-tion to go forward to the next step,” said Allen. “It does not mean fully com-mitting to the actual con-struction of the new fi re hall. What it means is es-sentially taking it to the next step so that you un-derstand better what the cost would likely be.”

Councillor Bob Wells said he too had some concerns and shared Er-iksson’s views. But that changed when he reviewed the report and also had conversations with staff .

“I have a much higher level of satisfaction how we got to this decision,” said Wells.

Next stepfor new fi re halltaken by city

BY DREW A. PENNEREcho Staff

It was hard enough that Isaac Leblanc, 29, was confi ned to a wheelchair by a multiple sclerosis-like disease, but on top of everything he was stuck living with seniors at the Glacier View Lodge resi-dential care facility be-cause his own home in Courtenay wasn’t acces-sible.

That’s why the Comox Valley Monarch Lions Club decided to work on a couple of entrances so he can get in and out of the Fitzgerald Avenue build-ing independently, thanks to new handrails.

“I had to live in the lodge until that place was fi xed and made wheelchair ac-

cessible,” he said. “I fi nally get to go in and out of the house.”

This marks a big step forward in a three-year medical journey for the Leblanc, which has led to hospital stays in Victoria, Vancouver and Comox be-fore he moved to Glacier View.

Doctors never were able to say defi nitively what has cause the slurring speech eff ects and mobility issues Leblanc lives with day in and day out. The closest they can fi gure is he may have MS.

The renovation was quite the endeavour and was kicked off by a Lions cleanup of the site, which cost $50 for a dump run.

(Continued on page 7)Comox Valley Monarch Lions Club members worked together to build handrails to make it safe for Isaac Leblance to get in and out of his house.

Monarch Lions provide gift of independent living for Courtenay man

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Rotary Clubs of the Comox Valley

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C O M O X www.portal.clubrunner.ca/670

If you have driven over the 5th street bridge you have probably seen one of many Rotary Wheels that dot our communities of Comox, Cumberland and Courtenay. The four Rotary Clubs of the Comox Valley have been instrumental in completing such projects as the SkyPark at the Courtenay Airpark, by the Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club, the marina walkway and pier in Comox, by the Comox Rotary Club, the beautiful Waterpark near the Lewis Center in Courtenay, by the Courtenay Rotary Club and the new play park for children in Cumberland by the Cumberland Centennial Rotary Club.

While each of these clubs is independent, they all are part of Rotary International whose 110th birthday is on February 23. The Rotary slogan is “Service above Self” and members live by this. If you visit the Rotary website of www.rotary.org you will see “Welcome to Rotary”. We are neighbours, community leaders and global citizens uniting for the common good. With you, we can accomplish even more.

The genealogy of Rotary in the Comox Valley starts with the Courtenay Rotary Club lunch meeting on October 27, 1936 at the Elk’s Hall. Hy Smith was the fi rst president and their initial project was sending fruit and vegetables to people in the prairies trying to deal with drought. The club continues to work in our local community with projects such as Simms Millennium Park Pavilion, the railway trail, book sales and their, newest fundraiser, the Courtenay Rotary BeerFest held last October in the Native Son’s Hall.

The Courtenay club sponsored Comox Rotary in 1974. The Comox club was instrumental in the construction of d’Esterre House Seniors Centre in 1976 and its expansion in 1994 as well as building the Pavilion and Pier walkway in Marina Park. Comox Rotary is famous for their fundraiser Ducky 500 as well as Whiskey Fest.

March 1, 1987 saw the formation of the Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club, again sponsored by Courtenay Rotary. George Law was the fi rst president and their fi rst community project was the much-used “Duck Blind” on Dyke Road. Other local projects include renovations at Camp Gilwell Scout Camp, installation of playground equipment and assistance with construction of nature pathways. Recent major fund-raising efforts have included pancake breakfasts at community events, the Have-a Heart musical revue dinner theatre and sale of Skyrocket compost.

And last but certainly not least, in June of 2005 the Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club sponsored the Rotary Club of Cumberland Centennial. So named, as 2005 was the centennial year of Rotary. Cumberland Centennial’s fi rst and foremost fundraiser has been the Italian Extravaganza held in Cumberland each autumn reinstating an old tradition of the Italian miners from days past. Cumberland is known as the small club that does big things. From a membership of only 30 members, the club has raised over half a million dollars in the last ten years. One of their fi rst purchases was defi brillators that are used all over the Comox Valley, helping to save lives.

These are just a few of the local projects undertaken by Rotary clubs of the Comox Valley. In addition they all make fi nancial donations to support the work of many other valley organizations and all are involved with projects in developing nations.

Rotary projects in the Comox Valley and worldwide count on community support to raise money. Fund raising takes many forms from plant sales to pancake breakfasts to book sales and auctions. The support of the community is greatly appreciated.

Who are Rotarians? They are active or retired business and professional men and women who are passionate about helping people and communities worldwide. Apart from the satisfaction of doing good, one of the great benefi ts of being a Rotarian is the fellowship of like-minded people.

To become a Rotarian, one must be invited by a current member of a Rotary club. Typically, potential new members attend one or two meetings as a guest to better understand the commitment of membership before applying. Within the Comox Valley there are four choices with two breakfast clubs, a lunch club and a dinner club. If you are interested becoming a member or simply want more information about Rotary, please go to our websites listed below.

EVENT CALENDAR March 14Texas Hold ‘Em Charity Poker Tournament starting at 5:30 pm in the Courtenay Legion. Have fun while fund raising for Strathcona Sunrise Rotary.

April 18Strathcona Sunrise Rotary’s Skyrocket Garden Compost Sale. Watch for additional information.

May 6, 7, 8, 9 Courtenay Rotary’s next book sale in the Comox Mall. A great way to get bargain books while supporting community projects.

May 10 The Tidesmen Barbershop Chorus will entertain you with their wonderful singing in the Sid Williams Theatre. Show Starts at 2pm. Adults $28, seniors, students and youth $23. Tickets available at the Sid. A fund raiser of Strathcona Sunrise Rotary.

October 2 Courtenay Rotary BeerFest. Mark your calendar and watch for more information.

Rotary International’s single greatest project is involvement in the global effort to eliminate polio from the world. Rotary’s effort in this fi ght has spanned 35 years with a contribution of US$ 1.3 billion to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative of which Canadian Rotary club members contributed more than $27 million.

Remarkable progress has been

made with a 99% decrease in the number of polio cases since 1988. More than 2 billion children have been vaccinated. At present only Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan are polio-endemic.

However, the fi ght is not over and there are immense challenges to achieving the ultimate goal of eradication.

End Polio Now Campaign R O T A R Y F A C T :

1.2 million members34,500 clubs

W E L C O M Eto 35 Rotary exchange students from around the world who are meeting in the Comox Valley February 25-March 1.

W H A T I S R O T A R Y ?“A worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities”

The Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise partnered with the City of Courtenay to build the extremely popular universally accessible playground next to the air park.

At the starting line of the Port Alberni bike ride to raise funds for a Mexican project are Bob Johnson and Gord Nettleton.

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Because the Monarch Lions were at Central Builders in January for a separate event manage-ment learned about the project and off ered mate-rials and special tool rent-als free of charge.

Now Leblanc has a dual cedar railing accompany-ing the cement ramp from the rear entrance of the building, which allows him to grab on at one height while others who are not in a wheel chair can secure themselves with the wood that extends horizontally higher up.

“It’s good,” he said. “I was getting sick of the hospital.”

April Dyck, a Lions member, said there was a good reason even after Leblanc was discharged from the hospital he wasn’t allowed to go home at night.

“It was a huge safety is-sue,” she said of the pre-vious ramp that was in place. “He couldn’t use it at all until the railings were put in.”

The Lions also improved the ramp at the front en-trance of the building, adding a rubber mat that

will guard against weather decay.

In total the Lions do-nated about 55 hours of labour to the project.

“He didn’t have a prop-er access,” said president Rick Grinham. “What this has done is create an envi-ronment where he can be self suffi cient even though he’s in a wheelchair.”

Leblanc’s mom Wendy says this has made a world of a diff erence to her son.

“Everything’s done on a very strict schedule,” she said of life in an institu-tional setting. “Here he still has a routine, but it’s

a routine he got to pick.”She’s thankful for the

help of people like Trevor Coyle, from Kinetic Con-struction, and doesn’t know what they would have done without the Li-ons.

She’s already seen the impact the accessibility features have made on her son, who couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

“My dad owned it be-fore,” the 29-year-old man said, thinking of his home, which he inherited from his father when he passed away recently. “I lived here when I was a teenager.”

The Comox Valley Multicultural Soci-ety will hold a bonus afternoon show exclusive for seniors only. Help cel-ebrate the Lunar New Year Festival on Tuesday Feb 24th from 2 pm to 2:40 pm at the Grand Hall of Courtenay Recreation’s Native Sons Hall. Dona-tions will be taken at the door. The incredible Jhuo Lan Dragon Dance Team of Taiwan, champion in Asia, is only visiting three cities during the short trip: Toronto, Vancouver, Cour-tenay. For more information, please call Jin at (250)338-9386 or visit www.comoxvalleymulticultural.ca.

Dragon show for seniors only

MONDAY FEBRUARY 23RD IS INTERNATIONAL CUP-CAKE DAY and the ladies at Van Isle Veterinary Hos-pital will be baking up a storm to raise money for the BCSPCA to help homeless, sick and injured pets in

need. Come on in to enjoy a tasty treat or pick upa dozen to take back to the offi ce! Cupcakes will besold by donation and 100% of the proceeds will goto the animals.

Isaac Leblanc with mom Wendy

Monarch Lionsto the rescue

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AMADEUS:DANCES WITH WOLFGANGMARCH 27

The chairman of the Courtenay Centennial Celebrations Commit-tee Ron Webber (centre) and committee member Rod Hunter present Courtenay Mayor Larry Jangula (left) and council a fl ag of Courtenay’s 100th year celebration. The fl ag will be displayed at Courtenay city hall throughout the year.

Flying the fl ag for Courtenay’sCentennial


Good hearing, poor comprehension?The number of people who canhear well, but can’t understandwhat’s being said, is increasing. Thisis most evident in conversationsand watching television. A newly-developed hearing chip is designedto restore speech comprehensionwithout being noticeable in the ear.

A lot of people have poorcomprehension, though they actuallystill hear well. It becomes noticeablein conversation, watching televisionand asking family to repeat what’sbeen said. A potential cause can beundetected loss in the high-frequencyrange. This means the sensory cellsin the cochlea that hear high-rangesounds are damaged as a resultof circulatory disorders, diabetes,sudden hearing loss or workplacenoise. Hearing loss in the high-frequency range makes speech soundmuffled and unclear. The person withhearing lossmixesup,orcanno longerhear, consonants like s, f, t, k, h and g.Speech comprehension is particularlyimpaired when there is backgroundnoise or when television programshavebackgroundmusic.Thedilemmais that people with hearing loss inthe high-frequency range do not

consider themselves to have a hearingproblem. They can hear deep toneswith no issue, and often put difficultyunderstanding speech down tounclear pronunciation. However, thetime soon comeswhen problemswithcomprehension become annoying.

A new hearing chip has beendeveloped.

Swiss audiologists have developed anew hearing chip that restores speechcomprehension, particularly withhearing loss in the high-frequencyrange. People can test the new AudéoV system by Phonak simply by callingnow to do so. First, a hearing test

Ginette van Wijngaarden, atConnect Hearing, advises peoplewith hearing loss on the new hearingchip, together with her colleagues.

and speech comprehension analysisis done. Where inner-ear damage ispresent, a software program analyzesthe difference relative to normalhearing. These values are then inputinto the new Venture hearing chipin the Audéo V, which preciselytakes into account and balances thefrequency range of the person beingtested. The test phase in particularis designed to clarify how speechcomprehension can be improved invarious situations and what role anew technology called “AutosenseOS” plays. The chip recognizes wherethe person being spoken to is locatedand amplifies only his or her voice,while ambient noise is lowered andthe optimum hearing programsare seamlessly adjusted. Thanks toseveral synchronous microphones,the hearing system can detect soundin all directions and select thedirection that speech is coming fromwithin milliseconds. According toSwiss researchers, this significantlyaugments speech comprehension,especially in conversation.

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Oyster River Fire honours its bestOyster River Volunteer

Fire Rescue held their An-nual Awards Banquet on Jan. 24, 2015. This event was held to honour the members that have com-pleted training and have excelled as fi refi ghters.

The awards portion of the evening commenced with Deputy Chief Bruce Green and Lieutenant/Training Offi cer Chris Murray presenting Fire-fi ghter II certifi cates to fi re fi ghters Paul Theri-ault, Kevin Cowie, Jerry Rippen and Nick Huxham. Fire Chief Niels Holbek presented Deputy Chief Bruce Green with his Fire Offi cer 4 certifi cate.

Strathcona Regional District Area D director Brenda Leigh was happy to present long service pins to fi refi ghters Mar-tyn Thomas, Janet Mar-riott and Kevin Cowie for 5 years of service, 10 years

of service to Paul Theri-ault and 15 years of service to Lt. Chris Murray.

Edwin Grieve, Area C director from the Comox Valley Regional District, was delighted to present fi refi ghter Paul Drakeley with his federal medal for

20 years of exemplary ser-vice. During his 20 years, Paul served with the Lang and Lantzville depart-ments and is currently with Oyster River.

To conclude the awards portion of the evening, Deputy Chief Bruce Green

presented fi refi ghter Jim Flohr with the Rookie of the Year award and Fire Chief Niels Holbek and Mrs. Rose Carnie present-ed fi refi ghter Dave Carmi-chael with the Bill Carnie Memorial Firefi ghter of the Year trophy.

Fire Chief Niels Holbek and Rose Carnie presenting Dave Carmichael with the Bill Carnie Memorial Fire-fi ghter of the Year award.

Paul and Cathy Drakeley with Paul’s 20 year exemplary service medal.Deputy Chief Bruce Green presenting Jim Flohr the Rookie of the Year award.

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Courtenay council is disappointed that the Vil-lage of Cumberland wants to withdraw from the Co-mox Valley Economic De-velopment Service.

Councillor Erik Eriks-son said he has always considered Cumberland to be part of the history of the Comox Valley and is saddened by the village’s decision.

Cumberland Mayor Les-lie Baird notifi ed Courte-nay council by letter of the village’s intention to back out of the service.

Baird stated the results of the service review com-pleted by Urbanics Con-sultants Ltd. in 2014, “re-

inforced the village’s belief that participation in this service is unsatisfactory and not in our best inter-est.”

Council has asked what the impact this will have on the city and the rest of the members of CVEDS.

Chief Administrative Offi cer David Allen said the process of withdraw-ing from CVEDS is medi-ated by the province and will not be immediate.

“It would certainly be a staged or gradual with-drawal,” said Allen.

“There are other factors to think about. The visitor centre is within the Village of Cumberland and there’s tax revenue generated that they receive in the order of around $28,000

roughly. They obviously benefi t from having the Visitor Centre in their ju-risdiction.

“How that might play out if they withdrew the services is a bit of an un-known question. All of these things need to be worked through over time.”

Councilor David Frisch shared Eriksson’s senti-ments.

“It’s always better to work together as a valley and as a community,” said Frisch.

“I understand exactly where the Village of Cum-berland is coming from. I think our representative to the CVRD, if that’s their job, should be taking this to CVEDS, asking them

for maybe a little bit of accountability and a little bit better reporting to ourselves and the public about what exactly that they do and how we’re getting good value for our money.”

Councillor Doug Hillian wanted to know what ac-tion CVEDS is taking and whether they are planning on making representa-tions to Cumberland.

Mayor Larry Jangula

said CVEDS has to im-prove the way they com-municate to the public about the work that they do.

“Economic develop-ment often does not do a good job of explaining all the things that they’re do-ing,” said Jangula.

Eriksson said CVEDS will be renewing its agree-ment with the regional district and he plans to re-lay council’s concerns.

There are other factors to think about. The visi-tor centre is within the Village of Cumberland there’s tax revenue gen-erated that they receive in the order of around $28,000 roughly. ”

DAVID ALLENCourtenay CAO

City sad to hear Cumberland’s plan to withdraw from CVEDS

Project Watershed plans to build a breach in the north side of Air Park Lagoon to make the water more ideal for fi sh and aquatic habitat.


Courtenay council has agreed to support a fi sh habitat enhancement plan for the stagnant Airpark Lagoon.

Project Watershed, which has been working for fi ve years with the city on this project, will be re-ceiving $25,800 in funds as well as in-kind support valued at around $3,500. The city will draw the money from its Gaming Fund Account.

Councillor Doug Hill-ian said it’s a worthwhile project that’s going to be a “win-win all around.”

Staff as well strongly endorsed the project and recommended that coun-cil give its full support.

Project Watershed will be installing a fi sh friendly culvert that would breach the Airpark Lagoon dike on the Courtenay River side. The funds will be used to purchase crushed rock and asphalt for the trail, as well as rental of the trail compactor equip-

ment, and also for riprap for the culvert ends.

The project will cost $280,000. Project Water-shed has secured around $140,000 already from various provincial and fed-eral programs. An applica-

tion for another $106,000 in funding has been made to the BC Hydro’s Fish and Wildlife Compensa-tion Program.

Another project that Courtenay council ap-proved in principle is the

restoration of the former Fields Sawmill site to a natural state.

Project Watershed asked council to support a plan to conserve the property that is part of the K’omoks Estuary, considered one of the most biologically rich estuaries in the world.

The property has been cleared of all sawmill in-frastructure and is cur-rently vacant. It is up for sale for $3.5 million. Proj-ect Watershed wants to buy the property.

Staff reported to council that certain factors make the property unsuitable for future development.

That’s because it is lo-cated in the river’s natural fl oodplain and is subject to both 30m setback and fl ood construction levels.

The site is also within an environmental develop-ment permit area and will need city approval. A re-quirement would also be needed to complete a site profi le pursuant to the En-vironmental Act.

Even with height re-strictions, buildings in the location may aff ect air traffi c at the nearby airpark and fl oat planes that land on the river. Any structures built may re-quire the Airpark to invest in sophisticated lighting and instrumentation to continue operation.

Council supported the project in principle only and are not committing any funds to it. They have also agreed to appoint a representative to the res-toration initiative.

City supports twowatershed projects

LETTERS

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newspaper published by Echo Publications at

407-E Fifth Street, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 1J7

Phone 250-334-4722

Fax 250-334-3172

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All material herein is protected by copyright.Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without written authorization from the publisher.

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COMOX VALLEY ECHO

OPINIONSEC

HO

www.comoxvalleyecho.comFRIDAY.FEBRUARY 20, 2015 11

Learn more about LWMPResidents in Royston

and Union Bay have been talking about wastewater management for many years - and this month plans for the service are in a critical stage.

As project manager for the Comox Valley Region-al District’s south sewer project and the south re-gion liquid waste manage-ment plan, I encourage residents to learn more about the planning work that has been completed on a possible service in-cluding the four shortlist-ed options that were pre-sented to the public last month.

We know this is a critical project for residents in the area. If the LWMP is ap-proved by the CVRD board and provincial Ministry of Environment, those living in the core residential area of Royston, Union Bay and Kilmarnock could see a wastewater collection system constructed by September 2018. We know many people are eager to see this happen - but we also know that there are a lot of questions as this signifi cant capital expense is considered.

In early March, the pub-lic and technical advisory committees will take the next step of applying a triple-bottom line analysis to the four scenarios to as-sess their fi nancial, envi-ronmental and social im-pacts. Feedback from the

community will be criti-cal in that process, which is why we’re encouraging residents and homeown-ers in the area to provide comment now, through-out February.

The LWMP requires signifi cant public consul-tation to move forward, and much of the commu-nity has already been gen-erous with their time and feedback. This, however, is a particularly signifi -cant step and it’s impor-tant that we hear from you now to be sure the best solution is selected for the long-term.

An LWMP can be used as an authorizing mecha-nism for construction of a service like this - the CVRD board will ulti-mately decide whether the engagement with the community has been suc-cessful or whether it re-quires another referendum on borrowing, like the one that passed in 2006.

You can learn more about the LWMP process, and how to provide feed-back at www.comoxval-leyrd.ca/southregionlwmp or by phoning 250-871-6100. Our project offi ce at 3843 Livingstone Rd. in Royston is open each Thursday from noon to 4 pm or you can send an email any time to [email protected]

Kris La RoseManager, Liquid Waste Planning

Comox Valley Regional District

BY DERMOD TRAVISGuest Column

Government policies are normally designed to help citizens as they try to move up the economic ladder, not penalize them for trying. And on that one count alone, this week’s budget from Finance minister Mike de Jong is an abject failure.

In its budget highlights, the B.C. government presented four scenarios to bolster its case that “British Colum-bians continue to have one of the low-est overall tax burdens in Canada.”

But buried deep in another budget document - on page 106 of the three year fi scal plan - are two other scenar-ios and, strangely, B.C. doesn’t fare quite as well when they’re pulled out for comparison purposes.

Accepting the government’s num-bers entirely at face value, a single individual earning $80,000 in B.C. would have the lowest tax burden in Canada. Yet, a single individual earn-ing $25,000 has the third lowest bur-den in Canada. A two-income family of four earning $90,000 has the sec-ond lowest burden, but a two-income family of four earning $30,000 has the fourth lowest.

Notice a pattern? Such as the wealthier you are in B.C., the lower the comparative burden when compared to other provinces.

Undoubtedly it’s a coincidence, but surely no government would ever stoop so low as to design fi scal scenarios that were the most favourable for their political spin, such as setting income levels marginally below where the full impact of MSP premiums might kick in, which would likely throw some of

those favourable inter-provincial com-parisons out the window.

It’s why what other provinces have to say about inter-provincial tax bur-dens is so fascinating.

According to the Saskatchewan government’s inter-city comparison, a family living in Vancouver, earn-ing $50,000 annually in 2014, had the highest tax burden of the ten cit-ies included in their analysis (includ-ing property tax). A family earning $75,000 was a little better off , fi fth highest.

Numbers compiled by the Manitoba government don’t back up B.C. either. A single parent with one child, earn-ing $30,000, would have a lower tax burden in seven other provinces than they do in B.C. A two-income house-hold of four, earning $60,000, would have a lower tax burden in Newfound-land and Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

But what’s really killing off the eco-nomic hopes of most British Columbi-ans is the incessant nickel-and-diming by a government that lacks the po-litical will to set personal income tax rates at a level where the tax burden is shared fairly among all British Co-lumbians.

Whether it’s a B.C. Hydro rate in-crease, an ICBC premium hike or a rise in MSP premiums, they’re all just another way for the B.C. government to pick the pockets of taxpayers. And since income rarely factors into the equation with regressive taxation, it’s generally those who can least aff ord the hit that get hurt the most.

According to an analysis by PBI Ac-tuarial Consultants, MSP premiums for a family of three or more have gone

up by 33 per cent since 2009, while per capita health care costs increased by 15 per cent.

PBI notes that since “all families with an adjusted net household in-come over $30,000 pay the same fl at MSP rate, the lower the income above $30,000, the higher the impact of the premiums increase will be.”

They calculate that a family of three or more with an income just over the $30,000 limit for premium assistance will have to pay $1,728 per year, or over fi ve per cent of their annual income; while families with a net household in-come between $50,000 and $99,999, will see the percentage of their family income going to pay premiums pro-gressively fall from 3.5 per cent to 1.7 per cent.

And since premium assistance lev-els aren’t indexed to the cost of living, every pay raise for someone on pre-mium assistance risks putting them a little further behind the eight ball, as that assistance begins to cut out. The last time that the limit for MSP assis-tance was changed was in 2010, when it was raised from $28,000.

By 2017-18, the BC government forecasts that MSP premiums will bring in $2.666 billion or $1.06 billion more than they did in 2009-10. The revenue it generates will be $18 million shy of what the government forecasts its royalties will be from natural gas, forestry and mining combined.

It would seem the B.C. government has found its own prosperity fund in MSP premiums.

Dermod Travis is the executive di-rector of IntegrityBC. www.integri-tybc.ca

Budget pushes white picket fence further out of reach

FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 20, 2015 www.comoxvalleyecho.com12

BEEFS & BOUQUETS

was quickly masked for an opening at another func-tion I had to attend at min-utes away. She was quick, polite and did an amazing job. Thank you!

BAD KARMA to the stu-pid owners of the pit bull on Headquaeters Road, whether I was on their property or not This dog, “Scappy”, latched on to my sweet therapy dog “Cami” and tore her eyeball right out of the socket, and the irresponsible owner, since I was in shock, tried pushing her eyeball back into the socket. Friendly bill bull dog alright, as their friend said. Cami lost her left eye, her jaw was fractured, and she was sent home, but then came the seizures, and now sweet “Cami” is gone. She is now missed at the Senior Village, Saint John’s Ambulance, Van Isle who did everything possi-ble to save her because she touched so many. Rest in peace my sweet “Cami”. I am so sorry, sweet gal, that I took you to an unsafe place.

A BIG THANK YOU to the girls in Courtenay Thrifty flower department. You bring many smiles and much happiness to cus-tomers with your beautiful bouquets. Flowers are like sunshine to rain. Great job, much appreciated.

BOUQUET to the person who wrote in about land-lords raising rents ev-ery year. I agree with you. Some places are not worth the rent they charge. Go-ing to be a lot more on the streets if rents keep going up. Thanks for doing that letter.

ON 11 FEB. WHILE DRIVINGalong Lerwick at Idiens Rd., I felt unwell. I pulled over, put my flashing lights on and my wife, a passen-ger in the car, phoned for an ambulance. When we were waiting a couple pulled up to see if they could assist

us. They waited 10 min-utes or so until the ambu-lance arrived. My wife is an invalid and can’t drive, so I asked if one of them could take my vehicle and my wife to our residence. This they did. Although we thanked these people, we didn’t get their names and I wish to use this message to thank them for taking considerable time to come to our aid.

GOOD KARMA to all the

considerate folks who re-frain from tossing their Tim Hortons, Wendy’s, Macdonalds, etc. coffee cups, and beer cans out the window of their cars. Last week two garbage bags, of mostly cups, and a bag of beer cans were collect-ed from a 3 km stretch of Howard Road. Anyone who walks or bicycles along our beautiful country roads is assualted by this unneces-sarily tossed garbage and recyclables. So, to you who would love to earn some good karma, please stop tossing.

WENT FOR A LOVELY WALK around the estuary this glorious Sunday morning warmed by a wonderful breakfast at The Hog and The Hen, the former Oh So Yummy cafe, in the Co-mox Valley Inn. I had been pleased to find the setting brighter and warmer and my food, even better. Add-ing the intelligent conver-sation with the lovely and lively Christina, the server, it made for a perfect way to start a day in the Comox Valley. It’s much quieter for the first hour or so in the morning too from what I understand, something else I greatly appreciate.

ALL THE BOUQUETS to the cowling farm behind High-land for mowing a nice little race track around the edge of your field. Made run-ning through the swamp that much more enjoyable, even though it ruined my

one pair of socks!

I AM WRITING regarding the irritating trend in busi-nesses of referring to peo-ple who work for them as “associates” rather than employees. One big box hardware store in partic-ular insists on using this ridiculous term, which means nothing at all. As-sociated in what way? Are they friends of yours, or perhaps you know them from a sports league, club or hobby group? Is there something wrong with a business having employ-ees? There is certainly nothing degrading about it, and it clearly states what your relationship is to the person who is working for you. We all know what employees are, and when we’re looking for some-one to help us find some-thing, what we really want is one of your employees to come to our aid, not some-one who may be associ-ated with your company in some unexplained way. There’s nothing wrong with basic, simple English, so let’s use it.

And while I’m getting my tiny little insignificant grumbles out so I can be free to have a nice day: I’m really beginning to wonder whether real estate agents are selling property, or themselves. More and more real estate ads fea-ture big pictures of beau-tiful blondes in enticing poses -- do you have to be young, blonde and beau-tiful to attract buyers, or to do a good job selling a piece of property?

Whatever happened to pictures of houses and landscapes? It seems like the real estate business is turning into a “Miss Real Estate” beauty competi-tion! For goodness sakes, will it be bikini poses and singing and dancing next?!?

HUGE BEEF to the lady working the express lane

at the grocery store. You were extremely rude to the senior man who was hav-ing trouble counting his money and I felt ashamed by your behaviour. Please do not forget that every single customer pays your wage and they do not de-serve your eye rolling or at-titude. Shame on you.

MY WIFE AND I would like to thank the staff in St. Joe’s Emergency ward for taking such good care of Mary in her final days. Dr. Moosbrugger, your gentle thoughtfulness, guidance and passionate care of mom was greatly appreci-ated. Thank you to all the nurses and O.T. who went above and beyond to make all three of us comfortable. We would also like to thank all the VIHA workers, espe-cially our regulars, who cre-ated that special bond with mom that made her feel so special and well cared for. Your loving care and con-cern meant so much to Mary and to us. We can’t forget her three special friends Joan, Christine, and Alice whose weekly visits were highlights of mom’s week. Dr. Russell-Atkin-son, you were always there for mom when we needed you and we can’t thank you enough for being there for us at the end. We couldn’t have done it without you!

IT WILL BE MANY BOUQUETSto Courtenay council if they divert part of the fund-ing from the cost estimate for a satellite Fire Hall, in-to a study on Comox Val-ley Fire Protection/Emer-gency response. Currently half the Comox Valley Fire Departments report to the CVRD. The CVRD has many professional and ad-ministrative resources and is fully funded by ALL Co-mox Valley taxpayers. We are already paying for the administration. A study would likely confirm that the Valley would be better protected, better prepared

Feb. 20

Meat Draw and Dancing 2pm - 5pm

Feb. 21

Euchre 1:30pmMixed Pub League Darts 7:30pm

Feb. 24

Drop in Darts 1pmFeb. 25

Crib and Gucci 6:30pmFeb. 26

Gary Kremsater

THE COMOX VALLEY’S FIRST AND BEST READER’S FORUMEmail to: [email protected]

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A BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET to the young girl at Shop-pers Drug Mart’s cosmetic counter who came to my rescue last Friday night. My massage face “mess”

for emergency, at a lowercost, if all Fire Departmentsreported to, and were coor-dinated by the Comox Val-ley Regional District.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK the most inspirational andstrong women who cometo my fitness classes andbrighten everyone’s day!Forever grateful - Anna

MANY SLAM DUNKS to the two teenage boys that cameto play basketball at Hu-band Elementary after anearly dismissal day on Feb-ruary 11th. My 8-year-oldson was in the Afterschoolbuilding right outside thebasketball court and whenhe and his friends saw theolder boys playing basket-ball, went outside to ask ifthey could play with them.The boys told the youngerkids of course they couldplay too and were very kindand respectful towardsthem. Thank you for thekindness you showed to-wards my son and the otherkids, they look up to teen-agers like you, and thankyou to your parents for rais-ing you right!

A MAGNIFICENT BOUQUET of spring flowers to the For-tis workman who stoppedto visit 5 super excited day-care youngsters. Thoselittle ones spotted yourtruck and workman gearfrom their window and youspontaneously came upand shared your time andgifts with them. You reallymade our little guys day,thanks to you.

A HUGE BOUQUET to every-one in the Valley who do-nates their QF Points to theComox Valley and DistrictSPCA. We use the pointsfor everything from shel-ter supplies to items forour online auctions! Also,thank you to Quality Foodsfor the very generous do-nation of hundreds of cup-cakes for our Cupcake Dayfundraiser. The staff, vol-unteers and animals thankyou!

(Continued next page)

www.comoxvalleyecho.com FRIDAY.FEBRUARY 20, 2015 13

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THE COMOX VALLEY’S FIRST AND BEST READER’S FORUMEmail to: [email protected]

A BIG BOUQUET to the CV Project Watershed Soci-ety and others with the vision to return the Field Sawmill site to its natu-ral state. It would remove an eyesore from the Val-ley and help to reduce the flood risk. I hope the poli-ticians are listening.

BOUQUETS to Councillor Arnot for his initiative to commercialize the Comox Marina. This is a special pace. It needs something -not Condos - move care-fully -it’s not just Comox taxpayers who enjoy this best place on earth - it’s one of the reasons that people will move here to the Comox Valley in fu-ture. Do you seen many vendors on the Airpark walkway? Just asking.

BRIGHT SMILES all around Courtenay Elementary School thanks to three local dentist offices that provided dental kits to kids in need. Thank you to Dr. Colleen Clancy, Drift-wood Dental, and Shore-line Orthodontics for the cute kits for kids.

A HUGE BOUQUET of peach roses is being sent out to Tracy from the Future Shop, who is a ‘peach’ of an employee! After having some issues with a new computer, she went out of her way to make my shop-ping experience a ‘posi-tive one’.... it was her aim and that is exactly what she managed to do. Thank You Tracy.

A BIG BOUQUET to our

elected Councillors, May-ors and CVRD Directors who are asking questions. They have the picture. It is not the CVRD Valley or the Courtenay Valley, Cumberland Valley or even the “Comox “Valley. They will get it done by 2018!

A HUGE BOUQUET of beauti-ful daffodils for a com-pany we’ve discovered called A Little Lift. We live out of town and we were so excited when we came across this wonderful seniors service. They do everything that a trusted family member would do. Their regular check-ins, love and care gives my family a peace of mind. Thank you to Lisa and her team.

THIS IS A BIG BAG of rot-ten bones to the RCMP of the Comox Valley. I have now twice almost plowed in to the back of an RCMP vehicle while the offi-cer has parked in a very unsafe location. Coming around a corner on a very busy street and there was a RCMP car almost in the middle of the road. They hadn’t even bothered to have the common sense to pull right over to a safe spot? I had to swerve around the police car and lucky for me there was not a vehicle coming the other way. If there was a vehi-cle coming towards me I would have had no choice but to hit to the RCMP car. I thought you people were supposed to make things safe for all of us!

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS!Our weekly feature, Beefs and Bouquets,

is intended to be a light-hearted forum

for you, our readers, to express brief

views on issues and events in your lives.

It’s not intended to hurt people or make

unsubstantiated and libelous comments.

Names won’t be published with the beefs

and bouquets; however, we do need your

full name, mailing address and tele-

phone number for verifi cation purposes.

Each week someone will win a 2 Classic

Cheese Basket Meals from Dairy Queen.

Have fun with this!

THIS WEEK’S WINNER, DRAWN AT RANDOM FROM SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED UP TO TUESDAY, IS:

Winners, you may pick up your prize certifi cates at the front desk of the Echo, 407-D Fifth Street, during regular business hours. Thanks

to everyone for the great submissions- keep ‘em coming!

Erin Kaetler, of CourtenayWinner of two classic cheese baskets

from Dairy Queen

The Comox Valley Growers and Seed Savers receive a $500 dona-tion from the Coastal Community Credit Union 4th Street branch in Courtenay. From left to right: Lynn Collins, CCU community inves-ment, Sylvain Alie, chair of the CVGSS, Sue Moen, Seedy Satur-day Coordinator, Coastal Commu-nities Credit Union representatives Tove Koper and Paul Roberts.

BERNICE JOHNSTON RECEIVES A BASKET OF GOODIES SHE WON, worth over $1,000, that was raf-fl ed by Coastal Community Credit Union. On hand to present the huge basket was regional man-ager of the Ryan Road and Comox branch, Simon Morgan (middle) and Robert Buckley, branch man-ager of the 4th Street CCCU. The CCCU’s marketing department provided $1,000 and it was used to purchase the various items and goodies from local businesses and stores in the Comox Valley. Buck-ley said it’s about buying locally and promoting local awareness.

Credit Union helps Valley Growers and Seed Savers


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www.comoxvalleyecho.comFRIDAY. FEBRUARY 20, 2015 15

Nominees for the Co-mox Valley Poet Laureate Search might take inspira-tion from Victoria for their presentation to the panel judging works submitted.

There, Poet Laureate Linda Rogers was at City Council once a month, often presenting another word artist, during her time in the role. She often she wrote poems to cel-ebrate community leader-ship/citizenship.

“Some of my most en-joyable projects involved kids and elders,” she says.

Rogers, who has pub-lished a number of poetry and children’s books, is one of the jury members who will be selecting the Valley’s poet laureate from entries submitted to www.comoxvalleyarts.com. She is originally from Port Alice.

During her three-year tenure as Victoria Poet Laureate, Rogers orga-nized:

· sidewalk chalk poet-ry to celebrate Valentine’s Day

· putting merchants and poets together for works in store windows,

· poets responding to visual art, resulting in a book with 60 artists and 60 poets,

· a poetry collage with the general public and art-ists working together,

· poetry as outreach with street kids,

· poetry in seniors’

residences homes,· poetry parties, read-

ing events with inter-dis-ciplinary cooperation, in-cluding dance and music,

· poetry in the schools and libraries, in which kids made a book of poems and pictures as wedding pres-ent for Prince William and Catherine Middleton,

· connecting with Slangspruit School in South Africa, in which art-ists helped fund a library, a garden growing lunches for child-headed fami-lies, a fi rst-aid room and scholarships, as well as arts funding for a crèche in Haiti and for a First Na-tions school.

Nominees/applicants can come from any form of verse, from classic, free-form, lyrics, rap or spoken word.

The event is being orga-nized by the Comox Valley Community Arts Council.

“Word up!” The Comox Valley is about to become a more culturally literate place.

The Comox Valley Com-munity Arts Council has begun a search for the Val-ley’s fi rst designated Poet Laureate, to engage and inspire the community for a two-year term.

“This is a very inclusive, big-tent project,” says CVCAC president Jamie Bowman. “We’re inviting all forms of poetic cre-ation, including classic page poets, lyricists, rap-pers and spoken word art-ists. It’s not necessary to have been published.”

The winner will not only

get to open for iconic Ca-nadian spoken word artist Shane Koyczan March 24 at the Sid Williams The-atre, but will be awarded a $1000 honorarium to carry out Poet Laureate duties over the term.

“Just as writing is a so-cial catalyst, a poet lau-reate can be seen as a

community alchemist, divining the moments to lament and celebrate, us-ing his or her words to glue people together in times of joy and sorrow,” says Linda Rogers, past poet laureate for Victoria and on the jury to choose a poet laureate here.

(Continued on page 16)

Linda Rogers

What’s a poetlaureate to do?

Shane Koyczan, Canadian spoken word artist, performs March 24 at the Sid Williams Theatre

CV Arts launches Poet Laureate searchWinner will open Shane Koyczan show, plus cash prize

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COMMUNITYINFORMATION SESSIONWednesday, March 11, 2015, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Stan Hagen Theatre, Komoux Hall (K104)North Island College, 2300 Ryan Road Courtenay, BC

The North Island Hospitals Project (NIHP) is hosting a community information session to provide an update on the new, 153-bed Comox Valley hospital slated for completion in late 2017. The meeting will start with a presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session related to the procurement, design and construction of the new facilities. The NIHP team and representatives from selected proponent Tandem Health Partners will be on hand to answer questions and gather input.For more information visit the NIHP website at: nihp.viha.ca


Cumberland Village Works, School District 71, the City of Courtenay and the Vancouver Island Regional Library have all stepped up to partner fi -nancially.

The winner will be ex-pected to create works during the year, appear at signifi cant community events (i.e. Elevate the Arts, Miners Memorial, Canada Day, etc.), work to stimulate and encourage poetic and cultural writ-ing, and serve as a light-ning rod for the mood of the community.

Joining Rogers on the judging panel are Anne

Cumming, the English De-partment Chair at North Island College, Eric Et-tinger, half of the rap duo Butterfi nger Bombsquad and whose past group Still-life Family opened for 2-Live Crew during their years of touring, plus an as-yet unnamed lyricist.

“Writers can either apply or be nominated by some-one who knows the value of their work and their potential for the commu-nity,” said Bowman.

“Beauty is not only in the eyes, but also in the ears and feelings of the beholder.”

Full entry and nomina-tion details are at www.comoxvalleyarts.com.

Search on for poet laureate

HUMMUS IS YUMMUS FOR KIDS

Hummus Is Yummus is a series of four cooking classes for budding young foodies, ages 8 and up. Tackle hummus, falafel, sushi, spring rolls and more. Receive your own cookbook binder for keeping recipes. Please bring your own apron and a desire to learn about new fl avours. Instructor: Julie Mathews. Classes run Saturdays February 21 - March 14 ( 4 sessions) from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. At the Black Creek Community Centre, 2001 Black Creek Rd. Early registration is $60.00, regular is $65.00. Call (250) 337-5190 or email [email protected]. Visit our website at www.blackcreek-cc.com or on Facebook for more information.

EVERGREEN DANCE TONIGHT

The Dan Hughes Band is coming to town to play for us Friday, February 20th, in the Rotary Hall at theFilberg Centre. Your favorite dancing music starts at 7:30 pm till 10:30 pmBar Service will be available and a coff ee and cookie break will happen at 9 pm in the Lounge.Evergreen Club members $7.00 and non-members are welcome at $9.00.

PIED PIPERCOMING TO TOWN

What do you do when your town is overrun by rats? You call THE PIED PIPER! On Saturday, February 28th at 3:00 and 6:30 PM take a trip to Hamelin Town with Missoula Children’s Theatre, as over 50 local students present THE PIED PIPER, an original musical adaptation of this classic tale.This production is part of the Missoula Children’s Theatre’s unique international touring project. Tickets are (prices) and are available at the door.

SPRING FLING FASHIONS, LUNCH

A Spring Fling Fashion Show will be held Saturday, Feb 28th - 11:30 - 2;00pm in the Comox Legion Upper Floor.Soup, Sandwich,Dessert Tea or Coff ee lunch will be served.Tickets: $12.00 each.Featuring Shar-On’s all size fashions.Sponsored by Florence Chapter # 53, OES.All monies raised stay in the Comox Valley.

WRITERS READ AT LIBRARY FEB. 27

Comox Valley Writer’s Society and the Courtenay Public Library invite the public to our Monthly Reading Series. New and published writers will read their work at the Courtenay Library Events Room from 12 noon to 1:30pm Feb. 27. FMI 338-0965. This is a free event.

MESSY CHURCH IS BACK AGAIN

Cumberland United Church is hosting the second “EAT, PRAY, PLAY” on Saturday, February 21st starting at 2pm. There is no charge.Eat, Pray, Play, or Messy Church, is a diff erent way to ‘do church’.This time the theme will be

WORKSHOP ONHAPPINESS

STARTING FROM SEED CLASS

How do you satisfy the gardening itch in the middle of winter? Easy! Start plants from seed. Now is a great time to get a jump start on the gardening season. Learn the entire process at our Starting From Seed workshop with agrologist and local organic farmer, Arzeena Hamir, this Sunday, February 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Black Creek Community Centre, 2001 Black Creek Rd. Just a little preparation will ensure you seed starting success. The cost is $25.00 per person, or $40.00 for two people. For more information Call (250) 337-5190 or email [email protected]. Visit our website at www.blackcreek-cc.com or on Facebook.

FREE INCOME TAX SERVICE

It’s that time of year again and our group of volunteers will be at the Lions Den (1729 Comox Ave., Comox, 250-339-6232) every Tuesday from 1 pm to 3:30 pm for the months of March and April to E-fi le taxes for seniors, families, individuals, persons with disabilities, students and newcomers to Canada who are eligible for this free service.Our volunteers have been trained by the CRA to fi le very basic income tax returns. Basic eligibility is as follows:Single individuals - up to $30,000Couple - up to $40,000Single with child - $35,000Each dependent - $2,500Interest income less than $1,000Our volunteers are not trained to complete complex returns

etc.ECHO

CYCLING SAFETY DANCE CANCELLED

The Cycling Safety Dance slated for Feb. 21 has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. We are hoping to organize another event in the near future. Thank you all for your support!

for individuals who: 1. Report income for self employment, rental income, capital gains/losses; 2. Claim employment expenses; 3. Are deceased or bankrupt.

“The Happiness Factors - a day of Mindfulness” is a one-day workshop with Margo McLoughlin being off ered on Saturday, February 21st, at the Purusa Movement Studio in Cumberland. This one-day workshop is being led by former Valley resident Margo McLoughlin, a graduate of the Community Dharma Leader training program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California. Margo leads retreats and workshops in Canada, the U.S., and Ireland. She is currently a writer and teacher in Victoria.The Purusa Movement Studio is located at 2703 Dunsmuir Avenue. The registration fee for this retreat is by donation. Participants will also be able to off er a donation for the teaching.To register, please contact Jane McCarroll at 250-334-0086.

“Hope”. We will start off with a sing-along and then a few tables of creative activities. We will have a short but inspirational time to boost our inward spirit and then fi nish up with pizza including a gluten-free choice.The songs and activities are appropriate and fun for all ages and stages of life. Come out; bring the kids, the grandparents, the friends. Everyone is welcome.Reservations are encouraged but not required. FMI call Mary Lou at 250 336-8656 or the church phone 250-400-7800.Cumberland United is the white church with the red roof on the corner of First and Penrith in Cumberland.

For more information, call Kim at 250.334.4495 ext 116.

Join us for a Cruise Day

Wednesday, February 25th

Please RSVP by phoning soon......Limited Seating!!

CA$H REWARDS

www.comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca 1-800-222-TIPS


TRIBUTE TO CCR AT THE BRIDGE

Willy and the Poor Boys, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival, performs tonight, Friday, FEb 20 at The Bridge Lounge in Courtenay.You’d never know the diff erence when you see this band. Come relive the magic of the 60’s and early 70’s with the ultimate tribute to one of the most infl uential and popular bands of all time, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR). Larry Thompson has drawn on a variety of infl uences to forge his

etc.ECHO

LIVE MUSIC ATTHE WHITE WHALE

The White Whale public house in Courtenay presents some live music this weekend.Friday at 8:30pm we have Brett Wildeman & Jodi Doige, West Coast Folk.Saturday is a Beer Pairing Dinner with Tofi no Brewing Co. followed by Tofi no’s “Little Saturday”, providing live music starting at 8:30pm.

CONTRA DANCEAT MERVILLE HALL

There will still be lots of romance in the air at the Valentine’s Day Community Contra Dance at the Big Yellow Merville Hall in romantic, downtown Merville, the spooning center of the Comox Valley. On Saturday, February 21st, there won’t be just candy kisses as you dance to the Contra Dance tunes of the Funtime Fiddlers. Before the dance, from 7:00 to 7:30pm, there will be a Contra Dance workshop. This workshop is free of charge so plan to come early. t 7:30pm, the Funtime Fiddlers take to the stage, bat their eyelashes to the crowd and start the music. Single dancers are most welcome as they can pair up with anyone during the Contras and our Contra sets last about 15 minutes per dance. In between the called Contra dances, we’ll play waltzes, foxtrots, polkas and showcase some hot young fi ddlers. Doors open at 7:00, dance starts at 7:30pm. Cost is $10.00/adults, $5.00/youth (6 and under free) and you can come as a family for $22.00. Free workshop starts at 7:00.FMI: 339-4249

compelling vocal style and solid bass playing. From CCR to James Brown to George Jones, Larry has done it all.

Tracy Lynn is returning to her Vancouver Island homeland to promote her new cd, THE YOUNG OLD WOMAN.

“This cd is full of fun, endearing and heart warming original mate-rial,” says Tracy. “THE YOUNG OLD WOMAN cd has something for ev-eryone. While each song is a page from my own life, equally its a page shared with someone else.”

She performs in Courte-nay tonight, Feb. 20, 6:30-8:30 pm at Zocalo’s Cafe.

The performances weave in some beautiful cover tunes by some of the most amazing female singers and songwriters. We all tell a similar story and that’s the point, we don’t live in isolation, we can’t. The Young Old Woman story is about how we are connected.

With a commitment to staying true, Tracy Lynn blends and balances the fi ner points of being a woman in today’s world in her songs. She delivers with a unique folk country sound and embraces her

strong gospel roots.With fabulous responses

to this new cd, Tracy Lynnis hitting stages through-out British Columbia withexcitement and confi -dence.

You can fi nd out moreabout Tracy Lynn by vis-iting her website at: www.tracylynnmusic.com

Tracy Lynn

The ‘Young Old Woman’ Tour with Tracy Lynnstarts tonight in Courtenay

Let’s Record Music is a new program that is occur-ring at recreation centres all over Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands.

It is the brain child of Eli Hason, a sound designer/DJ/recording engineer who relocated to Den-man Island after years of working in Montreal and Los Angeles in the video game and entertainment industry. The program is designed to get youth, and the young at heart, a basic understanding of DJing on turntables, CDJs, and how to DJ on a computer.

They will get to try out all the diff erent gear, and see how to do it for free on their home comput-ers, or tablets. The price of the course includes a basic USB audio interface, and CDs full of songs, headphones, samples and

programs that are free to share online. Students will learn the art of beat-matching, how to fi nd free to share music online, EQ, eff ects, key matching, and much more. Facilitator and instructor, Eli is also known as DJ Eliazar, and tours Canada and the rest of the world with regular nights called Speakeasy Electro Swing happening in 15 cities in 8 countries, including The Waverley in Cumberland, and monthly shows in Nanaimo.

“Introduction to DJing” is being held on Feb. 28th from 9:30-4:30 at The Lewis Centre in Courte-nay. This program is be-ing off ered to both youth and adults for $78 + a $30 material fee. To register or fi nd out more call 250-338-5371. Also visit letsre-cordmusic.com.

Learn how to DJ

for all the details, go to

FEATURE LISTINGS

You will love the privacy of the 8.35 acres on a few minutes from town, features

include a Barn/Workshop, a green house, A 1600 square foot country home with a

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Penne All' Arrabbiatapenne tossed with Italian sausage, mushrooms

fettuccine with chicken & shrimp

in a curry brandy cream sauce

Seared Garlic & Roma Tomato Spaghettiwith peppered ham, roasted red peppers and leeks

tossed in a roasted garlic roma tomato sauce

Toscano's will be re-opening for lunch on Monday March 2nd

come in for lunch and you will receive our family discount - 20% OFF YOUR BILL! Come in and enjoy the Italian lunches you have

been missing for the last seven month! We look forward to seeing you all!

Fettuccine Con Curry


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The environment critic for the federal NDP inspired hearty applause during a lunch-time Q&A at Zocalo Café in Courtenay, at which she called the environmental review process for coal mines, and other projects, inadequate and promised to take an anti-pipeline message with her back to Ontario.

Megan Leslie said the Feb. 18 visit to the Comox Valley is part of party soul searching she hopes will lead to a winning plat-form come election time.

“It’s so beautiful here,” she said, in an interview. “I’ve never been this far up the Island.”

The deputy leader of the Offi cial Opposition was hot off of town halls in Duncan and Nanaimo and a morning gathering in Parksville.

“It shouldn’t be pointy heads in Ottawa coming up with the ideas,” she said. “You may have a great idea then and you go to Courtenay, B.C., or you go to Ecum Secum, Nova Scotia, and you fi nd out it doesn’t work in that region.”

Leslie railed against the federal environmental as-sessment process, point-ing to concerns provincial

regimes have set lower bars for environmental protection.

She also decried the government’s changes to factors that initiate an environmental review, charging this has meant the 4-6,000 early assess-ments have dropped to 20-30 for the entire coun-try per year.

The way environmental assessments are done in Canada wouldn’t give Compliance Energy Corp. the “social licence” it should have to operate a coal mine here, Leslie said, though she didn’t come out and condemn the project itself.

Fisheries was another subject she explored pas-sionately as the packed audience sipping soup and chowing down on sandwiches listened intently.

“We only protect certain types of fi sh,” she said, explaining she is frustrated with the Harper government’s de-cision to move away from looking at fi sh habitat when trying to ensure the health of fi sheries.

“We can destroy their breeding ground and that is okay,” she added wryly.

Leslie pledged to re-verse these decisions in the event the NDP forms the next government, and she promised to take the

Lunchtime gathering provides for NDP soul-searchingNDP Deputy Leader touches down in Courtenay

Gord Johns, NDP candidate for Courtenay Alberni, introduced NDP deputy leader Megan Leslie to a packed lunchtime crowd as part of a Q&A session.

country in a new direc-tion.

“It’s not enough to just bring us back to where we were,” she said. “We have to have a vision.”

While the party works out its position on issues like the controversial (though apparently popu-lar among Canadians) plan by the Conservatives to give Canadian agen-cies more power to fi ght terrorism through Bill C-51, the NDP is trying to fi gure out how to wrest ridings like this one away from the Conservatives.

In an interview Courte-nay Alberni NDP candi-date Gord Johns said he has fi rst-hand experience

working on environmen-tal issues, including meet-ing with provincial mines minister Bill Bennett about a planned Imperial Metals mine in Clayoquot Sound.

Leslie said the party will emphasize work-ing with First Nations on environmental issues and wants to put a price on carbon. While the NDP likes the cap and trade method, Leslie said it’s the intention that’s behind the initiative that’s the most important com-ponent.

“It doesn’t matter what the mechanism is so much,” she said, adding energy effi ciency mea-

sures would be targeted to help low-income Canadi-ans as part of building a “green economy.”

Leslie was cagy on another area of popular concern - namely the pipeline debate. When a questioner pressed her on the NDP’s platform on multiple project currently under consideration, dur-ing a Q&A following her speech, she would only venture as far as saying, “I will take that message back.”

It was, however, a concern she said she heard loud and clear from Islanders.

Leslie says her mini-tour has already initiated new policy ideas that will begin to emerge in the next few months.

Mitchell Klody, 18, one of three people arrested last month for 308 thefts from vehicles received a conditional discharge Fri-day in Campbell River.

Klody, from Courte-nay, was charged with two counts of theft under $5,000 and one count of conspiracy to commit an indictable off ence.

One of the theft charges

and the conspiracy chargewere stayed, and Klodywas convicted of onecount of theft.

He received a condition-al discharge and was or-dered to serve 12 monthsprobation and pay a vic-tim surcharge of $100.

A conditional dischargecomes with requirementssuch as probation or coun-selling.

Conditional discharge on thefts


A DivisionCrty Legion Black CatsCrty Legion DA’sCx Legion Beer PigsComox Legion Bulls HittersComox Legion MisfitzGriffin GangElks FunGi’sGriffin Darts of Hazzard

Pts11599898381806635

POSITION12345678

Ladies Hi Score: Jenny Nylund 140 Men’s Hi Score: Geoff Phillips 152Ladies Hi Checkout: Kerry Edwards 70 Men’s Hi Checkout: Dwayne Bennett 133 180s: Glen Litchfield 1, Laurie Bull 1

February 10 ResultsFunGis 2 - Black Cats 7Beer Pigs 6 - BullsHitters 3Darts of Hazzard 1 - D.A.’s 8Misfitz 5 - Griffin Gang 4

COMOX VALLEY PUB LEAGUE MIXED DARTS

THE DART BOARD

Comox Valley Duplicate Bridge ClubMonday, Feb. 9, 2015A1 Jack Bradshaw - Carole Brad-

shaw2 Slava Simice - Barry Turnham3 David Proctor - Glen ParsonsB1 David Proctor - Glen Parsons2 Sharon Feduniak - Dianna Rick-

son3 Mark Lawrence - John BiehlC1 Mark Lawrence - John BiehlThursday, Feb. 12, 2015A1 Linda Marinus - Pete Marinus2 Richard Grant - Slava Simice3 Gary Priestman - Jim PoulsonB1 Gary Priestman - Jim Poulson2 Allen Hopwood - Lorraine Gar-

ganC1 Allen Hopwood - Lorraine Gar-

gan2 Myrna Horley - Tom DugdaleOur club is located on Nordin Street

across from the Comox Mall under the newly renovated Museum and Art Gallery.

We off er guaranteed partnerships, so if you’re visiting or your regular partner is away, make sure you come out to play anyway.

If you don’t have a regular partner, I’m sure you’ll meet one.

Our website is www.cvdbc.com and

our email is [email protected] more information, please con-

tact Linda Marinus at (250)338-2544.

d’Esterre Duplicate BridgeTues. Feb 10N/S - 1. John-Lynne Godfrey; 2. Barb

McCrindle-Denise Holst; 3. Cynthia Tree- Lys McCrone; 4. Jeanette Bar-on-Tom Dugdale

E/W - 1. Harvey Piercy-Jean Tait; 2. Carole-Jack Bradshaw; 3. Sharon Hy-sert-Sharon Feduniak; 4. Dick-Lynn Sangster

Fri Feb.13N/S - 1. Gary-Fran Priestman;

2.Lorraine-Chuck Hodson; 3.Penny-Doug Poole; 4.Jim-Joan Boase

E/W - 1. Jeanette Baron-Tom Dug-dale; 2.Lynn-Dick Sangster; 3. Evelyn Ware- Dianna Rickson; 4. Iris-Ben Vansterkneburg

Sat. Feb 14N/S- 1. Sharon Hysert-Dianna Rick-

son; 2. Myrna Horley-Lorraine Gar-gan; 3. Jean Tait-Neal Jackson; 4. Dor-othy Branch-Corrine Montgomery

E/W - 1. Barb McCrindle-Denise Holst; 2. Irene Smith-Betty Fountain; 3. Evelyn’s-Keith Ware; 4. Betty-Tom Thomsen

Valley bridge news

As part of BC Heritage Week, which begins with the national Heritage Day on Monday, Febru-ary 16, the Cumberland Heritage Fair will take place Saturday, February 21 from 10am to 4pm at the CRI (Cumberland Recreation Institute, 2665 Dunsmuir).

This year’s heritage fair will be the 11th edi-tion. It was launched by a group of community volunteers in 2003 and was modelled on the folk festival that ran from 1949 to 1958 celebrat-ing the diverse heritage of Cumberlanders. Each year families, clubs and other organisations set up displays of antique tools, unique collections, photos and demonstrations of crafts and folklore from the early days of Cum-berland and the Comox Valley.

Heritage Canada’s theme for this year’s festivities is “Main Street: at the Heart of the Com-munity”. In Cumberland, the vitality and history of Dunsmuir Avenue is abundantly obvious: from the historic build-

ings of the old post offi ce (Wandering Moose Café), Tarbell’s, Leiser’s Big Store (The Patch), the Cumberland Hotel and the Waverley, to the new-est businesses Purusa yoga and the Cumberland Brewing Company.

This year’s displays will include traditional embroidery from Brazil and Norway, quilters, weavers and lacemakers (oh my!) antique coins and cameras and much more. There will also be performances including old time fi ddle and banjo tunes and Polynesian dance. In addition the Cumberland Museum & Archives will be open by donation all day and will have a scavenger hunt for kids with prizes awarded at the end of the day.

Admission to the fair is by donation.

Links:www.facebook.com/

events/424298354389692www.heritagebc.ca/

heritage-week-2015www.heritagecanada.

org/en/visit-discover/heritage-day

www.cumberlandmu-seum.ca

A day to celebrateheritage at displaysin Cumberland

Presentation on ‘Japan - Culture and Climbing’“Land of the rising Sun”

is what Japan is often referred as because the characters that make up Japan’s name mean “sun-origin’. Japan is made up of over 6800 islands, but the four largest islands Honshu, Hokkaido, Ky-ushu, and Shikoku, com-prise about ninety-seven percent of Japan’s land area.

It has the world’s tenth-largest population, with over 126 million people. Honsh_’s Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the de facto capital of Tokyo and several surrounding prefectures, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 mil-lion residents.

However, once outside

of any of the big cities, Japan has attractions for those interested in ad-venture: vast areas of wil-derness, big mountains including numerous vol-canoes, and wild rivers.

Like numerous moun-tains in Japan there are very few offi cially record-ed fi rst ascents.

Many mountains en-joy a religious signifi -cance and have been hiked and summitted by Japanese religious ascet-ics for hundreds of years including Mt. Fuji which was thought to have been fi rst climbed in 663 by an anonymous monk.

Strathcona Wilderness Institute is pleased to present Rod Szasz with his stunning slide show

presentation titled “Japan: Culture and Climbing.”

Rod Szasz grew up in Nanaimo, moved to Lon-don where he obtained a business degree and then moved to Japan. He became fl uent in the lan-

guage and learned the cultural nuances so that he could successfully in-tegrate himself into the business society where he lived and worked for the next 25 years.

The presentation is in

the Stan Hagen Theatre at the North Island Col-lege facility on Ryan Road in Courtenay on February 21. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the show begin-ning at 7 and followed by a question and answer pe-riod.

There is a cover charge of $10 per person, stu-dent’s half price, at the

door.Strathcona Wilderness

Society is a Non-profi t or-ganization and their Feb-ruary 21 presentation at the Stan Hagen theatre at Courtenay’s NIC is a fund raiser for their summer education programs at Paradise Meadows at the entrance to Strathcona Provincial Park.

Talk to an account manager about your retirement plans at 470 Puntledge Road in Courtenay.P: 250.334.8888 cwbank.com/retirement

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Commissions, trailing commissions, management tees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Rates and prices as of Feb. 17, 2015 . Rates and prices subject to change and availability. RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. © 2015 Royal Bank of Canada. All rights reserved.

Philip ShuteVice PresidentInvestment Advisor


Bowling highlights from Codes Country Lanes:

Monday AM - Nick Tjart 217, Marie Israel 192, Bob Van Nes 215, Bob Sharp 220, Pat King 208, Micki MacDonald 235, John Kendall 211, Tricia Turnbull 180, Roy Brekke 202, Heather Abraham 219, Dave Stacey 206, Anna Turcotte 204.

Monday PM - Bruce Ram 211, Rick Kroeker 257, Lyle Torrie 218, Marg Moore 192, Ruth Johnson 212, Grace Rodriguez 205, Ivan Ally 218, Rita Grill 192, Erma Wilson 211.

Tuesday Breakfast - Barb Potruff 204, Laurie McWillis 244, Shirley Mangano 186, Marilyn Shetterly 169, Brenda Searl 175, Joyce Boon 167, Mary McArthur 161.

Tuesday 12:30 - George Andrews 174, Ev Andrews 163, Garry Pearson 162, Judith Mu-nro 105, Allison Bennett 106, Ed Schievink 93.

Tuesday Adult - Cynthia Taylor 203, Cindy Eckstein 209, Ed Carefoot 227, Gary Coombs 204, Bill Brundige 287, John Graff 237, Ross McWillis 248, George Ghinis 234, Marlo Duncalf 207.

Wednesday 9:30 - Nick Tjart 204, Gerry Van Achte 204, Rosalle Williams 196, Pat Schmidt 189, Andrew Melancon 249, Laurie Aucoin 225, Sally Hazelton 181, Yvonne Melancon 236, Joyce Slater 183, Dave Stacey 239.

Tuesday/Wednesday CRA - Al-lison Bennett 131, Brian Mitchell 142, Sarah Lariviere 137, Karen Slater 156, Debbie Downer 155, Clayton Heid 151, Clint McColl 164, Larry McCooey 201, Scott Burden 128, Leona Wagner 129, Gary Scavarda 113.

Wednesday Adult - Gord Pot-truff 259, Scott Murray 200, Barb Pottruff 222, Melissa McGrath 163, Ken Bird 253, Dave Steven-son 215, Larry Adams 258, Tara Breuer 211, Niki Eldstrom 197, Louise Bundschuh 194, Sandy Nurse 235, Rick Aker 218.

Thursday 12:30 - Kelvin Davis 172, Grace Rodriguez 214, Ivan Ally 211, Vicki Bailie 208, Bob Van Nes 232, Bob Sharp 293, Bea Tomkinson 225, Pat King 237, Lin-da Meers 198, Vera Winter 228.

Thursday Adult - Alfred Cyr 223, Paul Zorz 234, Steve Robson 256, Ed Carefoot 254, Laurie Aucoin 291, Jessica Giroux 267, Scott VanAchte 229, Lorne King 208, Aprile Brekke Reidl 222, Rose Stenabaugh 238, Ken Bird 218, Rick Granneman 243, Rick Kroeker 240, Ross McWillis 195, Anne Bodnar 291.

Friday 9:30 - Trudy Olsen 188, Jim Bennett 224, Ken Scavarda 214, George Railian 171, Nick Tjart 213, Art Wesner 197, Marj Arnold 184, Bernice Clouthier 190, Ruth Rivington 189, Millie McCharles 182.

Special O - Jesse Andersen 168, Chris Malboreuff 175, Jacob White 166, Randy Bates 167, Marilyn Shetterly 174, Sherri Lines 184, Leona Wagner 163, Larry McCooey 168, Clint McColl 153, Mathew Strachin 206.

CODES COUNTRY LANES


795 Ryan Road250.334.9638

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A dairy farm in the Co-mox Valley has gone hi-tech.

It has switched from the conventional and cumber-some method to a robotic milking system. It sounds like science fi ction but it’s the real deal.

Daldas Farms Ltd., lo-cated in Black Creek, invested around $2.9 million to modernize its dairy operation. They’re only one of two farms on Vancouver Island that has switched to this hi-tech process.

Fred Doberstein, who runs the family farm with his siblings, said it has made their dairy farm more effi cient as well as improved their annual yield.

They have 180 cows that are now milked by four Astronaut A4 robots, a machine made by Lely, a Dutch company and distributed in the region

through West Coast Ro-botics.

The robots don’t look anything like the popular Star Wars android C3PO but they are capable of milking cows 24/7 and do not require constant monitoring. There are no preparations and cleanup after because the whole process is spontaneous.

The cows are drawn into a spacious milking box where they would fi nd grain to feed on. Dober-stein said it is like their “Snickers Bar.”

Once they know it’s there, cows develop a hab-it of visiting the milking unit. They don’t need to be coaxed to go in.

While they’re feeding, the robot does its job. A laser locates the teats and then a robotic arm cleans and sanitizes the udder and attaches four milkers to the teats. A computer system will determine when she’s ready and then activate the pumps that extract the milk.

Dairy farm switches to robotic milking system $2.9 million investment to modernizeBlack Creek operation

The computer also iden-tifi es each cow by its size and shape of udder.

Data is printed that in-cludes the time and yield. If the cow has just been milked the automatic gate system sends the cow back out of the unit.

The machine can also detect diseases, check for discolouration or other problems with the milk

and immediately divert that cow’s milk from the supply.

The robots cause less stress for the animals because unlike humans, which all have their own ways of milking, the ro-botic system means a con-sistent milking technique.

“The cows adjusted very quickly and we went up immediately in milk vol-

The cows adjusted very quickly and we went up immediately in milk volume.”

FRED DOBERSTEINDaldas Farms Ltd.

ume,” said Doberstein.Doberstein said he now

has more time to attend to other matters that need attention on the farm be-cause the robotic system reduces the amount of la-bour and the time spent on milking the cows.

Turning Daldas farm into hi-tech operation was a big gamble. Doberstein said they had their mo-ments of doubt.

(Continued on page 23)A computer system directs four milkers to attach to the teats and when the cows are ready, the pumps are activated to extract the milk.


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T o start, we havea fairly last min-ute March 26th

package that’s great val-ue aboard the ms Veen-dam. For $2999 CAD

pp you get this 20 night getaway includingroundtrip Vancouver air, 2 nights in a 4 starSan Diego hotel, a relaxing 18 night cruisewith ports in Oahu, Maui, Kauai & Hawaiibefore cruising back via Ensenada (to abideby the Jones Act rules). The price is for a welllocated oceanview stateroom and includes a$100 per stateroom onboard credit and alltaxes.In the fall, the ms Zaandam does a simi-

lar itinerary, except embarks from Vancou-ver and ends in San Diego. This 18 nightpackage departs on September 20th andalso includes $100 per stateroom onboardcredit, air back to Vancouver, and taxes inan oceanview for $2799 CAD – which is aspecial book early price.The ms Noordam offers an 11 night Van-

couver to Honolulu sailing in a balcony state-room and 3 nights in a 4 star hotel in Hono-lulu (it may be possible to extend and/or go toanother island for a bit more). This 14 night

package departs on September 29 and in-cludes a $250 per stateroom onboard credit,air back to Vancouver and all taxes for $3249CAD. We’ve got other stateroom categoriesavailable for all 3 of the sailings offered.Please call CruisePlus at 250-390-0220

or toll free at 1-877-722-2202 or visit us inLantzville (Nanaimo north) for more infor-mation on any cruise. We’re open 7 days aweek except for stats. CruisePlus is celebrat-ing our 17th year as one of the world’s topproducing Holland America agencies. I amsure you’ll like our non-pressured style andexperienced advice. We’re pretty close to100,000 passengers booked!For the first look at our deals, please

remember to sign up for our emails atwww.cruiseplus.ca

Hawaii Cruises

Dave Frintonco-founder / PresidentCruisePlus

Big Agency Deals…Small Agency Feel

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(Contiued from page 21)

“It was a huge step for us,” said Doberstein. “Al-though it was not unchart-ed territory, you always have that apprehension. In the very beginning it was like a gong-show. We were like round the clock and thinking ‘what have we done?’ We kind of tweaked out some of the bugs ... three days of ab-solute horror, three weeks of kind of crappy and after three months we were up and running. After a year, we’re seeing progress and I don’t think I’d want to go back to the old routine.”

Among the other ro-botic systems, Daldas has installed a Lely Juno 150 feed pusher that drives au-tomatically over the feed-ing alley by following the feeding fence. It pushes the feed towards the fence as often as required with-out disturbing the cows.

Four Lely Luna brushes are also installed at diff er-ent locations in the pen. It is designed to groom cows, enabling them to get rid of dust and itches. It’s triggered by touch.

As well, there are two Lely Calm feeding sta-tions that monitor the feeding plans of calves. As

soon as a they enter a milk station, it is recognized by its electronic transponder and, according to the calf’s diet, the feeder decides if it is allowed to drink, and how much. A minimum and maximum portion of milk per visit can be set for each calf, then the calf feeder will automatically determine the ration per calf. If the calf is indeed allowed to drink, the calf feeder immediately pre-pares a fresh portion of milk at the predetermined

temperature. Turning Daldas Farm

into a hi-tech operation has garnered the atten-tion of the business com-

munity here on Vancouver Island. It was one of the top award winners at the 15th Annual Vancouver Is-land Business Excellence Awards that was held last month in Victoria. It was named the Agricultural Company of the Year.

And it was one of the featured highlights on the media tour held in con-junction with the Island Agriculture Show held last weekend in Courtenay

A Lely Juno 150 pushes the feed towards the fence as often as required without disturbing the cows.

Dairy farm invests in robotics

After a year we’re seeing progress and I don’t think I’d want to go back to the old routine”

FRED DOBERSTEINDaldas Farms Inc.

B.C. agriculture minister Norm Letnick dropped by Friday morning for the offi cial opening of the Island Agriculture Show held this year in Courtenay at the Filberg Centre and Native Sons Hall. Letnick urged attending farmers to participate in the provincial Buy Local program which had received $2 million in fundig for this year. He noted that B.C. produces 300 food commodities, 200 from land and 100 from water, generating $12 billion in sales. The biggest growth in the export market is China, but ‘the biggest market of all is our American buddies in the south’. Letnick said on one of the biggest challenges facing the industry is attracting more young people.

Agriculture minister drops by


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®/™The Hyundai names, logos, product names, feature names, images and slogans are trademarks owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. ‡Cash price of $10,962/$12,462/$19,862/$24,862 available on all new 2015 Accent 4-Door L Manual/Elantra Sedan L Manual/Tucson GL FWD/Santa Fe Sport 2.4L FWD models. Prices include Deliveryand Destination charges of $1,595/$1,595/$1,760/$1,795 and price reductions of $300/$600/$0/$0. Prices exclude registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, license fees, applicable taxes and dealer admin. fees of up to $499. Fees may vary by dealer. Delivery and Destination charge includes freight, P.D.E. and a full tank of gas. ΩFree tradebonuses are calculated against the vehicle’s starting price. Free trade bonus of up to $3,882/$4,532/$3,897/$3,832 available on all new 2015 Accent 4-Door L Manual/Elantra L Manual/Tucson GL FWD/Santa Fe Sport 2.4L FWD models. Price adjustments applied before taxes. Offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any otheravailable offers. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be assigned. No vehicle trade-in required. ♦Prices of models shown: 2015 Accent GLS Auto/Elantra Limited/Tucson Limited AWD Santa Fe Sport Limited AWD are $20,794/$26,794/$35,759/$41,444. Prices include Delivery and Destination charges of $1,595/$1,595/$1,760/$1,795. Pricesexclude registration, insurance, PPSA, fees, levies, license fees, applicable taxes and dealer admin. fees of up to $499. Fees may vary by dealer. ▼Fuel consumption for new 2015 Accent GLS (HWY 6.3L/100KM; City 8.9L/100KM); 2015 Elantra Limited (HWY 6.7L/100KM; City 9.7L/100KM); 2015 Tucson Limited AWD (HWY 9.3L/100KM;City 11.6L/100KM); 2015 Santa Fe Sport Limited AWD (HWY 9.8L/100KM; City 12.9L/100KM); are based on Manufacturer Testing. Actual fuel efficiency may vary based on driving conditions and the addition of certain vehicle accessories. Fuel economy figures are used for comparison purposes only. ∆The Hyundai Accent/Elantra receivedthe lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among small/compact cars in the proprietary J.D. Power 2014 Initial Quality StudySM (IQS). Study based on responses from 86,118 new-vehicle owners, measuring 239 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership. Propriety study results are based on experiences andperceptions of owners surveyed in February-May 2014. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. ▲Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). ‡†♦ΩOffers available for a limited time and subject to change orcancellation without notice. Dealer may sell for less. Inventory is limited, dealer order may be required. Visit www.hyundaicanada.com or see dealer for complete details. ††Hyundai’s Comprehensive LimitedWarranty coverage covers most vehicle components against defects in workmanship under normal use and maintenance conditions.

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The huffing and puff-ing and sweat is all worth it, according to partici-pants in a 600 km run that aims to raise aware-ness for Canadian sol-diers struggling with PTSD.

Six runners involved in the Wounded Warriors support trip have been fighting turn after turn north to south to high-light the challenges faced by the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving Canadians through the military.

“It’s very dynamic,” Channing Knull said of the run, pausing upon arrival at the Courtenay Legion to catch his breath and hydrate before set-ting off again towards Comox. “Everything’s fluid and ever-changing.”

Last year, for example, one of the hotels fell through at the last min-ute, but a lodge owner in Sayward stepped up to the plate to provide accommodations that evening.

“People come out of the woodwork at the right time,” the 45-year-old

said. “The timing is right. You can really feel the spirit of the organization. People are talking about mental health.”

Wounded Warriors Canada is a non-profit organization that helps Canadian Forces mem-bers who have been wounded or injured in their service to Canada, including pointing sol-diers in the direction of therapeutic programs. The focus is on mental health and, particularly, the staggering impact of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Operational Stress Injuries (OSI).

The “Wounded Warrior Run BC” was created with its first Vancouver Island run held in 2014.

Knull says he’s been glad for beautiful weather heading into Courtenay, but says he’s prepared for changes that could come up during the run.

This year, some of the runners have suffered some injuries, but are still focused on getting the word out about the importance of support-ing injured soldiers.

While Veterans Affairs and the military have

their role in helping these men and women, Knull said the run is a way to add an additional leg to the stool of support for people living with psy-chological wounds.

Another runner, Steve Deschamps, 35, was approached last year to participate. He couldn’t say no.

Deschamps grew up on a military base and has a

number of friends who are now living with PTSD following their military service.

As a sailor on the HMCS Algonquin, he was glad for the chance of a repeat performance this year, in order to pitch in to help injured soldiers.

That’s why he left his home in Victoria and laced up in Port Hardy for the run.

“It’s such a great cause,” he said.

Ron Mierau, provincial coordinator of the run for BC says he, too, has lot of his friends who have suf-fered from PTSD and wants to support them any way he can.

Over at 19 Wing, Cpt. Guanhua Wang, 25, heard the run would be coming through Courtenay and mobilized airmen and

women here.“It’s a very important

cause,” he said, explain-ing people who have ser-vice-related injuries deserve our support. “They’ve been through a lot.”

It’s so important not to allow people with PTSDto suffer in silence, he added.

The base gave the run-ners a place to sleep for the night and cooked them breakfast Feb. 18, as they continued on towards Victoria – for an expected Feb. 20 finish.

Wounded Warrior Run BC passes through Valley

This year’s crew of runners will log more than 600 km by the time they’re done – about 100 km a day.

Channing Knull runs through downtown Courtenay on his way to Comox, as part of Wounded Warrior Run BC 2015.


LOST CELLPHONELost my cellphone in the back seat of one of the Minivan Taxis around Midnight on Friday,

Feb. 13. Phone was in a green and black case.

Reward off ered.

Call 250-650-6871


†Based on IHS Automotive: Polk Canadian New Retail Vehicle Registrations as of CYTD November 2014 for the Intermediate Car segment as defied by Honda Canada Inc. *Limited time weekly lease offer and all other offers are from Honda Canada Finance Inc., on approved credit. #The weekly lease offer applies to a new 2015 Accord LX model CR2E3F3/Odyssey LX model RL5H2FE/Pilot LX 2WD model YF3H2FE (“Specified Models”) for a 60-month period, for a total of 260 payments of $64.90/$88.84/$107.42 leased at 1.99%/2.99%/2.99% APR based on applying $450.00/$0.00/$0.00 “lease dollars” (which are deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes). ‡In order to achieve $0 down payment, dealer will cover the cost of tire/battery tax, air conditioning tax (where applicable), environmental fees and levies on the 2015 Accord LX, Odyssey LX and Pilot LX 2WD only on customer’s behalf. Down payment of $0.00, fist weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $16,874.00/$23,098.40/$27,929.20. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. **MSRP is $25,745/$32,045/$37,095 including freight and PDI of $1,695 based on new 2015 Specifid Models described above. License, insurance, registration and taxes are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. †† For more information about Editor’s Choice 10Best award, visit http://www.caranddriver.com/features/honda-accord-2015-10best-cars-feature €For more information about IIHS’ Top Safety Pick award, visit http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/honda/odyssey/2015. #The weekly lease offer applies to a new 2015 CR-V LX 2WD model RM3H3FES/Civic DX model FB2E2FEX/Fit DX model GK5G3FE (“Specifid Models”) for a 60-month period, for a total of 260 payments of $69.89/$41.91/$39.97 leased at 1.99%/0.99%/2.99% APR based on applying $400.00/$350.00/$1050.00 “lease dollars” (which are deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes). ‡In order to achieve $0 down payment, dealer will cover the cost of tire/battery tax, air conditioning tax (where applicable), environmental fees and levies on the 2015 CR-V LX 2WD, Civic DX and Fit DX only on customer’s behalf. Down payment of $0.00, fist weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $18,171.40/$10,896.60/$10,392.20. Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. **MSRP is $27,685/$17,245/$16,070 including freight and PDI of $1,695/$1,495/$1,495 based on new 2015 Specifid Models described above. License, insurance, registration and taxes are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. £For more information about the 2015 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year® award, visit http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/2015_honda_cr_v_is_the_motor_trend_suv_of_the_year/ ΩFor more information about the AJAC’s Best Small Car (Under $21,000) award, please visit: http://www.ajac.ca/web/ccoty/2015/comparison_category.asp?cat=176 */#/**Prices and/or payments shown do not include a PPSA lien registration fee of $30.31 and lien registering agent's fee of $5.25, which are both due at time of delivery and covered by the dealer on behalf of the customer on Specifid Models only. Offers valid from February 3rd through March 2nd 2015 at participating Honda retailers. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.

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comox valley echo - february 20, 2015

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