Streamkeepers Explore Chaster Creekshed
I went out with the Streamkeepers on July 12 to assess the condition of Chaster Creek above the lodge and below the highway. This was no casual stroll. We waded upstream among extremely slippery rocks …
Why Spray Knotweed?
In response to a query from Area D Director, Andreas Tize, about knotweed spraying, we recently received this very thorough letter from Crystal Chadburn, Senior Invasive Plant Specialist with FLNRORD. As you likely know, invasive knotweeds are …
My Ode to the SCRD Logo
There’s no other way to describe the SCRD’s logo: it’s ugly. Just for fun, I recently went online and reviewed the logos of the 26 other regional districts in BC and I defy you to …
Why Has My Utility Bill Increased?
There’s a big uproar going on over increases to SCRD utility rates. So first, an apology. Thanks to COVID-19 it’s been a hairy six weeks at local government, and everybody thought somebody was going to …
All About Elphinstone Aggregates
On April 2, I joined Town of Gibsons councillor David Croal, SCRD Area F director Mark Hiltz, and Area D director Andreas Tize on a visit to Elphinstone Aggregates, led by owner Julian Burtnick. I’d …
Washouts Spark Community Concern
On February 1, there was an alarming washout of Whittaker Creek, which forced the closure of Lower Road and the emergency evacuation of several Roberts Creek properties. Below are photos, some taken by me and …
Board Wrestles with Short Term Rentals
On February 13, the thorny issue of short term rentals (STRs) came back to the SCRD Planning Committee for decisions. The rural directors voted 4-1 not to proceed with Temporary Use Permits (TUPs) as a …
AVICC Resolutions
The SCRD board drafted the following resolutions which will be submitted to the next conference of the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (April 17-19, 2020 in Nanaimo). If passed, these resolutions will be …
Province Releases Marine Debris Report
Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Sheila Malcolmson, has just published a report summarizing the feedback from stakeholders on marine debris. The consultations took place through the summer and early fall of 2019. While this is a good summary …
About Rural Director Pay
On Jan. 23 the board voted to have our CAO strike an independent task force to review the way that SCRD directors are paid. I’ve been agitating about this since before I was elected, and …