Tag Archives: nanoose bay

Nanaimo Council repeals nuclear free policy

General,

At Monday’s Nanaimo council meeting on April 4, 2016, the City introduced a list of policies that are on the chopping block.

Here are some of the policies to be repealed:

  • Nuclear Free Policy
  • Solicitor Client Privilege
  • Delegation Policy
  • Conflict of Interest Guideline
  • Construction Involving Public Lands
  • Application of Environmental Policies on Subdivision Applications
  • Development Cost Charges for New Growth
  • Development Cost Charges for Parking Areas
  • Laneways in small lot subdivisions
  • Development of large Parcels of Waterfront Land
  • Enforcement of Animal Control Bylaw
  • Healthy Cities Program
  • Sanitary Sewer Connections

The Nuclear Free zone signs were put up in 1987 at the entrances of the city, including Stewart Avenue, Chase Hill and Woodgrove Mall on the old Island Highway. The nuke free signs went missing over the years and were reinstalled last year.

The signs were installed in response to the nuclear-capable and nuclear-powered American submarines at the Whiskey Golf Military Test Range in Nanoose Bay.

 

Regional District of Nanaimo taxes to increase by 32%

General, , , , , ,

It’s not every day that our local daily newspaper asks people to revolt – yes stand up and scream! Why?! Regional District of Nanaimo taxes are to increase 32% over the next five years.

The RDN directors will vote on the 2014 -2018 Financial Plan at the next  board meeting  February 25, 2014. The RDN is anticipating to collect $52.8 million a year by 2018; last year they collected $40.1 million.

What does the RDN do? RDN is responsible for administration, local governance, and local services such as transit, solid waste, recreation facilities, water and parks.

What’s the money for? Major infrastructure projects are for:

  • $18 million sewage outfall pipe in Nanaimo
  • $1.5 million for firehall upgrades
  • $15.5 million for transit expansion
  • $12 million to convert old landfill to a park

Where can the RDN save money? Cut the number of transit mangers. They don’t need a manager for every zone. Get more buses and more drivers. There is no bus from Ladysmith to Nanaimo. Also, does the City of Nanaimo need to have 7 representatives on the Board? There seems to be an over-representation from the City.

Who are the directors at the RDN? The RDN is governed by an elected Board of 17 Directors. They are the following:

Alec McPherson: Electoral Area A Cedar
Howard Houle: Electorial Area B Gabriola
Maureen Young: Electorial Area C Extention

George Holme: Electoral Area E Nanoose Bay
Julian Fell: Electorial Area F Errington
Joe Stanhope: Electoral Area G French Creek
Bill Veenhof: Electorial Area H Deep Bay

Dave Willie:  Mayor of Qualicum
Marc Lefebvre:  Mayor of Parksville
Jack de Jong:  Mayor of Lanztville

Cityof Nanaimo
John Ruttan – Mayor of Nanaimo
George Anderson
Bill Bestwick
Diane Brennan
Ted Greves
Diana Johnstone
Jim Kipp

Does Nanaimo pay taxes to the RDN? 9% of the taxes collected from Nanaimo residents go to the RDN.

Taxpayers of the RDN saw an increase of taxes this year of 5.2 %. Living on Vancouver Island there are many issues causing people to revolt; expensive and unreliable ferry service, closing schools in Cedar, Parksville, and Qualicum, water worries, burning  Vancouver’s garbage.

This RDN tax increase comes at a very difficult time when residents of Lanztville are facing an approximate 11% increase in taxes and Gabriola is undergoing a mass exodus, as people are leaving because of deteriorating ferry service. Many of these RDN Directors seem to think that people have endless bags of money. The reality is those with the resources will just pack up and move. Is the RDN is banking on a new wave of people  arriving with deep pockets?

If you would like to give your feedback on the tax increases, send an email to corpsrv@rdn.bc.ca . Also, please request that the RDN meetings be recorded on video as they are at the City of Nanaimo and other communities.  Let’s hope the RDN will work towards being more transparent.

Public Events on Rural Development

General, ,

Many people expressed an interest to review the policies relating to subdivision development in rural areas in the Regional District of Nanaimo. All next week you can bring your thoughts on alternatives to conventional subdivision developments. What do you want to see for future land development? Bring your ideas.

The following public events are:

Wednesday, May 23rd – Arrowsmith Hall, 1014 Ford Road, Coombs
4:00pm to 7:00pm – Open House
7:00pm to 8:30pm – Workshop

Thursday, May 24th – Lighthouse Community Hall, 240 Lion’s Way, Qualicum Bay
4:00pm to 7:00pm – Open House
7:00pm to 8:30pm – Workshop

Saturday, May 26th – Cranberry Community Hall, 1555 Morden Road, South Wellington
12:30pm to 3:00pm – Open House
3:00pm to 4:30pm – Workshop

Tuesday, June 5th – Nanoose Community Hall (Library), 2489 Nanoose Road, Nanoose Bay
4:00pm to 7:00pm – Open House
7:00pm to 8:30pm – Workshop

You are also encouraged to visit www.ruraldevelopment.ca and fill out a short survey.

Island Grown Argicultural Survey

General, , , , ,

Do you know where your food comes from and if it is grown here on Vancouver Island?

You are encouraged to take a survey about your locally grown food on Growing Our Future www.growingourfuture.ca. The online survey is open until June 11, 2012.

The Regional District of Nanaimo has a ‘Agricultural Area Plan’ that is intended to celebrate and expand local food production and identifying barriers and opportunities for growth in the local agriculture industry.  You can find out more about what’s being done to secure local food sources. Also, background reports and information are also available on the site.

Who’s drumming on my roof?

Outdoors, ,
Northern Flicker (cc image: flikr)

What’s that jarring sound on the metal flashing? Have you heard it? If you look up, you’ll see the Northern Flicker, a member of the woodpecker family.  Thirteen inches long, Northern Flickers have wingspans of 21 inches. They do most of their foraging for food on the ground. They eat ants, termites, caterpillars, crickets, grasshoppers, other insects, spiders, berries, seeds, and nuts. This makes them susceptible to herbicides and pesticides.

Northern Flicker nesting areas have been taken over by the more aggressive European Starlings, a hundred of which were brought over to New York in the 1890s and whose population has grown to 200 million ranging over the entire continent. According to the Audobon Society, it is common for starlings to expel flickers from their own nesting cavity.

Drumming is a form of woodpecker communication and flickers like to seek out metal flashing on roofs because the noise projects farther over suburban noises and is more readily found than wood. Drumming is not harmful to the metal. A flicker drum roll consists of a series of rapid beats, lasting about 1 second. The male often drums in spring to attract a mate and also when another male invades his territory.  This flicker in the video found a metal guard rail. Drum roll please….