As the National Park (NP) feasibility assessment process unfolds all kinds of little facts and speculations pop up. It’s hard to know which ones are true and important and which ones are just fear mongering or incidental. For example, did you know that Bowen is the only Continue reading ›
Tagged National ParkI was listening to the last Parks Canada meeting. A woman got up and spoke about how the actions of BC Ferries (BCF) were “unconscionable”. That struck me as a little harsh even for BC Ferries so I looked it up. Continue reading ›
Tagged Ferry, National ParkLast week Parks Canada (PC) was supposed to unveil their Preliminary Park Concept for a National Park (NP) on Bowen. Unfortunately, when the public meeting arrived the Concept Plan was nowhere to be seen. So what happened? Continue reading ›
Tagged National ParkUntil recently I really thought that there was a chance that there would be a National Park (NP) on Bowen. Now I’m pretty sure that there won’t be. The Parks Canada (PC) people seem to be trying to talk us out of the deal. Some of the information that I have is second hand so you’ll have to take it for what it’s worth. However, this quote is straight from the PC website. Continue reading ›
Tagged Ferry, National ParkIt’s getting harder to take this place for granted. When the idea of a national park on Bowen first appeared I was pretty sceptical. My first response was that we didn’t really have anything special enough to warrant thousands of visitors. Since then I’ve joined my wife on many walks into the hinterlands of the island and I’m finally beginning to appreciate how beautiful, special and diverse the landscapes of Bowen really are. This holiday season Continue reading ›
Tagged Island Life“Waiting to exhale.” That’s how we’re ending this year. I know that many of you would argue that pretty much describes how we feel at the end of every year but this is different. There are so many things so close to actually happening that we would really have to outdo ourselves for nothing to come to fruition in the coming year. Continue reading ›
Tagged Municipal Hall, Municipal Politics, National Park, OCP, Snug CoveIt’s becoming obvious that Parks Canada would like to turn 5,000 acres of Crown Land on Bowen into a national park. While the details of their proposal are far from being worked out, the numbers being thrown around are pretty impressive. The economic boost that it would give the island would put us in an entirely different league. Conversely, many of the people I discuss this with simply say they like things the way they are and have no appetite for the overwhelming change that the park could bring.
While there has been a lot of speculation about what Bowen will look like in ten years if we allow Parks Canada to set-up on the island not many people are speculating on what Bowen will look like in ten years if we don’t do anything to change our course. Continue reading ›
Tagged Island Life, Municipal Politics, National ParkThe new regulations regarding drinking and driving have cast a very noticeable chill over the restaurant and pub businesses on the island. In the rest of the province, the public reaction to the new penalties has prompted Rich Coleman, the Solicitor General to ask the police to use more discretion while doing their duties. It has since been pointed out to him that the government really should not pass legislation if they don’t mean it.
I asked the head of our local constabulary what we should make of the new penalties for imbibing before driving. He indicated that we might be overreacting. Continue reading ›
Tagged Island LifePermissive property tax exemptions, now there’s a bylaw debate that is sure to get your heart racing. It’s one of those goofy esoteric subjects that you probably don’t want to know about. Our Municipal Council has been trying to develop a policy to guide them through this issue since the municipality was established and they’re still working on it.
The quick background is this; Continue reading ›
Tagged Island Life, Municipal HallThe National park debate has pretty well eclipsed every other subject surrounding island politics. For those of you who are wondering when we will see something concrete, here is what you can expect over the next few months. Next Wednesday evening, November 3 Parks Canada will unveil a draft of their “Vision for National Park Lands”. On November 22 at the Municipal Council meeting, they will present a “Vision Statement and Cost Benefit Analysis”. Then on November 27, there will be a workshop and open house to refine and discuss the “Concept for National Park Lands”. After that Continue reading ›
Tagged Municipal Hall, National Park