The photo above and articles below were published in the Powell River News on January 22, 1970.
It’s a booming mystery with no end in sight
Many people seem to know who is booming logs in Willingdon Beach area, but they won’t say who he is in public. The question came up for discussion at council Monday night following publication of a photograph in the Town Crier. Last year the same problem resulted in lengthy debates at council and promises of action to end booming there.
“Does Mr. McVea the administrator know who is doing this booming?” asked Alderman Hill.
“Last year an alderman gave me the name of one man,” said McVea, “but investigation showed it wasn’t him. I did get another name from that gentleman,” he added. “I feel we should tow the whole thing out into the chuck and leave it,” he said.
Mayor Court pointed out that booming at Willingdon is a quick way to pollute the swimming beach area. He asked municipal solicitor Stan Hayden what the legal situation was.
“I haven’t gone into it yet,” said Hayden, “but will do so in the next day or so.”
Rocky Sorensen, speaking from the public seating area, said he held a beachcomber’s licence and knew who was responsible, as did most in the trade. He suggested council write to Gulf Log Salvage company and ask them to put the Willingdon Beach area out of bounds.
“I have spoken to the man and he would be quite willing to move. All that has to be done is he be asked to move. Nobody has asked him yet,” said Sorensen.
Reward offered for bulb vandals
Powell River Municipality will offer a $100 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for breaking overhead street lights.
“We’ve had more than our share of this type of vandalism,” Alderman J. P. Dallos said.
There is a real danger to the repairmen who must replace these broken bulbs, he added.
“In replacing these damaged bulbs there is a terrific danger to the eyes of repairmen,” said Dallos .
Mayor Court added: “It isn’t just children responsible for this type of damage. It requires heavy rocks thrown at terrific force to break these bulbs.”
A BC Hydro spokesman said there is a real danger to repairmen if the broken glass shatters when the bulb is removed. Local overhead lights are of two types: mercury vapor and incandescent.
