Please see clarification to "Software package" brief.
City crosses formalities for crosswalk
After a long wait, road safety upgrades are nearing approval.
At the Thursday, July 2, City of Powell River Council meeting, Mayor Dave Formosa said he and Councillor Maggie Hathaway have been working on getting a crosswalk at Willingdon Beach for six or seven years. Formosa said the city is getting close to realizing this possibility. He said it has been a difficult process because the road running past the beach is classified as a highway and the province does not like putting crosswalks on highways. Councillor Russell Brewer informed Formosa that it was an issue for the recently concluded BC Bike Race at Willingdon Beach and there were participants wondering why there was not a crosswalk there. Formosa said city officials met with highways representatives recently and an agreement is close.
Turn signal
The city is working diligently to have a left-turn signal installed at the Marine Avenue and Alberni Street intersection. Formosa said the hump on Marine Avenue, where traffic travelling south is turning left (east) up Alberni Street, is an issue and a scary location. He said there is a blind spot and there have been many accidents in the intersection.
“We’re almost there,” he said. “There might be a little more politicking that we have to do on that one but the money is in place. ICBC came up with some money, the province came up with some money and the city came up with some money. Really soon, we hope to have a left-hand signal there to make everything safe.
“When you make a left-hand turn there, especially on a motorcycle, you take your life in your hands.”
Software package
Councillor Rob Southcott said Powell River Public Library has just introduced its integrated library system software. It covers catalogue card files, inter-library loans and circulation, so it is a comprehensive package. It also allows the Powell River library to connect to many other libraries.
“It’s a big step forward and it will add efficiencies for staff as well,” Southcott said.
The library is just about to start an RFID, which is a radio frequency identification system. Southcott said it is similar to the chips that are put on clothing to prevent theft. The RFID system identifies each of the assets in the library so that when the library patron passes the checkout desk, the system automatically signs the item out. It is believed the automated system will save a great deal of staff time in checking out books and other materials.
Editor's clarification: Rebecca Burbank, assistant chief librarian, contacted the Peak with the following information. The RFID tags are not powerful enough to be scanned from any great distance (even a few feet is too far), and patron's cards do not have RFID tags in them. It is important patrons still visit the circulation desk for materials to be checked out properly.
Contract returns
In terms of the progress of the new library, the contract has come back from the lawyers in three parts, including purchase and the design and building of the facility. Southcott said it is now with Crossroads Village and news is expected fairly quickly. He said problems are not expected.
“Fundraising is basically waiting until that is finished,” he said. “There’s been lots of planning and the Friends of the Library are already starting. The biggest hope we are waiting for is news that we will receive $500,000 through the Canada 150 federal grant program.”
Good celebration
Councillor Jim Palm said he wanted to pay tribute to the city’s dedicated parks and recreation staff who helped put on the Canada Day celebration at Larry Gouthro Park on Wednesday, July 1. He said he had asked Ray Boogaards, the city’s director of parks, recreation and culture, about why the celebration had not been held at Willingdon Beach this year. His reply was that it was close on the heels of the BC Bike Race. Palm said through informal polls taken at the park this year, it was stated loud and clear that a majority would like to see the event back at Willingdon Beach next year.
“Hopefully, next year, we’ll be back at Willingdon Beach and I understand there is no conflict with the BC Bike Race next year.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said he visited with many people and asked a number of them about the location. He said, except for two people, he heard people want to return Canada Day celebrations to Willingdon Beach. Formosa said there would be a conversation about returning to the beach for Canada Day 2016.
Buses operating
Formosa said Malaspina Coach Lines is back up and running. There are people staffing the Powell River office and on the lower coast. He said that he and Hathaway, through her position at Nicholas Simons’ MLA office, had been tag-teaming with Victoria for the bus line’s owners and the ministry of transportation and infrastructure.
“They are very sorry for the interruption and they hope they have things stabilized,” Formosa said. “They thank everybody for their patience. They are hoping it’s clear sailing from here.”
Formosa said it appears the company will be going to smaller buses. He said a number of people rely on the bus service for medical appointments, or who cannot drive.
Great volunteers
Brewer said that with PRISMA (Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy) and BC Bike Race right on its heels, a great deal of work goes into the organization of these events. He said the community is so fortunate to have all of the volunteers and volunteer groups to make these events the successes that they are. He said with the BC Bike Race a number of recreation groups come together and assist Powell River Cycling Association to take the race on. He also acknowledged city staff’s help each year.
In this year’s event there were 630 racers and another 250 people travelled with the competitors.
“Many of our visitors keep asking what’s in the water here because they can’t believe the welcome,” he said.
