Tennis court liability
In zealous preparation for the 2013 tennis season, City of Powell River crews power-washed the existing courts. These courts were already in a state of general dilapidation [“Recreation assets need upgrades,” December 1, 2012]. Now, these courts are in critical condition.
Previously blistering paint bubbles are now shredded with no paint left in many places. Concrete patches that had been filled 20 years ago are now blown out with enlarged chips and gouges everywhere on the courts. Large cracks in the courts are now wider and longer with the harsh effects of the power washing. Some of these cracks are ridged and stretch the width of a court. All this disrepair has now created a perfect scenario for any player to fall or trip causing serious bodily harm.
It is time for the city to recognize the potential dangers here. To repair the courts at this time would be much more economical than paying out a lawsuit.
All members of council, including municipal budget advisers from Powell River Recreation Complex, are invited to view the state of Powell River’s only existing tennis courts.
Vivian Thickett
Field Street
Texada coal
I was quite surprised to see a full-page advertisement opposing coal on Texada Island [December 28, 2012].
Coal has been shipped here from Campbell River for over 20 years. It has kept people employed when the limestone industry has dropped off. Increasing the port size will mean more jobs and perhaps that will help our crumbling community [“Texada facility part of coal export expansion plans,” December 5, 2012]. Coal is not green but it is a wanted product and if Texada is not used as a transition place for it, then another place will be.
Between responsible industry and government, this port will be properly monitored. I have never noticed that there is coal on Texada and I wonder, aside from employees and people directly involved with the area, who has?
Deidre Braak
Blair Road, Texada Island
Zoning issues
How reasonable is it to think that in 25 years, in an area as big as Area B with no zoning or regulation, that you would not have complaints, and lots of them [“Staff to organize zoning sessions,” May 1]. Powell River Regional District has not had a process to receive, mediate or enforce them. They have not and still do not. The comment that if rural businesses had to meet any type of zoning at all that they would fail and hurt the economy is also a myth. Businesses in Powell River seem to do all right with zoning. Businesses in the rest of BC seem to do all right with zoning. And how does the depreciation of value on residential properties due to land use conflict enter into that economy? Why invest in a business in a rural area with such uncertainty?
Time for Areas B and C to come kicking and screaming into the 21st century with some level of zoning—the last frontier in BC to do so.
Robert Woods
Padgett Road
Climatic compromise
Given the ongoing wildfire situation in California, where conditions are mimicking late summer, and our own catapult into the heat, the province would be extremely wise to proactively impose a campfire ban province-wide for the entire camping season [“Fire damages fragile island,” August 29, 2012].
Adjusting to climate change means sacrificing an activity that we’ve enjoyed since the advent of time. Our forests are already on life support due to man-related activities. We certainly should not be rolling the dice by adding more fuel to the fire.
Better to forgo firewood revenue than to run the risk of losing the camping venues themselves. Lightning strikes are not preventable. Human ignition strikes of the hand are entirely preventable.
Steve Perkins
Blair Road, Texada Island
Reader’s right
Chair of the Powell River Public Library board, Jon van Oostveen, is quoted as saying, “the community has helped to plan this new library every step of the way, assessing the needs, selecting the site, and creating the design concept.” [“Library board hires consultant,” April 10.]
It is true that the new library committee has held public meetings. However, the first one was on Texada Island, on June 23, 2009 (nine attendees) and the second was in Powell River, on July 7, 2009 (34 attendees). Those two meetings does not a community make, and they were the basis of “public consultation” for the site selection of the new library. Since then, there have been two public gatherings to show everyone the design of the new library; the design cherrette (75 attendees) and design workshop (240 attendees).
What I find disturbing is the chair of the library board seems to be inferring that because 43 members of the community attended two consultation meetings and 315 attended design concept displays, that it somehow legitimizes and provides approval of the plans, while totally ignoring the 5,000 plus individuals indicating their opposition to the site selection, who signed and formally presented the petition to the city and library board.
While public involvement in community projects is desirable, when used as a public relations ploy, it creates skepticism within the community.
Why are council and the library board plowing the head winds of site opposition and referendum unless there is a plan/strategy to negate the referendum?
Ironically, the lack of response to the community’s opposition to site selection has jeopardized the library service improvement initiative by infuriating 5,000-plus individuals and creating uncertainty for any fundraising activities due to the pending referendum.
I can only assume that the library board has apprised the consultant of the site opposition factor, and that site opposition will be considered and mentioned in the report, after due qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Sharon Ciarniello
Sutherland Avenue
No more logging on Crowther
Island Timberlands claims to have cooperated with the Okeover community, and in particular the Okeover Ratepayers Association (ORA), with respect to its plan to log above Crowther Road [“Logging plans alarm residents,” May 1]. Unfortunately, the company’s understanding of cooperation seems to be different from any normal use of that word. Consider this: as soon as ORA saw that a new area had been flagged for harvesting in April, we asked to meet with the company. We asked again in May. We told the company that we wanted meaningful input before it finalizes its plans. So far, the company has refused to meet with ORA about its plans to clearcut adjacent to Crowther.
When Island Timberlands logged in Okeover in 2011, ORA had two basic requests: (1) that the company not truck out logs during tourist season when local businesses have a brief window of opportunity to earn a living; and (2) that it leave the small area immediately above Crowther uncut, so the downhill residents would not suffer degradation of their water supply or have to battle logging trucks on a narrow, hilly, twisty gravel road. Island Timberlands said it would cooperate and agreed to not work during tourist season. Company representatives also said they had no plans to log the small strip ORA wanted preserved.
The company honoured its agreement not to disrupt our tourist season in 2011, but in 2012 it went back on its word and kept trucking out logs during the summer. Now, it is back again and claims that it never promised not to log the strip adjacent to Crowther. It says that its plans have simply changed. The ORA asks Peak readers to decide whether that is honest or deceptive.
ORA cooperated in 2011-2012 to allow responsible logging. Since then, we’ve learned a lesson that so many others in our area have learned. Cooperation is a one-way street to that company. You can’t trust Island Timberlands to be a good neighbour.
Paul Schachter
Okeover Ratepayers Association
Referendum please
On May 10, Willingdon Watch group attended the Westview waterfront development committee meeting [“Waterfront committee recommends mixed use for old arena site,” May 15]. At 7 pm on June 6, at the City of Powell River council meeting, the committee will be presenting its report to council to recommend designating Willingdon South (old arena site) from parkland to mixed use, residential, commercial and civic, despite the numerous public hearings and petition with 5,000-plus signatures, opposing this rezoning.
Anybody opposed to this rezoning proposal is urged to attend this meeting. We want a referendum soon.
Elaine Teichgraber
Willingdon Watch group
