Island News & Views
General · 6th April 2009
Jim Abram
What a beautiful spring day! Perfect for working on the Granite Bay floats, which I will speak of later on. But first...!
The Rally for Rivers and The Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Convention
What a great turnout in Nanaimo! The Rally for Rivers was such a phenomenal success that it is hard to describe in words.
Hundreds of people from all over the coast showed up in support of keeping our rivers "diversion free". Of course the largest contingent was from Quadra Island and the outer islands, and I thank you all for being there. It was so impressive to see so many familiar faces when I got up to the mike to speak. The signs and placards were beautiful. The music and the chants were lively and kept up the energy of the crowd. The speakers all had their own focus and did very well at getting their points across to the huge crowd. The best part of all was that the rally took place at the convention of all local government representatives from Bella Coola, through the Sunshine Coast and right to Victoria. I was in attendance at the convention and making sure that the delegates knew the significance of the actions outside, prior to joining the rally myself.
At the convention we had three resolutions to consider: one from the Strathcona Regional District that I got passed at our Board; one from Tofino and lastly, one from the District of Highlands. I lobbied every delegate that I could and explained what the resolutions were really about and also enlightened them about the purpose of the rally: to support local government elected representatives in their efforts to bring the power back to the people: the local power that had been stripped from us by the provincial government through Bill 30.
The tension was unbelievable. Waiting to get to our resolution was almost unbearable! When we did get to it, we had ONE minute left to deal with it and the chair of the meeting was about to close debate and refer the resolution to the Executive. I went to the mike and protested his actions and made a motion to continue debate until we were finished. The room supported me overwhelmingly and we moved on!
All three resolutions passed! A moratorium was called for, an Integrated Sustainable Energy Planning process was endorsed and returning BC Hydro's mandate to them to allow them to be the developers of our power needs was demanded. It was so gratifying to see my colleagues support these crucial issues. I know that the rally had an impact and thank each and every one of you who contributed to it in any way. I hope that you will all stay vigilant and come out as needed in the future. My actions, along with those of many others, will continue behind the scenes and in public forums until we have stopped this ill-conceived plan that is proposed for Bute Inlet. So, stay tuned!
Granite Bay float replacement
We have had three "work party" days at the industrial yard in Campbell River where the refurbished floats are being stored. Our little group has drilled and bolted all of the pressure treated lumber for the rub rails and the tie up rails to the galvanized float structures. We had beautiful days on all three occasions which allowed us to get lots of work done without fighting the elements. We finished this phase of the work earlier today and the floats will now be shipped by flat deck truck to Campbell River Marine Terminals where they will be stockpiled with all of the anchors, lines and chains until they are picked up by a huge landing barge and taken to the Granite Bay site later this month. The old floats will then be removed and the new ones installed. With all of that completed, we will have a first class facility for public access and recreational purposes. After it is all installed, we intend to hold a community celebration around mid-May. You will all be invited! I will be listing all of the generous donations that have made this project possible in a future issue. The list is huge! It is wonderful to be the "project manager" for such a rewarding endeavour. This is a true partnership between local government, the local community and our supportive business community.
The Granite Bay floats work crew: (left to right), John Schmidt, Robert Wood, Dan MacKenzie, yours truly, Jim Abram, and Allen Perkins
(those are the floats behind us with their new rub rails and tie up rails installed)
There are many other issues that I need to report to you on, but I am sure I have used up my space at this point! More to follow next time.
That is it for now. Feel free to call me between the hours of 8:30 am and 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday (not on weekends, folks!) at 285-3355, or you can fax me at 285-3533 or you can email me anytime at abramfamoberon.ark.com , or by mail at Box 278 in the Cove, V0P 1N0... Lots of choices!
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Abram
Director, Discovery Islands - Mainland Inlets (Area C), SRD
The Rally for Rivers and The Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Convention
What a great turnout in Nanaimo! The Rally for Rivers was such a phenomenal success that it is hard to describe in words.
Hundreds of people from all over the coast showed up in support of keeping our rivers "diversion free". Of course the largest contingent was from Quadra Island and the outer islands, and I thank you all for being there. It was so impressive to see so many familiar faces when I got up to the mike to speak. The signs and placards were beautiful. The music and the chants were lively and kept up the energy of the crowd. The speakers all had their own focus and did very well at getting their points across to the huge crowd. The best part of all was that the rally took place at the convention of all local government representatives from Bella Coola, through the Sunshine Coast and right to Victoria. I was in attendance at the convention and making sure that the delegates knew the significance of the actions outside, prior to joining the rally myself.
At the convention we had three resolutions to consider: one from the Strathcona Regional District that I got passed at our Board; one from Tofino and lastly, one from the District of Highlands. I lobbied every delegate that I could and explained what the resolutions were really about and also enlightened them about the purpose of the rally: to support local government elected representatives in their efforts to bring the power back to the people: the local power that had been stripped from us by the provincial government through Bill 30.
The tension was unbelievable. Waiting to get to our resolution was almost unbearable! When we did get to it, we had ONE minute left to deal with it and the chair of the meeting was about to close debate and refer the resolution to the Executive. I went to the mike and protested his actions and made a motion to continue debate until we were finished. The room supported me overwhelmingly and we moved on!
All three resolutions passed! A moratorium was called for, an Integrated Sustainable Energy Planning process was endorsed and returning BC Hydro's mandate to them to allow them to be the developers of our power needs was demanded. It was so gratifying to see my colleagues support these crucial issues. I know that the rally had an impact and thank each and every one of you who contributed to it in any way. I hope that you will all stay vigilant and come out as needed in the future. My actions, along with those of many others, will continue behind the scenes and in public forums until we have stopped this ill-conceived plan that is proposed for Bute Inlet. So, stay tuned!
Granite Bay float replacement
We have had three "work party" days at the industrial yard in Campbell River where the refurbished floats are being stored. Our little group has drilled and bolted all of the pressure treated lumber for the rub rails and the tie up rails to the galvanized float structures. We had beautiful days on all three occasions which allowed us to get lots of work done without fighting the elements. We finished this phase of the work earlier today and the floats will now be shipped by flat deck truck to Campbell River Marine Terminals where they will be stockpiled with all of the anchors, lines and chains until they are picked up by a huge landing barge and taken to the Granite Bay site later this month. The old floats will then be removed and the new ones installed. With all of that completed, we will have a first class facility for public access and recreational purposes. After it is all installed, we intend to hold a community celebration around mid-May. You will all be invited! I will be listing all of the generous donations that have made this project possible in a future issue. The list is huge! It is wonderful to be the "project manager" for such a rewarding endeavour. This is a true partnership between local government, the local community and our supportive business community.
The Granite Bay floats work crew: (left to right), John Schmidt, Robert Wood, Dan MacKenzie, yours truly, Jim Abram, and Allen Perkins
(those are the floats behind us with their new rub rails and tie up rails installed)
There are many other issues that I need to report to you on, but I am sure I have used up my space at this point! More to follow next time.
That is it for now. Feel free to call me between the hours of 8:30 am and 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday (not on weekends, folks!) at 285-3355, or you can fax me at 285-3533 or you can email me anytime at abramfamoberon.ark.com , or by mail at Box 278 in the Cove, V0P 1N0... Lots of choices!
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Abram
Director, Discovery Islands - Mainland Inlets (Area C), SRD
Granite Bay work force!
Once again, thanks are due!
Comment by Robyn Budd on 9th April 2009
Jim, this community owes you a huge thank-you for going the distance at AVICC to challenge BC "Liberal" policies – policies that are dismantling the very fabric of our province, environmentally, socially and economically. We have a chance to turn this ship around on May 12, and my hope is for an NDP leadership that honours constituent communities and local governments like ours. Many thanks for not backing down!
Jim, this community owes you a huge thank-you for going the distance at AVICC to challenge BC "Liberal" policies – policies that are dismantling the very fabric of our province, environmentally, socially and economically. We have a chance to turn this ship around on May 12, and my hope is for an NDP leadership that honours constituent communities and local governments like ours. Many thanks for not backing down!