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Rural OBSERVERCelebrating Our Rural Community Lifestyle

Vol 6 Issue 1February 2009

Serving Port RenfrewJordan RiverOtter PointEast SookeSongheesWillis PointMalahatShirley

Disaster Relief Through PEP

Winter Wandering

Therersquos Syrup in Them There Trees

Saving Local History

2 February 2009

A group of Juan de Fuca residents formed a non-profit society to launch a news and advertising publication for the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

We provide a forum for our rural communities to share news exchange ideas and develop a sense of community At the same time the publication gives businesses within and outside the electoral area an opportunity to promote their products and services and reach potential customers We also hope to make current information about the region and its services available to the many tourists who visit the area each year Our goal is to protect preserve and enhance rural life

The publication will rely on community members to share their interests and points of view through articles correspondence and photographs We welcome articles and letters reflecting the very diverse interests of our member communities and expressing all points of view The editorial committee reserves the right to edit for brevity accuracy clarity and taste Though every reasonable precaution will be made to verify the accuracy of material submitted the editorial committee assumes no responsibility for the content of published articles The responsibility is that of the writers References and descriptions of products or services are provided ldquoas isrdquo without warranty of any kind either expressed or implied Wersquore online wwwruralobservercomIf you wish to submit an article for an upcoming issue of the Rural Observer please email it to

submissionsruralobservercom

Or mail to Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society 6790 East Sooke Road Sooke BC V0S 1N0

2009 MEMBERSHIPThis is your opportunity to renew (or start) your 2009 membership in the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society Our fee structure is as follows - you may renewjoin at the basic level of $10 become a ldquoFriendrdquo of the Rural Observer for $25 a ldquoSupporterrdquo for $50 or a ldquoLifetime Memberrdquo for only $100 We recommend the lifetime membership - you wonrsquot need to remember to renew each year The Rural Observer needs your support to keep it strong viable and independent Please make out cheques to the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society and mail to JSchadt Box 40 Malahat BC V0R 2L0

The Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society Mission Statement

Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society2009 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Name ____________________________________

Address _______________________________________

______________________________________________

Phone ____________ E-mail ______________________

Are you able to help _____________________________

Return to JdF Rural Publication Society J Schadt Box 40 Malahat BC V0R 2L0

New Board for Rural ObserverAt the recent AGM of the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society the following people were elected to the Board for 2009

Charlotte SenayTerri AlcockJune RootsPatricia SloanJohn CorsigliaSusan NelsonMerilou Clapper

Wine Tasting FundraiserhellipSip Nibble Learn and Support by Vivi Curutchet

The Rural Observer is growing People look forward to reading all the local stories and businesses look forward to posting ads but still some months the numbers do not add up to enough to pay the expenses We are committed to keeping the prices of advertising low to give the opportunity to local businesses in and outside of the area to promote their products and services There is no charge for the magazine itself inside the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area and it is freely distributed to various businesses in Sooke and environs Some of the initial startup costs were covered by a grant in 2004 from the JDF Economic Development Commission but since then there has been no further grant money received The paper supports itself through advertising

The Board of Directors decided to hold a fundraising event that would not only raise money but also be entertaining educational and participatory Kathy Scott an enthusiastic volunteer had the idea of a wine tasting event She brought the inspiration but also took off with it recruited some more people and organized from zero this amazing ldquoAfternoon of Wine amp Cheeserdquo on October 12 2008 at Kathy and Mikersquos home in East Sooke

Sommelier Ben Philip of Stile Wines delighted everybody with his charm and knowledge The wines were accompanied by a great variety of cheeses donated by the Market on Millstream and exquisite bread by Little Vienna Bakery It was a lovely sunny day and around fifty guests came together at the Scottsrsquo beautiful home to support the Rural Observer taste and learn about wines and enjoy good conversation

To complete the afternoon there were Door Prizes Almost everyone went back home with a beautiful gift The prize contributors were also among our advertisers Alice McLean Pottery Marlene Bowman Pottery Otter Point Tea Room Tanya Hair Design Bombora Gift Shop and Hatley Castle Tours Some members donated to the event too Bobbie Metzger Michael Galizio Marta and Wally Newberry Dwight and Connie Adamic and Merilou and Jack Clapper Thank you all so much

We extend our deepest appreciation to Kathy and Mike Scott Pat and Stan Warlow and Debbie Needham for donating so generously of their time energy and resources to our community newspaper And thanks go out too to our readers and friends who attended and made the event a huge success

3 February 2009

Bon

appetiteWild Salmon Local Seafood

Naturally Raised Meat Products

2000+ Certified Organic Grocery Items

Island-Raised Poultry

Signature market made freshBakery amp Deli Fare

903 Yates At Quadra 381-6000 7 AM-11 PM

125-2401 C Millstream Road391-1110 8 AM-11 PM

Photos by Terri AlcockTop MLA John Horgan and Rural Observer Board Member Charlotte Senay Left Sommelier Ben Philip of Stile WinesBottom East Sooke Resident Peter Charak

4 February 2009

MAKING MAPLE SYRUP by Dale Read

The local big leaf maples may be tapped to make maple syrup - just like eastern sugar maples And whatrsquos more essentially all the local native maples-the ones with leaves the size of your hand-are lsquobig leaf maplesrsquo

The season for tapping these trees starts about the first of January and lasts until early in March when the buds start to swell The sap flow is intermittent but tends to be greater during warm days

Some equipment is needed Included are an auger with a 716 inch bit clean plastic pails stainless steel spigots and a stainless steel pot in which to boil down the sap A spigot extractor is also useful after the season is over

A very good selection of equipment is available from

Atkinson Maple Syrup SuppliesRR 1 2907 Hwy 11Oro Station Ontario L0L 2E0Phone (705) 487 333 Fax (705) 487-0460wwwatkinsonmaplecom

Bore the holes into the tree trunks about two centimetres (almost

an inch) deep Gently tap the spigots into the holes Remember these spigots will have to be removed later Attach the pails and wait for the sap to flow Sap should be boiled down daily or it will become musty

Care must be taken when boiling down sap If the resulting syrup isnrsquot sufficiently thick it will spoil when stored If too thick a sugar sludge appears A hydrometer is useful the specific gravity of good syrup is about 132

If you have no hydrometer buy a small jug of eastern maple syrup When the syrup you are boiling down seems to be thick enough test it by pouring out a few drops into a spoon letting it cool and then adding it to a small volume of store-bought syrup If the added drops stay at the top of the store bought syrup you have more boiling to do If the added drops go immediately down to the bottom yoursquove gone too far If they diffuse evenly into the larger volume the specific gravity is about right

Watch out for late season sap When tree buds start to swell the sap gets an unpleasant flavour Because of this donrsquot mix late season syrup with the rest until yoursquove tasted it With a little care you can make syrup that is a gourmetrsquos delight

More detailed information is available from a book entitled Bigleaf Sugaring available at the Queenrsquos Printer

Photo by Jack Schmidling

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

5 February 2009

Sooke Region Food CHI Society Update by Kathryn Kusyszyn

Did you knowThere are 4000 farms on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and of these about 1000 farms are in the Capital RegionThere are over 10 community and farmersrsquo markets in Capital RegionThere are 15 community gardens with about 500 community gardeners in the Greater Victoria area (Taken from CR-FAIR Newsletter Issue 1 December 2006)

The Sooke Region Food CHI Society (SRFC) evolved as an off-shoot of The Community Health Initiative (CHI) nearly two years ago This non-profit society is committed to pursuing a vision of lsquogood local affordable food for allrsquo By harnessing the knowl-edge experience and passion of local growers fishers chefs wild-harvesters and interested community members SRFC coordinates educational hands-on events so Sooke Region citizens can actively increase the sustainability of the local food supply

The Farm Forum Festival and Feast held Oct 25 at Edward Milne Community School is one recent and successful Food CHI event With funding support from the District of Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Economic Development Commission the day provided educational and entertainment opportunities for all ages The Forum part of the day was a facilitated workshop ses-sion with 120 registrants This session laid the groundwork for a regional agricultural area plan The Sooke Agricultural Advisory Commission is charged with moving this plan into action One local producer captured the optimism created by the forum ldquoItrsquos the most progressive thing that has happened in our region in ten yearsrdquo The Food Festival and Harvest Feast showcased local growers fishers producers chefs craftspeople and wild harvesters Increasing knowledge and support of local food pro-ducers is vital to their livelihood and to the regionrsquos food security

In 2008 Food CHI sponsored seed saving and healthy food preparation workshops at CASA fun-filled community garden workdays inspiring local food potlucks action-promoting letter writing campaigns and more This year Food CHI is actively engaged in the creation of a food guide An evolving docu-ment the Farm and Food Guide will highlight local resources

including country markets community gardens wild-harvesting information and workshops on all sorts of related topics

On March 11 the film ldquoIsland on the Edgerdquo will be screened at the EMCS theatre This film is about sustainable agriculture on Vancouver Island and the filmrsquos producer Nick Versteeg will be in attendance This screening is by donation and is a joint presentation with Awareness Film Night

Membership in Food CHI is by donation and open to the whole community For more information contact Sheila Wallace Sooke Region Food CHI Coordinator at 250-642-7906 or smwallaceshawca For upcoming events check out the website at wwwsookefoodchica

wwwsookefoodchicaawarenessfilmnightgmailcom

Photos by Daniel Chauvin

Winter Wandering by Rosemary Jorna

One of my favourite spots for a winter wander is the Sooke Pot Holes Regional Park at the end of Sooke River Rd

This 55 hectare park was acquired by the Land Conservancy (TLC) of British Columbia for the Capital Region in 2005 It is run in partnership of the Capital Region District and the TLC who retains ownership of the old lodge site the cabin site and the camp ground Most of us are familiar with it in the summer with its beaches swimming holes and trails In winter itrsquos a different place changing every day Responding to the rains of November the river swells and boils through the canyon Spectacular it deserves respect and should be approached with caution This December however the river was quiet with the water levels nearly at a summer low A skim of ice formed on quiet pools the rock faces frosted with ice formations The river seemed in a unexpected contemplative mood this year

When the rains begin and when this snow melts it will be once again a raging torrent the canyons white with rushing water

During this season the river is temperamental and volatile Water levels can go up and down dramatically within hours There are places where you can see the debris deposits high up on the cliffs and wonder at this level of reach It is possible to observe the power of the river safely You need only follow the well marked trail that parallels the river and not be tempted any closer Green Canyon one of the spectacular spots can be viewed from the old lodge site with its well fenced stairs and balconies The railings and rock works by the lodge site set off the boiling canyon below

Snow adds its own magic with a tracery of animal tracks You can take the trail close to the river the road itself or the Galloping Goose Which parking lot to use depends on the weather On our rare icy days the road to the upper two parking lots is closed but there is good footing for winter boots and the possibilities of cross country skiing You can learn more about the park on the CRD Park web site wwwcrdbccaparkssookepotholes

Rosemary Jorna is Director of Hiking Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society wwwjdfcommunitytrailsca

6 February 2009

Daily WalksBackyard BreaksPetHouse-SittingPet 1st AidVet Asst Training

642-4440wwwoutboundhoundscom

outboundhounds1hotmailcom

7 February 2009

Changes to Rural Observer Deliveryby Terri Alcock

For those keeping track this is year five of the Rural Observer our first issue having been delivered to your mailboxes in September 2004 Now we are moving to a new era with new delivery systems ndash due to changes in Canada Post regulations Sometimes it is through adversity or challenge that we become renewed and improved- we can only hope

Since its inception the Rural Observer has been classified as a community newspaper and has therefore been delivered not as ad mail but as a lsquolegitimatersquo newspaper to each and every postal box in the Electoral Area This has been a tremendous advantage for the paper for our advertisers and for you our readers We have been the only newspaper to provide complete coverage of the JDF

Now with changes to postal regulations the paper has been told that because it is not published every month it is no longer eligible for this classification and therefore will be delivered in the future as lsquoad mailrsquo This means that approximately 500 people in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area will no longer see the paper in their mailboxes as many people concerned about the environment and the excessive amounts of paper used to produce and deliver ads to homeowners (and rightly so) have opted not to have ad mail put into their mailboxes It is ironic that those very discerning readers are the ones that we will have to work harder to reach

What do we plan to do to ensure that the Rural Observer is available to all residents of the Electoral Area and beyond Firstly we have always had a presence on the internet with our website wwwruralobservercom Now we plan to better utilize the site and post each issue in a more timely fashion as well as offer additional advertising options to enhance coverage of the area for our advertisers

Secondly we currently deliver copies of the Rural Observer to locations throughout the JDF and Sooke We will beef up distribution so that more copies are available for those who no longer receive delivery And we will look for other ways to reach our readers including possibly installing boxes near rural mailboxes so that people can pick it up as they do other publications

What can you do Contact the Post Office and tell them that you want to continue to receive the Rural Observer as a community newspaper Call or write to your MP Dr Keith Martin and ask him to work with Canada Post to get this regulation changed We are not the only community paper affected and there is no logic to the Post Office dictating how often a newspaper must publish in order to be called a lsquocommunity newspaperrsquo This regulation causes hardship for small papers like ours produced by volunteers and financed strictly by advertising

Thank you for your support over the past five years Watch our website for changes and please keep on reading and supporting the Rural Observer

8 February 2009

Calendar of Eventsfor Shirley

Unless otherwise indicated all events held at the Shirley Community Hall

Shirley Fire DepartmentPractices every Thursday 700 ndash 900 pmChief Rob Vanveen - 646-2107

Shirley Community AssociationAnnual General MeetingMarch 11 2009 730 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

Shirleyrsquos Spring Craft FairMarch 29 2009 1000 am ndash 400 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

THE SHIRLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

HAS A NEW WEBSITEVisit shirleycommunityorg and you will be able todiscover Shirley history bullfind out about up-coming bullevents at the Shirley Hall or how to rent the Hall for your own eventlearn about membershipbullvolunteering in the Shirley Community Association check out the Community bullClipboard

Saving a Lighthouse ndash Saving Local Historyby Michael Galizio

Working to save the Sheringham Point light station the public access and the land surrounding the navigational aid has been a long and arduous process Starting in 2003 the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society has dedicated its membersrsquo collective energy toward those goals To date there has been quite a bit of progress

First however it must be said that without the work of the hundreds of volunteer members and the legions of supporters in the JDFEA and the CRD the advancement of the Societyrsquos goals and mission would not have been possible The support of Erik Lund former JDFEA Regional Director Dr Keith Martin Member of Parliament John Horgan MLA and the Office of Premier Gordon Campbell has been vital to the many successes of the Society

A cornerstone of the Societyrsquos work has been the agreement with the adjacent landholder This was an important part of the puzzle that made up the overall goal of securing the Lighthouse property for a passive park

The agreement included four strategic provisions a 3-4 kilometer trail system protection of 160 acres surrounding the lighthouse property - guaranteed by a ldquono further subdivisionrdquo covenant a no logging and tree protection covenant and financial support for the Society

The completed trail resulted from months of consultation with the Shirley Community and other area groups and individuals The small parking area at the end of Sheringham Point Road that connects to the trailhead will act as an area for guests who come to use the trail and to walk down to the lighthouse property

The work continues on all fronts ndash including collecting an oral history of the Lighthouse the light keepers and their families working with all levels of government on securing the land and light station as a passive park liaising with the TrsquoSou-ke Chief and Council and communicating with as many people as possible about the Society

For more information please go to wwwsheringhamlighthouseorg

From Shirley to Prospect- Every Dog Shall Have Her Say by Rosemary Metz

During the summer of this year we sold our house in Shirley and moved to Prospect Nova Scotia where we have family While we were in the process of moving residents from the JDF area demonstrated their awesome sense of community spirit Neighbours and friends from Shirley showed their big-heartedness by baking for us inviting us to dinners and offering places to stay during our upheavals Such camaraderie is not easily forgotten Our two enthusiastic Labradors Jasper and Phebe long since anthropomorphized into four legged human personalities would also like to thank our neighbours for the excellent baking they tasted whilst their ownersrsquo backs were turned pre-occupied that they were with box packing Dogs Phebe and Jasper want it to be known that they are proud of their perfected technique of lifting items of food from the table with a single sideways swipe of the tongue They are likewise pleased to have wagged and stolen their ways into our lives The following is in the form of a letter concerning differing perceptions of object and place to be read from an imagined canine perspective

Dear ReaderIt is said that Dog is Manrsquos best friend I would like to think that the reverse is also true And it could be said that our speciesrsquo specific needs tend to run on a parallel with humans For example dogs like certainty They like being fed regularly and appreciate a warm dry bed to sleep in This is very true Born as working dogs Labs like us need regular walks as well And when established certainty shows signs of breaking down canis familaris are similarly affected lsquoGoing to the dogsrsquo is a description of such a situation used by humans Whatever happens to a dogrsquos owners happens to the family mutt in one way or another This is definitely true

Moving home is a good example We dogs became suspicious that something was about to change in our lives when new scents began infiltrating our living space from late in 2007 This kind of change sneaks up on you slowly - like the sudden appearance of coloured ribbons in the woods where we walked daily Change was everywhere We did our best to reinforce our scent around the ribbons to recreate a kind of certainty Dog is manrsquos best friend and we were only helping him to mark his ground

At home and with little warning sometimes we all had to leave the house because a lsquohouse showingrsquo was soon to occur These persistent events dogged our daily routine Manic house cleaning always preceded the lsquohouse showingrsquo

It made no difference to us if fruity scented floor cleaners or straight ammonia were used It was only cosmetic Our two legged friends miss a lot when they rely so heavily on sight as a first line of observation Itrsquos strange how humans also born with five senses rely so much on only one They have even created such things as paintings where it seems humans deliberately try to confuse themselves Look at that painting called ldquoThe Death of Acteonrdquo by Titian which concerns a hunting scene where a stag is caught and killed by dogs The stag not really a stag but actually a human called Acteon has been cursed and transformed when caught watching the goddess Diana having a bath Whatrsquos the point in all that visual stuff Confusing As a dog would this visual nonsense get me out of a jam in the woods Would I be the hound or the hounded Why use one sense when yoursquove been born with five

Now that we are in Prospect those five senses have all had a chance to re-establish themselves Recent tropical storm season has helped sharpen our instincts as well as our ownerrsquos emergency preparedness Old Christmas cookie tins from last year that contained earthquake emergency food hidden outside our house in Shirley are now pressed into use for Prospect

The Chronicle Herald of Sunday September 5th headlined ldquoNS Bracing for Hanna the message to Nova Scotians is they should have their 72 hour emergency preparedness kits ready to roll at any point We all know that itrsquos hurricane seasonrdquo Fortunately we were not affected

Another set of newspaper headlines that drew attention as we moved into our house at Prospect was ldquoClose Encounter of the Weird Kindrdquo This story concerned a tourist who had spied strange lights in the skies over Prospect and caught them on video At the local farmers market someone asked if anyone had heard about the UFO sightings An anonymous voice yelled from beyond the cabbages ldquoOh that must have been the Metz family moving inrdquo Carve Carne

9 February 2009

800 Goldstream AvenueVictoria V9B 2X7(250) 391-2801johnhorganmlalegbcca

John Horgan MLA

Our Office is Open to Serve You

Malahat - Juan de Fuca

CONTROVERSY OVER - Lyme Disease Exists On Vancouver Island by Patricia Sloan Local health officials have grudgingly accepted the fact that ticks infected with Lyme disease do indeed exist in our area In fact it is endemic on parts of Vancouver Island specifically in the Shawnigan area as well as other southern wooded regions such as Willis Point Sooke and Duncan It is vitally important that we all know this so we can protect ourselves as well as educate our physicians What is Lyme disease What causes it Lyme a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks In our area we commonly call them ldquodeer ticksrdquo but the resident species is the Western black-legged tick It is a relative of the scorpion When a tick is obvious recognized and treated the disease can be easily overcome within weeks by administration of a specific antibiotic If ignored or not immediately treated or inadequately treated the disease will eventually progress to the joints the heart and the nervous system leaving many people permanently and unnecessarily disabled Throughout North America diagnosis of this disease has been extremely difficult and therefore Lyme has been underrated and has become somewhat of a medical controversy Sufferers have been told they are depressed and are direly in need of psychiatric care that they have auto-immune chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia Crohnrsquos disease arthritis lupus irritable bowel memory loss myalgic encephalitis Parkinsons and other incurable debilitating and chronic life-altering illnesses - the lsquoblack holesrsquo of medical diagnoses These are extremely serious conditions Physicians who do acknowledge and treat Lyme disease have been subject to ridicule researchers have been harassed threatened and stalked A BC physician treating Lyme was investigated by his peers and forced to resign You will find that many local physicians and vets still continue to deny the existence of this increasing problem As mentioned a couple of years ago in these pages four Willis Point residents had imbedded ticks and each person was assessed and

treated differently ranging from no treatment at all through to IV antibiotics and complete excision of the tick One woman who had the classic lsquobullrsquos eyersquo rash and was quite ill was taken seriously only on a second visit to the doctor who hollowly said ldquoOh my goodnessrdquo and prescribed a lengthy antibiotic treatment What to watch for What to do Ticks gangsters of the trails live in the grasses and bushes hanging out waiting for blood When a luscious source of plasma comes their way such as a deer or a dog or a human with uncovered skin itrsquos party time Hungry ticks are small - about the size of a sesame seed - and painless and are easily overlooked A full tick (full of your blood) can swell to the size of a small grey grape and is fairly obvious unless in your hair Your cat or dog

can transfer ticks to you but the disease itself is not transmittable from pets Nor can Lyme be spread from person to person Ticks will catch on your clothes hair socks etc when you are out in the bush which for most of us is our back yards Prevention measures include full body armour (or so it seems) of long sleeves socks tucked into boots no bare skin etc but thatrsquos a lot to expect

from anyone walking down to the Bight in the summer lsquoDeetrsquo an insect repellent will do fine Just make sure to thoroughly check yourself and your pets after each walk Anyone you ask will give you a different method of removing ticks Oil matches heat pulling out clockwise pulling out counter-clockwise Vaseline ice etc (Irsquove heard good reports about a yellow plastic tick remover available at some vets) The best way is to go to medical services and let them take care of it If unable to get to a doctor within 24 hours slowly pull the tick straight out then save the tick for autopsy (The tickrsquos not yours) Try not to squish the tick because more toxins will be released The oil and matches trick will only set you on fire adding to your troubles Symptoms of Lyme Disease First stage (immediate to 3 weeks) fatigue chills fever headache muscle and joint pain swollen and sore lymph nodes The classic ldquobullrsquos eyerdquo rash gives you a huge clue It may appear at the bite site or elsewhere on your body This is a serious boot in the rear for you to get to medical services ASAP Second stage (untreated) will develop and last for several months central and peripheral nervous system disorders multiple skin rashes arthritis heart palpitations extreme fatigue and weakness (For those interested best-selling author Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club has late stages of Lyme and her story is scary - just Google lsquoamy tanrsquo then to the heading lsquolymersquo After reading what she has and is going through I know that I will be much more careful) Third stage (untreated) can last for years with more severe symptoms David Cubberly retired MLA for Saanich South has been an advocate for Vancouver Island Lyme disease victims For information call 250-952-4418 Walk safe

10 February 2009

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

2 February 2009

A group of Juan de Fuca residents formed a non-profit society to launch a news and advertising publication for the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

We provide a forum for our rural communities to share news exchange ideas and develop a sense of community At the same time the publication gives businesses within and outside the electoral area an opportunity to promote their products and services and reach potential customers We also hope to make current information about the region and its services available to the many tourists who visit the area each year Our goal is to protect preserve and enhance rural life

The publication will rely on community members to share their interests and points of view through articles correspondence and photographs We welcome articles and letters reflecting the very diverse interests of our member communities and expressing all points of view The editorial committee reserves the right to edit for brevity accuracy clarity and taste Though every reasonable precaution will be made to verify the accuracy of material submitted the editorial committee assumes no responsibility for the content of published articles The responsibility is that of the writers References and descriptions of products or services are provided ldquoas isrdquo without warranty of any kind either expressed or implied Wersquore online wwwruralobservercomIf you wish to submit an article for an upcoming issue of the Rural Observer please email it to

submissionsruralobservercom

Or mail to Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society 6790 East Sooke Road Sooke BC V0S 1N0

2009 MEMBERSHIPThis is your opportunity to renew (or start) your 2009 membership in the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society Our fee structure is as follows - you may renewjoin at the basic level of $10 become a ldquoFriendrdquo of the Rural Observer for $25 a ldquoSupporterrdquo for $50 or a ldquoLifetime Memberrdquo for only $100 We recommend the lifetime membership - you wonrsquot need to remember to renew each year The Rural Observer needs your support to keep it strong viable and independent Please make out cheques to the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society and mail to JSchadt Box 40 Malahat BC V0R 2L0

The Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society Mission Statement

Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society2009 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Name ____________________________________

Address _______________________________________

______________________________________________

Phone ____________ E-mail ______________________

Are you able to help _____________________________

Return to JdF Rural Publication Society J Schadt Box 40 Malahat BC V0R 2L0

New Board for Rural ObserverAt the recent AGM of the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society the following people were elected to the Board for 2009

Charlotte SenayTerri AlcockJune RootsPatricia SloanJohn CorsigliaSusan NelsonMerilou Clapper

Wine Tasting FundraiserhellipSip Nibble Learn and Support by Vivi Curutchet

The Rural Observer is growing People look forward to reading all the local stories and businesses look forward to posting ads but still some months the numbers do not add up to enough to pay the expenses We are committed to keeping the prices of advertising low to give the opportunity to local businesses in and outside of the area to promote their products and services There is no charge for the magazine itself inside the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area and it is freely distributed to various businesses in Sooke and environs Some of the initial startup costs were covered by a grant in 2004 from the JDF Economic Development Commission but since then there has been no further grant money received The paper supports itself through advertising

The Board of Directors decided to hold a fundraising event that would not only raise money but also be entertaining educational and participatory Kathy Scott an enthusiastic volunteer had the idea of a wine tasting event She brought the inspiration but also took off with it recruited some more people and organized from zero this amazing ldquoAfternoon of Wine amp Cheeserdquo on October 12 2008 at Kathy and Mikersquos home in East Sooke

Sommelier Ben Philip of Stile Wines delighted everybody with his charm and knowledge The wines were accompanied by a great variety of cheeses donated by the Market on Millstream and exquisite bread by Little Vienna Bakery It was a lovely sunny day and around fifty guests came together at the Scottsrsquo beautiful home to support the Rural Observer taste and learn about wines and enjoy good conversation

To complete the afternoon there were Door Prizes Almost everyone went back home with a beautiful gift The prize contributors were also among our advertisers Alice McLean Pottery Marlene Bowman Pottery Otter Point Tea Room Tanya Hair Design Bombora Gift Shop and Hatley Castle Tours Some members donated to the event too Bobbie Metzger Michael Galizio Marta and Wally Newberry Dwight and Connie Adamic and Merilou and Jack Clapper Thank you all so much

We extend our deepest appreciation to Kathy and Mike Scott Pat and Stan Warlow and Debbie Needham for donating so generously of their time energy and resources to our community newspaper And thanks go out too to our readers and friends who attended and made the event a huge success

3 February 2009

Bon

appetiteWild Salmon Local Seafood

Naturally Raised Meat Products

2000+ Certified Organic Grocery Items

Island-Raised Poultry

Signature market made freshBakery amp Deli Fare

903 Yates At Quadra 381-6000 7 AM-11 PM

125-2401 C Millstream Road391-1110 8 AM-11 PM

Photos by Terri AlcockTop MLA John Horgan and Rural Observer Board Member Charlotte Senay Left Sommelier Ben Philip of Stile WinesBottom East Sooke Resident Peter Charak

4 February 2009

MAKING MAPLE SYRUP by Dale Read

The local big leaf maples may be tapped to make maple syrup - just like eastern sugar maples And whatrsquos more essentially all the local native maples-the ones with leaves the size of your hand-are lsquobig leaf maplesrsquo

The season for tapping these trees starts about the first of January and lasts until early in March when the buds start to swell The sap flow is intermittent but tends to be greater during warm days

Some equipment is needed Included are an auger with a 716 inch bit clean plastic pails stainless steel spigots and a stainless steel pot in which to boil down the sap A spigot extractor is also useful after the season is over

A very good selection of equipment is available from

Atkinson Maple Syrup SuppliesRR 1 2907 Hwy 11Oro Station Ontario L0L 2E0Phone (705) 487 333 Fax (705) 487-0460wwwatkinsonmaplecom

Bore the holes into the tree trunks about two centimetres (almost

an inch) deep Gently tap the spigots into the holes Remember these spigots will have to be removed later Attach the pails and wait for the sap to flow Sap should be boiled down daily or it will become musty

Care must be taken when boiling down sap If the resulting syrup isnrsquot sufficiently thick it will spoil when stored If too thick a sugar sludge appears A hydrometer is useful the specific gravity of good syrup is about 132

If you have no hydrometer buy a small jug of eastern maple syrup When the syrup you are boiling down seems to be thick enough test it by pouring out a few drops into a spoon letting it cool and then adding it to a small volume of store-bought syrup If the added drops stay at the top of the store bought syrup you have more boiling to do If the added drops go immediately down to the bottom yoursquove gone too far If they diffuse evenly into the larger volume the specific gravity is about right

Watch out for late season sap When tree buds start to swell the sap gets an unpleasant flavour Because of this donrsquot mix late season syrup with the rest until yoursquove tasted it With a little care you can make syrup that is a gourmetrsquos delight

More detailed information is available from a book entitled Bigleaf Sugaring available at the Queenrsquos Printer

Photo by Jack Schmidling

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

5 February 2009

Sooke Region Food CHI Society Update by Kathryn Kusyszyn

Did you knowThere are 4000 farms on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and of these about 1000 farms are in the Capital RegionThere are over 10 community and farmersrsquo markets in Capital RegionThere are 15 community gardens with about 500 community gardeners in the Greater Victoria area (Taken from CR-FAIR Newsletter Issue 1 December 2006)

The Sooke Region Food CHI Society (SRFC) evolved as an off-shoot of The Community Health Initiative (CHI) nearly two years ago This non-profit society is committed to pursuing a vision of lsquogood local affordable food for allrsquo By harnessing the knowl-edge experience and passion of local growers fishers chefs wild-harvesters and interested community members SRFC coordinates educational hands-on events so Sooke Region citizens can actively increase the sustainability of the local food supply

The Farm Forum Festival and Feast held Oct 25 at Edward Milne Community School is one recent and successful Food CHI event With funding support from the District of Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Economic Development Commission the day provided educational and entertainment opportunities for all ages The Forum part of the day was a facilitated workshop ses-sion with 120 registrants This session laid the groundwork for a regional agricultural area plan The Sooke Agricultural Advisory Commission is charged with moving this plan into action One local producer captured the optimism created by the forum ldquoItrsquos the most progressive thing that has happened in our region in ten yearsrdquo The Food Festival and Harvest Feast showcased local growers fishers producers chefs craftspeople and wild harvesters Increasing knowledge and support of local food pro-ducers is vital to their livelihood and to the regionrsquos food security

In 2008 Food CHI sponsored seed saving and healthy food preparation workshops at CASA fun-filled community garden workdays inspiring local food potlucks action-promoting letter writing campaigns and more This year Food CHI is actively engaged in the creation of a food guide An evolving docu-ment the Farm and Food Guide will highlight local resources

including country markets community gardens wild-harvesting information and workshops on all sorts of related topics

On March 11 the film ldquoIsland on the Edgerdquo will be screened at the EMCS theatre This film is about sustainable agriculture on Vancouver Island and the filmrsquos producer Nick Versteeg will be in attendance This screening is by donation and is a joint presentation with Awareness Film Night

Membership in Food CHI is by donation and open to the whole community For more information contact Sheila Wallace Sooke Region Food CHI Coordinator at 250-642-7906 or smwallaceshawca For upcoming events check out the website at wwwsookefoodchica

wwwsookefoodchicaawarenessfilmnightgmailcom

Photos by Daniel Chauvin

Winter Wandering by Rosemary Jorna

One of my favourite spots for a winter wander is the Sooke Pot Holes Regional Park at the end of Sooke River Rd

This 55 hectare park was acquired by the Land Conservancy (TLC) of British Columbia for the Capital Region in 2005 It is run in partnership of the Capital Region District and the TLC who retains ownership of the old lodge site the cabin site and the camp ground Most of us are familiar with it in the summer with its beaches swimming holes and trails In winter itrsquos a different place changing every day Responding to the rains of November the river swells and boils through the canyon Spectacular it deserves respect and should be approached with caution This December however the river was quiet with the water levels nearly at a summer low A skim of ice formed on quiet pools the rock faces frosted with ice formations The river seemed in a unexpected contemplative mood this year

When the rains begin and when this snow melts it will be once again a raging torrent the canyons white with rushing water

During this season the river is temperamental and volatile Water levels can go up and down dramatically within hours There are places where you can see the debris deposits high up on the cliffs and wonder at this level of reach It is possible to observe the power of the river safely You need only follow the well marked trail that parallels the river and not be tempted any closer Green Canyon one of the spectacular spots can be viewed from the old lodge site with its well fenced stairs and balconies The railings and rock works by the lodge site set off the boiling canyon below

Snow adds its own magic with a tracery of animal tracks You can take the trail close to the river the road itself or the Galloping Goose Which parking lot to use depends on the weather On our rare icy days the road to the upper two parking lots is closed but there is good footing for winter boots and the possibilities of cross country skiing You can learn more about the park on the CRD Park web site wwwcrdbccaparkssookepotholes

Rosemary Jorna is Director of Hiking Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society wwwjdfcommunitytrailsca

6 February 2009

Daily WalksBackyard BreaksPetHouse-SittingPet 1st AidVet Asst Training

642-4440wwwoutboundhoundscom

outboundhounds1hotmailcom

7 February 2009

Changes to Rural Observer Deliveryby Terri Alcock

For those keeping track this is year five of the Rural Observer our first issue having been delivered to your mailboxes in September 2004 Now we are moving to a new era with new delivery systems ndash due to changes in Canada Post regulations Sometimes it is through adversity or challenge that we become renewed and improved- we can only hope

Since its inception the Rural Observer has been classified as a community newspaper and has therefore been delivered not as ad mail but as a lsquolegitimatersquo newspaper to each and every postal box in the Electoral Area This has been a tremendous advantage for the paper for our advertisers and for you our readers We have been the only newspaper to provide complete coverage of the JDF

Now with changes to postal regulations the paper has been told that because it is not published every month it is no longer eligible for this classification and therefore will be delivered in the future as lsquoad mailrsquo This means that approximately 500 people in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area will no longer see the paper in their mailboxes as many people concerned about the environment and the excessive amounts of paper used to produce and deliver ads to homeowners (and rightly so) have opted not to have ad mail put into their mailboxes It is ironic that those very discerning readers are the ones that we will have to work harder to reach

What do we plan to do to ensure that the Rural Observer is available to all residents of the Electoral Area and beyond Firstly we have always had a presence on the internet with our website wwwruralobservercom Now we plan to better utilize the site and post each issue in a more timely fashion as well as offer additional advertising options to enhance coverage of the area for our advertisers

Secondly we currently deliver copies of the Rural Observer to locations throughout the JDF and Sooke We will beef up distribution so that more copies are available for those who no longer receive delivery And we will look for other ways to reach our readers including possibly installing boxes near rural mailboxes so that people can pick it up as they do other publications

What can you do Contact the Post Office and tell them that you want to continue to receive the Rural Observer as a community newspaper Call or write to your MP Dr Keith Martin and ask him to work with Canada Post to get this regulation changed We are not the only community paper affected and there is no logic to the Post Office dictating how often a newspaper must publish in order to be called a lsquocommunity newspaperrsquo This regulation causes hardship for small papers like ours produced by volunteers and financed strictly by advertising

Thank you for your support over the past five years Watch our website for changes and please keep on reading and supporting the Rural Observer

8 February 2009

Calendar of Eventsfor Shirley

Unless otherwise indicated all events held at the Shirley Community Hall

Shirley Fire DepartmentPractices every Thursday 700 ndash 900 pmChief Rob Vanveen - 646-2107

Shirley Community AssociationAnnual General MeetingMarch 11 2009 730 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

Shirleyrsquos Spring Craft FairMarch 29 2009 1000 am ndash 400 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

THE SHIRLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

HAS A NEW WEBSITEVisit shirleycommunityorg and you will be able todiscover Shirley history bullfind out about up-coming bullevents at the Shirley Hall or how to rent the Hall for your own eventlearn about membershipbullvolunteering in the Shirley Community Association check out the Community bullClipboard

Saving a Lighthouse ndash Saving Local Historyby Michael Galizio

Working to save the Sheringham Point light station the public access and the land surrounding the navigational aid has been a long and arduous process Starting in 2003 the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society has dedicated its membersrsquo collective energy toward those goals To date there has been quite a bit of progress

First however it must be said that without the work of the hundreds of volunteer members and the legions of supporters in the JDFEA and the CRD the advancement of the Societyrsquos goals and mission would not have been possible The support of Erik Lund former JDFEA Regional Director Dr Keith Martin Member of Parliament John Horgan MLA and the Office of Premier Gordon Campbell has been vital to the many successes of the Society

A cornerstone of the Societyrsquos work has been the agreement with the adjacent landholder This was an important part of the puzzle that made up the overall goal of securing the Lighthouse property for a passive park

The agreement included four strategic provisions a 3-4 kilometer trail system protection of 160 acres surrounding the lighthouse property - guaranteed by a ldquono further subdivisionrdquo covenant a no logging and tree protection covenant and financial support for the Society

The completed trail resulted from months of consultation with the Shirley Community and other area groups and individuals The small parking area at the end of Sheringham Point Road that connects to the trailhead will act as an area for guests who come to use the trail and to walk down to the lighthouse property

The work continues on all fronts ndash including collecting an oral history of the Lighthouse the light keepers and their families working with all levels of government on securing the land and light station as a passive park liaising with the TrsquoSou-ke Chief and Council and communicating with as many people as possible about the Society

For more information please go to wwwsheringhamlighthouseorg

From Shirley to Prospect- Every Dog Shall Have Her Say by Rosemary Metz

During the summer of this year we sold our house in Shirley and moved to Prospect Nova Scotia where we have family While we were in the process of moving residents from the JDF area demonstrated their awesome sense of community spirit Neighbours and friends from Shirley showed their big-heartedness by baking for us inviting us to dinners and offering places to stay during our upheavals Such camaraderie is not easily forgotten Our two enthusiastic Labradors Jasper and Phebe long since anthropomorphized into four legged human personalities would also like to thank our neighbours for the excellent baking they tasted whilst their ownersrsquo backs were turned pre-occupied that they were with box packing Dogs Phebe and Jasper want it to be known that they are proud of their perfected technique of lifting items of food from the table with a single sideways swipe of the tongue They are likewise pleased to have wagged and stolen their ways into our lives The following is in the form of a letter concerning differing perceptions of object and place to be read from an imagined canine perspective

Dear ReaderIt is said that Dog is Manrsquos best friend I would like to think that the reverse is also true And it could be said that our speciesrsquo specific needs tend to run on a parallel with humans For example dogs like certainty They like being fed regularly and appreciate a warm dry bed to sleep in This is very true Born as working dogs Labs like us need regular walks as well And when established certainty shows signs of breaking down canis familaris are similarly affected lsquoGoing to the dogsrsquo is a description of such a situation used by humans Whatever happens to a dogrsquos owners happens to the family mutt in one way or another This is definitely true

Moving home is a good example We dogs became suspicious that something was about to change in our lives when new scents began infiltrating our living space from late in 2007 This kind of change sneaks up on you slowly - like the sudden appearance of coloured ribbons in the woods where we walked daily Change was everywhere We did our best to reinforce our scent around the ribbons to recreate a kind of certainty Dog is manrsquos best friend and we were only helping him to mark his ground

At home and with little warning sometimes we all had to leave the house because a lsquohouse showingrsquo was soon to occur These persistent events dogged our daily routine Manic house cleaning always preceded the lsquohouse showingrsquo

It made no difference to us if fruity scented floor cleaners or straight ammonia were used It was only cosmetic Our two legged friends miss a lot when they rely so heavily on sight as a first line of observation Itrsquos strange how humans also born with five senses rely so much on only one They have even created such things as paintings where it seems humans deliberately try to confuse themselves Look at that painting called ldquoThe Death of Acteonrdquo by Titian which concerns a hunting scene where a stag is caught and killed by dogs The stag not really a stag but actually a human called Acteon has been cursed and transformed when caught watching the goddess Diana having a bath Whatrsquos the point in all that visual stuff Confusing As a dog would this visual nonsense get me out of a jam in the woods Would I be the hound or the hounded Why use one sense when yoursquove been born with five

Now that we are in Prospect those five senses have all had a chance to re-establish themselves Recent tropical storm season has helped sharpen our instincts as well as our ownerrsquos emergency preparedness Old Christmas cookie tins from last year that contained earthquake emergency food hidden outside our house in Shirley are now pressed into use for Prospect

The Chronicle Herald of Sunday September 5th headlined ldquoNS Bracing for Hanna the message to Nova Scotians is they should have their 72 hour emergency preparedness kits ready to roll at any point We all know that itrsquos hurricane seasonrdquo Fortunately we were not affected

Another set of newspaper headlines that drew attention as we moved into our house at Prospect was ldquoClose Encounter of the Weird Kindrdquo This story concerned a tourist who had spied strange lights in the skies over Prospect and caught them on video At the local farmers market someone asked if anyone had heard about the UFO sightings An anonymous voice yelled from beyond the cabbages ldquoOh that must have been the Metz family moving inrdquo Carve Carne

9 February 2009

800 Goldstream AvenueVictoria V9B 2X7(250) 391-2801johnhorganmlalegbcca

John Horgan MLA

Our Office is Open to Serve You

Malahat - Juan de Fuca

CONTROVERSY OVER - Lyme Disease Exists On Vancouver Island by Patricia Sloan Local health officials have grudgingly accepted the fact that ticks infected with Lyme disease do indeed exist in our area In fact it is endemic on parts of Vancouver Island specifically in the Shawnigan area as well as other southern wooded regions such as Willis Point Sooke and Duncan It is vitally important that we all know this so we can protect ourselves as well as educate our physicians What is Lyme disease What causes it Lyme a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks In our area we commonly call them ldquodeer ticksrdquo but the resident species is the Western black-legged tick It is a relative of the scorpion When a tick is obvious recognized and treated the disease can be easily overcome within weeks by administration of a specific antibiotic If ignored or not immediately treated or inadequately treated the disease will eventually progress to the joints the heart and the nervous system leaving many people permanently and unnecessarily disabled Throughout North America diagnosis of this disease has been extremely difficult and therefore Lyme has been underrated and has become somewhat of a medical controversy Sufferers have been told they are depressed and are direly in need of psychiatric care that they have auto-immune chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia Crohnrsquos disease arthritis lupus irritable bowel memory loss myalgic encephalitis Parkinsons and other incurable debilitating and chronic life-altering illnesses - the lsquoblack holesrsquo of medical diagnoses These are extremely serious conditions Physicians who do acknowledge and treat Lyme disease have been subject to ridicule researchers have been harassed threatened and stalked A BC physician treating Lyme was investigated by his peers and forced to resign You will find that many local physicians and vets still continue to deny the existence of this increasing problem As mentioned a couple of years ago in these pages four Willis Point residents had imbedded ticks and each person was assessed and

treated differently ranging from no treatment at all through to IV antibiotics and complete excision of the tick One woman who had the classic lsquobullrsquos eyersquo rash and was quite ill was taken seriously only on a second visit to the doctor who hollowly said ldquoOh my goodnessrdquo and prescribed a lengthy antibiotic treatment What to watch for What to do Ticks gangsters of the trails live in the grasses and bushes hanging out waiting for blood When a luscious source of plasma comes their way such as a deer or a dog or a human with uncovered skin itrsquos party time Hungry ticks are small - about the size of a sesame seed - and painless and are easily overlooked A full tick (full of your blood) can swell to the size of a small grey grape and is fairly obvious unless in your hair Your cat or dog

can transfer ticks to you but the disease itself is not transmittable from pets Nor can Lyme be spread from person to person Ticks will catch on your clothes hair socks etc when you are out in the bush which for most of us is our back yards Prevention measures include full body armour (or so it seems) of long sleeves socks tucked into boots no bare skin etc but thatrsquos a lot to expect

from anyone walking down to the Bight in the summer lsquoDeetrsquo an insect repellent will do fine Just make sure to thoroughly check yourself and your pets after each walk Anyone you ask will give you a different method of removing ticks Oil matches heat pulling out clockwise pulling out counter-clockwise Vaseline ice etc (Irsquove heard good reports about a yellow plastic tick remover available at some vets) The best way is to go to medical services and let them take care of it If unable to get to a doctor within 24 hours slowly pull the tick straight out then save the tick for autopsy (The tickrsquos not yours) Try not to squish the tick because more toxins will be released The oil and matches trick will only set you on fire adding to your troubles Symptoms of Lyme Disease First stage (immediate to 3 weeks) fatigue chills fever headache muscle and joint pain swollen and sore lymph nodes The classic ldquobullrsquos eyerdquo rash gives you a huge clue It may appear at the bite site or elsewhere on your body This is a serious boot in the rear for you to get to medical services ASAP Second stage (untreated) will develop and last for several months central and peripheral nervous system disorders multiple skin rashes arthritis heart palpitations extreme fatigue and weakness (For those interested best-selling author Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club has late stages of Lyme and her story is scary - just Google lsquoamy tanrsquo then to the heading lsquolymersquo After reading what she has and is going through I know that I will be much more careful) Third stage (untreated) can last for years with more severe symptoms David Cubberly retired MLA for Saanich South has been an advocate for Vancouver Island Lyme disease victims For information call 250-952-4418 Walk safe

10 February 2009

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

Wine Tasting FundraiserhellipSip Nibble Learn and Support by Vivi Curutchet

The Rural Observer is growing People look forward to reading all the local stories and businesses look forward to posting ads but still some months the numbers do not add up to enough to pay the expenses We are committed to keeping the prices of advertising low to give the opportunity to local businesses in and outside of the area to promote their products and services There is no charge for the magazine itself inside the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area and it is freely distributed to various businesses in Sooke and environs Some of the initial startup costs were covered by a grant in 2004 from the JDF Economic Development Commission but since then there has been no further grant money received The paper supports itself through advertising

The Board of Directors decided to hold a fundraising event that would not only raise money but also be entertaining educational and participatory Kathy Scott an enthusiastic volunteer had the idea of a wine tasting event She brought the inspiration but also took off with it recruited some more people and organized from zero this amazing ldquoAfternoon of Wine amp Cheeserdquo on October 12 2008 at Kathy and Mikersquos home in East Sooke

Sommelier Ben Philip of Stile Wines delighted everybody with his charm and knowledge The wines were accompanied by a great variety of cheeses donated by the Market on Millstream and exquisite bread by Little Vienna Bakery It was a lovely sunny day and around fifty guests came together at the Scottsrsquo beautiful home to support the Rural Observer taste and learn about wines and enjoy good conversation

To complete the afternoon there were Door Prizes Almost everyone went back home with a beautiful gift The prize contributors were also among our advertisers Alice McLean Pottery Marlene Bowman Pottery Otter Point Tea Room Tanya Hair Design Bombora Gift Shop and Hatley Castle Tours Some members donated to the event too Bobbie Metzger Michael Galizio Marta and Wally Newberry Dwight and Connie Adamic and Merilou and Jack Clapper Thank you all so much

We extend our deepest appreciation to Kathy and Mike Scott Pat and Stan Warlow and Debbie Needham for donating so generously of their time energy and resources to our community newspaper And thanks go out too to our readers and friends who attended and made the event a huge success

3 February 2009

Bon

appetiteWild Salmon Local Seafood

Naturally Raised Meat Products

2000+ Certified Organic Grocery Items

Island-Raised Poultry

Signature market made freshBakery amp Deli Fare

903 Yates At Quadra 381-6000 7 AM-11 PM

125-2401 C Millstream Road391-1110 8 AM-11 PM

Photos by Terri AlcockTop MLA John Horgan and Rural Observer Board Member Charlotte Senay Left Sommelier Ben Philip of Stile WinesBottom East Sooke Resident Peter Charak

4 February 2009

MAKING MAPLE SYRUP by Dale Read

The local big leaf maples may be tapped to make maple syrup - just like eastern sugar maples And whatrsquos more essentially all the local native maples-the ones with leaves the size of your hand-are lsquobig leaf maplesrsquo

The season for tapping these trees starts about the first of January and lasts until early in March when the buds start to swell The sap flow is intermittent but tends to be greater during warm days

Some equipment is needed Included are an auger with a 716 inch bit clean plastic pails stainless steel spigots and a stainless steel pot in which to boil down the sap A spigot extractor is also useful after the season is over

A very good selection of equipment is available from

Atkinson Maple Syrup SuppliesRR 1 2907 Hwy 11Oro Station Ontario L0L 2E0Phone (705) 487 333 Fax (705) 487-0460wwwatkinsonmaplecom

Bore the holes into the tree trunks about two centimetres (almost

an inch) deep Gently tap the spigots into the holes Remember these spigots will have to be removed later Attach the pails and wait for the sap to flow Sap should be boiled down daily or it will become musty

Care must be taken when boiling down sap If the resulting syrup isnrsquot sufficiently thick it will spoil when stored If too thick a sugar sludge appears A hydrometer is useful the specific gravity of good syrup is about 132

If you have no hydrometer buy a small jug of eastern maple syrup When the syrup you are boiling down seems to be thick enough test it by pouring out a few drops into a spoon letting it cool and then adding it to a small volume of store-bought syrup If the added drops stay at the top of the store bought syrup you have more boiling to do If the added drops go immediately down to the bottom yoursquove gone too far If they diffuse evenly into the larger volume the specific gravity is about right

Watch out for late season sap When tree buds start to swell the sap gets an unpleasant flavour Because of this donrsquot mix late season syrup with the rest until yoursquove tasted it With a little care you can make syrup that is a gourmetrsquos delight

More detailed information is available from a book entitled Bigleaf Sugaring available at the Queenrsquos Printer

Photo by Jack Schmidling

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

5 February 2009

Sooke Region Food CHI Society Update by Kathryn Kusyszyn

Did you knowThere are 4000 farms on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and of these about 1000 farms are in the Capital RegionThere are over 10 community and farmersrsquo markets in Capital RegionThere are 15 community gardens with about 500 community gardeners in the Greater Victoria area (Taken from CR-FAIR Newsletter Issue 1 December 2006)

The Sooke Region Food CHI Society (SRFC) evolved as an off-shoot of The Community Health Initiative (CHI) nearly two years ago This non-profit society is committed to pursuing a vision of lsquogood local affordable food for allrsquo By harnessing the knowl-edge experience and passion of local growers fishers chefs wild-harvesters and interested community members SRFC coordinates educational hands-on events so Sooke Region citizens can actively increase the sustainability of the local food supply

The Farm Forum Festival and Feast held Oct 25 at Edward Milne Community School is one recent and successful Food CHI event With funding support from the District of Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Economic Development Commission the day provided educational and entertainment opportunities for all ages The Forum part of the day was a facilitated workshop ses-sion with 120 registrants This session laid the groundwork for a regional agricultural area plan The Sooke Agricultural Advisory Commission is charged with moving this plan into action One local producer captured the optimism created by the forum ldquoItrsquos the most progressive thing that has happened in our region in ten yearsrdquo The Food Festival and Harvest Feast showcased local growers fishers producers chefs craftspeople and wild harvesters Increasing knowledge and support of local food pro-ducers is vital to their livelihood and to the regionrsquos food security

In 2008 Food CHI sponsored seed saving and healthy food preparation workshops at CASA fun-filled community garden workdays inspiring local food potlucks action-promoting letter writing campaigns and more This year Food CHI is actively engaged in the creation of a food guide An evolving docu-ment the Farm and Food Guide will highlight local resources

including country markets community gardens wild-harvesting information and workshops on all sorts of related topics

On March 11 the film ldquoIsland on the Edgerdquo will be screened at the EMCS theatre This film is about sustainable agriculture on Vancouver Island and the filmrsquos producer Nick Versteeg will be in attendance This screening is by donation and is a joint presentation with Awareness Film Night

Membership in Food CHI is by donation and open to the whole community For more information contact Sheila Wallace Sooke Region Food CHI Coordinator at 250-642-7906 or smwallaceshawca For upcoming events check out the website at wwwsookefoodchica

wwwsookefoodchicaawarenessfilmnightgmailcom

Photos by Daniel Chauvin

Winter Wandering by Rosemary Jorna

One of my favourite spots for a winter wander is the Sooke Pot Holes Regional Park at the end of Sooke River Rd

This 55 hectare park was acquired by the Land Conservancy (TLC) of British Columbia for the Capital Region in 2005 It is run in partnership of the Capital Region District and the TLC who retains ownership of the old lodge site the cabin site and the camp ground Most of us are familiar with it in the summer with its beaches swimming holes and trails In winter itrsquos a different place changing every day Responding to the rains of November the river swells and boils through the canyon Spectacular it deserves respect and should be approached with caution This December however the river was quiet with the water levels nearly at a summer low A skim of ice formed on quiet pools the rock faces frosted with ice formations The river seemed in a unexpected contemplative mood this year

When the rains begin and when this snow melts it will be once again a raging torrent the canyons white with rushing water

During this season the river is temperamental and volatile Water levels can go up and down dramatically within hours There are places where you can see the debris deposits high up on the cliffs and wonder at this level of reach It is possible to observe the power of the river safely You need only follow the well marked trail that parallels the river and not be tempted any closer Green Canyon one of the spectacular spots can be viewed from the old lodge site with its well fenced stairs and balconies The railings and rock works by the lodge site set off the boiling canyon below

Snow adds its own magic with a tracery of animal tracks You can take the trail close to the river the road itself or the Galloping Goose Which parking lot to use depends on the weather On our rare icy days the road to the upper two parking lots is closed but there is good footing for winter boots and the possibilities of cross country skiing You can learn more about the park on the CRD Park web site wwwcrdbccaparkssookepotholes

Rosemary Jorna is Director of Hiking Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society wwwjdfcommunitytrailsca

6 February 2009

Daily WalksBackyard BreaksPetHouse-SittingPet 1st AidVet Asst Training

642-4440wwwoutboundhoundscom

outboundhounds1hotmailcom

7 February 2009

Changes to Rural Observer Deliveryby Terri Alcock

For those keeping track this is year five of the Rural Observer our first issue having been delivered to your mailboxes in September 2004 Now we are moving to a new era with new delivery systems ndash due to changes in Canada Post regulations Sometimes it is through adversity or challenge that we become renewed and improved- we can only hope

Since its inception the Rural Observer has been classified as a community newspaper and has therefore been delivered not as ad mail but as a lsquolegitimatersquo newspaper to each and every postal box in the Electoral Area This has been a tremendous advantage for the paper for our advertisers and for you our readers We have been the only newspaper to provide complete coverage of the JDF

Now with changes to postal regulations the paper has been told that because it is not published every month it is no longer eligible for this classification and therefore will be delivered in the future as lsquoad mailrsquo This means that approximately 500 people in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area will no longer see the paper in their mailboxes as many people concerned about the environment and the excessive amounts of paper used to produce and deliver ads to homeowners (and rightly so) have opted not to have ad mail put into their mailboxes It is ironic that those very discerning readers are the ones that we will have to work harder to reach

What do we plan to do to ensure that the Rural Observer is available to all residents of the Electoral Area and beyond Firstly we have always had a presence on the internet with our website wwwruralobservercom Now we plan to better utilize the site and post each issue in a more timely fashion as well as offer additional advertising options to enhance coverage of the area for our advertisers

Secondly we currently deliver copies of the Rural Observer to locations throughout the JDF and Sooke We will beef up distribution so that more copies are available for those who no longer receive delivery And we will look for other ways to reach our readers including possibly installing boxes near rural mailboxes so that people can pick it up as they do other publications

What can you do Contact the Post Office and tell them that you want to continue to receive the Rural Observer as a community newspaper Call or write to your MP Dr Keith Martin and ask him to work with Canada Post to get this regulation changed We are not the only community paper affected and there is no logic to the Post Office dictating how often a newspaper must publish in order to be called a lsquocommunity newspaperrsquo This regulation causes hardship for small papers like ours produced by volunteers and financed strictly by advertising

Thank you for your support over the past five years Watch our website for changes and please keep on reading and supporting the Rural Observer

8 February 2009

Calendar of Eventsfor Shirley

Unless otherwise indicated all events held at the Shirley Community Hall

Shirley Fire DepartmentPractices every Thursday 700 ndash 900 pmChief Rob Vanveen - 646-2107

Shirley Community AssociationAnnual General MeetingMarch 11 2009 730 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

Shirleyrsquos Spring Craft FairMarch 29 2009 1000 am ndash 400 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

THE SHIRLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

HAS A NEW WEBSITEVisit shirleycommunityorg and you will be able todiscover Shirley history bullfind out about up-coming bullevents at the Shirley Hall or how to rent the Hall for your own eventlearn about membershipbullvolunteering in the Shirley Community Association check out the Community bullClipboard

Saving a Lighthouse ndash Saving Local Historyby Michael Galizio

Working to save the Sheringham Point light station the public access and the land surrounding the navigational aid has been a long and arduous process Starting in 2003 the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society has dedicated its membersrsquo collective energy toward those goals To date there has been quite a bit of progress

First however it must be said that without the work of the hundreds of volunteer members and the legions of supporters in the JDFEA and the CRD the advancement of the Societyrsquos goals and mission would not have been possible The support of Erik Lund former JDFEA Regional Director Dr Keith Martin Member of Parliament John Horgan MLA and the Office of Premier Gordon Campbell has been vital to the many successes of the Society

A cornerstone of the Societyrsquos work has been the agreement with the adjacent landholder This was an important part of the puzzle that made up the overall goal of securing the Lighthouse property for a passive park

The agreement included four strategic provisions a 3-4 kilometer trail system protection of 160 acres surrounding the lighthouse property - guaranteed by a ldquono further subdivisionrdquo covenant a no logging and tree protection covenant and financial support for the Society

The completed trail resulted from months of consultation with the Shirley Community and other area groups and individuals The small parking area at the end of Sheringham Point Road that connects to the trailhead will act as an area for guests who come to use the trail and to walk down to the lighthouse property

The work continues on all fronts ndash including collecting an oral history of the Lighthouse the light keepers and their families working with all levels of government on securing the land and light station as a passive park liaising with the TrsquoSou-ke Chief and Council and communicating with as many people as possible about the Society

For more information please go to wwwsheringhamlighthouseorg

From Shirley to Prospect- Every Dog Shall Have Her Say by Rosemary Metz

During the summer of this year we sold our house in Shirley and moved to Prospect Nova Scotia where we have family While we were in the process of moving residents from the JDF area demonstrated their awesome sense of community spirit Neighbours and friends from Shirley showed their big-heartedness by baking for us inviting us to dinners and offering places to stay during our upheavals Such camaraderie is not easily forgotten Our two enthusiastic Labradors Jasper and Phebe long since anthropomorphized into four legged human personalities would also like to thank our neighbours for the excellent baking they tasted whilst their ownersrsquo backs were turned pre-occupied that they were with box packing Dogs Phebe and Jasper want it to be known that they are proud of their perfected technique of lifting items of food from the table with a single sideways swipe of the tongue They are likewise pleased to have wagged and stolen their ways into our lives The following is in the form of a letter concerning differing perceptions of object and place to be read from an imagined canine perspective

Dear ReaderIt is said that Dog is Manrsquos best friend I would like to think that the reverse is also true And it could be said that our speciesrsquo specific needs tend to run on a parallel with humans For example dogs like certainty They like being fed regularly and appreciate a warm dry bed to sleep in This is very true Born as working dogs Labs like us need regular walks as well And when established certainty shows signs of breaking down canis familaris are similarly affected lsquoGoing to the dogsrsquo is a description of such a situation used by humans Whatever happens to a dogrsquos owners happens to the family mutt in one way or another This is definitely true

Moving home is a good example We dogs became suspicious that something was about to change in our lives when new scents began infiltrating our living space from late in 2007 This kind of change sneaks up on you slowly - like the sudden appearance of coloured ribbons in the woods where we walked daily Change was everywhere We did our best to reinforce our scent around the ribbons to recreate a kind of certainty Dog is manrsquos best friend and we were only helping him to mark his ground

At home and with little warning sometimes we all had to leave the house because a lsquohouse showingrsquo was soon to occur These persistent events dogged our daily routine Manic house cleaning always preceded the lsquohouse showingrsquo

It made no difference to us if fruity scented floor cleaners or straight ammonia were used It was only cosmetic Our two legged friends miss a lot when they rely so heavily on sight as a first line of observation Itrsquos strange how humans also born with five senses rely so much on only one They have even created such things as paintings where it seems humans deliberately try to confuse themselves Look at that painting called ldquoThe Death of Acteonrdquo by Titian which concerns a hunting scene where a stag is caught and killed by dogs The stag not really a stag but actually a human called Acteon has been cursed and transformed when caught watching the goddess Diana having a bath Whatrsquos the point in all that visual stuff Confusing As a dog would this visual nonsense get me out of a jam in the woods Would I be the hound or the hounded Why use one sense when yoursquove been born with five

Now that we are in Prospect those five senses have all had a chance to re-establish themselves Recent tropical storm season has helped sharpen our instincts as well as our ownerrsquos emergency preparedness Old Christmas cookie tins from last year that contained earthquake emergency food hidden outside our house in Shirley are now pressed into use for Prospect

The Chronicle Herald of Sunday September 5th headlined ldquoNS Bracing for Hanna the message to Nova Scotians is they should have their 72 hour emergency preparedness kits ready to roll at any point We all know that itrsquos hurricane seasonrdquo Fortunately we were not affected

Another set of newspaper headlines that drew attention as we moved into our house at Prospect was ldquoClose Encounter of the Weird Kindrdquo This story concerned a tourist who had spied strange lights in the skies over Prospect and caught them on video At the local farmers market someone asked if anyone had heard about the UFO sightings An anonymous voice yelled from beyond the cabbages ldquoOh that must have been the Metz family moving inrdquo Carve Carne

9 February 2009

800 Goldstream AvenueVictoria V9B 2X7(250) 391-2801johnhorganmlalegbcca

John Horgan MLA

Our Office is Open to Serve You

Malahat - Juan de Fuca

CONTROVERSY OVER - Lyme Disease Exists On Vancouver Island by Patricia Sloan Local health officials have grudgingly accepted the fact that ticks infected with Lyme disease do indeed exist in our area In fact it is endemic on parts of Vancouver Island specifically in the Shawnigan area as well as other southern wooded regions such as Willis Point Sooke and Duncan It is vitally important that we all know this so we can protect ourselves as well as educate our physicians What is Lyme disease What causes it Lyme a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks In our area we commonly call them ldquodeer ticksrdquo but the resident species is the Western black-legged tick It is a relative of the scorpion When a tick is obvious recognized and treated the disease can be easily overcome within weeks by administration of a specific antibiotic If ignored or not immediately treated or inadequately treated the disease will eventually progress to the joints the heart and the nervous system leaving many people permanently and unnecessarily disabled Throughout North America diagnosis of this disease has been extremely difficult and therefore Lyme has been underrated and has become somewhat of a medical controversy Sufferers have been told they are depressed and are direly in need of psychiatric care that they have auto-immune chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia Crohnrsquos disease arthritis lupus irritable bowel memory loss myalgic encephalitis Parkinsons and other incurable debilitating and chronic life-altering illnesses - the lsquoblack holesrsquo of medical diagnoses These are extremely serious conditions Physicians who do acknowledge and treat Lyme disease have been subject to ridicule researchers have been harassed threatened and stalked A BC physician treating Lyme was investigated by his peers and forced to resign You will find that many local physicians and vets still continue to deny the existence of this increasing problem As mentioned a couple of years ago in these pages four Willis Point residents had imbedded ticks and each person was assessed and

treated differently ranging from no treatment at all through to IV antibiotics and complete excision of the tick One woman who had the classic lsquobullrsquos eyersquo rash and was quite ill was taken seriously only on a second visit to the doctor who hollowly said ldquoOh my goodnessrdquo and prescribed a lengthy antibiotic treatment What to watch for What to do Ticks gangsters of the trails live in the grasses and bushes hanging out waiting for blood When a luscious source of plasma comes their way such as a deer or a dog or a human with uncovered skin itrsquos party time Hungry ticks are small - about the size of a sesame seed - and painless and are easily overlooked A full tick (full of your blood) can swell to the size of a small grey grape and is fairly obvious unless in your hair Your cat or dog

can transfer ticks to you but the disease itself is not transmittable from pets Nor can Lyme be spread from person to person Ticks will catch on your clothes hair socks etc when you are out in the bush which for most of us is our back yards Prevention measures include full body armour (or so it seems) of long sleeves socks tucked into boots no bare skin etc but thatrsquos a lot to expect

from anyone walking down to the Bight in the summer lsquoDeetrsquo an insect repellent will do fine Just make sure to thoroughly check yourself and your pets after each walk Anyone you ask will give you a different method of removing ticks Oil matches heat pulling out clockwise pulling out counter-clockwise Vaseline ice etc (Irsquove heard good reports about a yellow plastic tick remover available at some vets) The best way is to go to medical services and let them take care of it If unable to get to a doctor within 24 hours slowly pull the tick straight out then save the tick for autopsy (The tickrsquos not yours) Try not to squish the tick because more toxins will be released The oil and matches trick will only set you on fire adding to your troubles Symptoms of Lyme Disease First stage (immediate to 3 weeks) fatigue chills fever headache muscle and joint pain swollen and sore lymph nodes The classic ldquobullrsquos eyerdquo rash gives you a huge clue It may appear at the bite site or elsewhere on your body This is a serious boot in the rear for you to get to medical services ASAP Second stage (untreated) will develop and last for several months central and peripheral nervous system disorders multiple skin rashes arthritis heart palpitations extreme fatigue and weakness (For those interested best-selling author Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club has late stages of Lyme and her story is scary - just Google lsquoamy tanrsquo then to the heading lsquolymersquo After reading what she has and is going through I know that I will be much more careful) Third stage (untreated) can last for years with more severe symptoms David Cubberly retired MLA for Saanich South has been an advocate for Vancouver Island Lyme disease victims For information call 250-952-4418 Walk safe

10 February 2009

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

4 February 2009

MAKING MAPLE SYRUP by Dale Read

The local big leaf maples may be tapped to make maple syrup - just like eastern sugar maples And whatrsquos more essentially all the local native maples-the ones with leaves the size of your hand-are lsquobig leaf maplesrsquo

The season for tapping these trees starts about the first of January and lasts until early in March when the buds start to swell The sap flow is intermittent but tends to be greater during warm days

Some equipment is needed Included are an auger with a 716 inch bit clean plastic pails stainless steel spigots and a stainless steel pot in which to boil down the sap A spigot extractor is also useful after the season is over

A very good selection of equipment is available from

Atkinson Maple Syrup SuppliesRR 1 2907 Hwy 11Oro Station Ontario L0L 2E0Phone (705) 487 333 Fax (705) 487-0460wwwatkinsonmaplecom

Bore the holes into the tree trunks about two centimetres (almost

an inch) deep Gently tap the spigots into the holes Remember these spigots will have to be removed later Attach the pails and wait for the sap to flow Sap should be boiled down daily or it will become musty

Care must be taken when boiling down sap If the resulting syrup isnrsquot sufficiently thick it will spoil when stored If too thick a sugar sludge appears A hydrometer is useful the specific gravity of good syrup is about 132

If you have no hydrometer buy a small jug of eastern maple syrup When the syrup you are boiling down seems to be thick enough test it by pouring out a few drops into a spoon letting it cool and then adding it to a small volume of store-bought syrup If the added drops stay at the top of the store bought syrup you have more boiling to do If the added drops go immediately down to the bottom yoursquove gone too far If they diffuse evenly into the larger volume the specific gravity is about right

Watch out for late season sap When tree buds start to swell the sap gets an unpleasant flavour Because of this donrsquot mix late season syrup with the rest until yoursquove tasted it With a little care you can make syrup that is a gourmetrsquos delight

More detailed information is available from a book entitled Bigleaf Sugaring available at the Queenrsquos Printer

Photo by Jack Schmidling

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

5 February 2009

Sooke Region Food CHI Society Update by Kathryn Kusyszyn

Did you knowThere are 4000 farms on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and of these about 1000 farms are in the Capital RegionThere are over 10 community and farmersrsquo markets in Capital RegionThere are 15 community gardens with about 500 community gardeners in the Greater Victoria area (Taken from CR-FAIR Newsletter Issue 1 December 2006)

The Sooke Region Food CHI Society (SRFC) evolved as an off-shoot of The Community Health Initiative (CHI) nearly two years ago This non-profit society is committed to pursuing a vision of lsquogood local affordable food for allrsquo By harnessing the knowl-edge experience and passion of local growers fishers chefs wild-harvesters and interested community members SRFC coordinates educational hands-on events so Sooke Region citizens can actively increase the sustainability of the local food supply

The Farm Forum Festival and Feast held Oct 25 at Edward Milne Community School is one recent and successful Food CHI event With funding support from the District of Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Economic Development Commission the day provided educational and entertainment opportunities for all ages The Forum part of the day was a facilitated workshop ses-sion with 120 registrants This session laid the groundwork for a regional agricultural area plan The Sooke Agricultural Advisory Commission is charged with moving this plan into action One local producer captured the optimism created by the forum ldquoItrsquos the most progressive thing that has happened in our region in ten yearsrdquo The Food Festival and Harvest Feast showcased local growers fishers producers chefs craftspeople and wild harvesters Increasing knowledge and support of local food pro-ducers is vital to their livelihood and to the regionrsquos food security

In 2008 Food CHI sponsored seed saving and healthy food preparation workshops at CASA fun-filled community garden workdays inspiring local food potlucks action-promoting letter writing campaigns and more This year Food CHI is actively engaged in the creation of a food guide An evolving docu-ment the Farm and Food Guide will highlight local resources

including country markets community gardens wild-harvesting information and workshops on all sorts of related topics

On March 11 the film ldquoIsland on the Edgerdquo will be screened at the EMCS theatre This film is about sustainable agriculture on Vancouver Island and the filmrsquos producer Nick Versteeg will be in attendance This screening is by donation and is a joint presentation with Awareness Film Night

Membership in Food CHI is by donation and open to the whole community For more information contact Sheila Wallace Sooke Region Food CHI Coordinator at 250-642-7906 or smwallaceshawca For upcoming events check out the website at wwwsookefoodchica

wwwsookefoodchicaawarenessfilmnightgmailcom

Photos by Daniel Chauvin

Winter Wandering by Rosemary Jorna

One of my favourite spots for a winter wander is the Sooke Pot Holes Regional Park at the end of Sooke River Rd

This 55 hectare park was acquired by the Land Conservancy (TLC) of British Columbia for the Capital Region in 2005 It is run in partnership of the Capital Region District and the TLC who retains ownership of the old lodge site the cabin site and the camp ground Most of us are familiar with it in the summer with its beaches swimming holes and trails In winter itrsquos a different place changing every day Responding to the rains of November the river swells and boils through the canyon Spectacular it deserves respect and should be approached with caution This December however the river was quiet with the water levels nearly at a summer low A skim of ice formed on quiet pools the rock faces frosted with ice formations The river seemed in a unexpected contemplative mood this year

When the rains begin and when this snow melts it will be once again a raging torrent the canyons white with rushing water

During this season the river is temperamental and volatile Water levels can go up and down dramatically within hours There are places where you can see the debris deposits high up on the cliffs and wonder at this level of reach It is possible to observe the power of the river safely You need only follow the well marked trail that parallels the river and not be tempted any closer Green Canyon one of the spectacular spots can be viewed from the old lodge site with its well fenced stairs and balconies The railings and rock works by the lodge site set off the boiling canyon below

Snow adds its own magic with a tracery of animal tracks You can take the trail close to the river the road itself or the Galloping Goose Which parking lot to use depends on the weather On our rare icy days the road to the upper two parking lots is closed but there is good footing for winter boots and the possibilities of cross country skiing You can learn more about the park on the CRD Park web site wwwcrdbccaparkssookepotholes

Rosemary Jorna is Director of Hiking Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society wwwjdfcommunitytrailsca

6 February 2009

Daily WalksBackyard BreaksPetHouse-SittingPet 1st AidVet Asst Training

642-4440wwwoutboundhoundscom

outboundhounds1hotmailcom

7 February 2009

Changes to Rural Observer Deliveryby Terri Alcock

For those keeping track this is year five of the Rural Observer our first issue having been delivered to your mailboxes in September 2004 Now we are moving to a new era with new delivery systems ndash due to changes in Canada Post regulations Sometimes it is through adversity or challenge that we become renewed and improved- we can only hope

Since its inception the Rural Observer has been classified as a community newspaper and has therefore been delivered not as ad mail but as a lsquolegitimatersquo newspaper to each and every postal box in the Electoral Area This has been a tremendous advantage for the paper for our advertisers and for you our readers We have been the only newspaper to provide complete coverage of the JDF

Now with changes to postal regulations the paper has been told that because it is not published every month it is no longer eligible for this classification and therefore will be delivered in the future as lsquoad mailrsquo This means that approximately 500 people in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area will no longer see the paper in their mailboxes as many people concerned about the environment and the excessive amounts of paper used to produce and deliver ads to homeowners (and rightly so) have opted not to have ad mail put into their mailboxes It is ironic that those very discerning readers are the ones that we will have to work harder to reach

What do we plan to do to ensure that the Rural Observer is available to all residents of the Electoral Area and beyond Firstly we have always had a presence on the internet with our website wwwruralobservercom Now we plan to better utilize the site and post each issue in a more timely fashion as well as offer additional advertising options to enhance coverage of the area for our advertisers

Secondly we currently deliver copies of the Rural Observer to locations throughout the JDF and Sooke We will beef up distribution so that more copies are available for those who no longer receive delivery And we will look for other ways to reach our readers including possibly installing boxes near rural mailboxes so that people can pick it up as they do other publications

What can you do Contact the Post Office and tell them that you want to continue to receive the Rural Observer as a community newspaper Call or write to your MP Dr Keith Martin and ask him to work with Canada Post to get this regulation changed We are not the only community paper affected and there is no logic to the Post Office dictating how often a newspaper must publish in order to be called a lsquocommunity newspaperrsquo This regulation causes hardship for small papers like ours produced by volunteers and financed strictly by advertising

Thank you for your support over the past five years Watch our website for changes and please keep on reading and supporting the Rural Observer

8 February 2009

Calendar of Eventsfor Shirley

Unless otherwise indicated all events held at the Shirley Community Hall

Shirley Fire DepartmentPractices every Thursday 700 ndash 900 pmChief Rob Vanveen - 646-2107

Shirley Community AssociationAnnual General MeetingMarch 11 2009 730 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

Shirleyrsquos Spring Craft FairMarch 29 2009 1000 am ndash 400 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

THE SHIRLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

HAS A NEW WEBSITEVisit shirleycommunityorg and you will be able todiscover Shirley history bullfind out about up-coming bullevents at the Shirley Hall or how to rent the Hall for your own eventlearn about membershipbullvolunteering in the Shirley Community Association check out the Community bullClipboard

Saving a Lighthouse ndash Saving Local Historyby Michael Galizio

Working to save the Sheringham Point light station the public access and the land surrounding the navigational aid has been a long and arduous process Starting in 2003 the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society has dedicated its membersrsquo collective energy toward those goals To date there has been quite a bit of progress

First however it must be said that without the work of the hundreds of volunteer members and the legions of supporters in the JDFEA and the CRD the advancement of the Societyrsquos goals and mission would not have been possible The support of Erik Lund former JDFEA Regional Director Dr Keith Martin Member of Parliament John Horgan MLA and the Office of Premier Gordon Campbell has been vital to the many successes of the Society

A cornerstone of the Societyrsquos work has been the agreement with the adjacent landholder This was an important part of the puzzle that made up the overall goal of securing the Lighthouse property for a passive park

The agreement included four strategic provisions a 3-4 kilometer trail system protection of 160 acres surrounding the lighthouse property - guaranteed by a ldquono further subdivisionrdquo covenant a no logging and tree protection covenant and financial support for the Society

The completed trail resulted from months of consultation with the Shirley Community and other area groups and individuals The small parking area at the end of Sheringham Point Road that connects to the trailhead will act as an area for guests who come to use the trail and to walk down to the lighthouse property

The work continues on all fronts ndash including collecting an oral history of the Lighthouse the light keepers and their families working with all levels of government on securing the land and light station as a passive park liaising with the TrsquoSou-ke Chief and Council and communicating with as many people as possible about the Society

For more information please go to wwwsheringhamlighthouseorg

From Shirley to Prospect- Every Dog Shall Have Her Say by Rosemary Metz

During the summer of this year we sold our house in Shirley and moved to Prospect Nova Scotia where we have family While we were in the process of moving residents from the JDF area demonstrated their awesome sense of community spirit Neighbours and friends from Shirley showed their big-heartedness by baking for us inviting us to dinners and offering places to stay during our upheavals Such camaraderie is not easily forgotten Our two enthusiastic Labradors Jasper and Phebe long since anthropomorphized into four legged human personalities would also like to thank our neighbours for the excellent baking they tasted whilst their ownersrsquo backs were turned pre-occupied that they were with box packing Dogs Phebe and Jasper want it to be known that they are proud of their perfected technique of lifting items of food from the table with a single sideways swipe of the tongue They are likewise pleased to have wagged and stolen their ways into our lives The following is in the form of a letter concerning differing perceptions of object and place to be read from an imagined canine perspective

Dear ReaderIt is said that Dog is Manrsquos best friend I would like to think that the reverse is also true And it could be said that our speciesrsquo specific needs tend to run on a parallel with humans For example dogs like certainty They like being fed regularly and appreciate a warm dry bed to sleep in This is very true Born as working dogs Labs like us need regular walks as well And when established certainty shows signs of breaking down canis familaris are similarly affected lsquoGoing to the dogsrsquo is a description of such a situation used by humans Whatever happens to a dogrsquos owners happens to the family mutt in one way or another This is definitely true

Moving home is a good example We dogs became suspicious that something was about to change in our lives when new scents began infiltrating our living space from late in 2007 This kind of change sneaks up on you slowly - like the sudden appearance of coloured ribbons in the woods where we walked daily Change was everywhere We did our best to reinforce our scent around the ribbons to recreate a kind of certainty Dog is manrsquos best friend and we were only helping him to mark his ground

At home and with little warning sometimes we all had to leave the house because a lsquohouse showingrsquo was soon to occur These persistent events dogged our daily routine Manic house cleaning always preceded the lsquohouse showingrsquo

It made no difference to us if fruity scented floor cleaners or straight ammonia were used It was only cosmetic Our two legged friends miss a lot when they rely so heavily on sight as a first line of observation Itrsquos strange how humans also born with five senses rely so much on only one They have even created such things as paintings where it seems humans deliberately try to confuse themselves Look at that painting called ldquoThe Death of Acteonrdquo by Titian which concerns a hunting scene where a stag is caught and killed by dogs The stag not really a stag but actually a human called Acteon has been cursed and transformed when caught watching the goddess Diana having a bath Whatrsquos the point in all that visual stuff Confusing As a dog would this visual nonsense get me out of a jam in the woods Would I be the hound or the hounded Why use one sense when yoursquove been born with five

Now that we are in Prospect those five senses have all had a chance to re-establish themselves Recent tropical storm season has helped sharpen our instincts as well as our ownerrsquos emergency preparedness Old Christmas cookie tins from last year that contained earthquake emergency food hidden outside our house in Shirley are now pressed into use for Prospect

The Chronicle Herald of Sunday September 5th headlined ldquoNS Bracing for Hanna the message to Nova Scotians is they should have their 72 hour emergency preparedness kits ready to roll at any point We all know that itrsquos hurricane seasonrdquo Fortunately we were not affected

Another set of newspaper headlines that drew attention as we moved into our house at Prospect was ldquoClose Encounter of the Weird Kindrdquo This story concerned a tourist who had spied strange lights in the skies over Prospect and caught them on video At the local farmers market someone asked if anyone had heard about the UFO sightings An anonymous voice yelled from beyond the cabbages ldquoOh that must have been the Metz family moving inrdquo Carve Carne

9 February 2009

800 Goldstream AvenueVictoria V9B 2X7(250) 391-2801johnhorganmlalegbcca

John Horgan MLA

Our Office is Open to Serve You

Malahat - Juan de Fuca

CONTROVERSY OVER - Lyme Disease Exists On Vancouver Island by Patricia Sloan Local health officials have grudgingly accepted the fact that ticks infected with Lyme disease do indeed exist in our area In fact it is endemic on parts of Vancouver Island specifically in the Shawnigan area as well as other southern wooded regions such as Willis Point Sooke and Duncan It is vitally important that we all know this so we can protect ourselves as well as educate our physicians What is Lyme disease What causes it Lyme a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks In our area we commonly call them ldquodeer ticksrdquo but the resident species is the Western black-legged tick It is a relative of the scorpion When a tick is obvious recognized and treated the disease can be easily overcome within weeks by administration of a specific antibiotic If ignored or not immediately treated or inadequately treated the disease will eventually progress to the joints the heart and the nervous system leaving many people permanently and unnecessarily disabled Throughout North America diagnosis of this disease has been extremely difficult and therefore Lyme has been underrated and has become somewhat of a medical controversy Sufferers have been told they are depressed and are direly in need of psychiatric care that they have auto-immune chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia Crohnrsquos disease arthritis lupus irritable bowel memory loss myalgic encephalitis Parkinsons and other incurable debilitating and chronic life-altering illnesses - the lsquoblack holesrsquo of medical diagnoses These are extremely serious conditions Physicians who do acknowledge and treat Lyme disease have been subject to ridicule researchers have been harassed threatened and stalked A BC physician treating Lyme was investigated by his peers and forced to resign You will find that many local physicians and vets still continue to deny the existence of this increasing problem As mentioned a couple of years ago in these pages four Willis Point residents had imbedded ticks and each person was assessed and

treated differently ranging from no treatment at all through to IV antibiotics and complete excision of the tick One woman who had the classic lsquobullrsquos eyersquo rash and was quite ill was taken seriously only on a second visit to the doctor who hollowly said ldquoOh my goodnessrdquo and prescribed a lengthy antibiotic treatment What to watch for What to do Ticks gangsters of the trails live in the grasses and bushes hanging out waiting for blood When a luscious source of plasma comes their way such as a deer or a dog or a human with uncovered skin itrsquos party time Hungry ticks are small - about the size of a sesame seed - and painless and are easily overlooked A full tick (full of your blood) can swell to the size of a small grey grape and is fairly obvious unless in your hair Your cat or dog

can transfer ticks to you but the disease itself is not transmittable from pets Nor can Lyme be spread from person to person Ticks will catch on your clothes hair socks etc when you are out in the bush which for most of us is our back yards Prevention measures include full body armour (or so it seems) of long sleeves socks tucked into boots no bare skin etc but thatrsquos a lot to expect

from anyone walking down to the Bight in the summer lsquoDeetrsquo an insect repellent will do fine Just make sure to thoroughly check yourself and your pets after each walk Anyone you ask will give you a different method of removing ticks Oil matches heat pulling out clockwise pulling out counter-clockwise Vaseline ice etc (Irsquove heard good reports about a yellow plastic tick remover available at some vets) The best way is to go to medical services and let them take care of it If unable to get to a doctor within 24 hours slowly pull the tick straight out then save the tick for autopsy (The tickrsquos not yours) Try not to squish the tick because more toxins will be released The oil and matches trick will only set you on fire adding to your troubles Symptoms of Lyme Disease First stage (immediate to 3 weeks) fatigue chills fever headache muscle and joint pain swollen and sore lymph nodes The classic ldquobullrsquos eyerdquo rash gives you a huge clue It may appear at the bite site or elsewhere on your body This is a serious boot in the rear for you to get to medical services ASAP Second stage (untreated) will develop and last for several months central and peripheral nervous system disorders multiple skin rashes arthritis heart palpitations extreme fatigue and weakness (For those interested best-selling author Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club has late stages of Lyme and her story is scary - just Google lsquoamy tanrsquo then to the heading lsquolymersquo After reading what she has and is going through I know that I will be much more careful) Third stage (untreated) can last for years with more severe symptoms David Cubberly retired MLA for Saanich South has been an advocate for Vancouver Island Lyme disease victims For information call 250-952-4418 Walk safe

10 February 2009

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

5 February 2009

Sooke Region Food CHI Society Update by Kathryn Kusyszyn

Did you knowThere are 4000 farms on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and of these about 1000 farms are in the Capital RegionThere are over 10 community and farmersrsquo markets in Capital RegionThere are 15 community gardens with about 500 community gardeners in the Greater Victoria area (Taken from CR-FAIR Newsletter Issue 1 December 2006)

The Sooke Region Food CHI Society (SRFC) evolved as an off-shoot of The Community Health Initiative (CHI) nearly two years ago This non-profit society is committed to pursuing a vision of lsquogood local affordable food for allrsquo By harnessing the knowl-edge experience and passion of local growers fishers chefs wild-harvesters and interested community members SRFC coordinates educational hands-on events so Sooke Region citizens can actively increase the sustainability of the local food supply

The Farm Forum Festival and Feast held Oct 25 at Edward Milne Community School is one recent and successful Food CHI event With funding support from the District of Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Economic Development Commission the day provided educational and entertainment opportunities for all ages The Forum part of the day was a facilitated workshop ses-sion with 120 registrants This session laid the groundwork for a regional agricultural area plan The Sooke Agricultural Advisory Commission is charged with moving this plan into action One local producer captured the optimism created by the forum ldquoItrsquos the most progressive thing that has happened in our region in ten yearsrdquo The Food Festival and Harvest Feast showcased local growers fishers producers chefs craftspeople and wild harvesters Increasing knowledge and support of local food pro-ducers is vital to their livelihood and to the regionrsquos food security

In 2008 Food CHI sponsored seed saving and healthy food preparation workshops at CASA fun-filled community garden workdays inspiring local food potlucks action-promoting letter writing campaigns and more This year Food CHI is actively engaged in the creation of a food guide An evolving docu-ment the Farm and Food Guide will highlight local resources

including country markets community gardens wild-harvesting information and workshops on all sorts of related topics

On March 11 the film ldquoIsland on the Edgerdquo will be screened at the EMCS theatre This film is about sustainable agriculture on Vancouver Island and the filmrsquos producer Nick Versteeg will be in attendance This screening is by donation and is a joint presentation with Awareness Film Night

Membership in Food CHI is by donation and open to the whole community For more information contact Sheila Wallace Sooke Region Food CHI Coordinator at 250-642-7906 or smwallaceshawca For upcoming events check out the website at wwwsookefoodchica

wwwsookefoodchicaawarenessfilmnightgmailcom

Photos by Daniel Chauvin

Winter Wandering by Rosemary Jorna

One of my favourite spots for a winter wander is the Sooke Pot Holes Regional Park at the end of Sooke River Rd

This 55 hectare park was acquired by the Land Conservancy (TLC) of British Columbia for the Capital Region in 2005 It is run in partnership of the Capital Region District and the TLC who retains ownership of the old lodge site the cabin site and the camp ground Most of us are familiar with it in the summer with its beaches swimming holes and trails In winter itrsquos a different place changing every day Responding to the rains of November the river swells and boils through the canyon Spectacular it deserves respect and should be approached with caution This December however the river was quiet with the water levels nearly at a summer low A skim of ice formed on quiet pools the rock faces frosted with ice formations The river seemed in a unexpected contemplative mood this year

When the rains begin and when this snow melts it will be once again a raging torrent the canyons white with rushing water

During this season the river is temperamental and volatile Water levels can go up and down dramatically within hours There are places where you can see the debris deposits high up on the cliffs and wonder at this level of reach It is possible to observe the power of the river safely You need only follow the well marked trail that parallels the river and not be tempted any closer Green Canyon one of the spectacular spots can be viewed from the old lodge site with its well fenced stairs and balconies The railings and rock works by the lodge site set off the boiling canyon below

Snow adds its own magic with a tracery of animal tracks You can take the trail close to the river the road itself or the Galloping Goose Which parking lot to use depends on the weather On our rare icy days the road to the upper two parking lots is closed but there is good footing for winter boots and the possibilities of cross country skiing You can learn more about the park on the CRD Park web site wwwcrdbccaparkssookepotholes

Rosemary Jorna is Director of Hiking Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society wwwjdfcommunitytrailsca

6 February 2009

Daily WalksBackyard BreaksPetHouse-SittingPet 1st AidVet Asst Training

642-4440wwwoutboundhoundscom

outboundhounds1hotmailcom

7 February 2009

Changes to Rural Observer Deliveryby Terri Alcock

For those keeping track this is year five of the Rural Observer our first issue having been delivered to your mailboxes in September 2004 Now we are moving to a new era with new delivery systems ndash due to changes in Canada Post regulations Sometimes it is through adversity or challenge that we become renewed and improved- we can only hope

Since its inception the Rural Observer has been classified as a community newspaper and has therefore been delivered not as ad mail but as a lsquolegitimatersquo newspaper to each and every postal box in the Electoral Area This has been a tremendous advantage for the paper for our advertisers and for you our readers We have been the only newspaper to provide complete coverage of the JDF

Now with changes to postal regulations the paper has been told that because it is not published every month it is no longer eligible for this classification and therefore will be delivered in the future as lsquoad mailrsquo This means that approximately 500 people in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area will no longer see the paper in their mailboxes as many people concerned about the environment and the excessive amounts of paper used to produce and deliver ads to homeowners (and rightly so) have opted not to have ad mail put into their mailboxes It is ironic that those very discerning readers are the ones that we will have to work harder to reach

What do we plan to do to ensure that the Rural Observer is available to all residents of the Electoral Area and beyond Firstly we have always had a presence on the internet with our website wwwruralobservercom Now we plan to better utilize the site and post each issue in a more timely fashion as well as offer additional advertising options to enhance coverage of the area for our advertisers

Secondly we currently deliver copies of the Rural Observer to locations throughout the JDF and Sooke We will beef up distribution so that more copies are available for those who no longer receive delivery And we will look for other ways to reach our readers including possibly installing boxes near rural mailboxes so that people can pick it up as they do other publications

What can you do Contact the Post Office and tell them that you want to continue to receive the Rural Observer as a community newspaper Call or write to your MP Dr Keith Martin and ask him to work with Canada Post to get this regulation changed We are not the only community paper affected and there is no logic to the Post Office dictating how often a newspaper must publish in order to be called a lsquocommunity newspaperrsquo This regulation causes hardship for small papers like ours produced by volunteers and financed strictly by advertising

Thank you for your support over the past five years Watch our website for changes and please keep on reading and supporting the Rural Observer

8 February 2009

Calendar of Eventsfor Shirley

Unless otherwise indicated all events held at the Shirley Community Hall

Shirley Fire DepartmentPractices every Thursday 700 ndash 900 pmChief Rob Vanveen - 646-2107

Shirley Community AssociationAnnual General MeetingMarch 11 2009 730 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

Shirleyrsquos Spring Craft FairMarch 29 2009 1000 am ndash 400 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

THE SHIRLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

HAS A NEW WEBSITEVisit shirleycommunityorg and you will be able todiscover Shirley history bullfind out about up-coming bullevents at the Shirley Hall or how to rent the Hall for your own eventlearn about membershipbullvolunteering in the Shirley Community Association check out the Community bullClipboard

Saving a Lighthouse ndash Saving Local Historyby Michael Galizio

Working to save the Sheringham Point light station the public access and the land surrounding the navigational aid has been a long and arduous process Starting in 2003 the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society has dedicated its membersrsquo collective energy toward those goals To date there has been quite a bit of progress

First however it must be said that without the work of the hundreds of volunteer members and the legions of supporters in the JDFEA and the CRD the advancement of the Societyrsquos goals and mission would not have been possible The support of Erik Lund former JDFEA Regional Director Dr Keith Martin Member of Parliament John Horgan MLA and the Office of Premier Gordon Campbell has been vital to the many successes of the Society

A cornerstone of the Societyrsquos work has been the agreement with the adjacent landholder This was an important part of the puzzle that made up the overall goal of securing the Lighthouse property for a passive park

The agreement included four strategic provisions a 3-4 kilometer trail system protection of 160 acres surrounding the lighthouse property - guaranteed by a ldquono further subdivisionrdquo covenant a no logging and tree protection covenant and financial support for the Society

The completed trail resulted from months of consultation with the Shirley Community and other area groups and individuals The small parking area at the end of Sheringham Point Road that connects to the trailhead will act as an area for guests who come to use the trail and to walk down to the lighthouse property

The work continues on all fronts ndash including collecting an oral history of the Lighthouse the light keepers and their families working with all levels of government on securing the land and light station as a passive park liaising with the TrsquoSou-ke Chief and Council and communicating with as many people as possible about the Society

For more information please go to wwwsheringhamlighthouseorg

From Shirley to Prospect- Every Dog Shall Have Her Say by Rosemary Metz

During the summer of this year we sold our house in Shirley and moved to Prospect Nova Scotia where we have family While we were in the process of moving residents from the JDF area demonstrated their awesome sense of community spirit Neighbours and friends from Shirley showed their big-heartedness by baking for us inviting us to dinners and offering places to stay during our upheavals Such camaraderie is not easily forgotten Our two enthusiastic Labradors Jasper and Phebe long since anthropomorphized into four legged human personalities would also like to thank our neighbours for the excellent baking they tasted whilst their ownersrsquo backs were turned pre-occupied that they were with box packing Dogs Phebe and Jasper want it to be known that they are proud of their perfected technique of lifting items of food from the table with a single sideways swipe of the tongue They are likewise pleased to have wagged and stolen their ways into our lives The following is in the form of a letter concerning differing perceptions of object and place to be read from an imagined canine perspective

Dear ReaderIt is said that Dog is Manrsquos best friend I would like to think that the reverse is also true And it could be said that our speciesrsquo specific needs tend to run on a parallel with humans For example dogs like certainty They like being fed regularly and appreciate a warm dry bed to sleep in This is very true Born as working dogs Labs like us need regular walks as well And when established certainty shows signs of breaking down canis familaris are similarly affected lsquoGoing to the dogsrsquo is a description of such a situation used by humans Whatever happens to a dogrsquos owners happens to the family mutt in one way or another This is definitely true

Moving home is a good example We dogs became suspicious that something was about to change in our lives when new scents began infiltrating our living space from late in 2007 This kind of change sneaks up on you slowly - like the sudden appearance of coloured ribbons in the woods where we walked daily Change was everywhere We did our best to reinforce our scent around the ribbons to recreate a kind of certainty Dog is manrsquos best friend and we were only helping him to mark his ground

At home and with little warning sometimes we all had to leave the house because a lsquohouse showingrsquo was soon to occur These persistent events dogged our daily routine Manic house cleaning always preceded the lsquohouse showingrsquo

It made no difference to us if fruity scented floor cleaners or straight ammonia were used It was only cosmetic Our two legged friends miss a lot when they rely so heavily on sight as a first line of observation Itrsquos strange how humans also born with five senses rely so much on only one They have even created such things as paintings where it seems humans deliberately try to confuse themselves Look at that painting called ldquoThe Death of Acteonrdquo by Titian which concerns a hunting scene where a stag is caught and killed by dogs The stag not really a stag but actually a human called Acteon has been cursed and transformed when caught watching the goddess Diana having a bath Whatrsquos the point in all that visual stuff Confusing As a dog would this visual nonsense get me out of a jam in the woods Would I be the hound or the hounded Why use one sense when yoursquove been born with five

Now that we are in Prospect those five senses have all had a chance to re-establish themselves Recent tropical storm season has helped sharpen our instincts as well as our ownerrsquos emergency preparedness Old Christmas cookie tins from last year that contained earthquake emergency food hidden outside our house in Shirley are now pressed into use for Prospect

The Chronicle Herald of Sunday September 5th headlined ldquoNS Bracing for Hanna the message to Nova Scotians is they should have their 72 hour emergency preparedness kits ready to roll at any point We all know that itrsquos hurricane seasonrdquo Fortunately we were not affected

Another set of newspaper headlines that drew attention as we moved into our house at Prospect was ldquoClose Encounter of the Weird Kindrdquo This story concerned a tourist who had spied strange lights in the skies over Prospect and caught them on video At the local farmers market someone asked if anyone had heard about the UFO sightings An anonymous voice yelled from beyond the cabbages ldquoOh that must have been the Metz family moving inrdquo Carve Carne

9 February 2009

800 Goldstream AvenueVictoria V9B 2X7(250) 391-2801johnhorganmlalegbcca

John Horgan MLA

Our Office is Open to Serve You

Malahat - Juan de Fuca

CONTROVERSY OVER - Lyme Disease Exists On Vancouver Island by Patricia Sloan Local health officials have grudgingly accepted the fact that ticks infected with Lyme disease do indeed exist in our area In fact it is endemic on parts of Vancouver Island specifically in the Shawnigan area as well as other southern wooded regions such as Willis Point Sooke and Duncan It is vitally important that we all know this so we can protect ourselves as well as educate our physicians What is Lyme disease What causes it Lyme a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks In our area we commonly call them ldquodeer ticksrdquo but the resident species is the Western black-legged tick It is a relative of the scorpion When a tick is obvious recognized and treated the disease can be easily overcome within weeks by administration of a specific antibiotic If ignored or not immediately treated or inadequately treated the disease will eventually progress to the joints the heart and the nervous system leaving many people permanently and unnecessarily disabled Throughout North America diagnosis of this disease has been extremely difficult and therefore Lyme has been underrated and has become somewhat of a medical controversy Sufferers have been told they are depressed and are direly in need of psychiatric care that they have auto-immune chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia Crohnrsquos disease arthritis lupus irritable bowel memory loss myalgic encephalitis Parkinsons and other incurable debilitating and chronic life-altering illnesses - the lsquoblack holesrsquo of medical diagnoses These are extremely serious conditions Physicians who do acknowledge and treat Lyme disease have been subject to ridicule researchers have been harassed threatened and stalked A BC physician treating Lyme was investigated by his peers and forced to resign You will find that many local physicians and vets still continue to deny the existence of this increasing problem As mentioned a couple of years ago in these pages four Willis Point residents had imbedded ticks and each person was assessed and

treated differently ranging from no treatment at all through to IV antibiotics and complete excision of the tick One woman who had the classic lsquobullrsquos eyersquo rash and was quite ill was taken seriously only on a second visit to the doctor who hollowly said ldquoOh my goodnessrdquo and prescribed a lengthy antibiotic treatment What to watch for What to do Ticks gangsters of the trails live in the grasses and bushes hanging out waiting for blood When a luscious source of plasma comes their way such as a deer or a dog or a human with uncovered skin itrsquos party time Hungry ticks are small - about the size of a sesame seed - and painless and are easily overlooked A full tick (full of your blood) can swell to the size of a small grey grape and is fairly obvious unless in your hair Your cat or dog

can transfer ticks to you but the disease itself is not transmittable from pets Nor can Lyme be spread from person to person Ticks will catch on your clothes hair socks etc when you are out in the bush which for most of us is our back yards Prevention measures include full body armour (or so it seems) of long sleeves socks tucked into boots no bare skin etc but thatrsquos a lot to expect

from anyone walking down to the Bight in the summer lsquoDeetrsquo an insect repellent will do fine Just make sure to thoroughly check yourself and your pets after each walk Anyone you ask will give you a different method of removing ticks Oil matches heat pulling out clockwise pulling out counter-clockwise Vaseline ice etc (Irsquove heard good reports about a yellow plastic tick remover available at some vets) The best way is to go to medical services and let them take care of it If unable to get to a doctor within 24 hours slowly pull the tick straight out then save the tick for autopsy (The tickrsquos not yours) Try not to squish the tick because more toxins will be released The oil and matches trick will only set you on fire adding to your troubles Symptoms of Lyme Disease First stage (immediate to 3 weeks) fatigue chills fever headache muscle and joint pain swollen and sore lymph nodes The classic ldquobullrsquos eyerdquo rash gives you a huge clue It may appear at the bite site or elsewhere on your body This is a serious boot in the rear for you to get to medical services ASAP Second stage (untreated) will develop and last for several months central and peripheral nervous system disorders multiple skin rashes arthritis heart palpitations extreme fatigue and weakness (For those interested best-selling author Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club has late stages of Lyme and her story is scary - just Google lsquoamy tanrsquo then to the heading lsquolymersquo After reading what she has and is going through I know that I will be much more careful) Third stage (untreated) can last for years with more severe symptoms David Cubberly retired MLA for Saanich South has been an advocate for Vancouver Island Lyme disease victims For information call 250-952-4418 Walk safe

10 February 2009

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

Winter Wandering by Rosemary Jorna

One of my favourite spots for a winter wander is the Sooke Pot Holes Regional Park at the end of Sooke River Rd

This 55 hectare park was acquired by the Land Conservancy (TLC) of British Columbia for the Capital Region in 2005 It is run in partnership of the Capital Region District and the TLC who retains ownership of the old lodge site the cabin site and the camp ground Most of us are familiar with it in the summer with its beaches swimming holes and trails In winter itrsquos a different place changing every day Responding to the rains of November the river swells and boils through the canyon Spectacular it deserves respect and should be approached with caution This December however the river was quiet with the water levels nearly at a summer low A skim of ice formed on quiet pools the rock faces frosted with ice formations The river seemed in a unexpected contemplative mood this year

When the rains begin and when this snow melts it will be once again a raging torrent the canyons white with rushing water

During this season the river is temperamental and volatile Water levels can go up and down dramatically within hours There are places where you can see the debris deposits high up on the cliffs and wonder at this level of reach It is possible to observe the power of the river safely You need only follow the well marked trail that parallels the river and not be tempted any closer Green Canyon one of the spectacular spots can be viewed from the old lodge site with its well fenced stairs and balconies The railings and rock works by the lodge site set off the boiling canyon below

Snow adds its own magic with a tracery of animal tracks You can take the trail close to the river the road itself or the Galloping Goose Which parking lot to use depends on the weather On our rare icy days the road to the upper two parking lots is closed but there is good footing for winter boots and the possibilities of cross country skiing You can learn more about the park on the CRD Park web site wwwcrdbccaparkssookepotholes

Rosemary Jorna is Director of Hiking Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society wwwjdfcommunitytrailsca

6 February 2009

Daily WalksBackyard BreaksPetHouse-SittingPet 1st AidVet Asst Training

642-4440wwwoutboundhoundscom

outboundhounds1hotmailcom

7 February 2009

Changes to Rural Observer Deliveryby Terri Alcock

For those keeping track this is year five of the Rural Observer our first issue having been delivered to your mailboxes in September 2004 Now we are moving to a new era with new delivery systems ndash due to changes in Canada Post regulations Sometimes it is through adversity or challenge that we become renewed and improved- we can only hope

Since its inception the Rural Observer has been classified as a community newspaper and has therefore been delivered not as ad mail but as a lsquolegitimatersquo newspaper to each and every postal box in the Electoral Area This has been a tremendous advantage for the paper for our advertisers and for you our readers We have been the only newspaper to provide complete coverage of the JDF

Now with changes to postal regulations the paper has been told that because it is not published every month it is no longer eligible for this classification and therefore will be delivered in the future as lsquoad mailrsquo This means that approximately 500 people in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area will no longer see the paper in their mailboxes as many people concerned about the environment and the excessive amounts of paper used to produce and deliver ads to homeowners (and rightly so) have opted not to have ad mail put into their mailboxes It is ironic that those very discerning readers are the ones that we will have to work harder to reach

What do we plan to do to ensure that the Rural Observer is available to all residents of the Electoral Area and beyond Firstly we have always had a presence on the internet with our website wwwruralobservercom Now we plan to better utilize the site and post each issue in a more timely fashion as well as offer additional advertising options to enhance coverage of the area for our advertisers

Secondly we currently deliver copies of the Rural Observer to locations throughout the JDF and Sooke We will beef up distribution so that more copies are available for those who no longer receive delivery And we will look for other ways to reach our readers including possibly installing boxes near rural mailboxes so that people can pick it up as they do other publications

What can you do Contact the Post Office and tell them that you want to continue to receive the Rural Observer as a community newspaper Call or write to your MP Dr Keith Martin and ask him to work with Canada Post to get this regulation changed We are not the only community paper affected and there is no logic to the Post Office dictating how often a newspaper must publish in order to be called a lsquocommunity newspaperrsquo This regulation causes hardship for small papers like ours produced by volunteers and financed strictly by advertising

Thank you for your support over the past five years Watch our website for changes and please keep on reading and supporting the Rural Observer

8 February 2009

Calendar of Eventsfor Shirley

Unless otherwise indicated all events held at the Shirley Community Hall

Shirley Fire DepartmentPractices every Thursday 700 ndash 900 pmChief Rob Vanveen - 646-2107

Shirley Community AssociationAnnual General MeetingMarch 11 2009 730 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

Shirleyrsquos Spring Craft FairMarch 29 2009 1000 am ndash 400 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

THE SHIRLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

HAS A NEW WEBSITEVisit shirleycommunityorg and you will be able todiscover Shirley history bullfind out about up-coming bullevents at the Shirley Hall or how to rent the Hall for your own eventlearn about membershipbullvolunteering in the Shirley Community Association check out the Community bullClipboard

Saving a Lighthouse ndash Saving Local Historyby Michael Galizio

Working to save the Sheringham Point light station the public access and the land surrounding the navigational aid has been a long and arduous process Starting in 2003 the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society has dedicated its membersrsquo collective energy toward those goals To date there has been quite a bit of progress

First however it must be said that without the work of the hundreds of volunteer members and the legions of supporters in the JDFEA and the CRD the advancement of the Societyrsquos goals and mission would not have been possible The support of Erik Lund former JDFEA Regional Director Dr Keith Martin Member of Parliament John Horgan MLA and the Office of Premier Gordon Campbell has been vital to the many successes of the Society

A cornerstone of the Societyrsquos work has been the agreement with the adjacent landholder This was an important part of the puzzle that made up the overall goal of securing the Lighthouse property for a passive park

The agreement included four strategic provisions a 3-4 kilometer trail system protection of 160 acres surrounding the lighthouse property - guaranteed by a ldquono further subdivisionrdquo covenant a no logging and tree protection covenant and financial support for the Society

The completed trail resulted from months of consultation with the Shirley Community and other area groups and individuals The small parking area at the end of Sheringham Point Road that connects to the trailhead will act as an area for guests who come to use the trail and to walk down to the lighthouse property

The work continues on all fronts ndash including collecting an oral history of the Lighthouse the light keepers and their families working with all levels of government on securing the land and light station as a passive park liaising with the TrsquoSou-ke Chief and Council and communicating with as many people as possible about the Society

For more information please go to wwwsheringhamlighthouseorg

From Shirley to Prospect- Every Dog Shall Have Her Say by Rosemary Metz

During the summer of this year we sold our house in Shirley and moved to Prospect Nova Scotia where we have family While we were in the process of moving residents from the JDF area demonstrated their awesome sense of community spirit Neighbours and friends from Shirley showed their big-heartedness by baking for us inviting us to dinners and offering places to stay during our upheavals Such camaraderie is not easily forgotten Our two enthusiastic Labradors Jasper and Phebe long since anthropomorphized into four legged human personalities would also like to thank our neighbours for the excellent baking they tasted whilst their ownersrsquo backs were turned pre-occupied that they were with box packing Dogs Phebe and Jasper want it to be known that they are proud of their perfected technique of lifting items of food from the table with a single sideways swipe of the tongue They are likewise pleased to have wagged and stolen their ways into our lives The following is in the form of a letter concerning differing perceptions of object and place to be read from an imagined canine perspective

Dear ReaderIt is said that Dog is Manrsquos best friend I would like to think that the reverse is also true And it could be said that our speciesrsquo specific needs tend to run on a parallel with humans For example dogs like certainty They like being fed regularly and appreciate a warm dry bed to sleep in This is very true Born as working dogs Labs like us need regular walks as well And when established certainty shows signs of breaking down canis familaris are similarly affected lsquoGoing to the dogsrsquo is a description of such a situation used by humans Whatever happens to a dogrsquos owners happens to the family mutt in one way or another This is definitely true

Moving home is a good example We dogs became suspicious that something was about to change in our lives when new scents began infiltrating our living space from late in 2007 This kind of change sneaks up on you slowly - like the sudden appearance of coloured ribbons in the woods where we walked daily Change was everywhere We did our best to reinforce our scent around the ribbons to recreate a kind of certainty Dog is manrsquos best friend and we were only helping him to mark his ground

At home and with little warning sometimes we all had to leave the house because a lsquohouse showingrsquo was soon to occur These persistent events dogged our daily routine Manic house cleaning always preceded the lsquohouse showingrsquo

It made no difference to us if fruity scented floor cleaners or straight ammonia were used It was only cosmetic Our two legged friends miss a lot when they rely so heavily on sight as a first line of observation Itrsquos strange how humans also born with five senses rely so much on only one They have even created such things as paintings where it seems humans deliberately try to confuse themselves Look at that painting called ldquoThe Death of Acteonrdquo by Titian which concerns a hunting scene where a stag is caught and killed by dogs The stag not really a stag but actually a human called Acteon has been cursed and transformed when caught watching the goddess Diana having a bath Whatrsquos the point in all that visual stuff Confusing As a dog would this visual nonsense get me out of a jam in the woods Would I be the hound or the hounded Why use one sense when yoursquove been born with five

Now that we are in Prospect those five senses have all had a chance to re-establish themselves Recent tropical storm season has helped sharpen our instincts as well as our ownerrsquos emergency preparedness Old Christmas cookie tins from last year that contained earthquake emergency food hidden outside our house in Shirley are now pressed into use for Prospect

The Chronicle Herald of Sunday September 5th headlined ldquoNS Bracing for Hanna the message to Nova Scotians is they should have their 72 hour emergency preparedness kits ready to roll at any point We all know that itrsquos hurricane seasonrdquo Fortunately we were not affected

Another set of newspaper headlines that drew attention as we moved into our house at Prospect was ldquoClose Encounter of the Weird Kindrdquo This story concerned a tourist who had spied strange lights in the skies over Prospect and caught them on video At the local farmers market someone asked if anyone had heard about the UFO sightings An anonymous voice yelled from beyond the cabbages ldquoOh that must have been the Metz family moving inrdquo Carve Carne

9 February 2009

800 Goldstream AvenueVictoria V9B 2X7(250) 391-2801johnhorganmlalegbcca

John Horgan MLA

Our Office is Open to Serve You

Malahat - Juan de Fuca

CONTROVERSY OVER - Lyme Disease Exists On Vancouver Island by Patricia Sloan Local health officials have grudgingly accepted the fact that ticks infected with Lyme disease do indeed exist in our area In fact it is endemic on parts of Vancouver Island specifically in the Shawnigan area as well as other southern wooded regions such as Willis Point Sooke and Duncan It is vitally important that we all know this so we can protect ourselves as well as educate our physicians What is Lyme disease What causes it Lyme a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks In our area we commonly call them ldquodeer ticksrdquo but the resident species is the Western black-legged tick It is a relative of the scorpion When a tick is obvious recognized and treated the disease can be easily overcome within weeks by administration of a specific antibiotic If ignored or not immediately treated or inadequately treated the disease will eventually progress to the joints the heart and the nervous system leaving many people permanently and unnecessarily disabled Throughout North America diagnosis of this disease has been extremely difficult and therefore Lyme has been underrated and has become somewhat of a medical controversy Sufferers have been told they are depressed and are direly in need of psychiatric care that they have auto-immune chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia Crohnrsquos disease arthritis lupus irritable bowel memory loss myalgic encephalitis Parkinsons and other incurable debilitating and chronic life-altering illnesses - the lsquoblack holesrsquo of medical diagnoses These are extremely serious conditions Physicians who do acknowledge and treat Lyme disease have been subject to ridicule researchers have been harassed threatened and stalked A BC physician treating Lyme was investigated by his peers and forced to resign You will find that many local physicians and vets still continue to deny the existence of this increasing problem As mentioned a couple of years ago in these pages four Willis Point residents had imbedded ticks and each person was assessed and

treated differently ranging from no treatment at all through to IV antibiotics and complete excision of the tick One woman who had the classic lsquobullrsquos eyersquo rash and was quite ill was taken seriously only on a second visit to the doctor who hollowly said ldquoOh my goodnessrdquo and prescribed a lengthy antibiotic treatment What to watch for What to do Ticks gangsters of the trails live in the grasses and bushes hanging out waiting for blood When a luscious source of plasma comes their way such as a deer or a dog or a human with uncovered skin itrsquos party time Hungry ticks are small - about the size of a sesame seed - and painless and are easily overlooked A full tick (full of your blood) can swell to the size of a small grey grape and is fairly obvious unless in your hair Your cat or dog

can transfer ticks to you but the disease itself is not transmittable from pets Nor can Lyme be spread from person to person Ticks will catch on your clothes hair socks etc when you are out in the bush which for most of us is our back yards Prevention measures include full body armour (or so it seems) of long sleeves socks tucked into boots no bare skin etc but thatrsquos a lot to expect

from anyone walking down to the Bight in the summer lsquoDeetrsquo an insect repellent will do fine Just make sure to thoroughly check yourself and your pets after each walk Anyone you ask will give you a different method of removing ticks Oil matches heat pulling out clockwise pulling out counter-clockwise Vaseline ice etc (Irsquove heard good reports about a yellow plastic tick remover available at some vets) The best way is to go to medical services and let them take care of it If unable to get to a doctor within 24 hours slowly pull the tick straight out then save the tick for autopsy (The tickrsquos not yours) Try not to squish the tick because more toxins will be released The oil and matches trick will only set you on fire adding to your troubles Symptoms of Lyme Disease First stage (immediate to 3 weeks) fatigue chills fever headache muscle and joint pain swollen and sore lymph nodes The classic ldquobullrsquos eyerdquo rash gives you a huge clue It may appear at the bite site or elsewhere on your body This is a serious boot in the rear for you to get to medical services ASAP Second stage (untreated) will develop and last for several months central and peripheral nervous system disorders multiple skin rashes arthritis heart palpitations extreme fatigue and weakness (For those interested best-selling author Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club has late stages of Lyme and her story is scary - just Google lsquoamy tanrsquo then to the heading lsquolymersquo After reading what she has and is going through I know that I will be much more careful) Third stage (untreated) can last for years with more severe symptoms David Cubberly retired MLA for Saanich South has been an advocate for Vancouver Island Lyme disease victims For information call 250-952-4418 Walk safe

10 February 2009

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

7 February 2009

Changes to Rural Observer Deliveryby Terri Alcock

For those keeping track this is year five of the Rural Observer our first issue having been delivered to your mailboxes in September 2004 Now we are moving to a new era with new delivery systems ndash due to changes in Canada Post regulations Sometimes it is through adversity or challenge that we become renewed and improved- we can only hope

Since its inception the Rural Observer has been classified as a community newspaper and has therefore been delivered not as ad mail but as a lsquolegitimatersquo newspaper to each and every postal box in the Electoral Area This has been a tremendous advantage for the paper for our advertisers and for you our readers We have been the only newspaper to provide complete coverage of the JDF

Now with changes to postal regulations the paper has been told that because it is not published every month it is no longer eligible for this classification and therefore will be delivered in the future as lsquoad mailrsquo This means that approximately 500 people in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area will no longer see the paper in their mailboxes as many people concerned about the environment and the excessive amounts of paper used to produce and deliver ads to homeowners (and rightly so) have opted not to have ad mail put into their mailboxes It is ironic that those very discerning readers are the ones that we will have to work harder to reach

What do we plan to do to ensure that the Rural Observer is available to all residents of the Electoral Area and beyond Firstly we have always had a presence on the internet with our website wwwruralobservercom Now we plan to better utilize the site and post each issue in a more timely fashion as well as offer additional advertising options to enhance coverage of the area for our advertisers

Secondly we currently deliver copies of the Rural Observer to locations throughout the JDF and Sooke We will beef up distribution so that more copies are available for those who no longer receive delivery And we will look for other ways to reach our readers including possibly installing boxes near rural mailboxes so that people can pick it up as they do other publications

What can you do Contact the Post Office and tell them that you want to continue to receive the Rural Observer as a community newspaper Call or write to your MP Dr Keith Martin and ask him to work with Canada Post to get this regulation changed We are not the only community paper affected and there is no logic to the Post Office dictating how often a newspaper must publish in order to be called a lsquocommunity newspaperrsquo This regulation causes hardship for small papers like ours produced by volunteers and financed strictly by advertising

Thank you for your support over the past five years Watch our website for changes and please keep on reading and supporting the Rural Observer

8 February 2009

Calendar of Eventsfor Shirley

Unless otherwise indicated all events held at the Shirley Community Hall

Shirley Fire DepartmentPractices every Thursday 700 ndash 900 pmChief Rob Vanveen - 646-2107

Shirley Community AssociationAnnual General MeetingMarch 11 2009 730 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

Shirleyrsquos Spring Craft FairMarch 29 2009 1000 am ndash 400 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

THE SHIRLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

HAS A NEW WEBSITEVisit shirleycommunityorg and you will be able todiscover Shirley history bullfind out about up-coming bullevents at the Shirley Hall or how to rent the Hall for your own eventlearn about membershipbullvolunteering in the Shirley Community Association check out the Community bullClipboard

Saving a Lighthouse ndash Saving Local Historyby Michael Galizio

Working to save the Sheringham Point light station the public access and the land surrounding the navigational aid has been a long and arduous process Starting in 2003 the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society has dedicated its membersrsquo collective energy toward those goals To date there has been quite a bit of progress

First however it must be said that without the work of the hundreds of volunteer members and the legions of supporters in the JDFEA and the CRD the advancement of the Societyrsquos goals and mission would not have been possible The support of Erik Lund former JDFEA Regional Director Dr Keith Martin Member of Parliament John Horgan MLA and the Office of Premier Gordon Campbell has been vital to the many successes of the Society

A cornerstone of the Societyrsquos work has been the agreement with the adjacent landholder This was an important part of the puzzle that made up the overall goal of securing the Lighthouse property for a passive park

The agreement included four strategic provisions a 3-4 kilometer trail system protection of 160 acres surrounding the lighthouse property - guaranteed by a ldquono further subdivisionrdquo covenant a no logging and tree protection covenant and financial support for the Society

The completed trail resulted from months of consultation with the Shirley Community and other area groups and individuals The small parking area at the end of Sheringham Point Road that connects to the trailhead will act as an area for guests who come to use the trail and to walk down to the lighthouse property

The work continues on all fronts ndash including collecting an oral history of the Lighthouse the light keepers and their families working with all levels of government on securing the land and light station as a passive park liaising with the TrsquoSou-ke Chief and Council and communicating with as many people as possible about the Society

For more information please go to wwwsheringhamlighthouseorg

From Shirley to Prospect- Every Dog Shall Have Her Say by Rosemary Metz

During the summer of this year we sold our house in Shirley and moved to Prospect Nova Scotia where we have family While we were in the process of moving residents from the JDF area demonstrated their awesome sense of community spirit Neighbours and friends from Shirley showed their big-heartedness by baking for us inviting us to dinners and offering places to stay during our upheavals Such camaraderie is not easily forgotten Our two enthusiastic Labradors Jasper and Phebe long since anthropomorphized into four legged human personalities would also like to thank our neighbours for the excellent baking they tasted whilst their ownersrsquo backs were turned pre-occupied that they were with box packing Dogs Phebe and Jasper want it to be known that they are proud of their perfected technique of lifting items of food from the table with a single sideways swipe of the tongue They are likewise pleased to have wagged and stolen their ways into our lives The following is in the form of a letter concerning differing perceptions of object and place to be read from an imagined canine perspective

Dear ReaderIt is said that Dog is Manrsquos best friend I would like to think that the reverse is also true And it could be said that our speciesrsquo specific needs tend to run on a parallel with humans For example dogs like certainty They like being fed regularly and appreciate a warm dry bed to sleep in This is very true Born as working dogs Labs like us need regular walks as well And when established certainty shows signs of breaking down canis familaris are similarly affected lsquoGoing to the dogsrsquo is a description of such a situation used by humans Whatever happens to a dogrsquos owners happens to the family mutt in one way or another This is definitely true

Moving home is a good example We dogs became suspicious that something was about to change in our lives when new scents began infiltrating our living space from late in 2007 This kind of change sneaks up on you slowly - like the sudden appearance of coloured ribbons in the woods where we walked daily Change was everywhere We did our best to reinforce our scent around the ribbons to recreate a kind of certainty Dog is manrsquos best friend and we were only helping him to mark his ground

At home and with little warning sometimes we all had to leave the house because a lsquohouse showingrsquo was soon to occur These persistent events dogged our daily routine Manic house cleaning always preceded the lsquohouse showingrsquo

It made no difference to us if fruity scented floor cleaners or straight ammonia were used It was only cosmetic Our two legged friends miss a lot when they rely so heavily on sight as a first line of observation Itrsquos strange how humans also born with five senses rely so much on only one They have even created such things as paintings where it seems humans deliberately try to confuse themselves Look at that painting called ldquoThe Death of Acteonrdquo by Titian which concerns a hunting scene where a stag is caught and killed by dogs The stag not really a stag but actually a human called Acteon has been cursed and transformed when caught watching the goddess Diana having a bath Whatrsquos the point in all that visual stuff Confusing As a dog would this visual nonsense get me out of a jam in the woods Would I be the hound or the hounded Why use one sense when yoursquove been born with five

Now that we are in Prospect those five senses have all had a chance to re-establish themselves Recent tropical storm season has helped sharpen our instincts as well as our ownerrsquos emergency preparedness Old Christmas cookie tins from last year that contained earthquake emergency food hidden outside our house in Shirley are now pressed into use for Prospect

The Chronicle Herald of Sunday September 5th headlined ldquoNS Bracing for Hanna the message to Nova Scotians is they should have their 72 hour emergency preparedness kits ready to roll at any point We all know that itrsquos hurricane seasonrdquo Fortunately we were not affected

Another set of newspaper headlines that drew attention as we moved into our house at Prospect was ldquoClose Encounter of the Weird Kindrdquo This story concerned a tourist who had spied strange lights in the skies over Prospect and caught them on video At the local farmers market someone asked if anyone had heard about the UFO sightings An anonymous voice yelled from beyond the cabbages ldquoOh that must have been the Metz family moving inrdquo Carve Carne

9 February 2009

800 Goldstream AvenueVictoria V9B 2X7(250) 391-2801johnhorganmlalegbcca

John Horgan MLA

Our Office is Open to Serve You

Malahat - Juan de Fuca

CONTROVERSY OVER - Lyme Disease Exists On Vancouver Island by Patricia Sloan Local health officials have grudgingly accepted the fact that ticks infected with Lyme disease do indeed exist in our area In fact it is endemic on parts of Vancouver Island specifically in the Shawnigan area as well as other southern wooded regions such as Willis Point Sooke and Duncan It is vitally important that we all know this so we can protect ourselves as well as educate our physicians What is Lyme disease What causes it Lyme a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks In our area we commonly call them ldquodeer ticksrdquo but the resident species is the Western black-legged tick It is a relative of the scorpion When a tick is obvious recognized and treated the disease can be easily overcome within weeks by administration of a specific antibiotic If ignored or not immediately treated or inadequately treated the disease will eventually progress to the joints the heart and the nervous system leaving many people permanently and unnecessarily disabled Throughout North America diagnosis of this disease has been extremely difficult and therefore Lyme has been underrated and has become somewhat of a medical controversy Sufferers have been told they are depressed and are direly in need of psychiatric care that they have auto-immune chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia Crohnrsquos disease arthritis lupus irritable bowel memory loss myalgic encephalitis Parkinsons and other incurable debilitating and chronic life-altering illnesses - the lsquoblack holesrsquo of medical diagnoses These are extremely serious conditions Physicians who do acknowledge and treat Lyme disease have been subject to ridicule researchers have been harassed threatened and stalked A BC physician treating Lyme was investigated by his peers and forced to resign You will find that many local physicians and vets still continue to deny the existence of this increasing problem As mentioned a couple of years ago in these pages four Willis Point residents had imbedded ticks and each person was assessed and

treated differently ranging from no treatment at all through to IV antibiotics and complete excision of the tick One woman who had the classic lsquobullrsquos eyersquo rash and was quite ill was taken seriously only on a second visit to the doctor who hollowly said ldquoOh my goodnessrdquo and prescribed a lengthy antibiotic treatment What to watch for What to do Ticks gangsters of the trails live in the grasses and bushes hanging out waiting for blood When a luscious source of plasma comes their way such as a deer or a dog or a human with uncovered skin itrsquos party time Hungry ticks are small - about the size of a sesame seed - and painless and are easily overlooked A full tick (full of your blood) can swell to the size of a small grey grape and is fairly obvious unless in your hair Your cat or dog

can transfer ticks to you but the disease itself is not transmittable from pets Nor can Lyme be spread from person to person Ticks will catch on your clothes hair socks etc when you are out in the bush which for most of us is our back yards Prevention measures include full body armour (or so it seems) of long sleeves socks tucked into boots no bare skin etc but thatrsquos a lot to expect

from anyone walking down to the Bight in the summer lsquoDeetrsquo an insect repellent will do fine Just make sure to thoroughly check yourself and your pets after each walk Anyone you ask will give you a different method of removing ticks Oil matches heat pulling out clockwise pulling out counter-clockwise Vaseline ice etc (Irsquove heard good reports about a yellow plastic tick remover available at some vets) The best way is to go to medical services and let them take care of it If unable to get to a doctor within 24 hours slowly pull the tick straight out then save the tick for autopsy (The tickrsquos not yours) Try not to squish the tick because more toxins will be released The oil and matches trick will only set you on fire adding to your troubles Symptoms of Lyme Disease First stage (immediate to 3 weeks) fatigue chills fever headache muscle and joint pain swollen and sore lymph nodes The classic ldquobullrsquos eyerdquo rash gives you a huge clue It may appear at the bite site or elsewhere on your body This is a serious boot in the rear for you to get to medical services ASAP Second stage (untreated) will develop and last for several months central and peripheral nervous system disorders multiple skin rashes arthritis heart palpitations extreme fatigue and weakness (For those interested best-selling author Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club has late stages of Lyme and her story is scary - just Google lsquoamy tanrsquo then to the heading lsquolymersquo After reading what she has and is going through I know that I will be much more careful) Third stage (untreated) can last for years with more severe symptoms David Cubberly retired MLA for Saanich South has been an advocate for Vancouver Island Lyme disease victims For information call 250-952-4418 Walk safe

10 February 2009

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

8 February 2009

Calendar of Eventsfor Shirley

Unless otherwise indicated all events held at the Shirley Community Hall

Shirley Fire DepartmentPractices every Thursday 700 ndash 900 pmChief Rob Vanveen - 646-2107

Shirley Community AssociationAnnual General MeetingMarch 11 2009 730 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

Shirleyrsquos Spring Craft FairMarch 29 2009 1000 am ndash 400 pmChuck ndash 646-2077

THE SHIRLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

HAS A NEW WEBSITEVisit shirleycommunityorg and you will be able todiscover Shirley history bullfind out about up-coming bullevents at the Shirley Hall or how to rent the Hall for your own eventlearn about membershipbullvolunteering in the Shirley Community Association check out the Community bullClipboard

Saving a Lighthouse ndash Saving Local Historyby Michael Galizio

Working to save the Sheringham Point light station the public access and the land surrounding the navigational aid has been a long and arduous process Starting in 2003 the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society has dedicated its membersrsquo collective energy toward those goals To date there has been quite a bit of progress

First however it must be said that without the work of the hundreds of volunteer members and the legions of supporters in the JDFEA and the CRD the advancement of the Societyrsquos goals and mission would not have been possible The support of Erik Lund former JDFEA Regional Director Dr Keith Martin Member of Parliament John Horgan MLA and the Office of Premier Gordon Campbell has been vital to the many successes of the Society

A cornerstone of the Societyrsquos work has been the agreement with the adjacent landholder This was an important part of the puzzle that made up the overall goal of securing the Lighthouse property for a passive park

The agreement included four strategic provisions a 3-4 kilometer trail system protection of 160 acres surrounding the lighthouse property - guaranteed by a ldquono further subdivisionrdquo covenant a no logging and tree protection covenant and financial support for the Society

The completed trail resulted from months of consultation with the Shirley Community and other area groups and individuals The small parking area at the end of Sheringham Point Road that connects to the trailhead will act as an area for guests who come to use the trail and to walk down to the lighthouse property

The work continues on all fronts ndash including collecting an oral history of the Lighthouse the light keepers and their families working with all levels of government on securing the land and light station as a passive park liaising with the TrsquoSou-ke Chief and Council and communicating with as many people as possible about the Society

For more information please go to wwwsheringhamlighthouseorg

From Shirley to Prospect- Every Dog Shall Have Her Say by Rosemary Metz

During the summer of this year we sold our house in Shirley and moved to Prospect Nova Scotia where we have family While we were in the process of moving residents from the JDF area demonstrated their awesome sense of community spirit Neighbours and friends from Shirley showed their big-heartedness by baking for us inviting us to dinners and offering places to stay during our upheavals Such camaraderie is not easily forgotten Our two enthusiastic Labradors Jasper and Phebe long since anthropomorphized into four legged human personalities would also like to thank our neighbours for the excellent baking they tasted whilst their ownersrsquo backs were turned pre-occupied that they were with box packing Dogs Phebe and Jasper want it to be known that they are proud of their perfected technique of lifting items of food from the table with a single sideways swipe of the tongue They are likewise pleased to have wagged and stolen their ways into our lives The following is in the form of a letter concerning differing perceptions of object and place to be read from an imagined canine perspective

Dear ReaderIt is said that Dog is Manrsquos best friend I would like to think that the reverse is also true And it could be said that our speciesrsquo specific needs tend to run on a parallel with humans For example dogs like certainty They like being fed regularly and appreciate a warm dry bed to sleep in This is very true Born as working dogs Labs like us need regular walks as well And when established certainty shows signs of breaking down canis familaris are similarly affected lsquoGoing to the dogsrsquo is a description of such a situation used by humans Whatever happens to a dogrsquos owners happens to the family mutt in one way or another This is definitely true

Moving home is a good example We dogs became suspicious that something was about to change in our lives when new scents began infiltrating our living space from late in 2007 This kind of change sneaks up on you slowly - like the sudden appearance of coloured ribbons in the woods where we walked daily Change was everywhere We did our best to reinforce our scent around the ribbons to recreate a kind of certainty Dog is manrsquos best friend and we were only helping him to mark his ground

At home and with little warning sometimes we all had to leave the house because a lsquohouse showingrsquo was soon to occur These persistent events dogged our daily routine Manic house cleaning always preceded the lsquohouse showingrsquo

It made no difference to us if fruity scented floor cleaners or straight ammonia were used It was only cosmetic Our two legged friends miss a lot when they rely so heavily on sight as a first line of observation Itrsquos strange how humans also born with five senses rely so much on only one They have even created such things as paintings where it seems humans deliberately try to confuse themselves Look at that painting called ldquoThe Death of Acteonrdquo by Titian which concerns a hunting scene where a stag is caught and killed by dogs The stag not really a stag but actually a human called Acteon has been cursed and transformed when caught watching the goddess Diana having a bath Whatrsquos the point in all that visual stuff Confusing As a dog would this visual nonsense get me out of a jam in the woods Would I be the hound or the hounded Why use one sense when yoursquove been born with five

Now that we are in Prospect those five senses have all had a chance to re-establish themselves Recent tropical storm season has helped sharpen our instincts as well as our ownerrsquos emergency preparedness Old Christmas cookie tins from last year that contained earthquake emergency food hidden outside our house in Shirley are now pressed into use for Prospect

The Chronicle Herald of Sunday September 5th headlined ldquoNS Bracing for Hanna the message to Nova Scotians is they should have their 72 hour emergency preparedness kits ready to roll at any point We all know that itrsquos hurricane seasonrdquo Fortunately we were not affected

Another set of newspaper headlines that drew attention as we moved into our house at Prospect was ldquoClose Encounter of the Weird Kindrdquo This story concerned a tourist who had spied strange lights in the skies over Prospect and caught them on video At the local farmers market someone asked if anyone had heard about the UFO sightings An anonymous voice yelled from beyond the cabbages ldquoOh that must have been the Metz family moving inrdquo Carve Carne

9 February 2009

800 Goldstream AvenueVictoria V9B 2X7(250) 391-2801johnhorganmlalegbcca

John Horgan MLA

Our Office is Open to Serve You

Malahat - Juan de Fuca

CONTROVERSY OVER - Lyme Disease Exists On Vancouver Island by Patricia Sloan Local health officials have grudgingly accepted the fact that ticks infected with Lyme disease do indeed exist in our area In fact it is endemic on parts of Vancouver Island specifically in the Shawnigan area as well as other southern wooded regions such as Willis Point Sooke and Duncan It is vitally important that we all know this so we can protect ourselves as well as educate our physicians What is Lyme disease What causes it Lyme a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks In our area we commonly call them ldquodeer ticksrdquo but the resident species is the Western black-legged tick It is a relative of the scorpion When a tick is obvious recognized and treated the disease can be easily overcome within weeks by administration of a specific antibiotic If ignored or not immediately treated or inadequately treated the disease will eventually progress to the joints the heart and the nervous system leaving many people permanently and unnecessarily disabled Throughout North America diagnosis of this disease has been extremely difficult and therefore Lyme has been underrated and has become somewhat of a medical controversy Sufferers have been told they are depressed and are direly in need of psychiatric care that they have auto-immune chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia Crohnrsquos disease arthritis lupus irritable bowel memory loss myalgic encephalitis Parkinsons and other incurable debilitating and chronic life-altering illnesses - the lsquoblack holesrsquo of medical diagnoses These are extremely serious conditions Physicians who do acknowledge and treat Lyme disease have been subject to ridicule researchers have been harassed threatened and stalked A BC physician treating Lyme was investigated by his peers and forced to resign You will find that many local physicians and vets still continue to deny the existence of this increasing problem As mentioned a couple of years ago in these pages four Willis Point residents had imbedded ticks and each person was assessed and

treated differently ranging from no treatment at all through to IV antibiotics and complete excision of the tick One woman who had the classic lsquobullrsquos eyersquo rash and was quite ill was taken seriously only on a second visit to the doctor who hollowly said ldquoOh my goodnessrdquo and prescribed a lengthy antibiotic treatment What to watch for What to do Ticks gangsters of the trails live in the grasses and bushes hanging out waiting for blood When a luscious source of plasma comes their way such as a deer or a dog or a human with uncovered skin itrsquos party time Hungry ticks are small - about the size of a sesame seed - and painless and are easily overlooked A full tick (full of your blood) can swell to the size of a small grey grape and is fairly obvious unless in your hair Your cat or dog

can transfer ticks to you but the disease itself is not transmittable from pets Nor can Lyme be spread from person to person Ticks will catch on your clothes hair socks etc when you are out in the bush which for most of us is our back yards Prevention measures include full body armour (or so it seems) of long sleeves socks tucked into boots no bare skin etc but thatrsquos a lot to expect

from anyone walking down to the Bight in the summer lsquoDeetrsquo an insect repellent will do fine Just make sure to thoroughly check yourself and your pets after each walk Anyone you ask will give you a different method of removing ticks Oil matches heat pulling out clockwise pulling out counter-clockwise Vaseline ice etc (Irsquove heard good reports about a yellow plastic tick remover available at some vets) The best way is to go to medical services and let them take care of it If unable to get to a doctor within 24 hours slowly pull the tick straight out then save the tick for autopsy (The tickrsquos not yours) Try not to squish the tick because more toxins will be released The oil and matches trick will only set you on fire adding to your troubles Symptoms of Lyme Disease First stage (immediate to 3 weeks) fatigue chills fever headache muscle and joint pain swollen and sore lymph nodes The classic ldquobullrsquos eyerdquo rash gives you a huge clue It may appear at the bite site or elsewhere on your body This is a serious boot in the rear for you to get to medical services ASAP Second stage (untreated) will develop and last for several months central and peripheral nervous system disorders multiple skin rashes arthritis heart palpitations extreme fatigue and weakness (For those interested best-selling author Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club has late stages of Lyme and her story is scary - just Google lsquoamy tanrsquo then to the heading lsquolymersquo After reading what she has and is going through I know that I will be much more careful) Third stage (untreated) can last for years with more severe symptoms David Cubberly retired MLA for Saanich South has been an advocate for Vancouver Island Lyme disease victims For information call 250-952-4418 Walk safe

10 February 2009

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

From Shirley to Prospect- Every Dog Shall Have Her Say by Rosemary Metz

During the summer of this year we sold our house in Shirley and moved to Prospect Nova Scotia where we have family While we were in the process of moving residents from the JDF area demonstrated their awesome sense of community spirit Neighbours and friends from Shirley showed their big-heartedness by baking for us inviting us to dinners and offering places to stay during our upheavals Such camaraderie is not easily forgotten Our two enthusiastic Labradors Jasper and Phebe long since anthropomorphized into four legged human personalities would also like to thank our neighbours for the excellent baking they tasted whilst their ownersrsquo backs were turned pre-occupied that they were with box packing Dogs Phebe and Jasper want it to be known that they are proud of their perfected technique of lifting items of food from the table with a single sideways swipe of the tongue They are likewise pleased to have wagged and stolen their ways into our lives The following is in the form of a letter concerning differing perceptions of object and place to be read from an imagined canine perspective

Dear ReaderIt is said that Dog is Manrsquos best friend I would like to think that the reverse is also true And it could be said that our speciesrsquo specific needs tend to run on a parallel with humans For example dogs like certainty They like being fed regularly and appreciate a warm dry bed to sleep in This is very true Born as working dogs Labs like us need regular walks as well And when established certainty shows signs of breaking down canis familaris are similarly affected lsquoGoing to the dogsrsquo is a description of such a situation used by humans Whatever happens to a dogrsquos owners happens to the family mutt in one way or another This is definitely true

Moving home is a good example We dogs became suspicious that something was about to change in our lives when new scents began infiltrating our living space from late in 2007 This kind of change sneaks up on you slowly - like the sudden appearance of coloured ribbons in the woods where we walked daily Change was everywhere We did our best to reinforce our scent around the ribbons to recreate a kind of certainty Dog is manrsquos best friend and we were only helping him to mark his ground

At home and with little warning sometimes we all had to leave the house because a lsquohouse showingrsquo was soon to occur These persistent events dogged our daily routine Manic house cleaning always preceded the lsquohouse showingrsquo

It made no difference to us if fruity scented floor cleaners or straight ammonia were used It was only cosmetic Our two legged friends miss a lot when they rely so heavily on sight as a first line of observation Itrsquos strange how humans also born with five senses rely so much on only one They have even created such things as paintings where it seems humans deliberately try to confuse themselves Look at that painting called ldquoThe Death of Acteonrdquo by Titian which concerns a hunting scene where a stag is caught and killed by dogs The stag not really a stag but actually a human called Acteon has been cursed and transformed when caught watching the goddess Diana having a bath Whatrsquos the point in all that visual stuff Confusing As a dog would this visual nonsense get me out of a jam in the woods Would I be the hound or the hounded Why use one sense when yoursquove been born with five

Now that we are in Prospect those five senses have all had a chance to re-establish themselves Recent tropical storm season has helped sharpen our instincts as well as our ownerrsquos emergency preparedness Old Christmas cookie tins from last year that contained earthquake emergency food hidden outside our house in Shirley are now pressed into use for Prospect

The Chronicle Herald of Sunday September 5th headlined ldquoNS Bracing for Hanna the message to Nova Scotians is they should have their 72 hour emergency preparedness kits ready to roll at any point We all know that itrsquos hurricane seasonrdquo Fortunately we were not affected

Another set of newspaper headlines that drew attention as we moved into our house at Prospect was ldquoClose Encounter of the Weird Kindrdquo This story concerned a tourist who had spied strange lights in the skies over Prospect and caught them on video At the local farmers market someone asked if anyone had heard about the UFO sightings An anonymous voice yelled from beyond the cabbages ldquoOh that must have been the Metz family moving inrdquo Carve Carne

9 February 2009

800 Goldstream AvenueVictoria V9B 2X7(250) 391-2801johnhorganmlalegbcca

John Horgan MLA

Our Office is Open to Serve You

Malahat - Juan de Fuca

CONTROVERSY OVER - Lyme Disease Exists On Vancouver Island by Patricia Sloan Local health officials have grudgingly accepted the fact that ticks infected with Lyme disease do indeed exist in our area In fact it is endemic on parts of Vancouver Island specifically in the Shawnigan area as well as other southern wooded regions such as Willis Point Sooke and Duncan It is vitally important that we all know this so we can protect ourselves as well as educate our physicians What is Lyme disease What causes it Lyme a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks In our area we commonly call them ldquodeer ticksrdquo but the resident species is the Western black-legged tick It is a relative of the scorpion When a tick is obvious recognized and treated the disease can be easily overcome within weeks by administration of a specific antibiotic If ignored or not immediately treated or inadequately treated the disease will eventually progress to the joints the heart and the nervous system leaving many people permanently and unnecessarily disabled Throughout North America diagnosis of this disease has been extremely difficult and therefore Lyme has been underrated and has become somewhat of a medical controversy Sufferers have been told they are depressed and are direly in need of psychiatric care that they have auto-immune chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia Crohnrsquos disease arthritis lupus irritable bowel memory loss myalgic encephalitis Parkinsons and other incurable debilitating and chronic life-altering illnesses - the lsquoblack holesrsquo of medical diagnoses These are extremely serious conditions Physicians who do acknowledge and treat Lyme disease have been subject to ridicule researchers have been harassed threatened and stalked A BC physician treating Lyme was investigated by his peers and forced to resign You will find that many local physicians and vets still continue to deny the existence of this increasing problem As mentioned a couple of years ago in these pages four Willis Point residents had imbedded ticks and each person was assessed and

treated differently ranging from no treatment at all through to IV antibiotics and complete excision of the tick One woman who had the classic lsquobullrsquos eyersquo rash and was quite ill was taken seriously only on a second visit to the doctor who hollowly said ldquoOh my goodnessrdquo and prescribed a lengthy antibiotic treatment What to watch for What to do Ticks gangsters of the trails live in the grasses and bushes hanging out waiting for blood When a luscious source of plasma comes their way such as a deer or a dog or a human with uncovered skin itrsquos party time Hungry ticks are small - about the size of a sesame seed - and painless and are easily overlooked A full tick (full of your blood) can swell to the size of a small grey grape and is fairly obvious unless in your hair Your cat or dog

can transfer ticks to you but the disease itself is not transmittable from pets Nor can Lyme be spread from person to person Ticks will catch on your clothes hair socks etc when you are out in the bush which for most of us is our back yards Prevention measures include full body armour (or so it seems) of long sleeves socks tucked into boots no bare skin etc but thatrsquos a lot to expect

from anyone walking down to the Bight in the summer lsquoDeetrsquo an insect repellent will do fine Just make sure to thoroughly check yourself and your pets after each walk Anyone you ask will give you a different method of removing ticks Oil matches heat pulling out clockwise pulling out counter-clockwise Vaseline ice etc (Irsquove heard good reports about a yellow plastic tick remover available at some vets) The best way is to go to medical services and let them take care of it If unable to get to a doctor within 24 hours slowly pull the tick straight out then save the tick for autopsy (The tickrsquos not yours) Try not to squish the tick because more toxins will be released The oil and matches trick will only set you on fire adding to your troubles Symptoms of Lyme Disease First stage (immediate to 3 weeks) fatigue chills fever headache muscle and joint pain swollen and sore lymph nodes The classic ldquobullrsquos eyerdquo rash gives you a huge clue It may appear at the bite site or elsewhere on your body This is a serious boot in the rear for you to get to medical services ASAP Second stage (untreated) will develop and last for several months central and peripheral nervous system disorders multiple skin rashes arthritis heart palpitations extreme fatigue and weakness (For those interested best-selling author Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club has late stages of Lyme and her story is scary - just Google lsquoamy tanrsquo then to the heading lsquolymersquo After reading what she has and is going through I know that I will be much more careful) Third stage (untreated) can last for years with more severe symptoms David Cubberly retired MLA for Saanich South has been an advocate for Vancouver Island Lyme disease victims For information call 250-952-4418 Walk safe

10 February 2009

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

CONTROVERSY OVER - Lyme Disease Exists On Vancouver Island by Patricia Sloan Local health officials have grudgingly accepted the fact that ticks infected with Lyme disease do indeed exist in our area In fact it is endemic on parts of Vancouver Island specifically in the Shawnigan area as well as other southern wooded regions such as Willis Point Sooke and Duncan It is vitally important that we all know this so we can protect ourselves as well as educate our physicians What is Lyme disease What causes it Lyme a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans through infected ticks In our area we commonly call them ldquodeer ticksrdquo but the resident species is the Western black-legged tick It is a relative of the scorpion When a tick is obvious recognized and treated the disease can be easily overcome within weeks by administration of a specific antibiotic If ignored or not immediately treated or inadequately treated the disease will eventually progress to the joints the heart and the nervous system leaving many people permanently and unnecessarily disabled Throughout North America diagnosis of this disease has been extremely difficult and therefore Lyme has been underrated and has become somewhat of a medical controversy Sufferers have been told they are depressed and are direly in need of psychiatric care that they have auto-immune chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia Crohnrsquos disease arthritis lupus irritable bowel memory loss myalgic encephalitis Parkinsons and other incurable debilitating and chronic life-altering illnesses - the lsquoblack holesrsquo of medical diagnoses These are extremely serious conditions Physicians who do acknowledge and treat Lyme disease have been subject to ridicule researchers have been harassed threatened and stalked A BC physician treating Lyme was investigated by his peers and forced to resign You will find that many local physicians and vets still continue to deny the existence of this increasing problem As mentioned a couple of years ago in these pages four Willis Point residents had imbedded ticks and each person was assessed and

treated differently ranging from no treatment at all through to IV antibiotics and complete excision of the tick One woman who had the classic lsquobullrsquos eyersquo rash and was quite ill was taken seriously only on a second visit to the doctor who hollowly said ldquoOh my goodnessrdquo and prescribed a lengthy antibiotic treatment What to watch for What to do Ticks gangsters of the trails live in the grasses and bushes hanging out waiting for blood When a luscious source of plasma comes their way such as a deer or a dog or a human with uncovered skin itrsquos party time Hungry ticks are small - about the size of a sesame seed - and painless and are easily overlooked A full tick (full of your blood) can swell to the size of a small grey grape and is fairly obvious unless in your hair Your cat or dog

can transfer ticks to you but the disease itself is not transmittable from pets Nor can Lyme be spread from person to person Ticks will catch on your clothes hair socks etc when you are out in the bush which for most of us is our back yards Prevention measures include full body armour (or so it seems) of long sleeves socks tucked into boots no bare skin etc but thatrsquos a lot to expect

from anyone walking down to the Bight in the summer lsquoDeetrsquo an insect repellent will do fine Just make sure to thoroughly check yourself and your pets after each walk Anyone you ask will give you a different method of removing ticks Oil matches heat pulling out clockwise pulling out counter-clockwise Vaseline ice etc (Irsquove heard good reports about a yellow plastic tick remover available at some vets) The best way is to go to medical services and let them take care of it If unable to get to a doctor within 24 hours slowly pull the tick straight out then save the tick for autopsy (The tickrsquos not yours) Try not to squish the tick because more toxins will be released The oil and matches trick will only set you on fire adding to your troubles Symptoms of Lyme Disease First stage (immediate to 3 weeks) fatigue chills fever headache muscle and joint pain swollen and sore lymph nodes The classic ldquobullrsquos eyerdquo rash gives you a huge clue It may appear at the bite site or elsewhere on your body This is a serious boot in the rear for you to get to medical services ASAP Second stage (untreated) will develop and last for several months central and peripheral nervous system disorders multiple skin rashes arthritis heart palpitations extreme fatigue and weakness (For those interested best-selling author Amy Tan who wrote The Joy Luck Club has late stages of Lyme and her story is scary - just Google lsquoamy tanrsquo then to the heading lsquolymersquo After reading what she has and is going through I know that I will be much more careful) Third stage (untreated) can last for years with more severe symptoms David Cubberly retired MLA for Saanich South has been an advocate for Vancouver Island Lyme disease victims For information call 250-952-4418 Walk safe

10 February 2009

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

11 February 2009

Reflections from Sookeby Kathryn Kusyszyn

What do you get when you combine ten authors with a mission to inspire young writers during the 150th anniversary of BC Well when the group of authors is the Sooke Scribblers you get Reflections from Sooke a collection of short pieces and sketches with a local theme

All of the pieces are noteworthy in that their setting or subject is in this region For example the opening piece by Jill Morton is on the Lighthouse which stands at the Sooke Region Museum And Nancy Bennettrsquos poems include The Scots who came to Sooke and Vancouver Island Tsunami 1700 Whether real or imagined historical or contemporary each piece has something to offer the reader a vivid image a heartfelt emotion a familiar sounding voice a catchy rhyme or a surprise ending All are deeply imbued with a strong sense of place-this place we all call home

The Sooke Scribblers is a writing group founded by Shirley Skidmore over seven years ago Shirley is well-known for her murder mysteries including Murder on the Galloping Goose and the recently published Murder at the Sooke Potholes Reflections is the first collection from the Scribblers in five years Proceeds from the sale of this book go toward writing prizes for Edward Milne Community School students Two previous winners of these prizes Paulina Pallot and Joe Haverty make their debut in Reflections

The group meets once a month to exchange bad puns and give feedback on each otherrsquos work The atmosphere is one of convivi-ality and support Whether experienced or novice whether writing for fun or for work the group is open to new members Contact Shirley Skidmore on 642-7350 or shirleysmshawca for more information Reflections is available for purchase at The Read-ing Room Peoplersquos Drug Mart South Shore Gallery The Sooke Region Museum and The Market on Millstream Kathryn Kusys-zyn is a member of the Sooke Scribblers

6716 Otter Point Road Sookewwwsookeorgopbakery

A Warm Relaxed Atmosphere No Preservatives No Additives Saturday Brunch Buffet Lunch amp Breakfast Daily High Tea by Reservation Gift Shop Gift Shop

642-1825

Left to right Jill Morton Bill Skuce Shirley Skidmore Peter Lee Nancy Bennett Kathryn Kusyszyn Jackie Lamoureau

Absent Paulina Pallot Joe Haverty Kate HamerPhoto by Emily Morton

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

12 February 2009

Common Sense in Land Use Planningby Heather Phillips

Tempting to say ldquoI told you sordquo On January 7 2009 houses at the bottom of Chubb Road beside Kemp Lake were surrounded by water That evening we watched news clips of the people being evacuated from their homes That morning fellow lookie-loos down by the lake were saying ldquoI could have told themrdquo and ldquoWhy did they let this happenrdquo As reported in the Rural Observer in the spring of 2006 I was one of four people who actually tried to tell them Here is an update on what happened

The JDF staffmdashnot the same as todaymdashsaid they had to go with the professionalsrsquo opinions One professional told us the annual high water was lsquofloodingrsquo as if the high water mark would not help determine the natural boundary Another said lsquotop soilrsquo was taken out so foundations could be poured We never were confident that the professionals aka they actually used soil samples to figure out where the lake bed ended Wet clay isnrsquot my idea of top soil

I asked the Secretary Treasurer of the Association of BC Land Surveyors for advice He talked to the surveyor who told him a dam of logging debris at its east end caused Kemp Lake to maintain unnatural high levels Caused by human activity these high water levels didnrsquot establish a lsquonatural boundaryrsquo The surveyor used an earlier survey to determine the natural boundary The Secretary Treasurer phoned back to explain things were okay We never found a dam On January 7th the logs at the east end were floating with water flowing freely under them

The Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund of West Coast Environmental Law helped us hire a registered professional biologist She took soil samples in the neighbouring property and observed vegetation types She concluded the natural boundary of the lake was higher than shown on the registered survey We couldnrsquot get any answers so we eventually filed a complaint with the Association of BC Land Surveyors Over a year later they said everything had been done according to rules and regulations so we had no grounds for complaint We never did learn how the survey met the definition of natural boundary or met the public interest in safe housing Back in 2006 when building permits were issued for the requested sites people then working in the CRD offices referred to the registered survey and the Sooke Land Use Bylaw which dates from 1992 The Land Use Bylaw doesnrsquot agree with the Official Community Plan (OCP) that was in effect for Otter Point in 2006

The OCP recommended a 30 metre horizontal setback from the high water mark on Kemp Lake and had a policy statement prohibiting habitable buildings below the 200 year flood level of a water body when the flood level could be identified However the Sooke Land Use Bylaw refers to the natural boundary for set backs and construction levels The development permit required a setback of 30 metres from the natural boundary

A covenant on the land title specifies a 15 metre set back and a flood construction level 15 metres above the natural boundary as shown on the registered survey Common sense says when you decide on a house site work from an identified flood level especially if your lake doesnrsquot agree with your survey on where its natural boundary is The covenant also says if there is flooding or erosion the property owners wonrsquot claim damages from the Province or Capital Regional District

The moral of this story is if bylaws prevail over common sense then we need all you people with common sense to help put some in our new bylaws When developers depend on professional opinions and insist on the letter of the law it does not always protect our community The lookie-loos were right the houses should not have been built there Now we need to talk about the future

Photos by Rosemary Jorna

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

Court Decision To Be Appealedby Kelsey Singbeil

Another chapter was added to the Tree Farm Licence deletion story on January 7 2009

On December 23 2008 the BC Supreme Court ruled to strike down the Juan de Fuca Land Use Committee and in doing so ruled zoning bylaws for ShirleyJordan River and Otter Point invalid The court decision found that the process through which the bylaws were approved was flawed not the bylaws themselves But on January 7 the Capital Regional District(CRD) committed to appeal the court ruling

On October 15 and 16 2008 Western Forest Products and members of the Association of BC Landowners challenged the process by which the CRD implemented progressive zoning on forest lands in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area (JDFEA)

ldquoThe CRD passed the bylaws in response to the release of 28000 hectares of land from Tree Farm Licences 6 19 and 25 on Vancouver Island by the Minister of Forestsrdquo says a CRD media release on the appeal

Under the old bylaws Western Forest Products only had until April 23rd 2009 to have their subdivision development applications approved The December 23 2008 Supreme Court decision to quash the new bylaws extends that period indefinitely

The CRDrsquos appeal has the potential to slow Western Forest Productsrsquo development plans for the area and give local communities much-needed time to complete community planning In addition the CRDrsquos request for a stay of proceedings would keep the new bylaws in place until the appeal process is completed

ldquoBy failing to consult with local government and community stakeholders former Minister Coleman landed the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area in a planning nightmare as Official Community Plans Park Plans the Regional Growth Strategy and governance issues were in various stages of development The CRDrsquos bylaws were aimed at slowing proposed subdivision developments along the coast and the court case highlights the need for more community consultation around planning in the regionrdquo says Otter Point resident Rosemary Jorna ldquoWe need the space for this area and all the communities hit by the release of the TFLs to revisit planning documents and for local governments to initiate inventories of their regions to look at sensitive ecologies watersheds and future potential for agriculture parkland trails and green space I hope that the CRDrsquos appeal of the court case will give us that spacerdquo

Since the 2007 announcement of TFL deletions in the Electoral Area local communities recreation-users surfers environmentalists and a huge number of concerned citizens have been working to preserve the wild nature of the JDF and protect the west coast from large-scale development

The Ministry of Forests had previously stated that it is committed to working with the Ministries of Community Development Agriculture and Lands and Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure local governments are better positioned to exercise their

zoning authority in an appropriate and orderly manner if and when private land deletions occur

Dogwood supporters are asking Premier Gordon Campbell and Provincial Cabinet members to fix the WFP TFL land use issues in the JDFEA and step up to protect the public interest The WFP lands removed from the Tree Farm Licences in the JDF should be preserved as forest resource lands and not be developed This latest court case is again evidence that local communities and local and regional governments were not consulted and have been forced into a very difficult situation Kelsey Singbeil is Outreach Coordinator for the Dogwood Initiative

13 February 2009

Look for us at 6676 Sooke Roador email us at ordernutpopthaicom

A taste of

Chiang Mai Thailand

in the heart of

Sooke BC

Call 642-5911

ntp_ruralpdf 72508 90632 AM

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

14 February 2009

Liquid Shovel by Ted Mehler Port Renfrew

I canrsquot get out of Renfrew to the island of Shirley because the road is closed for many imperfections in the running surface and ditches and bridges due to a major winter rainfall After much snow that overstayed its welcome got too soggy to snowshoe in too heavy to shovel I ordered some rain (liquid shovel) from my weather radio self-serve store

I thought Irsquod order up some for Neah Bay Washington our neighbour to the south as we are in their rain shadow or maybe it is Victoria that receives less rain on the north side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca Surfers delight in a storm at the west entrance as that brings appropriate waves to Gordon River Sombrio Beach and on down to Jordon River Perhaps I overwished as roads are

closed due to floods slides downed trees the usual mishmash around here

I have been up since 0530 hours doing river watch to see if the storm brought too much or much too much My guess now is somewhat in between but definitely more than I ordered And much wider spread than my driveway Other people perhaps will not appreciate my generosity in ordering such a fine present nor the spirit in which it was ordered

I learned a lesson Before enlightenment chop wood

After enlightenment chop wood - but put on your rain gear when you get a surplus of riches

So I chopped firewood in the rain stacked it in the shed to dry for next winterrsquos storms so I can throw another log on the fire sip tea and snuggle

But now I gotta run do another check before dark and see how the swans geese and Great Blue Heron I saw at the 0800 hours patrol are doing

Stay dry summer is coming and you can complain about the lack of rain then

PS Sid I have carried the snowshoes about 2500 kms up and down the West Coast road looking for suitable snow Was it available only the day before you lent them to me

PPS By the way the weather did get worse the consequences greater and the amount of time and money to repair the damages to the roads will be extensive Next year I will go snowshoeing on the first available snowfall which is appropriate as it seems

there is only one snowfall a year here on the island for snowshoeing

Today I saw a determined surfer pedaling his mountain bike carrying his surfboard in his hand heading for Sombrio with at least another 6km to go besides how many he already pedalled All that to save a 5 hour drive the long way around Whoops the sun is coming out time to go chop wood

The road may be open for one lane traffic Jan 12th or 13th Work is being done now Engineering decisions have to be made to decide the full extent of the work to be done That determines how long it all will take Repaving to be done in the better spring weather

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

Disaster Financial Assistance In Juan de Fuca Electoral Areaby G A OBriain Emergency Coordinator for Juan de Fuca Emergency Program

We have just come through a wicked rainstorm that has taken a serious toll on the communities of Jordan River Shirley and Otter Point Some damage was also experienced in East Sooke and Port Renfrew This Provincial Program applies to all of the Juan de Fuca EA and those impacted by a disaster may apply to the Province for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available Disaster financial assistance helps to replace or restore essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged to pre-disaster condition

Assistance is available to qualifying home owners residential tenants small businesses farm operators and not-for-profit charitable organizations Applicants should be aware of the following

1048766 Financial assistance is provided for each acceptedclaim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000 to a maximum limit of $300000

1048766 Claims may be made in more than one category (eghome owner and farm operation)

1048766 A home owner or residential tenant must showthat the home is their principal residence Seasonal or recreational properties hot tubs patios pools garden tools landscaping luxury items (like jewelry fur coats and collectibles) are recreational items (like boats) are not eligible for assistance

1048766 Small business and farm owners must demonstrateit is their primary source of income Owners of damaged rental property must apply and qualify as a small business

1048766 Not-for-profit Charitable Organizations must provide abenefit of service to the community at large

1048766 Applications for DFA must be submitted to theProvincial Emergency Program (PEP) within 90 days of the date that DFA was authorized

Assistance is also available to local governments for

1048766 Emergency response measures authorized byPEP including incremental costs associated with their Emergency Operations Centre Financial assistance is provided for each accepted response claim at 100 percent

1048766 Recovery measure to replace essentialmaterials and rebuild or replace essential public infrastructures to the condition it was in before the disaster Assistance is provided for each accepted recovery claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1000

To apply for DFA the form and information for individuals and communities is available at the PEP Regional Offices PEP Recovery Office in Victoria at the toll-free telephone of 1-888-257-4777 or on the PEP website at wwwpepbcca There is financial assistance available when there are individual cases of extreme financial hardship from the Red Cross

15 February 2009

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDThe Juan de Fuca Emergency Program has an urgent need for the following personnel

Director of Training - Oversees all group and individual training for Program personnel

Director of Volunteers - Coordinates processing records and data for Program volunteers

Emergency Operations Centre requires volunteers to man the EOC during an emergency for the Operations Desk and the Logistics Desk

The Juan de Fuca Program provides training for the appropriate positions The time commitment is approximately two evenings a week

Please forward by letter your name and contact information to

Juan de Fuca Emergency Program2-6868 West Coast Road

PO Box 283 Sooke BC V9Z 0S9

See their website wwwredcrossca The Red Cross have individual household clean-up kits available through Juan de Fuca Emergency Social Services Director The Director may be reached at 2508830610 or by email at jdfesstelusnet

Road Washout at Denewood Place in ShirleyPhoto by Dominique Bernardet

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

16 February 2009

From the desk of John Horgan MLA Malahat - Juan de Fuca

Time for the Provincial Government to Work with Rural Areas

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities Two issues of primary

importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves

The Christmas season was complicated by the vagaries of the weather and the messy road conditions The shopping season is one that I enjoy more for the people I meet than the consumption It was a brief chat with a staffer at one of my shopping stops that brought into focus the early effects of the current global economic meltdown She was in her late fifties working in the retail sector waiting for her husband to retire before starting the next chapter in their lives Her perspective on the end of 2008 and the beginning of an uncertain new year is shared by many people in our area

The savings she had expected to be there to serve as the financial foundation for the rest of her life are in doubt Her children now adults with young families and new obligations are less sure that the near future would look anything at all like the recent past Big unknowns make predictions worthless and comfort difficult to find What will the money markets do Will President Obama come even close to our high expectations Those are the big questions that we here on Southern Vancouver Island have very little control over

We all assume extraordinary times require extraordinary measures but all we get from our leaders is the same old rhetoric A tune that seems increasingly off-key If we are on the cusp of a climate catastrophe as many contend then isnrsquot an unprecedented economic downturn the perfect time to completely change the way the economy works and how we act locally People sense that change is coming but is this generation the one to make the shift to a sustainable economy and put the brakes on the growth monster

The debate on how we govern ourselves here at home will be crucial to the future livability of the Capital Regional District Amalgamation studies are well advanced in Metchosin and East Sooke The second phase of the analysis will help residents understand if amalgamation is the right course for them The future of the WFP lands and how proposed development will proceed has again been altered At the end of December the

BIG BARE ROOT DECIDUOUS

TREES amp SHRUBS

NUMA FARMS NURSERY

Open Mon to Sat 830 ndash 430pm bull Closed Sunday bull Debit Visa Mastercard3459 Luxton Road Langford BC bull Tel 250-474-6005 bull numafarmsshawca

Ready to go early in February - email us for list

Rural RECIPE

The following recipe was submitted by Pia Carroll of the EMCS Culinary Arts Dept with this attached note ldquoThis is a recipe I made up quite a few years ago and one you will love to make and eat (It freezes very well) The yams give this soup a lovely flavour however squash may be substituted

African Yam Soup

IngredientsCooking Oil 125 mlOnions (diced) 1000 grYams (peeled and sliced into rings) 2350 grCarrots (diced) 400 grVegetable Stock 5 litresTomatoes 2-28 oz cansPeanut Butter 13 cupGarlic 56 grParsley 1 bunchHot sauce 2 TbspFresh Ginger 2 TbspCumin 1 frac12 TbspCurry Powder 2 TbspSalt amp Pepper 1 tsp or to taste

Method1 Sauteacute onions in oil until softened in a large pot2 Add sliced yams and carrots and cover with vegetable stock3 Add tomatoes garlic and remaining seasonings4 Bring soup to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to a simmer 5 Let cook for about 45 minutes (or more) as this helps to soften and cook through the vegetables and develops a wonderful flavour6 Taste and alter seasoning to your taste buds

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

February 200917

Supreme Court struck down bylaws that were intended to ensure growth in the unincorporated areas of the CRD was driven by community planning and public input The CRD has made a decision to appeal this ruling and also intends to ask for a stay of proceedings while the appeal is heard

The resulting uncertainty respecting land use compounds the economic turmoil for our region What is now required is a concerted effort by the CRD and the Province to restore certainty and facilitate proper planning for future growth and development It is more important now than ever that the Provincial government engage with the CRD our area director First Nations and our rural communities to prepare a plan that supports the vision of the majority of residents and large landowners alike

The WFP issue has been before us for almost two years and in that time the Provincial government has adopted a hands-off approach claiming that local government is responsible for development planning That is as it should be but the local government needs significant financial and human resources to do the job in the public interest The Province must first acknowledge the mistakes of the past 24 months and then commit to resolving the problems not with rhetoric but with resources Rural British Columbians deserve the same support as those in urban centres The Province failed the rural residents of the CRD and now is the time to correct that error

No matter where you stand the next number of months will be crucial to re-establishing the land use maps for the rural parts of the CRD I encourage residents to participate to the greatest extent possible to ensure you have a say in the future of our region The challenge is also an opportunity Working together in good faith we can get where we all want to be

Erosion of West Coast and Anderson Roads at the site of the Arden Gravel Operation Photos by Dominique Bernardet

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

Happy New Year The Rural Observer staff has offered me the chance to continue the JDF Directorrsquos report I of course am jumping at the opportunity to use the Rural Observer to communicate news progress wins and losses in my new job representing the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

First let me congratulate Ute Schnarr on her terrific campaign It was rough and tumble at times but always respectful between Ute and myself I wish Ute all the best and I look forward to tapping her knowledge over the next three years

For the past three weeks since my swearing-in as Regional Director I have met with the different tiers of the CRD staff learned how to use a blackberry and tried to tackle some individual problems of constituents We have a full slate of LUC and APC committee members with the exception of the Malahat Resident Darren Wright has volunteered to be the LUC member but it would be terrific to find five residents for the Malahat APC Please contact me if you are available for a meeting in the Malahat if land issues come about

My month of January will involve many meetings with various committees a major CRD Board meeting discussing the ramifications of the BC Land OwnersWFP court case and the day to day dealings including the design of a fire hall in Port Renfrew Our local CRD staff are looking forward to serving our constituents and using their expertise to help in any way possible

I can be reached at 250-642-1500 extension 207 or through my e-mail directorjdfcrdbcca E-mail is the best method to reach me The next month let alone the next three years will be very challenging I am up to the task and will do my very best to be fair and consistent Thank you for supporting me and I hope we can work together to keep improving our way of life in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area

All the BestMike Hicks

February 200918

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph (250) 413-7321Email advertiseruralobservercom

From Juan de Fuca Regional DirectorMike Hicks

Shirley resident John Walls captured this image from his kayak near Sheringham Point Lighthouse

On Our Cover

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

February 200919

Please help the Rural Observer by supporting our advertisers When you use their services tell them you found them in the Rural Observer

Alice McLean Pottery p4 642-3522

Candlelight amp Wine Creations p5 478-4822

Cindyrsquos Serenity Salon amp Spa p4 642-3758

Dr Keith Martin MP p7 474-6505

East Sooke Counselling p4 642-4074

Felix Irwin - Chartered Accountant p8 642-5277

Food CHI - p5

Fotoprint p2 382-8218

Force of Nature Landscaping p17 642-6920

Holmes Cleaning Services p6 642-2648

Hugh Gregory Fine Painting p11 480-8295

JdF Emergency Program pp10 15 642-2266

JdF Ground Search and Rescue p13 642-1085

John Horgan - Malahat Juan de Fuca MLA p9 391-2801

Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic p18 478-0422

Markusrsquo Wharfside Restaurant p12 642-3596

Marlene Bowman - Seagirt Pottery p17 642-7620

Numa Farms - p16 474-0006

Nut Pop Thai Restaurant p13 642-5911

Otter Point Tea Room amp Bakery p11 642-1825

Outbound Hounds p6 642-4440

Peoples Drug Mart p19 642-2226

Pure Elements Hair Design amp Bodyworks p18 642-6452

Rural Observer - Vivi Curutchet - Advertising pp4 18 413-7321

Salts Organic Clothing p9

Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Soc p20 646-2528

Sooke Harbour House p7 642-3421

Sooke Veterinary Hospital p 11 642-4413

The Market on Millstream p3 391-1110

The Stick In The Mud Coffee House p17 642-5635

Victoria Alarm Service p18 721-0266

WorkLink p7 642-3685

February 200920

February 200920