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Photo: Toby Snelgrove The winter blahs or after-the-party syndrome? Sealion takes a post-resolution snooze on the Southern Straits Belle on New Year’s Day.

Commentary by Elizabeth May Special Report by Patrick Brown Cancun agreements—2010’s dramatic finale Crown seeks to bury BC Rail deal evidence It was a nice way to end a year peppered large amounts of money and look the Special Crown Prosecutor is of BC Rail to CN. Basi and Virk were paid $6 with disappointments. other way as industrialized countries scheduled to appear in BC Supreme Court on million by the Province to cover their legal costs. In my last column for 2010, continue polluting—all led to a deep January 11, seeking an Order requiring the The testimony of witnesses, the only part of appearing on December 9, I wrote level of distrust as negotiations opened return of all evidence disclosed to the defense the trial which could be reported, was thus cut about the inspiring work of Canadian in Cancun. during the lengthy but abruptly wrapped-up short after the appearances of Martyn Brown, youth, using the example of pressing for By the time I arrived in Cancun on Basi-Virk trial process. former Chief of Staff to Premier Campbell, and climate action. Our young people were December 4, the atmosphere was But the BC Rail cat seems to be already out Brian Kenning, a former Director of BC Rail. out in force in Cancun, Mexico for the gloomy. Initially there were rumours of the bag; despite his surprise switch to a guilty Before the much-anticipated testimony of plea on October 18, David Basi is getting his former Finance Minister Gary Collins, plus 16th Conference of the Parties (COP) of that the Mexican host was also working the UN Framework Convention on on a secret text, as Denmark had done story out—releasing his memos from 2003. forty further witnesses, could take place. Climate Change. last year. Prospects for success were Berardino’s move continues a trend to Government’s Silence On The secrecy established during the Basi-Virk trail. They wore a powerful message on dampened when , Russia and BC Rail Deal The trial was covered by a publication ban, their T-shirts. It was a quote from Japan were named as countries Premier Campbell and other members of the granted by Associate Chief Justice Anne Christina Ora, a young woman from the unwilling to commit to a second phase BCLiberal government have for years refused MacKenzie, forbidding media reports on any Solomon Islands, at last year’s COP: ‘You of Kyoto. The mood was not optimistic. to answer questions about the BC Rail sale, with proceedings that took place when the jury was have been negotiating all my life. You At the mid-point in negotiations, the excuse that the matter was ‘before the not present. cannot tell me you need more time.’ Sunday, December 5, the president of courts’ in the Basi-Virk corruption trial. After Unusually, this publication ban was Now for the rest of the story. the conference, Mexico’s Minister of the trial conclusion, the Premier has taken the retroactive, effectively stifling the reporting of After last year’s failure in Foreign Affairs, Patricia Espinosa, position since Basi and Virk were ‘convicted’ the years of pre-trial legal argument over the Copenhagen, few held out any hopes for convened an informal session of the BC Rail affair is closed. On October 19, Premier relevance of documentation from the Crown a good result in Cancun. The abuse and plenary. Espinosa used that Sunday Campbell referred to Basi and Virk as session for what amounted to a group requested by the defense. Much of this ‘criminals’. lack of trust in Copenhagen—the argument had centred on the processes, hijacking of negotiations to back-rooms therapy session. She set out how she David Basi Documents planned to work over the remaining administrative and political, which resulted in by Barack Obama, the repeated insults the eventual sale of BC Rail to CN. Rekindle Interest In BC Rail to various delegations, particularly (and week, emphasizing repeatedly that she would not hold secret discussions. She The trial was unexpectedly concluded in Deal inexplicably) China by the host explained that she was setting up a October; on the day Dave Basi and Bobby Virk However, the documents recently disclosed by government, the rich country gambit suddenly agreed to plead guilty to corruption Basi have rekindled interest in what actually CANCUN please turn to page 15 that developing countries would take charges in connection with the Province’s sale BC RAIL please turn to page 9

is available at these SERIOUS COFFEE locations — look for the ‘Island Tides’ yellow boxes or racks inside! Sidney—Beacon Avenue Mill Bay—Island Highway @ Frayne Rd Parksville—Heritage Centre Mall —Across from the Hospital South Duncan—Sun Valley Mall Courtenay—Southgate Centre, Cliffe Ave Nanaimo—Hammond Bay Rd Duncan—Cowichan Commons Mall Port Alberni—Shoppers Drugmart Plaza, 10th Ave Nanaimo—South Parkway Plaza Nanaimo—Hammond Bay Rd, CO-OP Campbell River—Island Highway near Larwood Rd Page 2, ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2011

AT POINT ATKINSON JANUARY

Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m.

0327 9.5 2.9 0639 15.7 4.8 Photo John Aitken 12 1013 14.4 4.4 20 1203 10.8 3.3 WE 1801 5.9 1.8 TH 1653 14.1 4.3 White on white, pampas grass bends under a snowload. 2358 1.6 0.5 0122 11.2 3.4 0707 16.1 4.9 13 0417 10.8 3.3 21 1251 9.5 2.9 TH 1043 14.1 4.3 FR 1751 13.8 4.2 Halt destaffing lighthouses, says Senate committee 1848 5.2 1.6 An interim report from the Standing Senate Committee on be determined on a lighthouse by lighthouse basis, after a 0250 12.1 3.7 0039 2.3 0.7 14 0539 11.8 3.6 22 0737 16.1 4.9 Fisheries and Oceans is titled ‘Seeing the Light’—and it looks complete review of the functions carried out, not only for FR 1119 14.1 4.3 SA 1342 8.5 2.6 as if the committee, which toured the BC coast in late navigation, but also for environmental monitoring, climate 1935 4.6 1.4 1852 13.1 4.0 November, actually did. (See an hilarious description of studies, sea-state reporting, whale research, search and 0349 13.1 4.0 0119 3.6 1.1 15 0728 12.5 3.8 23 0808 16.4 5.0 their visit to Saturna online at www.islandtides.com in our rescue, air navigation, coastal watch, security, and the safety SA 1204 13.8 4.2 SU 1435 7.2 2.2 Nov 25 edition, Saturna Notes page 10.) of coastal traffic, particularly smaller vessels. The 2022 3.6 1.1 1959 12.5 3.8 Since the 1970s, the Coast Guard has been systematically maintenance of navigational aids, particularly in poor 0431 13.8 4.2 0201 5.2 1.6 16 0850 12.5 3.8 24 0841 16.4 5.0 automating lighthouses and removing staff from them. In visibility, remains a problem that can only be dealt with by SU 1257 13.8 4.2 MO 1530 5.9 1.8 2108 2.6 0.8 2118 12.1 3.7 the 1990s, the object of the program was to phase out staff. lighthouse keepers at all remaining staffed lightstations, The recommendation extends to consideration of 0508 14.4 4.4 0246 7.2 2.2 17 0947 12.5 3.8 25 0915 16.1 4.9 which by that time were limited to and restaffing currently automated lightstations. MO 1356 14.1 4.3 TU 1626 4.9 1.5 2152 2.0 0.6 2253 11.8 3.6 Newfoundland and Labrador. Following public protest The Recommendations 0540 15.1 4.6 0339 9.2 2.8 from both coasts, the program was halted in 1998. Recommendation 1: 18 1033 12.1 3.7 26 0952 15.4 4.7 The latest review by the Senate committee resulted in a The Committee recommends that the Canadian Coast TU 1456 14.1 4.3 WE 1724 4.3 1.3 2236 1.3 0.4 strong recommendation that the Coast Guard halt their Guard halt its current destaffing plan, and that destaffing, 0610 15.4 4.7 0041 12.5 3.8 practice of cyclical reviews aimed at a general elimination continued staffing, or restaffing be determined on a 19 1117 11.5 3.5 27 0448 10.8 3.3 of lighthouse staffing. These have been undertaken on the WE 1555 14.4 4.4 TH 1034 14.8 4.5 lightstation-by-lightstation basis through appropriate 2317 1.3 0.4 1823 3.6 1.1 basis that the automation of navigational aids makes guidelines and thorough consultations. Until this is lighthouse staff redundant everywhere. completed, current lightkeeper staff levels should be Instead, the committee recommends that staffing needs LIGHTHOUSES, please turn to page 12 Inland rainforest reprieve ignored AT JANUARY The BC Ministry of Forests has ignored a logging than just timber...your opinions are important to us!’ moratorium recommended by BC’s Forest Practices Board However, residents of Crescent Spur, 60km away from Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. (FPD) to maintain a large carbon sink that would mitigate McBride, have been told to find other sources of household 0220 7.2 2.2 0636 11.5 3.5 climate change, says Valhal Wilderness Socierty. The Forest water while the McBride Community Forest destroys their 12 0946 10.8 3.3 20 1128 9.2 2.8 WE 1742 4.3 1.3 TH 1544 10.5 3.2 Practices Board recommended a halt to all logging of the water supplies, says Valhalla Wilderness. 2312 1.0 0.3 Ancient Cedar-Hemlock Rainforest of Robson Valley for up The Crescent Spur-Loos Community Association is 1008 10.8 3.3 0701 11.5 3.5 to ten years (IRC 137), while government determined how highly concerned that, after many years of cooperative 13 1824 3.6 1.1 21 1219 8.2 2.5 TH FR 1648 10.2 3.1 to remove the proven extinction-threat to the Rainforest. planning efforts with government agencies, government is 2352 1.6 0.5 The Valley contains the heart of the world’s only Inland now allowing land-use that is inconsistent with those land 1033 10.5 3.2 0727 11.8 3.6 Temperate Rainforest. use commitments. The Association says that it supports the 14 1906 3.0 0.9 22 1314 7.2 2.2 FR SA 1758 9.5 2.9 However, now the McBride Community Forest Forest Practice Board’s 10-year moratorium to allow time Corporation has announced it will proceed to log the ancient for improved planning to safeguard the globally unique 0443 9.8 3.0 0032 3.0 0.9 cedar even though it will actually lose money in doing so. Rainforest and to diversify a sustainable economy 15 0604 9.8 3.0 23 0753 11.8 3.6 SA 1105 10.5 3.2 SU 1411 6.2 1.9 Despite the fact that McBride Community Forest had throughout the Robson Valley. 1947 2.3 0.7 1919 8.5 2.6 written to local communities that it supported the FPB’s Why Save The Cedar Hemlock 0457 10.5 3.2 0112 4.3 1.3 recommendation; it now plans to subsidize, by $225,000, 16 0802 10.2 3.1 24 0820 11.8 3.6 Rainforest? SU 1149 10.5 3.2 MO 1508 4.9 1.5 the cutting of the Cedar-Hemlock forest. The Forest Practices Board had determined that the Inland 2028 1.6 0.5 2056 8.2 2.5 According to the McBride Community Forest’s website Rainforest, its carbon storage, and its unique species are in 0521 10.8 3.3 0153 5.6 1.7 17 0916 10.2 3.1 25 0849 11.8 3.6 (www.mcbridecommunityforest.com): ‘The community danger of extinction after an extensive study. ‘Government MO 1245 10.8 3.3 TU 1605 3.9 1.2 forest was intended to serve the social, economic and is not acting in the public interest or the law,’ said ecologist 2109 1.0 0.3 2250 8.2 2.5 environmental needs of the community...we will be 0546 11.2 3.4 0240 7.2 2.2 CEDAR-HEMLOCK RAINFOREST, please turn to next page 18 1003 10.2 3.1 26 0919 11.5 3.5 managing the forest for all of its product potential rather TU 1344 10.8 3.3 WE 1701 3.0 0.9 2151 0.7 0.2 0611 11.5 3.5 0059 8.9 2.7 19 1044 9.8 3.0 27 0340 8.5 2.6 WE 1443 10.8 3.3 TH 0951 11.2 3.4 2231 0.7 0.2 1758 2.3 0.7 A Truly Island Home Tide Table Courtesy of Durable dock systems for exposed locations Build your Dream • Build it Green Ross Walker 250-537-9710 • Prefab custom home packages • Qualified builders available • Visit one of our island show homes • Off grid options On Time & On Budget Email: [email protected] www.islandmarine.ca 866-352-5503 www.mandalahomes.com [email protected] Conservation through ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2011, Page 3 social media, novel fundraising An innovative fundraising campaign using social media, launched by a small group of residents from the Gowlland Highlands on southern Island, is paying dividends. It has attracted a whole new group of supporters—from the Province of Québec. Proving that environmental support for local land conservation has no geographical boundaries, the Mary Lake Conservancy’s campaign has, through social networking, gone viral over the last week, received donations from Québec residents totaling a $7,570. Spurred by a recent media report, Québec resident Patrice Montminy was inspired to help Save Mary Lake from 4,000 km away. ‘Even if it’s far, it’s still my country,’ says Montminy, ‘I don’t think I’ll be able to go there to see my square metres but maybe my daughters or my grandkids will go there one day and see my name.’ Mary Lake Conservancy Leader Bob McMinn is overjoyed by the support from across Canada. ‘Although these people may never have a chance to view the splendid land,’ says McMinn, ‘they are proving that protecting this valuable property is not only a local, but a global responsibility.’ The Save Mary Lake campaign aims to preserve 107 acres of ’s dry coastal Douglas fir ecosystem, imperilled by development, by raising a total of $4.5 million. Photo Brian Haller Since its launched in late October, the campaign has sold more than 14,420 virtual square metres of the Mary Lake Mist in the woods. property from a digital map on a website, raising upwards of $185,000. CEDAR-HEMLOCK RAINFOREST from page 2 With just under a month left to meet their first financing Dr Rick Zammuto, CEO of Save-The-Cedar League from IS YOUR goal of $1 million (65,000 square metres) by January 31, Crescent Spur. ‘The Ancient Cedar-Hemlock Rainforest has the Mary Lake Conservancy has now launched a nation- WELL WATER been estimated by scientists to contain around 5% of the SAFE TO DRINK? wide video contest. Canadians are encouraged to create a world’s carbon stored in the earth’s forests, so cutting it short video that inspires people in their lives to save a down … is a world-class catastrophe.’ Contamination can occur square metre of Mary Lake. The grand prize starts off at Not only has the Forest Practices Board recommended without changes in colour or $1,000 and a sponsor will chip in an extra $1 for every $100 that the Cedar-Hemlock be kept standing while taste. Be safe, test annually. donated in January 2011 up to the maximum of $10,000. government determines how best to proceed; many other Full contest details and an introductory video, created by government staff have agreed. 250-656-1334 McMinn, can be found on the website at Dr Zammuto says that a law orders the province to www.SaveMaryLake.com/contest. protect 53% of the old-growth cedar-hemlock. Citizens of Why Mary Lake? the valley filed a complaint with the Forest Practices Board The Mary Lake parcel is a carefully conserved ecosystem. when the BC Government failed to implement the board’s It provides habitat for mammals such as deer and otter, recommendations. fax: 250-656-0443 Website: www.mblabs.com fish, birds and a variety of reptiles and amphibians, as well The Save-The-Cedar League is now paying $4,000 for Email: [email protected] as a diverse array of plant species. Lying between Gowlland their Freedom of Information request to find out why the Tod Provincial Park and Thetis Lake Regional Park, the Forest Practices Board’s recommendation was ignored, 2062 Unit 4 Henry Ave. West, Sidney, B.C. V8L 5Y1 Mary Lake property provides an important wildlife corridor says Valhalla Wilderness. between these two large areas of parkland. ‘This is the biggest crisis for the Inland Temperate The Creek, a seasonal stream, runs north into the lake Rainforest in the whole Interior Wetbelt at this time,’ says and south out. Springs keep water levels remarkably Anne Sherrod, Chair of Valhalla Wilderness Society. They We offer constant, considering the dry summer climate of southern are ready to cut down 1,000+ year old cedars for pulp to Vancouver Island. The lake’s steady water level creates a make toilet paper and other throwaway items. The visitors a refuge for fish and waterfowl during the dry summer government and the timber companies are also cutting months. down the last remnants of land-use democracy all over this better deal! Riparian ecosystems are found along Millstream and province.’ Earsman Creeks and throughout the Mary Lake property. ‘My family eats from my organic garden all year that Our quality accommodation includes: Relatively few upland and riparian areas of the Dry Coastal needs the springs that will be destroyed at the planned indoor pool, sauna, Douglas Fir Zone remain undisturbed. logging sites,’ said Crescent Spur resident Ben Stoner. 0 free parking, in-room coffee, In addition, the Mary Lake property, with its natural trail a convenient location network established over the past 60 years, would provide SHORELINE and a warm welcome. a key link in the Southern Vancouver Island trail network. • SpecializingSpe in water Stay with us. It is the missing component in a proposed regional trail DESIGN accessacc over steep from Thetis Lake Park to Gowlland Tod Park and in The & rugged * Capital Regional District’s Sea-to-Sea Greenbelt. terrain $ Once the purchase price of the property is raised, Mary from3955 Lake will continue to remove carbon from the atmosphere • Fully insured as a natural carbon sink and provide a home to hundreds 3110 DOUGLAS ST. VICTORIA, BC V8Z 3K4 of plant and animal species. • Excellent across from Mayfair Shopping Centre, references Supporters can purchase a virtual square metre for $10 1-800-997-6797 by texting ‘MARY’ to 45678 or by choosing their square Peter Christenson • 250-629-8386 www.blueridgeinn.ca * Single occupancy. Subject to availability. Valid to March 31, 2011. metre on the website at www.SaveMaryLake.com. 0 www.shorelinedesign.ca * Single occupancy. Subject to availability. Valid to March 31, 2003

NANAIMO We’re all about the Islands (Departure Bay) • Eight scheduled flights daily • Newest and fastest Seaplane fleet in Canada For scheduled flight info call VANCOUVER • Departure from Seair Terminal at INT’L AIRPORT Vancouver Int’l Airport 1-800-447-3247 • Free Parking and Free shuttle to Main Terminal or visit our website at • Frequent flyer discounts SEAPLANES • Charter flights available to other destinations seairseaplanes.com Our Islands. Our World. Page 4, ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2011 Editorial: 2011 - A Year For Change? We predict a year of the unpredictable: weather and unnecessary to government (whatever the official line is). It elections. The weather may be hotter, colder, wetter and really doesn’t make any difference if you don’t vote, implies dryer, even windier. Politics will be much the same. government, and, hey, that’s okay as long as we remain in We hope for change, in politics if not the weather. power to look after the ‘economy’. 18,750 copies this edition Currently there is a renewed interest in politics in BC (see This insidious message is heard loud and clear by Every Second Thursday letters below)—outside an election period yet! We hope that, younger citizens, and they respond in large numbers by not if general elections are called, it will translate into increased voting . Canada should not be surprised at this. But Canada ’S ONLY FREE & voter turnout—especially turnout for change. should be afraid. Very afraid. Afraid that deliberate policy MAIL DELIVERY NEWSPAPER We think the reason for turnout decline is that many to produce public apathy will succeed. citizens feel that they have no power over government—this Afraid that people, and particularly the young, will forget is a serious decline in democracy. that they have the final word—at least a veto and perhaps But it’s no wonder; government repeats over and over power for change—their vote. Afraid that this will rob them 14,300 print copies delivered to again that its ‘focus’ is on the ‘economy’. The ‘economy’ of of a vibrant and inspiring future. course, doesn’t vote but it buys the government it wants, There are enough young people to effect the change they S. & N. ’ households and has done so for years. Public apathy is a key element of need. They must not wait for old politicians, in old parties, political strategy. to lead them. 0 Government sends the message that the public is, in fact, Readers’ Letters consider putting a note on his refrigerator as a reminder thoroughly scrutinize each candidate and then vote for the 2,700 print copies on the Ferry Routes and that he is not Minister of Energy, he’s Minister of, that next person that will best represent the riding, BC and ultimately, in Victoria, Sidney, Mill Bay, Duncan, one along in the alphabet, ‘Environment’. Canada. Chemainus, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, That fact seems to have escaped him on Wednesday, To have the leader of a federal party running in Bowser, Campbell River & Port Alberni December 15 when he was confronted by an anti-coal mine Saanich–Gulf Islands and succeeding will bring much 1,750 online pdf readers each edition demonstration outside his offices in Sidney. Rather than attention to Western Canada, providing a voice that has www.islandtides.com assure protesters that his ministry would apply the strictest been noticeably absent for many decades. regulatory standards in provincial history before any Indeed, Elizabeth May would bring international ISLAND TIDES PUBLISHING Ltd permits would be issued to construct a coal mine adjacent attention to our area as she was recently listed as one of the Box 55, , BC, V0N 2M0 to the community of Fanny Bay on Vancouver Island (as world’s most influential women by Newsweek. one might expect from the Minister of Environment) he The significance of an upcoming vote is immeasurable Owner, Publisher & Editor: Christa Grace-Warrick opened his remarks by saying that ‘Coal is part of our on so many fronts. Assistant Publisher: Jill Moran economy in this Province, has been for many years.’ C MacDonald, Contributors: Patrick Brown, Priscilla Ewbank, Sara Miles And—just in case we missed it—he concluded with ‘coal Provincial Election Toby Snelgrove, Brian Haller, John Aitken, Elizabeth May is definitely part of the economy of British Columbia.’ Go Dear Editor: Zorah Staar, Derek Holzapfel, Kim Tucker, Robert figure! Murray, the word on your office door is The political situation in BC is now wide open. Both major Montgomery, Brian Crumblehulme, Susan Banjavich ‘Environment’ not ‘Energy’! Check it out! parties will be holding leadership conventions. Out with the Graham Brazier, old, in with the new. We should all be thankful that Gordon Tel: 250-629-3660 • Fax: 250-629-3838 Ed’s Note: Graham, Graham, Graham—the word on his Campbell has resigned. He is the fifth elected premier in a Email:[email protected] & [email protected] door is ‘Coell’! row to resign. This doesn’t say much for our provincial Deadline: Wednesday Between Publications Serving The Public governments. Not since Dave Barrett was our premier have we had Dear Editor: Off-Island Canadian Print Subscription $44.80 decent, honest, and sincere government. Some would For me, it was very disappointing to read Corky Evans’ well Voluntary Mail & Box Pick-up Subscription $28.00 disagree, saying that he was bad for business, but he International Subs: $60.00 • Free online in PDF format written article and see that even he missed the point. To brought us medicare and the ALR, and most of the 39 pieces regain our democratic process, we need politicians whose of legislation passed by his government still exist. Global Killers first concern is to ‘serve the people’ not ‘to serve the party’. Campbell, in my opinion, was the worst. He should have Dear Editor: Serving the party is a major factor contributing to the been forced to resign after his drunk driving conviction. He The world’s biggest killers are HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. current disruptive and divisive nature of Question Period at went on to sell BC Rail in what was surely the sleaziest, most These three are so globally devastating that enormous funds the federal and provincial levels. There, questions are not corrupt deal in the history of BC politics. The truth was are allocated solely towards their treatment. But there is a about ‘serving the people’ they are about trying to embarrass covered up and cabinet ministers got away without being problem: Huge numbers of people with HIV are also the government in power and thereby create ‘hot issues’ that charged. and Gary Collins resigned. Dave Basi infected with TB. And while many are being treated for the will ultimately lead to their defeat. and Bob Virk received minor sentences. former, the latter is too often ignored. Every three minutes Are we still just teenagers as a nation? I think so, and the What should be obvious to British Columbians is that the a person living with HIV has his or her life cut off antics that take place during Question Period sure seem to two-party system is a total failure. Twenty years of prematurely by TB. support that suggestion. corruption, deceit, and economic mismanagement should This is a double tragedy in that not only is another life And, the responses of the government are never answers tell us that. lost, but scarce resources are wasted as well. HIV treatment but simply retorts, in most cases just as spiteful as the However, there is hope. If the people of the province cost of hundreds of dollars a year per person. TB cost only questions. could elect 15 or 20 independents, and five MLAs from the $20, yet TB will kill half of those with HIV. Mark Twain called on politicians to ‘do the right thing’. ‘other’ parties, then they would be able to hold government This is a lamentable problem that is largely bureaucratic He said that if they did the right thing ‘it would amaze most accountable for their actions and decisions, and we would in nature. One agency targets HIV, another targets TB, and of the people and astonish the rest.’ have some semblance of democracy. too often they don’t work together. We need politicians who have the courage to do the right Neither the Liberals nor the NDP deserve more than 30 Every person receiving HIV treatment needs to be tested thing and thereby really ‘serve the people’ of their province seats in the legislature. and treated for TB. CIDA needs to confront this problem or country, not just the personal agenda of the leader of their The best chance for the NDP would be to elect someone and ensure that all HIV funding includes appropriate party. Then we will regain our democratic process! like Corky Evans as leader. Maybe Nelson Riis or Gwen amounts for TB treatment. Mark Slater, Pender Island Barlee would run, someone with good credentials. Keeping funding for these two diseases separate ensures Federal Election Coming Up that millions of unnecessary deaths will occur, expensive We can still agree on some things. Such as, we live in a Dear Editor: HIV treatments wasted, and TB will continue its global beautiful province and in a great country—and yet we have Given that the federal budget bill may not pass and an scourge. the worst governments and politicians. Nathaniel Poole, Victoria election be triggered, I hope the people of Saanich–Gulf Michael Atwood, Williams Lake Portfolio Muddle? What’s In A Name? Islands have recognized the opportunity before them and Ed’s Note: The above letter was also published in the get on the Elizabeth May bandwagon. Impeccable Dear Editor: Williams Lake Tribune. credentials, intelligence and political savvy are the traits of Apparently the chaos in Victoria is spreading. At least one New Year Wish the only logical choice facing Saanich–Gulf Islands. shuffled Cabinet Minister is having trouble remembering Dear Editor: Time to break with tradition, vote for the best candidate which portfolio he holds. Or maybe it’s alphabetical order ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’ We could and leave party politics out of it. My hope is, that the public that’s troubling for Murray Coell. In any case, he might probably use this quote from Charles Dickens for almost do their homework, educate themselves on the issues, any time in history. There will always be things to worry about and there will always be things to be grateful for. Butler Gravel & I am concerned about the need to ‘act quickly’ during the    Concrete…Better current environmental and economic crisis. Concerned that from the ground up! we may not give enough time to examine the ‘quick and Reliable Service, Quality Products immediate solutions’ with their implications on our earth & Competitive Prices and its various life forms. Concerned that we are trying desperately to hold onto the ‘status quo’ while not Serving All The Gulf Islands   acknowledging that the perpetual growth/ lending/ debt Phone 250-652-4484 machine and the institutions that administer it that form   !" ##"$ Fax 250-652-4486 the root of our current economic crisis. Concerned that we are not asking ourselves exactly what are we trying to hold             6700 Butler Crescent, Saanichton, B.C. LETTERS, continued on next page ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2011, Page 5

Photo:Susan Banjavich New life does not wait for the weather. Some of the 2011’s first newborns on Gabriola, these are specialty breed sheep.

LETTERS from previous page onto. The economic stability that we thought we had until an entirely too big a problem to even begin to contemplate basic idea is to move one of the Routes Nº5/5A ships to it crumbled beneath our feet? The great travel plans we had by oneself. Long Harbour. It would then go from Long Harbour to for our retirement until the price of oil went crazy and we Implementing change will require a concentrated effort Sturdies Bay, Village Bay, Lyall Harbour, Otter Bay and on parked the RV, or maybe the global warming implications and it is going to take all of us, a collective dream, to create to Swartz Bay. It would drop Tsawwassen traffic at Village of air travel? Concerned about the great world we are trying anything sustainable. What we do know is that everything Bay. The other ship would go from Swartz Bay to Otter Bay, to create for our children so they can have the best will change. What we don’t know is if the hearts of the Lyall Harbour, Village Bay, Sturdies Bay. It also would drop opportunity for … living comfortably in a world without the peoples of this earth will be reflected in what flavour this Tsawwassen traffic at Village Bay. Route Nº9 would go ability to control their own food (GMO crops, terminator change will have. Long Harbour, Village Bay, Tsawwassen and return. Routes seeds, shutting down local meat suppliers, controlling It is my hope we will find the spaces to voice our opinions Nº5/5A would do a criss-cross run. farmer’s markets), without the ability to control the and truly listen to the opinions of others. It is my hope that There is room at Long Harbour for a simple floating pollutants in our environment (as we discover our truly we will all stand up to be counted. It is my belief there is a dock, such as is in use at Vesuvius behind the present dock. global community and what we exploit on the other side of place for everyone. Let a New Year begin! They are not expensive to build. The present employees the planet can come back to haunt us via the great wind parking lot could be moved to the top of the hill and that lot Leslie Goresky, streams), without the ability to take responsibility for our used for inter-Island traffic. actions as the powers that be insist on ‘taking care’ of us by Building on Route Nº9 I remember when there was inter-Island routing and limiting our choices. Dear Editor: many contractors from Salt Spring worked on the Outer So what is the ‘truth’? What are the sustainable dreams? The idea of having a Route Nº 1 vessel stop at Village Bay to Islands. It was cheaper than bringing people in from What are the unsustainable ones? Do we want to even pick up traffic has been tried in the past. It did not achieve Vancouver Island. It was also easy for tourists to ‘Island hop’ know? Maybe losing our loved ones to earth and air the objective of eliminating Route Nº9. All it did is create thereby generating more revenue for all the Islanders and pollution caused cancers won’t feel so bad when the new havoc on Route Nº 1 with reduced service and traffic. LETTERS, please turn to page 6 pharmaceuticals designed to cure cancer come on stream. Instead of destroying Route Nº9, build on it; thereby Maybe the dreams of colonizing Mars can sustain us. It is increasing service, utilization and ultimately revenue. The GORDON’S HOMES Your Gulf Island Experts in New and Used Vancouver Island & The Gulf Islands Modular and Manufactured Homes. SINGLE EVENT • $31.50 • With image $36.75 (max 45 words) MULTI-VENUE • $42 • With image $47.25 (max 70 words) ‘What’s On?’ The Kelowna Payment with order only. VISA & Mastercard credit card accepted Friday, January 21 Thursday, January 27 Salt Spring Island Water Preservation Society— The Salt Spring Chamber Players—co-directors Laurie Annual General Meeting; guest speaker Oliver Brandes of the and Jim Stubbs present a This new modern design is like no other you have seen. Water Sustainability Project at UVic will speak on ‘Water Act concert featuring Matthew Loaded with options it is definitely worth a look! Enjoy the modernization’; all welcome • Harbour House Hotel, Crofton Stubbs, Pianist (15-years-old), freedom of Modular living today. We have an experienced Room • 7pm • Info: [email protected]• ON SALT chamber music by Max Bruch team of experts from design to delivery to help you every step SPRING ISLAND and F. Poulenc and solo piano of the way. Over 40 years in business. Call us today. -wide Visibility music by Debussy, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff and Chopin. • Gordon’s Homes For Your Event ArtSpring • 8pm • Tickets: 250- 1985 South Wellington Rd, Nanaimo [email protected] • 250-629-3660 537-2102 • ON SALT SPRING ISLAND 1-800-616-1291 [email protected] www.gordonshomesales.com Page 6, ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2011 CRD land purchase completes Brooks Point Regional Park The Capital Regional District and The Land Conservancy of looking for conservation donors, buyers or investors to help purchase price by selling a portion of the property after the British Columbia have announce a land acquisition of 1.17 cover the price. The CRD will need to borrow funds because Regional Parks’ goal of linking the two existing parcels is hectares to complete Brooks Point Regional Park on South financial resources in the Land Acquisition Fund were secured. CRD and TLC will work with the Pender Island Pender Island. committed to the $15.8 million purchase of the Western community to explore options to raise funds to cover the ‘This parcel of land has been high on the CRD Regional Forest Products land in Jordan River and the Sooke Hills net purchase cost of the property. Parks’ priority list for a decade,’ said CRD Board Chair Geoff in March 2010. Brooks Point Regional Park is an oceanfront park Young. ‘Purchasing the parcel takes advantage of a prime ‘With this acquisition we are adding some of the most featuring an intertidal rocky shore and beach, meadows and opportunity to join two park segments that were separated spectacular and beautiful waterfront in the Gulf Islands to commanding views of Boundary Pass and the San Juan by private property.’ the Regional Parks system. The park provides beach access, Islands. The CRD, TLC, Pender community and other CRD and TLC have partnered to purchase the parcel. amazing marine views, and an abundance of wildflowers,’ partners raised funds to purchase the original 4.8 hectares, Under the agreement, the CRD will borrow $1,650,000 and said TLC Executive Director Bill Turner. including Gowlland Point, in 1998 and 2000. 0 pay the principal back over five years. TLC will pay the In approving the acquisition the CRD Board indicated interest costs estimated to be $216,525 and are currently that its intent, if possible, is to recover all or a portion of the

LETTERS from page 5 bay and as extensive archaeological research an ancient shell-fish bed, and the logging pay our ‘guilt money’. And, to some extent the ferry corporation. That is all revenue has demonstrated at Shingle Point. company access road is plowed right (being realistic) this is guilt money— which has been lost. Valdes has the largest remaining tract of through a 4ft deep shell midden in two although it provides for good alternative The advantages of this idea are that there ancient fir forest; the entire west side of places. Industrial logging has stripped the works in many cases. is greater utilization of all runs, greater inter- Valdes is undeveloped and the lush green Valdes forests, taking out fir trees as young We reviewed the potential agricultural Island connectivity, and ultimately forested vista is uninterrupted for the entire as 30-years-old, and many Culturally projects that would ostensibly receive our increased revenue. It also keeps a major length of the island. It has a fringe of ancient Modified Trees have been destroyed. donation through various outside brokers. payroll in the Islands and gives tourists juniper trees which hug its shorelines, and Trans-national logging corporations Then the penny dropped. Why involve a easier access to all the Islands, something there are rare, endangered patches of Garry continue to use to store raw broker for a project somewhere else in which should be of concern to everyone. oaks and their associated meadows. export logs culled from other Vancouver Canada, USA, Australia, or UK? Scheduling details would have to be Recently, there has been a resurgence of Island forests. Every few weeks, an We chose to keep it close to home and worked out between the company and the concern about the lack of protection for the American tugboat arrives and tows away provide for our community’s initiatives. We union. The Queen of Naniamo could easily Coastal Douglas Fir forest biogeoclimatic acres of log booms away to the USA so donated $250 to the Pender Island handle this run but a new 200-car double- zone, which along with its sub-zone, the Americans can saw up the wood. The Community Farmland Acquisition Project ender on Route Nº9 would be ideal. None Garry oak, are amongst the most American tugs generally show up under Society, to offset our vacation carbon costs. of the disadvantages are insurmountable. endangered ecosystems in the world. (The cover of darkness. So far we have only met one other Pender K Butler, Salt Spring Island Forest Practices Board has called for the Booms are chained right onto the Islander who has paid carbon credit offsets Valdes Island Needs rejection of a recent logging application on spectacular sandstone formations, and the for her flights. Of course, there may be many Protection these grounds, which has generated a lot of company has vandalized the area by more and many more effective alternatives. Dear Editor: media and public interest.) spraypainting huge arrows and ‘tie’ points In the past, we have taken trains and buses Here’s a great opportunity for Gulf Valdes boasts magnificent, 100 metre tall directly onto the sandstone cliffs using to Mexico, as we did throughout Europe. Islanders, First Nations and all wilderness wind and wave-sculpted sandstone cliffs reflective paint which can be seen at night. We feel that this is a great way to support lovers to work together locally, to protect a which are of a ‘world-class’ calibre of The marking is indelible, because as the our local projects and not get caught by priceless wilderness Island jewel! spectacular natural features, truly among wave action wears away the stone, the paint sideways brokerage costs that are plaguing Valdes Island is virtually wild, virtually the wonders of the world. Although Valdes, is more durable, an by the time the paint has charitable donations worldwide, especially undeveloped, with outstanding natural and like most of the Gulf Islands, was extensively worn off, the markings remain, standing out the reconstruction of Haiti as well as many historic features. It is the largest remaining logged in the 1940s, it has until recently, in relief. I have complained repeatedly to other sites. If you are taking flights, then relatively intact Gulf Island. It has an been left alone and its second-growth Weyerhaeuser about this, and even wrote why not take your next flight guilt free? We ancient First Nation’s history, as can be seen forests were gradually re-establishing about it in an op-ed to the Times-Colonist, continue to try and ‘Walk the Talk’ at home. in the deep shell-midden beds in every little themselves. but to no avail. Gordon and Sue Bailey, Pender Island The log dump on Valdes is built right on Please contact me if you are interested in Counting Carbon joining this campaign to protect Valdes Dear Editor: Island! Ingmar Lee, Salt Spring Island Thanks to Sara Miles for being so courageous by presenting the inconvenient BCAssessment Making Carbon Count truth about Canada and its hypocritical Locally position on climate change. As we know, our Dear Editor: government is one of the worst examples of Property owner’s checklist Thanks for your publication of Sara Miles’ doing as little as possible towards climate ‘Counting Carbon’ (Volume 22, Number change, because it may have an impact on Your 2011 assessment 23). The article articulates a good number the economy. The behaviour of the of issues related to Climate Change and Canadian delegation at the recent Cancun provides food for thought on how we climate summit was, one more time, a real approach our need to live differently if we shame. are to participate in solutions rather than In general, I agree with Sara’s the problem. viewpoints. I think carbon offsets, carbon Of course, this is not an either/or credits, the REDD program and all those environmental and social/cultural problem. programs are nothing else than a Have you received your 2011 property However, we would like to differ with convoluted scheme that gives large assessment notice? Miles’ concluding comments and suggest corporations and governments the what we think is an effective alternative. opportunity for keep doing whatever they If it has not arrived in the mail by Prior to leaving on our holiday this fall, want. It’s kind of a license to kill, or paying January 19, call toll free 1-800-668-0086. our web research on carbon offsets gave us indulgences for their ecological sins, and at a $30 per ton offset cost and suggested a the same time making a big profit out of If so, review it carefully. number of offset brokers to whom we could LETTERS, please turn to page 12 Any questions, call your local assessment office. How comfortable Go online to compare other property assessments using the free e-valueBC TM is your home? service on our website.

Don’t forget ... if you disagree with your assessment, you must file a formal appeal by January 31, 2011.

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Photo:Toby Snelgrove Lighting up the dark. ’s Christmas Eve carol singing at Miners Bay Park. Islands Large & Small First-past-the-post electoral system challenged in Quebec Salish Sea Good Life Fair Vote Canada has won permission from the Quebec Canadians support ‘moving towards a system of Eating, Sleeping & Shopping Court of Appeal to intervene in a challenge to the Quebec proportional representation (PR) in Canadian elections, Elections Act. Sidney resident Elizabeth May will also be an with support even higher among young Canadians. intervenor in the challenge arguing that the first-past-the- ‘We desperately need a renewal of democracy in this post electoral system contravenes the fairness required by country,’ said May. ‘This may mean forging ahead with Section Three of the Canadian Charter of Rights and proportional representation and taking lessons learned by Freedoms. other countries who have done the same to come up with Spearheaded by L’association Pour La Revendication an electoral process that is truly meaningful and engages all Salt Spring Island Des Droits Démocratiques (ARDD), a Quebec democratic Canadian voters. It is a big step and we may need a push Chamber of Commerce rights group, the case (Gibb versus Quebec’s Attorney from the courts to point out that our current system is not www.saltspringtourism.com General and Quebec’s Director General of Elections) is respecting the spirit of the democratic rights and freedoms currently being heard in the Quebec Court of Appeal, and is that our Charter guarantees.’ Ocean Soul expected to go all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. ‘We salute ARDD for bringing this case forward and we Book Caffé New and Used ‘The winner-take-all voting system is utterly unfair to are being allowed to present additional information and Books every citizen who can’t elect a representative, and that’s arguments to the court,’ say John Deverell. The hearings are usually about half the voters,’ says John Deverell of Fair scheduled to begin on February 8. The court has recognized Buy 3 books - Vote Canada. ‘After every election half of us are subjected that every Canadian has a stake in the outcome of the get 25% off 9100 East Saanich Road Open at 6 am Daily to taxation without representation. Depending on where Quebec case,’ Deverell adds. ‘Fair Vote Canada will ask the 250-246-1977 they live, some Canadians may live an entire lifetime court to order the national assembly to replace it with a www.roostfarmcentre.com 1578 Joan Avenue, Crofton without ever being able to elect a representative they want.’ system designed to provide every Quebec voter equal Both May and Fair Vote Canada will be represented by representation of his or her choice. renowned Canadian Constitutional lawyer, Peter Rosenthal. He noted that winner-take-all elections in single-     With a legal team headed by powerhouse Julius Grey, the member districts make it very difficult to elect women and      case has been winding its way through the courts since representatives of minorities. ‘For decades federal and 2007. provincial political parties have acknowledged the ‘In the research for my last book, said May, I was struck democratic deficit, promised to address it, and then done  by the fact that countries that still use the first-past-the-post nothing to fix it. The absence of democracy in this society is  system—Canada, the and the United a continuing affront to the Charter and the people,’ Deverell ! Kingdom—are the countries where there is a worrying concludes. 0 "  ! *   decline in voter turn-out, particularly among young people.’  $$ #  There are a number of forms of Proportional )) Representation (PR). These include pure PR, Single '%&( %& + * Transferable Vote (STV), and Mixed Member Proportional + *, *+ (MMP). Under all of these systems the Green Party would - .*+ , *   have elected Members of Parliament in 2006 and 2008.      Under pure PR, the 2008 election would have resulted in  approximately sixteen Green Members of Parliament, while                 the other PR systems would have produced between six and !""# $   %&'()&*+)'++, thirteen. Multiple public commissions have examined and debated changes to the voting system and each time Independent recommended a proportional voting system. No Dental Hygiene referendum has yet been held on this question in Quebec in a relaxed setting though draft legislation was tabled that would have seen Registered Dental Hygienists elements of proportional representation introduced. offering: Referenda in other provinces were widely criticized for • scaling • root planing confusing the public with misinformation campaigns, lack • polishing • whitening of effective and clear information, too high thresholds to • other services pass and low participation rates. In February last year, an Environics Research poll Celebrating 8 years of service in beautiful Sidney By-the-Sea conducted for the Council of Canadians found that 62% of 250-655-4884 Page 8, ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2011 The List—a couple of NEILS A JENSEN, 1927–2010  DOCKBUILDINGCOMPONENTS&ACCESSORIES Niels A. Jensen, 83, died peacefully at home on December 4, 2010 with his family by his side. He was dozen questions to ask BC born on April 1, 1927, in Denmark, the son of Carl and Anna Jensen. politicians Niels married Leona Flack and they settled in Surrey, where they lived until 1983 when they moved to Pender Patrick Brown “IfItFlowsͲWeGoWithIt!”TM Island where they spent the last 28 years. Niels and x FLOATATION In BC’s current political upheaval it is hard to know who Leona celebrated 53 years of marriage in November. x DOCKKITS stands for what. The following list of questions bring the Niels is survived by his beloved wife Leona; son David x FRAMEHDW. issues into focus. of Pender Island; son Steven, and his wife Corry of x LADDERS 1. Do you favour provincial economic and Abbotsford; two granddaughters, Ashley (Shawn) x BUMPERS environmental planning, or primarily responding to and x CLEATS Martens and Kirsten Jensen; one grandson, Stuart x GALV.STEEL facilitating Private sector proposals? Lingenfelter; brother Fred Jensen; and nieces and MOORINGBUOYS&REGULATORY FRAMES 2. How do you compare the environmental costs of a nephews. BUOYSFOAMͲFILLED x DECKING& proposal to the economic benefits? What criteria do you Neils enjoyed fishing, watching sports, playing MORE use? horseshoes, music, crosstitching, being with his family 3. What special policies should apply to the care of BC's and life in general. coast and coastal waters? Other specific parts of the Niels will be greatly missed by all his family and many province? friends. A service of remembrance will be held in early FOAM-FILLED FLOATATION 4. Do you feel that post-secondary education fees are 2011. MOLDED & CUSTOM fair? What is the role of post-secondary education in the DOCK&DECKBOXES economics of the province? WholesaleDistributorstoContractors&DIY’sforover40years 5. What do you feel should be the balance between PAMELA EDGE 1929–2010 DEALEROPPORTUNITIESAVAILABLE income taxes (personal and corporate), consumption taxes Pamela Edge, a longtime resident of the Galiano, Mayne (HST, GST, PST), and user fees (licenses, royalties, carbon and Gabriola Islands, passed away on December 16, taxes, and tolls?) 2010 at Arrowsmith Lodge in Parksville. Survived by her Rainwater Harvesting Systems 6. What authority and responsibility would you assign friend and first husband, Garth; son David (Aurelia) ; ABOVE & BELOWGROUND APPLICATIONS to the BC Utilities Commission? daughter Michelle; grandchildren Scott and Chantell, 7. What principles should be used to finance Pam was a positive, outgoing, compassionate person FEATURING transportation infrastructure (roads, bridges, BC Ferries, with a smile that wouldn't quit. world leading airports, transit, intercity transportation)? She loved people and children and everyone she met brands 8. Would you favour a judicial enquiry into: was touched by her. She cared deeply for the ‘Island Life’ - the sale of BC Rail? and adored natural beauty. In Pam’s memory friends - the financial stability of BC Hydro? may take flowers to a dementia ward to brighten the - the financing of the Sea-to-Sky highway? moment for everyone there. No service, but ‘Quiet 9. What criteria justify the use of public-private Reflections’. partnerships? 10. Do you favour the renewal of the RCMP contract to police the province? If so, under what restrictions and Crude oil tanker ban oversight? 11. What special policies should be used to manage provincial airsheds, including pollution and greenhouse motion passes; private gases? 12. Do BC's courts provide fair and adequate access to member’s bill is next NEW! justice for all? NDP-MP Nathan Cullen’s motion calling for a ban on crude 13. Do you have any specific proposals to finance small oil tanker traffic off BC’s north coast passed 143-138 in the businesses and startups? House of Commons on December 7, 2010. The vote was 14. How would you revitalize BC's agriculture sector? Wholesale Distributors to Contractors & DIY’s for over 40 years along party lines, with the three opposition parties DEALER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE 15. Do you feel that public service employees (provincial, supporting it, and the government Conservatives opposing education, health care, administrative) should be unionized? it. 16. Do you think the minimum wage should be Among BC coast MPs, supporting the motion were Jean increased? Crowder (NDP: Nanaimo-Cowichan), Keith Martin 17. How would you handle the Water Act (Liberal: Juan de Fuca), Denise Savoie (NDP: Victoria), and Nathan Cullen (NDP: Skeena–Bulkley Valley). Opposing Call Us Toll Free For Quotes On modernization, currently under way? 18. How would you improve the operation and the motion were Gary Lunn (Conservative: Saanich–Gulf • Homeowners • Farm Islands), James Lunney (Conservative: Nanaimo–Alberni), • Commercial • Bed & Breakfasts effectiveness of the provincial legislature? 19. How would you improve the effectiveness of local John Weston (Conservative: West Vancouver–Sunshine SALT SPRING ISLAND: government (regional districts, school boards, Coast–Sea to Sky). John Duncan (Conservative–Vancouver Mike Garside • 250-537-5527 1103–115 Fulford-Ganges Road municipalities, , City of Vancouver)? Of First Island North) was ‘paired’ which means he was absent for SIDNEY: Nations governments? the vote, but had an agreement with another absent MP Doug Guedes • 1-866-656-9886 • (656-9886) 20.How would you improve the effectiveness of the who intended to vote in opposition to what Duncan A2–9769 Fifth Street Ministry of Children and Families? intended, so their votes would have cancelled each other BRENTWOOD BAY: 21. Would you propose changes to the financing of out. Doug Strong • 1-877-655-1141 • (652-1141) 7178 W. Saanich Rd Health Care? Of primary and secondary education? The motion is non-binding on the government, which OAK BAY: 22. Do you feel that sufficient provision is made for the has insisted that there has been no moratorium on tanker Gary Law • 250-592-5544 care of seniors in BC? traffic, despite the widely held belief that a moratorium 112-2187 Oak Bay Avenue autoplan 23. What is the role of the arts in BC and its initiated in the Trudeau era was still in effect. SAANICHTON: Calgary pipeline company Enbridge has proposed to DAN OLIVE • 1-877-633-0877 communities? How should it be financed? Anchor Insurance Agencies Ltd., 2-7855 East Saanich Road 24. Do you feel that British Columbians are well enough build a pipeline for tar sands oil to a terminal at Kitimat, www.seafirstinsurance.com informed about what the government is doing. and its plans and ship 225 VLCC (Very Large Crude Carriers) loads of oil for the future? every year through coastal channels to Asia and the US. 25. Do you feel that public participation is sufficiently Currently, over 60 somewhat smaller tankers each year utilized and respected in the governance of the province? carry tar sands crude from the Kinder Morgan terminal in What changes would you favour? Burnaby out past Saanich and the Gulf Islands and through 26. Do you support the provision of high-speed internet the Strait of Juan de Fuca. GULF ISLANDS WATER TREATMENT SOLUTIONS throughout the province? 0 Private Member’s Bill Introduced Well Water • Rain Water • Surface Water A week after the motion was passed, Vancouver Quadra • Whole-house Treatment Liberal Joyce Murray introduced a private member’s bill ECOECOFIRFIR FLOORING (C-606) which would prohibit crude oil tanker shipments • Self-cleaning Sediment Filters premium flooring from the gulf islands in north coast waters. It would be binding if passed. • Media Filters premium wide plank vg Green Party leader Elizabeth May confirmed her party’s • Ultraviolet Systems fir from 100% salvaged support for the bill. ‘Not only would the consequences of a REMOVE: old growth timber major oil spill devastate Canada’s Pacific ecosystems, Iron / Odour / Bacteria / 5" to 9" random widths. fisheries, tourism, and the livelihoods of First Nations, but Hardness / Arsenic providing a gateway to Asian markets for the expansion of 250-539-3211 250-412-1110 • 604- 630-1114 • 524 William Street, Victoria the Alberta Tar Sands will threaten the entire planet 250-339-6914 Comox Valley 604-377-5385 through global warming,’ she said. Referring to Gary Lunn’s www.watertiger.net www.ecofir.com negative vote on the earlier motion, she accused Lunn of ‘muddying the waters.’ 0 BC’s 2011 political calendar ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2011, Page 9 January 16, 2011: last day for BCLiberals to sign up new new leader for the BCLiberals and thus a new Premier for Ben Manning 1925—2010 members who, if they pay an additional fee yet to be Britsh Columbians. scheduled to step Longtime Pender Island resident Ben Manning passed announced, will be eligible to vote in the leadership election down, finally. away December 3, 2010. on February 26 under a voting system to be determined on March 4: deadline for financial filing with Elections BC Ben and his family emigrated to Vancouver in 1950 from February 12. for Oak Bay recall campaign. London, England. With skills in radio-telephones and January 17: last day for NDP to sign up new members March 18: expected date for verification of numbers by electronics, he found work with Spilsbury and Tindall, who eligible to vote on April 17 for a new leader whose gender Elections BC for recall petition in Oak Bay. made communications gear for logging camps, tugboats, will be determined on February 19. April 17: NDP leadership vote – one member, one vote. fishing vessels, in fact pretty well everyone on the BC coast. January 19: NDP selects an interim leader. May 27: All BCLiberal candidates for leadership must Ben was also a lifelong automobile enthusiast, and was February 4: last day of canvassing for recall campaign file returns including disclosure of expenses and donors, an early member of the Sports Car Club of BC. The club had in Ida Chong’s Oak Bay riding. according to Section 211 of the BC Election Act. February 12: BCLiberal delegates, who were originally June 17: Oak Bay by-election voting day if recall is held races at the Abbotsford airport, but this was coming to selected to attend a fall convention that was cancelled, vote successful. an end. Ben became leader of a small group of club on whether the party will adopt a preferential ballot system, June 24: suggested by some BCLiberal leadership members who leased land on the Westwood Plateau in weighted to equalize the influence of urban and rural candidates as an alternative date for an HST referendum, if Coquitlam and conceived, financed, designed and built the ridings, for the leadership election to be held in two weeks there is one and it isn’t held in September (as the legislation Westwood racetrack. It opened in 1959. time. A two-thirds vote of the delegates is required for requires). He was one of the charter presidents of the International adoption of the new system. July 16: All NDP candidates for leadership must file Conference of Sports Car Clubs, and when he moved to February 14: Throne Speech to be presented in the returns including disclosure of expenses and donors, Victoria, headed up the Victoria Motor Sports Club and was legislature by BCLiberals. according to Section 211 of the BC Election Act. involved in the creation of a road circuit at Western February 15: 2011 budget to be brought down in the August 26: according to Elections BC, earliest possible Speedway. He was inducted into the Greater Vancouver legislature by BCLiberals. date they could be ready to hold a ‘snap’ provincial general Motorsport Pioneers Society in October of 2010. February 19: NDP Provincial Council meets to decide election, if it is called by a new BCLiberal leader. In the early days of Island Tides, Ben wrote a column on whether to maintain gender provision in bylaws that September 24: according to legislation, the date of a called Ferry Tales. would require at least one woman in senior party posts, referendum on the HST. A Memorial service for Ben will be held on Wednesday, including leader. At the time of writing all candidates for May 24, 2013: according to legislation, fixed date of January 19 at 1pm in the church hall at the Sidney leader are men, so this might require the resignation of the next provincial general election, provided that it is not Pentecostal Church, 10364 McDonald Park Road. For more party president or treasurer to be replaced with a woman. somehow called at an earlier date. 0 information contact Vince Howlett at 250-487-6198. February 26: voting day for party memebers to elect a BC RAIL from page 1 Memo to file, October 14, 2003: RCMP Raids & The Special Prosecutor took place. And an ‘indemnity’ clause in the still ‘I advised the Minister that I would talk to Ian May and In late 2003, it emerged that the RCMP had been unpublished agreement between the Province and CN continue to backchannel with his support network of Brian investigating drug cases in Victoria; William Berardino, who leaves some doubt as to what CN will finally pay for the Kieran and Erik Bornmann …. had been a law practice partner of Attorney-General Geoff railway (see below). It’s far from over. ‘I reminded the Minister that Bruce wants assurances Plant and Deputy Attorney-General Allan Seckel, was How It All Got Started from us that his friends at the Washington Group will not appointed Special Prosecutor on December 11 to look after Very soon after the landslide election of the BCLiberal be led along the garden path in a sham process for the next the case of Victoria Constable Rob Dosanjh. government in May 2001, lobbyists Erik Bornmann, Bruce item up for bid, the Roberts Bank Line. The Minister stated The reason that a Special Prosecutor might be required Clark (Christy Clark’s brother), Dave Basi and Bobby Virk it would do no harm to allow Bruce to have a draft copy of becomes clearer considering that, on December 28, 2003, were already benefiting from their active participation in the RFP to allay any fears his friends have about the the BCLiberal party. process.’ (Ian May represented BC Rail’s shippers; Brian one day after Solicitor-General Rich Coleman warned However, in June 2001, Dave Basi was appointed Kieran was a partner of Bornmann; Bruce is Bruce Clark, Premier Campbell (in Hawaii), the RCMP searched the ministerial assistant to Finance Minister Gary Collins and who was lobbying on behalf of Washington Marine.) offices of Basi, Virk, Bornman, Kieran, Bruce Clark, and Mark Marissen (then Christy Clark’s husband and strategist Bobby Virk was appointed ministerial assistant to Memo to file, October 17, 2003: Transportation Minister Judith Reid. About a year later, ‘The biggest frustration we have is with the double talk for federal Liberal Paul Martin). The RCMP said they were Basi’s cousin Aneal Basi was appointed to the government’s that seems to be coming out of everybody’s mouth in the probing international drug trafficking, organized crime, and Public Affairs Bureau. premier’s office. It is hard to get validators on side for the police corruption. Dave Basi was soon involved with a Sooke developer in deal when the very people we need to step up to the plate Later, RCMP search warrants showed that they were arranging the removal of a large tract of land from the and tell us what a great job we have done are the people who actually looking for evidence that government officials may Agricultural Land Reserve for Sun River Estates, an effort are being screwed in the process.’ have interfered with the BC Rail deal. for which he was paid $50,000. He also had an ongoing Memo to file, October 23, 2003: On December 21, 2004, Basi and Virk were charged with arrangement with Bornmann that paid him some $25,695 ‘I voiced my opinion that if things go sideways and CN accepting bribes, fraud, and breach of trust; Aneal Basi with (through Aneal Basi) for advice and information during proceeds to break every promise this will be something the money laundering. (On April 3, 2006, Dave Basi was also 2002 and 2003. (As part of the trial’s final plea bargain, Basi Premier will wear, not us. The Minister cautioned me on charged with accepting a bribe and breach of trust in the was fined $75,695.) my views and warned me that the only viewpoint that Sun River case.) BC Rail matters was the Premier. I replied that he was the one who The pre-trial maneuvering started in April 2007 before Despite having promised during the election campaign that promised not to sell BC Rail after the election in 1995 and Madame Justice Elizabeth Bennett. After she berated the BC Rail was not for sale, in 2003 the government advertised now he is breaking that promise. The premier can call this Crown and the RCMP for delays in the disclosure of for proposals for the railway, circulating financial reports whatever he wants, a lease, a partnership, new investment material requested by the defense, Associate Chief Justice indicating that it had been losing large amounts of money etc. At the end of the day it’s a sale pure and simple….’ Dohm (who had been involved with the case since the and must be sold. original search warrants) replaced her with Associate Chief A complex procedure was set up to assess proposals, Memo to file, November 17, 2003: Justice Anne MacKenzie, who started the trial proper, which were received from CN, OmniTRAX/BNSF and CP. ‘The senator [Kelly Reichert, Executive Director of the An initial round of proposals was to be assessed by an BCLiberal party] gave me details about the tax pools and empanelling the jury in May 2010. She granted a two- evaluation committee, to be followed by a second round and what was happening regarding this issue from a federal and month summer break, and the trial then resumed until then further evaluation before a final choice of the provincial perspective. He told me he received this October 18, 2010. successful bidder was to be made. A ‘fairness advisor’ was information from [Patrick] Kinsella who would call Martyn What the BC Rail Deal Cost Taxpayers also hired. [Brown] and the Premier directly if he needed anything…. Extrordinarily the BC Rail deal is not even over. One of the It’s as if Kinsella knew exactly what would happen after the provisions in the Province/CN’s 2003 ‘Revitalization David Basi’s Memos election and knew the Premier would say anything to win Agreement’ (still officially unpublished) apparently notes According to Dave Basi, it was in October of 2003 that he the election after the debacle in 1996…. The senator that BC Rail had recorded accumulated losses of some $2 realized that CN was the favoured bidder, and that it was reminded me that the best thing to do is keep your head becoming difficult to keep OmniTRAX in the game and down and follow orders.’ billion which might be claimed and used by CN. maintain the appearance of a fair competition. It is not unusual, in government, to write memos to file, $250 million of the $1 billion total that CN paid was for He recorded his concerns in a series of ‘memos to file’ particularly to record the results of conversations or actions. these tax losses, with the proviso that should Revenue and took the further step of having them witnessed at that One can only speculate why Basi did so in this case, and Canada not allow CN’s claim, the Province would refund time by George Jones, QC, a prominent Victoria lawyer. particularly why he would take the memos to George Jones the $250 million (termed an ‘indemnity’) plus compound These memos have been made public over the past month. to notarize. interest at 9% per annum. The following are excerpts; the complete memos may be It’s A Small World The accumulated losses on BC Rail’s books were found on Alex Tsakumis’ website. questioned at the time they were revealed by the Premier; The BC Rail/CN deal was signed November 25, 2003, after some commented that they had been created to give the Memo to file, October 6, 2003: a reported meeting between Premier Campbell, 2001 ‘We do not want to be left holding the bag without election campaign co-chair Patrick Kinsella, and CN Board false impression that the railway was losing money and had another option if the preferred bidder CN starts to play hard Chairman David McLean. McLean had been a major to be sold. ball at the negotiating table…. The Minister wants me to fundraiser for Campbell in the 1996 election. It is now seven years since the agreement was signed, no continue back channeling with the various players to keep (Superintendent Kevin deBruyckere, in charge of the Revenue Canada decision seems to have been made, and them on side and prevent them from going off the deep end. original RCMP investigation, is Kelly Reichert’s brother-in- the Province is now carrying on its books a ‘contingent … I advised the Minister that Dwight Johnson and law. Patrick Kinsella was paid some $300,000 by BC Rail liability’ of $600 million or more. OmniTRAX/BNSF are very upset with the present state of during the negotiations for the CN purchase. Kinsella and Ironically, despite the end to the Basi-Virk trial and affairs….’ (The ‘Minister’ referred to is presumably Gary Bruce Clark are key members of Christy Clark’s campaign Bernadino’s new move to keep the lid in the BC Rail deal, it Collins.) team in the BCLiberal leadership race.) is coming back to light and life in spades. 0 Page 10, ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2011

Photo:Priscilla Ewbank Winter wonderland on Saturna.

Saturna Notes ~ Priscilla Ewbank he last daughter has gone home from our house back Snow! through the side window. All of Ellen’s immediate family to hers. The Christmas decorations are almost all put Saturna had snow throughout the Holidays, less at the edges came home for Christmas and she and her daughter-in-law Taway, a small silver star turned up in a cup I don’t use and five inches at the back of Mount Warburton Pike in the were going in for a day of present shopping and being very often, bringing a smile to my face. Tbe big door wreath center of the Island. Jon and I were on Pender Island at their together. and the last of the decorations still need to be taken down Recycling Center, Jon and Richard were loading the truck Rob Kendall’s face as he was sharing the news that his from the Community Hall and the Store. Jon and I are alone to the gunwhales, when Kleenex-sized snowflakes started beloved wife, Sue, was not going to get back from Ireland in at Haggis Farm after days of being together with family and to fall from a black cloud-cover. Waiting for the ferry at at time for Christmas as planned—Sue wasn’t going to get friends. We had such a good time! Otter Bay we could see sunlight towards Salt Spring. through Heathrow Airport. Rob and Rosy, the puppy, would spend New Year’s with Sue when she was rescheduled to Victoria was sunny, cold and clear; the outer Gulf Islands Christmas & New Year return to Canada! were enveloped in black. The storm was so local that only I realized that the celebrations of Christmas and New Year’s Young Liam Gaines running loops around the aisle at Saturna and San Juan Island got snow to stay. disrupt my state of ‘normal functioning’. I have to remember Saturna General Store on Christmas Eve chanting, ‘Candy! Islanders who went off the Island for a few days had no the soft light of candles, the enjoyment of getting together Candy!’ overcome with the wonderfulness and anticipation idea that they would be returning to snow-filled driveways and relinquish the ‘more dishes’ and the ‘who will put away of it all! and slippery roads! The last hour of snowfall apparently was that stuff thoughts’. Sitting on the fireplace ‘shelf’ at a new house created by Unless you are full-out determined, you will end up almost of crystals. The snow was infinitely gorgeous in its Priscilla and Tom Hager; built on Saturna with Saturna decorating your house, possibly a Community Hall, your virgin state. It was so cold and clear with no wind—perfect hands. There I sat on land I know and have walked on business space—irrational at the day-to-day level of being for walking about with mitts, hats, scarves, warm coats and without a house on it, just listening and contemplating the and deeply satisfying at the deeper level. gumboots! The snow stayed fluffy and crunchy and Islander guests—some old, old friends and some as new as You will go to many social gatherings, eat celebratory fare dazzling, providing brilliant starry night skies. Moonlight— the house. Imagine, each person having given a gift of with your neighbours, friends and family far more often the last quarter—filled the house with reflected light from themselves in the creation of the house and now eating than normal. You will contemplate gifts—giving and dark till dawn. together and celebrating that accomplishment. receiving. Greetings and salutations will arrive from family Snow is such harassment for us humans working the Clint Davidson expertly scraping snow voluntarily out of and old friends from other parts of your life. The youngsters daily duties—only good for playing and delighting in! the parking lot at Saturna General store with his all terrain in your life will be more than satisfied with the goings-on; Holiday Moments vehicle fitted with a shovel. as differentiated from going to school day-after-day or For me, Christmas season on Saturna has a different air Flying out of Lyall Harbour for the first time since the accommodating your day of working. Surprises! Sweets! about it. Island Tides usually skips an edition, so I don’t crash a year ago. Tiny, fragile wings, flying and seeing from Snow! Family together! write my column. Initially, the not writing is grand—a gift that low altitude how utterly beautiful are the Gulf Islands Perhaps part of the miracle of Christmas and New Year’s of time that gets used in other ways. As time goes by the anchored by Mount Baker and the Three Sisters blazing celebrations is that their power combined with the cycles of desire resurfaces to recall and honour the everyday goings- with snow, mountain-tops of black rock, surrounded by nature—cold and dark and the remembrance of shared on of and its community. I collect pertinent green sea, and gorgeous trees with one crisp white eagle tradition makes us different for an interval of time. A pieces of paper, make small scribbled notes of this and that. head easily visible on . profound impetus prevails, turning our creative energies My mind stores vivid images. Here are a few images that I Sitting in an audience of 100 people at the Rec Centre, away from our everyday lives of gathering security and am sure are repeated throughout the Islands, with different watching our tiny school augmented by younger siblings personal achievements to being together and sharing faces. and parents perform the Night Before Christmas. There largess through singing, music, drama, eating, games, Ellen Bourassa jumping out of her truck in the morning they are after much practice, dressed in their costumes. talking. The task is to simply enjoy ourselves together. darkness to show me her tiny newborn granddaughter SATURNA NOTES, please turn to next page ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2011, Page 11 January Garden Calendar ~ Brian Crumblehulme On bended knee, and perspiring clammily, to begin sowing tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauli, cabbage, Peel and chop the chestnuts. Fry the bacon bits in just I pecked at the soil to feed my family, onions & leeks, petunias, sweet peas, and lobelia for your enough oil to prevent burning. Add the onion and garlic and A figure than which there was none more dramatic-er, hanging baskets. I tend to sow these seeds incrementally in cook for 10 minutes stirring frequently. Blend in the Alone with the bugs and my faithful sciatica. pots on top of the hot water tank until they have chestnuts and seasoning and re-heat until hot. Spoon over Would you like a description of my parsley? germinated, then they are whisked into the greenhouse lamb or pork roast, ham, sausages—what have you. It’s I can give it to you in one word – gharsley! where I have set up a mini-greenhouse-within-the greasy, hot, and good, so serve with a full-bodied red wine They’re making playshoes out of my celery, greenhouse, rather like a small plastic tent for seedlings. The such as a Shiraz. It’s reclaimed rubber, and purplish yellery. broccoli, cauli and cabbage germinate very quickly without Something crawly got into my chives, this extra boost but many of the slower developing plants A Drunken Loaf, From The Time Of My lettuce has hookworm, my cabbage has hives. will gain a week or two. After germination all seedlings must Shakespeare I mixed up the labels when sowing my carrots, be provided with good light, moderate warmth and good • ½ a dry baguette or a few slices of toasted white bread I planted birdseed – it came up parrots. ventilation or they will quickly die. • At least a cup of good red wine My farming will never make me famous, By month end the days are longer and the light becomes • 1 serving of unflavoured cooked pasta. Or a few sticks I’m an agricultural ignoramus. more intense so on any mild day you can try sowing a few of spaghetti well cooked So don’t ask me to tell a string bean from a soy bean, seeds of hardy salads and vegetables. Lettuce, rapini, • some butter and ½ cup whipping cream I can’t even tell a girl bean from a boy bean. mesclun greens, carrots and potatoes will all take a mild • At least a cup of grated Mozzarella —Ogden Nash, 1943 frost without damage, and remember, light well drained • Nutmeg & pepper to taste very fine day recently has found me outside tidying soils are far warmer than those made of clay. Break the dry bread into the bottom of a casserole and cover the flower, fruit and vegetable gardens. Dead Winter Cooking with the wine. The bread should soak up most of the wine Ehaulms, leaves and twigs can all be removed and Who invented chocolate praline? Mint with lamb? Honey but not drown in it. Cook the pasta, drain off the water and burnt or composted to be returned to the ground later in on cheese? Cheese on apple pie? Some of the most return to the pan with a hearty dab of butter, cream and the spring. And if it has not already been done, pruning fruit incongruous combinations of foods traditionally located spices. Mix well and cook gently for 5 minutes and mash or trees and roses is essential if you want them to develop and continents apart can sometimes be blissfully married blend for 3 seconds in a food processor. Add half the cheese, produce anywhere close to potential. My wife’s rose garden without upsetting the gods. These days chefs and food mix again and pour over the bread and wine. Top with the is now entering its fourth year so the roots are established processors scour the globe in search of novelties but sitting remaining cheese and bake for 10-20 minutes until hot and and require little special attention. After cleaning and at home on a cold wet evening with a glass of wine and a golden. Serve hot. Again this strange dish makes a good aerating the ground, I mulched each stock lightly with collection of old cookbooks occasionally discloses little gems lunch or a side dish for dinner. The flavours are strong and rotted manure and dusted with bonemeal and wood ash. that are the perfect antidote to mid-winter blah. go well with BBQ’d meat and Caesar salad. Last year a number of roses bent over with the weight of Pompion Pie flowers so I have pruned them back halfway to encourage Cyder Syllabub shorter stronger stems. Even now during a few days of frost This is a New England creation from colonial days. • 2 cups whipping cream all the plants are developing new shoots and buds that will Originally a savory pumpkin pie the recipe lends itself to • 1 bottle apple cider burst into rapid growth with the first warm, sunny days of almost any winter squash. Preheat an oven to 400degrees. • sugar & cinnamon to taste February. • 1 shortcrust pie shell, pre-baked When you are ready for dessert, whip the cream until thick. Still in the flower garden, lilacs (syringa) rarely need • 6 rashers of good quality back bacon Add ¼ bottle cider and whip again. Add another ¼ bottle pruning but older clumps can become invasive or simply • 1 medium red onion, chopped (or a mild white onion and so on until the cream has absorbed all the cider. Add too big. If you dig around the roots of the bush you can often with a couple of garlic cloves) sugar to taste. Pour into glasses and dust with cinnamon. find a few healthy side shoots that you can cut off and • ½ cup chopped ham Serve immediately with gingerbread cookies. 0 remove along with a clump of fibrous root stock that you • ¾ cup sour cream can transplant to another location. Or: if some of the shoots • 2 beaten eggs have large fat terminal buds on the top indicating latent • 1 can pumpkin or steamed winter squash Taxi service resumes at flowers, you can pot them up in five gallon containers and • A large pinch of salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, anise or put them in a greenhouse or shed near a window and fennel seed Departure Bay terminal encourage then to grow. Then in February or March bring Fry the bacon in a skillet until half cooked. Remove and them into the house for a few weeks and enjoy their glorious drain the rashers and set aside. Add the onion to the hot Taxi service at BC Ferries’ three Nanaimo terminals has fragrance when it’s still cold outside. bacon fat and fry until just transparent then stir in all the resumed. Before Christmas, BC Ferries, AC Taxi and In the vegetable garden now is the time to dig any vacant remaining ingredients. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes Swiftsure Taxi came to an agreement and announced the ground and liberally spread manure or compost with a until thoroughly heated. Spread the filling into the pastry resumption of taxi service directly in front of the pick-up dusting of lime. The compost can be turned into the ground shell, top with the half-cooked bacon and place in a hot oven and drop-off area at the Departure Bay terminal in before planting anytime in spring. Dolomite, phosphated, for 15-20 minutes until the bacon is crisp. Serves 4-6 hot or Nanaimo. or hydrated lime, is not a fertilizer; it is a soil conditioner cold. Makes a good lunch, appetizer (as finger food), or The two Nanaimo taxi companies will have exclusive entrée on any winter day. that reduces acidity (increases the Ph) and promotes micro- use of four spaces in front of the foot passenger arrivals and organisms. Many soils tend to become acidic (sour) if left Chestnuts with Garlic departures building at Departure Bay terminal. The alone, conditions that promote the growth of mosses, ferns Sweet chestnuts are a traditional French food but this sauce agreement also includes pick-up and drop-off at the Duke and coniferous trees. Sourness is also coupled with Point and terminals. excessive shade and water and incomplete decay leading to is an English adaptation for meat lovers. ‘The taxi industry in Nanaimo would like to thank BC plant starvation. With the exception of rhododendrons, • 200grams fresh chestnuts, cooked for about 20 Ferries for their help in reaching an agreement,’ said heathers and the like, almost all flowers and vegetables will minutes Michael Reeves, Director, AC Taxi and spokesperson for benefit from a light application of lime before planting. This • 2 rashers of bacon chopped fine will discourage weed germination, encourage • ½ onion, chopped the taxi operators of Nanaimo. ‘We can now supply the decomposition and make for happy worms. • 3-4 cloves garlic travelling public the service they deserve.’ 0 For anyone with a greenhouse, late January is the time • salt & pepper and olive oil

SATURNA NOTES from page 10 Eldest student the reader, youngest the mouse (adorable in everywhere; hall gorgeously decorated, redolent with turkey passable again. Jacques Campbell is standing in the Store pink-eared cap) which eventually makes a single trajectory smells and everything set to go. Lorraine Campbell smiling, somewhat hay-covered from feeding sheep and across the stage. We all laugh and clap and enjoy this remembers that the Candlelight Dinner started about cattle. Jacques who used to ride or walk the Government singular performance and recall others we, as children, have 1964—just when electricity was installed—a Socred promise Trail as a youngster with her siblings from the farm to school been a part of or helped our children with. The audience and if they were elected. Continuity of power is always an issue or take the Ann Elizabetharound to the federal wharf before excited actors retire after the performance to a laden table in winter and was even more so then. The candlelight came the road was put in, has brought a car up the road that of goodies. Young James Davies, amid the noise and about when the power went off at the Community generally follows the old trail. Other South Saturna strata visiting, is finally at a standstill as he dispenses glass-after- Christmas dinner, turkeys moved from the hall’s electric neighbors are coming up for supplies, mail and visiting. glass of juice—mesmerized by the beauty of the big glass stove to woodstoves nearby, candles came from everywhere Our youngest black dog in the snowfall—tearing around decanter and tap system. and kerosene lamps and the CANDLELIGHT Christmas in great loops around the barn, rooster tails of snow filling Looking at the ‘Turkey List’ taped to the wooden check- Dinner tradition was created! the air with sparkles. She skids to my feet—grinning and out counter at the Saturna General Store. Orders arrive a I was a guest at another feast. The very first Saturna barking—just so good! few days before Christmas to the customer’s specifications Island Fire Fighters Christmas Dinner. A new custom! John We have counted the birds for the Christmas Bird Count, and wait in the big walk-in cooler until claimed. This list Wiznuk, our Fire Chief decided that a Christmas Dinner for under Ilka Olsen’s organization; had the Polar Bear Swim method for Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas turkeys the volunteer firefighters was a grand idea and with Ingrid at Jane Dixon Warren’s beach; attended the Christmas Eve and hams has been going on since before we bought the Gaines, the deputy Fire Chief’s wife, they got it all together Service, the Lions’ Christmas Dinner, the Rec Centre’s store. from fancy written invitations to thank-you notes. There Christmas Do, and all manner of personal and family get- Juliet Kershaw running off from the General Store was John without his firechief hat, turn out gear, boots, togethers. Christmas Eve Egg Nog and Greet Festivity to skype her carving a scrumptious ham for his crew and guests. Now it’s New Year. Full of the promise of surprises we grandchildren in Calgary to watch and talk to them while Jumping into the car for a trip to get…something… CBC step right into the day’s happenings—something like last they open her Christmas presents. Radio and the engine started at the same time. The Perry year but very different! The look of the Community Hall just before the 90 guests Sound Choir from comes on with the last parts of Seven years of Priscilla anecdotes of the four seasons’ come in at 6pm to the Candlelight Dinner with the the Messiah. I am transported. plants, animals, and weather are now excerpted, collected decorated tables set with linens, candles gleaming The snowy, steep, icy road up from south Saturna is and online at www.islandtides.com, Islands Almanac. 0 Page 12, ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2011

Photo: Kim Tucker Mayne Island Road Hockey League. Santa brought my son a hockey net for Christmas, and because I was in on it with Santa, I organized a Mayne Island road hockey game for Christmas Day. A bunch of friends, with homemade hockey sticks, worked up an appetite for Christmas dinner.

LETTERS from page 6 LIGHTHOUSES from page 2 Nature. They are making every aspect of Nature a the world. US First Lady Michelle Obama and US Secretary maintained in the Pacific Region and in the Newfoundland commodity. of State Hillary Clinton are in good company. and Labrador Region. Does Nature Have Rights? A recent publication from As we have all learned by reading Ms May’s articles Recommendation 2: Fundacion Pachamama states: ‘Entire human societies, our regularly published in the Island Tides, she is a highly The Committee recommends that a long-term policy for global economic system and indeed our structures of law, intelligent and forward thinking environmentalist keenly lightstations be developed that will obviate cyclical reviews have been built from a colonial mindset that places humans abreast of world affairs as well as the machinations in and that ensures continuation of a suitable level of staffing. not just apart from, but actually above nature. But what is . Recommendation 3: climate change but Nature telling us we have lived beyond Let us not miss this rare opportunity. The Committee recommends that the guidelines and the limits of nature’s law?’ Betty Poole, Salt Spring Island consultations (as called for in Recommendation 1) take Let me repeat the last sentence: ‘…what is climate change account of: but Nature telling us we have lived beyond the limits of Climate Disruption a) all the purposes served or potentially served by nature’s law?’ I think we need to reflect on this statement. Dear Editor: lightkeepers in a practical and cost-effective manner; Back to Sara’s article, it is obvious to me she has a good With extreme events happening around the world it is b) all the agencies and/or stakeholders involved with understanding of the subject and what is most remarkable evident that climate change is upon us. Charts and graphs lightstations, including possible cost-sharing agreements; and is where she says she is willing to sacrifice many things in show growing CO2 levels saturating the air and water; the c) the views of lightkeepers, user groups, coastal life (like flying to Europe), and do what is right. ‘world clock’ (http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf) communities and other interested parties, both in the local Being from an older generation, one of those generations shows the rate at which it’s happening. areas and elsewhere as appropriate. partially responsible for the current climate situation, I want We could have prevented all this. We need now to Recommendation 4: to apologize to her, because what we have done is kind of visualize and act on what needs to happen to prevent The Committee recommends that a comprehensive cost- an intergenerational crime. We thought we were entitled to further catastrophes. Not only do we need to visualize the benefit analysis be undertaken on the full range of services take whatever we wanted, without thinking in the future, obvious like capping carbon emissions and using alternative provided by staffed lightstations prior to any further our over consumerism, our delusional, endless growth take energies but now we also need to visualize how to mitigate discussion or evaluation of Canada’s lightstations. on living. the crises that are upon us. We need to coordinate the Recommendation 5: Now, Sara’s generation and several more, will pay the various ‘engines’ that drive the economies of local and The Committee recommends that a review be conducted consequences. It is time that we all join Sara and walk her international communities and protect the ecosystems to determine the most cost effective means of maintaining talk! currently affected. The financial and health implications are and servicing staffed lightstations, including potential norberto rodriguez de la vega, Cortes Island enormous! energy savings which can be made available through new We are all connected on many different levels-mentally, approaches to generating power for the needs of personnel Dear Editor: spiritually, physically, socially and economically and these on such stations. Your article from Sara Miles (Island Tides, December 9th, ‘networks can serve and ensure common interests survive It Keeps Coming Back 2010) about carbon credits is right on. I always thought and flourish now and throughout time. Jim Abram, currently a Strathcona Regional District buying offsets for your 10hr flight to Fiji did not make sense. In the past, the Liberals’ Climate Change Secretariat had Director and for many years a lightkeeper, welcomed the If I was a quidrillionare and decided to buy all the carbon a budget of millions to address climate change and failed, Committee’s report, but with a caution. ‘I have been dealing credits available, would climate change suddenly .at the provincial government level. The Conservative with this issue for far too many years and it just keeps disappear? government, run by ‘Oilcan Harper’ has embarrassed coming back to the public to fight all over again,’ he said. Gary Bywater, Salt Spring Island Canada, failed the environment on the world stage and ‘The Conservative government has supported staff on A Rare Opportunity destroyed Canada’s environmental credibility. lightstations since they were in Opposition in 2003 and Dear Editor: Isn’t it time for weather reporters, environment right through to the present day, yet senior managers in the We, the voters of Electoral District Saanich & the Islands, ministers, bankers, teachers, media, industry and workers Canadian Coast Guard continue to bring this misguided have, in the next federal election, the golden opportunity to of all ages, nationalities, farmers, loggers, ranchers, program before Ministers for implementation. This government needs to put this issue to rest by affirming its introduce epochal change and the voice of reason to Ottawa. gardeners, kids etc. to pull together, tell it like it is and take support for staffing of lightstations and inform the Coast Elizabeth May, leader of the , has back our planet! Guard that they do not want to see it come up again.’ 0 been named as one of the 100 most influential women in Sue Hiscocks, Victoria 0 ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2010, Page 13 Round The Islands

CRD Fast Facts I came across a quick way for Capital Regional District readers to understand A New Year ~ their area (pictured right). It’s an online poster with interesting tidbits about the Christa Grace-Warrick region. You can find more by going to the Even in the few days since New Year, things website listed at the bottom. have been springing to life, my snowdrops I wonder if our other regional districts are 2 inches high, newborns are arriving. have something like this, let us know. Our photographers are struggling with Everything You Need to winter light and lack of colour. Photos are not as spectacular on the page as in Know ~ Sara Miles summer. Over the holidays they have done Do you ever wonder if the weather is amazingly; look closely for atmosphere and extreme for a particular time of year? Or evocativeness in this edition. what you should be doing in your garden at We’ve been struggling with keeping costs the moment? Now you can find some down in this lean period with 12-pages but answers in Priscilla Ewbank’s Islands we just can’t get the news and the pictures Almanac–a new, regular feature of the in, not to mention all the wonderful Readers Island Tides’ website. Letters. Won’t you please help us by sending This collection of anecdotes gathered in your monetary contribution to getting the over the past seven years in Priscilla’s newspaper into your mailbox? (See our Saturna Notes column offers an intimate appeal, page 14). look at life on the Islands. Whether it’s time The Power Is Not With Us to plant, pick blackberries or wear woollies and brave the winter winds, the Almanac Over the last while southern Islanders have records it all. been complaining that sometimes their You can check what happened at this pumps and microwaves won’t work. I first time last year, or browse through an entire noticed something odd between Christmas year to remind yourself of the constant shift and New Year. Quite regularly, my of seasons. During these dark days, the uninterruptable power supplies would start summer entries are particularly pleasant. bleeping—though there was no power-out You can find this complete history of or apparent brown-out. And they kept local, seasonal events at bleeping—very annoying. I thought the www.islandtides.com/html/almanac.htm. back-ups need replacing. But then I heard from those with the know-how to measure Community Transition the voltage of the electricity we are News ~ Zorah Staar receiving—98volts instead of 120volts Pender Community Transition (PCT) has seems to be the propblem. begun work on a CRD-funded research A phone call to BC Hydros’ Media project entitled ‘Localized, Low-Carbon Relations Officer Ted Olynyk confirms that Energy Production on Pender: What's BC Hydro is having difficulties keeping up Doable for the Future?’ Former Penderite What can you do in response? Educate growing or re-localizing our economy with demand for power; not only on the Nadia Nowak (University of Northern BC) yourself from various sources and send your generally. (Look for an in-depth by Patrick Gulf Islands but on Vancouver Island in is Technical Researcher, I am the opinions to your Member of Parliament Brown on CETA in an upcoming edition.) fast-growing areas like the Cowichan Valley, community researcher responsible for (note: MP’s debated CETA for the first time Pender Community Transition meeting Genoa Bay and Maple Bay. gathering the alternative energy wisdom of in December, 2010). Consider the National is scheduled for Saturday, January 29, 1pm, Olynyk says there is work to be done to Farmers Union petition at www.nfu.ca. In at the Community Hall Lounge). If you are bring the supply up to meet demand and to interested Penderites. PCT recognizes that addition, some Penderites have started a Pender person who ever eats, drives a car, provide ‘resiliency’. the fundamental challenge for all of us Now there is new reason that our should be energy conservation (learning to raising awareness about CETA and related takes a ferry to buy stuff, or cares about the appliances won’t work; the power does not use less oil and less energy overall), but issues, and suggested that there be a future (Wait —that’s pretty much all of us!) actually need to have collapsed. It seems meanwhile we’ll always need some energy, cooperative meeting of all Pender groups you are enthusiastically invited to attend. that, if it’s winter and lots of people are on- so let’s research the most useful alternatives and people who are involved in local food Contact [email protected] for more info. 0 Island, we will need to be frugal with our for Pender. demands. A new reason to increase our local Olynyk reminds customers, that when community resilience is CETA, or the Capital Regional District there is an actual power-out, to remember ‘Comprehensive Economic and Trade what was on and turn it off (including Agreement” now proposed to be signed Notice of thermostats); leaving only one light to show between Canada and the European Union Building Regulation Bylaw you when the power has returned. When (EU). According to the National Farmers that light comes on, start to use your service Union, this massive free trade agreement Public Information Sessions for Contractors and Homeowners gradually in order that the supply does not would restrict the ability of Canadian Take notice Bylaw 3741, Building Regulation Bylaw No. 5, 2010 has been collapse under overload. governments at all levels to favour local food introduced and is proposed to replace the current Bylaw 2990, Building Keep those pucklights and the firewood or other product sources, and would also Regulation Bylaw No.4, 2002. The proposed bylaw amendments include legislative, procedural, fee and building code updates. to hand. Good luck! effectively eliminate a farmer’s or citizen’s Pender Film Group ability to save, reuse, exchange or sell any Salt Spring Island – January 11, 2011 Time: 8:30am – 10:30am This tireless group which selects and seed with a gene patent attached to it (with Location: ArtSpring, 100 Jackson Avenue screens movies at Pender’s community hall enforcement by seizing their assets and Pender Island – January 14, 2011 will be showing the first film of the year on freezing their bank accounts). Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm Saturday, January 29. ‘The Social Network’ Furthermore, the Council of Canadians Location: Pender Island Public Library meeting room, Bedwell Harbour Road is about the man who started Facebook, (www.canadians.org/trade/issues/EU) says – January 21, 2011 now a billionaire—and should give some that CETA puts everything on the table— Time: 12:30pm – 2:30pm insight into what makes people tick. Read how we grow food, produce energy, and Location: Galiano Island Community Hall, Sturdies Bay Road the article on Mary Lake (page 3) for news supply water, including public services and Agenda: on the power of social media. Presentation of the Bylaw – 30 minutes intellectual property rights. European General discussion – 30 minutes Coming up shortly will be a documentary negotiators, acting on behalf of Europe’s One on One discussion – 60 minutes about David Suzuki. The next edition of largest corporations, hope to privatize and Island Tides in Pender mailboxes will snatch up more energy, infrastructure and The proposed bylaw can be viewed on the CRD website: www.crd.bc.ca/ bylaw3741. Questions regarding Bylaw 3741 can be directed to Robert include a flyer with all the film listings for water projects in Canada. Canadian Gutierrez, Manager, Building Inspection at 250.360.3230 or toll free the next three months. Post it on your fridge negotiators are seeking better access to the 1.866.475.1581. Written submissions should be sent to the CRD by mail to to keep up to date. European market for GM crops, hormone- PO Box 1000, Victoria BC, V8W 2S6, by fax 250.360.3232, or through our Films are usually on Friday and treated beef and raw resources without website: www.crd.bc.ca/3741feedback. Saturday. Attendance (or the donations at having to meet EU standards. the door) dropped off in 2010—won’t you Local communities have very little to Robert Lapham, General Manager Planning and Protective Services please show your appreciation for these gain from CETA and much to lose, which is Capital Regional District Dated: December 17, 2010. volunteers by attending as often as possible why we should consider stopping it before in 2011. it can be signed at the end of 2011. Page 14, ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2010

Photo: Derek Holzapfel Golden crowned kinglet dines at the sparkling roadside on South Pender.

Happy New Year! To our advertisers, writers, photographers, and readers—and a big ‘Thank You’ those of you who have already sent in your contributions and thank you for your kind words.

We are looking forward to an exciting year. News stories in the works are: CANADA-EUROPE TRADE AGREEMENT - negotiations for this have been going on, below the radar, for years. Like the MAI or NAFTA, it involves the adoption of foreign standards for patents, food safety, genetically modified plants, etc. and would also include a Chapter 11-like provision to enforce 'national treatment'. It would also ban local preference for public sector contracts, and provide new impetus to privatization. BC HYDRO RATES FORECAST TO CLIMB STEEPLY - this is blamed on the need to renew generation and transmission infrastructure, but if Hydro was not locked in to buying power at high prices from IPPs and other actions under the provincial energy policy, should it not be able to finance these renewals without raising rates so much? PENSIONS - the federal and provincial finance ministers have apparently agreed on having a voluntary ‘pooled retirement pension plan’ rather than an expansion of the CPP. Employers need not contribute; employees need not join. The devil is, as usual, in the details, not known by anyone before their agreement. Is this just a gift to the banks? Is it likely to solve the problem of inadequate middle- class retirement savings? CAP & TRADE - is dying in the US, and therefore will in Canada. BC is still in the WCI scheme, but only has legislated anything so far. SEA TO SKY - the original P3 contractors and financiers of this project have sold it to a consortium of financiers and Canadian pension funds, presumably at a profit. The attractiveness of the deal was probably assisted by the existence of a 'shadow toll' - a contract payment to be made by the Province which depends on the traffic carried by the highway - and which was never disclosed to the public. A contract was awarded to a subsidiary of the original contractors to install and operate traffic counting and identification technology on the highway. BILL C-36 - it appears that Bill C36 amends: the Criminal Code, the Official Secrets Act, the Canada Evidence Act, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) Act and a number of other Acts, and enacts the Charities Registration (Security Information) Act, all in order to combat terrorism. An eerie part of Bill C-36 is its ‘harmonization provisions,’ which subjects Canadians to the demands of ‘international organizations and trade agreements’ without any debate or control.

he most effective way to ensure that Island Tides has sufficient revenue to keep all this amazing stuff coming is for readers to give an annual ‘subscription’ for the newspaper that Tyou already pick-up or receive in the mail. Our suggested amount is $28.00 ($25.00+HST). Or consider sending an amount of your choice to help us cover staff, production, printing, postage, delivery, news-gathering, research, writing, editing, photography, computers, internet, office equipment etc, etc. $28 is not a lot and it works best if all our readers pitch in. Many people tell us they keep meaning to send us a voluntary subscription—if you have ever thought that, now is the time to actually do it. Not only that—tell your friends and neighbours that you did. It will remind them they wanted to send theirs in.

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CANCUN from page 1 number of informal working groups on buzzing. When the plenary convened, soon as possible.’ It states that Report on the roads key issues, with co-chairs selected to pair the mood of the room was clear. industrialized countries should reduce BC’s road upkeep programs are generally well- a developing country with an Espinoza was greeted by a prolonged, emissions by 25-40% below 1990 levels managed, says Auditor John Doyle in his latest industrialized country. While she was emotional, standing ovation. Work by 2020. report, although there are still some opportunities asking small groups to meet behind continued through the night, indeed It deals extensively with the need for for improvement. The report, Upkeep of the closed doors, risking comparisons to until 6:30 the next morning. But the adaptation (creating a Cancun Provincial Roads Network by the Ministry of Copenhagen, she ensured that any enthusiasm for the text was shared, Adaptation Framework and Adaptation Transportation and Infrastructure, examined country could join any meeting nearly universally. committee), for financing, it creates a whether management of road upkeep programs was underway. Her repeated assurances of Only Bolivia registered its objections. new Green Climate Fund, as well as being done in an economical, efficient and effective transparency and inclusiveness led to a Canada clearly didn’t like the text, but funding to help arrest deforestation. manner. remarkably cathartic discussion, with Canada was not going to block what was What Does It Mean? ‘Overall, government is managing its road country after country calling for an a widespread consensus. (I spoke with It means Kyoto is still alive, but the maintenance programs well, and showing careful exorcism of the ‘ghost of Copenhagen.’ acting Environment Minister John Baird parties are not committed to a second regard for cost, efficiency and effectiveness,’ said That discussion seemed to shift the just as the plenary resumed at 9pm. He commitment period when Kyoto’s first Doyle. ‘This is an encouraging finding, considering negotiations to a more constructive told me Canada had lots of problems period ends in 2012. It just means there the importance of the road network for the well- approach. with the agreement, and if the text was could be a second commitment period. being and safety of all BC communities.’ Still, progress was slow and sessions opened up, it would not survive.) Anchoring of voluntary pledges from the Among the key findings were that the ministry laboured in fragmented discussions, all What Was Agreed? Copenhagen Accord may fit into the was taking the necessary steps to ensure that off to the side. On the afternoon of the The documents do not by themselves language of the LCA text, but the contractors were completing their required work, last day of the conference there was no obligate governments to take any new Copenhagen Accord targets are and that there were clear and well-defined roles for sense of the dramatic events that were to steps to reduce emissions. What they do laughably weak. Hence, the language the ministry and the contractors. In addition, the unfold. is build a strong foundation for calling for industrialized countries to relationship between the ministry and its contractors What we had not understood that: agreements to be reached at COP17 next ‘raise the level of ambition’ in their is positive and collaborative. The ministry also runs Mexican host Patricia Espinoza and year in Durban, South Africa. targets. a results-oriented management system while Christiana Figueres, respected Costa The language is strong and Somehow in Durban at COP17 we will striving for continuous improvement. Rican diplomat and new head of the unequivocal. In the LCA decision it is have to find a way to either continue this The audit identified some opportunities for United Nations FCCC Secretariat, had stated ‘climate change represents an two-track process (Kyoto and FCCC) or decided to try something novel (and urgent and potentially irreversible threat merge them in one agreement. improvement, such as managing the ministry’s risky). As each sub-group made to human societies and the planet, and What Can Canadians Do? assets and work backlog to achieve the greatest long- term value, as well as creating a more robust set of progress, whereever consensus thus requires to be urgently addressed by Once again, our government won the measuring and reporting practices by which to gauge appeared, comprehensive draft language all Parties.’ Colossal Fossil Award for being the most the ministry’s success. was prepared and distributed—fifty The decisions confirm that the obstructive nation in the negotiations. ‘In BC, there have been missed opportunities to nations were in direct consultation science and IPCC advice is compelling. It Before Durban, we have to get a change around the emerging, consensual text. commits to find ways to avoid allowing in our government’s position, or get a invest in the road network, such as during times of Last Minute Surprise global average temperature from new government. Canada stepping up to economic strength,’ said Doyle. ‘Going forward, I Finally, in the afternoon of that last day, increasing by 2ºC, but recognizes the commit to a second commitment period, would like to see government demonstrate that its two texts were released. One dealt with need to consider that the high point even on weaker targets, could help shift long-term decision making will provide British the future for Kyoto, the other with the should be 1.5ºC. For the first time in a the balance to saving Kyoto. The bottom Columbians with the best value—the longest so-called ‘Long-term Cooperative Action’ UN decision, it mandates that all nations line is that we are running out of time. In duration of service for the least amount of money.’ (LCA) issues. In total over 30 pages of should immediately determine the year the next 12 months, we must seize the The Auditor General is a non-partisan, detailed text. The text had something for by which GHG emissions should peak and small ripples of hope that are emanating independent Officer of the Legislature who reports everyone. If accepted, everyone would begin to fall. It states all parties agree from Cancun. We must build a public directly to the Legislative Assembly. The Auditor have to give a little ground. ‘that Parties should cooperate in demand for real action to bring the General Act empowers the Auditor General to The two draft texts had been achieving the peaking of global and words and framework of the Cancun conduct audits, report findings and make distributed and delegations were national greenhouse gas emissions as agreements to life. 0 recommendations. 0 Page 16, ISLAND TIDES, Jan 13, 2010

Photo Priscilla Ewbank Winter walk on Saturna.

When Times Are Tough, Buy Art! ~ Robert Montgomery n December, Christies Auction House brought in a Can I (or you) see myself as someone who actually worker. I proudly announced to him I was following his record $42 million for a Roy Lichtenstein, at the same invests in Art? advice and he gave me the other key ingredient. Iauction an Andy Warhol (the Campbells Soup can) Isn’t Art really only for the elite? Regular people don’t Do you like to look at it? Does it make you feel good to commanded a cool $7 million plus change. own things like that. My money won’t be enough. I can’t risk be around? If not, don’t buy it. You may have to live with it It may seem like a real stretch from where we live, out anything so speculative. for a while. here in the Salish Sea, to Christies Auction house, but the Good reasons no doubt, but remember the lowly sound If you can answer yes to the above questions, buy that reality of investing in fine art is here too. In fact, Andy guy? A couple of thousand dollars and he had gotten in, I piece you have imagined. Or at least start asking if it could Warhol bought me my house on Saturna Island. had to try. So I gulped, and threw out all the questions and be had. Contrary to the popular myth, Artworks have held Some of you will now throw the paper down and say, said to myself, ‘maybe I could.’ I told the voice on the phone their value and even appreciated, while the rest of the ‘yeah sure…’ yes, just to find out what I was going to miss. financial instruments tanked. I decided to write this because I’ve Seems we had slipped out of Buy work of an artist you have heard of. gotten a bit tired of stories of the super rich the actual galleries and into a An emerging artist could become a world attraction; an getting richer, these tips may help you to much less formal area of the old master could be far more affordable than you thought. see that one doesn’t have to be on the ice Art World. The Jagger print Remember that any artist who has become known, or to benefit from their game. had been located in New York, talked about, has more than one work. While a particular Some time ago I was working alongside and could be delivered in a tube piece might be in the millions, another by the same artist a young easterner, and at the time we were if I was really interested. In a might be just a tiny fraction of that. making what we thought to be good tube? The prints I had seen in As soon as you can afford to, have your work properly money, however when I compare to what the galleries were all over protected. is paid now, we were in the lower echelons. $25,000 and finely framed. In our climate, mold is a big issue so if you have chosen He told me that he had managed to buy a Here was the artwork rolled up a painting, print or a fabric, put it in an air sealed frame. If Picasso, a small one and a not so famous as if it was map or something. your work is a sculpture or a piece of fine furniture, find an one, but a Picasso none the less. I was And they wanted significantly acceptable coating that will not diminish its value, or keep surprised to think that a lowly sound guy less than 1/3 of the gallery it in a place that stays heated and dry. Whatever you do on a rock tour would be a collector of fine prices. don’t place your newfound investment in the direct sunlight art, so I quizzed him and this piece of Here’s a second thing to put or next to your woodstove. If you have a homeowners advice has proved to be true, almost in your toolkit. insurance policy, send the details of your piece to your continuously. Fine Art in not agent, in my case there was no increase in my premiums to While you have an income, invest in art, Untouchable. specifically mention the piece. If you don’t have any it just keeps going up. In fact you can handle the insurance or good storage, consider storing your work at a The Warhol print I found (see picture), work, touch it, frame it (or not) gallery, either on display or in their controlled environment. I chose from a catalog, asked around and generally treat it just like Now that you have a few tools to work with, get out there several galleries, and eventually forgot about it. Then one you would any other thing that you appreciate. Placing art and become ‘a collector’ there has never been a better time. day I got a call, a friend of a friend of one of the gallery in some rarified place, keeps many of us from ever thinking And no, I’m sorry to say, the selling price for my Warhol people, just might know where the print I had asked about we could possess such a thing. was not anywhere close to what Christies got for theirs—but could be found. Did I still want it? So, I who had never in my life invested in anything, I have my house. 0 This point, beyond all others, is the critical moment. decided I would do it. I was surely in the league of my co-

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