Saturday, November 08, 2008
Answers to questions from Gabriola Sounder
Questions
1. Road maintenance and transportation are two issues of interest to many Gabriolans. What do you think are islanders’ main concerns around these issues and how will you address them.
Potholes, unpaved roads, and alkali gravel from Texada – work with RDN rep and the province, to effect change.
There is a transportation committee already at work –support them.
Devise and implement plans to reduce the traffic on the Ferry to force the fares down. Because of the prices traffic at Departure Bay is already down so far that for most runs they are using the older smaller ferries while a Billion dollars of ferry corporation debt, lies tide up in harbor – this has forced them to cut fares about 30% for next two months. If each island could cut in half the number of cars using the ferry, then prices would have to drop thus forcing down fares.
Access to timely and appropriate healthcare is on many Gabriolans’ minds. How will you balance islanders’ healthcare needs with those of the regional district?
Continue to support The Gabriola Health care Society as they are handling this issue quite well. When you have competent, talented and committed people you support however you can and you stay out of their way.
There are a number of important questions that have not been asked. I would like to see the Trust become more negotiable when they can within their mandate. Too often antagonistic relationships have developed which need not have happened had a more concerted effort been made to explain why and how decisions were made in respect to the mandate the province has given us.
2. Gabriolans have many opinions on how best to use island land. Issues surrounding agriculture, trails, and parkland management and acquisition need to be addressed. What do you think is Gabriola’s major land use issue? How will you address it and is there a timeline?
Stick to the OCP, zoning and bylaws. The major land use issue is misuse - septic systems too close together polluting their neighbor’s wells. Too many people are trying to use the same part of the water table. We have a study coming up which should give us better information on our water table and sustainability. In several parts of the island we are nearing or passed the ability of the rain to recharge our systems. People’s wells are now running dry every summer. The real question is how do we use all of our resources in a sustainable way.
3. Headlines declare the economy is in recession and some Gabriolans can no longer sustain themselves on island because of rising food costs and lack of affordable housing. What is the district doing about these issues and how will policies affect Gabriolans?
The District is essentially doing the same old things that have failed before. I doubt that what the district does will have any real effect on us. Our drive should be in the area of getting lower ferry fares, developing affordable housing and becoming more self-sufficient as an island.
One issue that has not been asked is what to do about houses built without permits or not up to code – I don’t want to see anyone’s house bulldozed. Give them time to bring up to code and a hefty fine for not getting a permit, but don’t destroy their home – that is not the Canadian way.
4. If our readers have more questions, how can they contact you?
I can be contacted at 250- 247- 7661
E-mail: ian.lowden@shaw.ca
Ian's Blog: http://ianlowden.blogspot.com/
Or at raspberries some afternoons.
I will be happy to address groups if they invite me and have
specific questions on where I stand on issues..
1. Road maintenance and transportation are two issues of interest to many Gabriolans. What do you think are islanders’ main concerns around these issues and how will you address them.
Potholes, unpaved roads, and alkali gravel from Texada – work with RDN rep and the province, to effect change.
There is a transportation committee already at work –support them.
Devise and implement plans to reduce the traffic on the Ferry to force the fares down. Because of the prices traffic at Departure Bay is already down so far that for most runs they are using the older smaller ferries while a Billion dollars of ferry corporation debt, lies tide up in harbor – this has forced them to cut fares about 30% for next two months. If each island could cut in half the number of cars using the ferry, then prices would have to drop thus forcing down fares.
Access to timely and appropriate healthcare is on many Gabriolans’ minds. How will you balance islanders’ healthcare needs with those of the regional district?
Continue to support The Gabriola Health care Society as they are handling this issue quite well. When you have competent, talented and committed people you support however you can and you stay out of their way.
There are a number of important questions that have not been asked. I would like to see the Trust become more negotiable when they can within their mandate. Too often antagonistic relationships have developed which need not have happened had a more concerted effort been made to explain why and how decisions were made in respect to the mandate the province has given us.
2. Gabriolans have many opinions on how best to use island land. Issues surrounding agriculture, trails, and parkland management and acquisition need to be addressed. What do you think is Gabriola’s major land use issue? How will you address it and is there a timeline?
Stick to the OCP, zoning and bylaws. The major land use issue is misuse - septic systems too close together polluting their neighbor’s wells. Too many people are trying to use the same part of the water table. We have a study coming up which should give us better information on our water table and sustainability. In several parts of the island we are nearing or passed the ability of the rain to recharge our systems. People’s wells are now running dry every summer. The real question is how do we use all of our resources in a sustainable way.
3. Headlines declare the economy is in recession and some Gabriolans can no longer sustain themselves on island because of rising food costs and lack of affordable housing. What is the district doing about these issues and how will policies affect Gabriolans?
The District is essentially doing the same old things that have failed before. I doubt that what the district does will have any real effect on us. Our drive should be in the area of getting lower ferry fares, developing affordable housing and becoming more self-sufficient as an island.
One issue that has not been asked is what to do about houses built without permits or not up to code – I don’t want to see anyone’s house bulldozed. Give them time to bring up to code and a hefty fine for not getting a permit, but don’t destroy their home – that is not the Canadian way.
4. If our readers have more questions, how can they contact you?
I can be contacted at 250- 247- 7661
E-mail: ian.lowden@shaw.ca
Ian's Blog: http://ianlowden.blogspot.com/
Or at raspberries some afternoons.
I will be happy to address groups if they invite me and have
specific questions on where I stand on issues..
