North Island Gazette, February 13, 2014

49th Year No. 06 Newsstand $1.29 + GSTwww.northislandgazette.com

NEWS: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS: 250-949-6225 SALES: [email protected]

• SONG ON MENU Tenor Ken Lavigne

headlines annual NICS dinner show.

Page 5

• PLAYOFF REACHEagles midgets, ban-tams move on to Island semifinals.

Page 13

• ARTS SCHOOLCoal Harbour sensei opens new Aikido dojo in Port Hardy.

Page 14

J.R. RardonGazette editorALERT BAY—Canadian

snowboarder Spencer O’Brien will not be bring-ing an Olympic medal home from her stay at the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. But, boy, did Cormorant Island ever get a party out of the trip.

O’Brien, 26, was born and spent her early child-hood in Alert Bay before relocating to Courtenay. In recent years, she has vaulted to the upper ech-elon of women’s slopestyle boarding, earning world championships in 2012 and 2013 in the discipline that made its Olympic debut this month.

“She’s really made us proud,” said Minnie Johnston, O’Brien’s grand-mother. “It’s so exciting — but I still get scared when she goes up in the air so high.”

When O’Brien qualified on the opening day of the 2014 Winter Games for the medal-round finals, Alert Bay pulled out all the stops to celebrate and urge her on to success.

Saturday afternoon, 10

hours before the 1:15 a.m. Pacific start of the slope-style finals, more than 200 residents gathered — many dressed in regalia — in front of the big house for a community photo and

impromptu pep rally.Facing a brilliant win-

ter sun but a biting, chilly breeze, the crowd waved Canadian flags and a wide assortment of signs, sang O Canada, and chanted,

“Let’s go, Spencer!” under the watchful gaze of a CBC News camera.

At the centre of the rally were granny Minnie and O’Brien’s auntie and uncle, Juanita Johnston and

Aubrey Johnston.Later that night, two

separate viewing parties

Alert Bay backs Olympian

February 13, 2014

eat.

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drink. OUT * CATERING * BANQUET ROOMS * MEETING ROOMS * 9040 GRANVILLE ST. * PORT HARDY INN * 250OUT * CATERING * BANQUET ROOMS * MEETING ROOMS * 9040 GRANVILLE ST. * PORT HARDY INN * 250OUT * CATERING * BANQUET ROOMS * MEETING ROOMS * 9040 GRANVILLE ST. * PORT HARDY INN * 250OUT * CATERING * BANQUET ROOMS * MEETING ROOMS * 9040 GRANVILLE ST. * PORT HARDY INN * 250OUT * CATERING * BANQUET ROOMS * MEETING ROOMS * 9040 GRANVILLE ST. * PORT HARDY INN * 250

be cozy.

See Valentine’s Day, p. 9-12

Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275

Gazette staff PORT HARDY—A series of attacks and threatening behaviour by wolves has prompted the Conservation Offi cer Service to urge North Island residents to use extra caution while walking their pets. “February is mating season for wolves and wolves tend to be more

aggressive towards domestic dogs as they feel threatened by them,” said Gord Gudbranson, an offi cer stationed at the North Island Zone in Black Creek. “For this reason pet owners should make sure that if pets are left alone, they should be left indoors or in a secure fenced yard or kennel. Pet owners should always keep their pets leashed and

under control at all times.” Since Feb. 3, when a pet dog was bitten by a wolf in the carport of its Storey’s Beach home, The COS has logged three reported attacks in the vicinity. The following day, a wolf killed and partially ate a pet dog off Byng Road near the airport. It was later destroyed by COS and Port Hardy RCMP.

Then, on Feb. 8, a woman walking her three dogs on the tidal fl ats near Park Drive and the Tsulquate Reserve was approached by a pack of fi ve wolves. The dog owner managed to fend off the wolves by

Wolves raise hackles in Port Hardy

See page 3‘Wolf activity’

See page 15‘O’Brien eyes 2018’

EDITORIAL Page 6 LETTERS Page 7 SPORTS Page 13 CLASSIFIEDS Page 16-18

BULLYING IS NOT A PHASE

HOME AUTO LIFE BUSINESS MARINE TRAVEL 310-VIIC

Wednesday February 26th is Pink T-Shirt Day

in support of anti-bullying awareness

JOIN VIIC, WEAR PINK & LEARN MORE AT PINKWALL.CA

Fans of Alert Bay-born snowboarder Spencer O’Brien rally in front of the Big House Saturday prior to O’Brien’s appearance in the Olympic women’s slopestyle finals. J.R. Rardon

GAZETTENORTH ISLAND

www.northislandgazette.com Thursday, February 13, 20142

Empowering People

Volunteers help build communities.

Forms Assistance For Seniors

Hospice

NI Crisis

Victims Services

For info of Volunteer Opportunities

please call Pat Horgan or Cathie Wilson

at 250-949-8333.

1-855-678-7833

RECRUITMENT Professionals Connecting Professionals

Where EmployersMeet Employees!

After conducting engagement sessions in the communities that would be affected by proposed sailing reductions across the coastal ferry service network, the provincial government has recently confirmed a plan to reduce sailings across a number of routes serviced by BC Ferries.

BC Ferries will now implement these service adjustments to ensure new route schedules are in effect by April 28, 2014.

BC Ferries is seeking public opinion regarding schedule options for all of the affected routes. Anyone interested in recommending a preference for one of the schedule options available for each route they utilize may do so through an online survey that will be made available from February 12 - 21, 2014. To participate in the survey, please visit bcferries.com and look for the section titled “New Schedule Options”.

BC Ferries’ Sailing Schedule Refinement Options

— Public Survey

Tom FletcherBlack PressBC Ferries is going

ahead with elimination of the run from Port Hardy to the central coast, Transportation Minister Todd Stone said Wednesday.

Sailing reductions to save $18.9 million will go ahead largely as announced last year, with some “refining” to come after hearing pub-lic concerns.

Stone released the final report on con-sultation with coastal communities, confirm-

ing that despite public objections, low-utiliza-tion sailings on minor routes across the system will be stopped by April 28. Final schedules are to be released by the end of March.

Stone said some routes have the option of eliminating mid-day sailings so they can retain early-morning and late evening routes used by people going to work or taking in events. BC Ferries will meet with community repre-sentatives to examine those options, although

Stone acknowledged that union contracts restrict possible savings from splitting up the service day.

Stone said “tough decisions” were nec-essary to maintain the long-term viability of the ferry service.

“None of this should come as a surprise,” he said.

NDP ferry critic Claire Trevena said cut-ting mid-day sailings to save morning and eve-ning runs isn’t much of a solution, because it shifts traffic to peak

times where ferries may be overloaded.

“It’s going back to communities to say, OK, do you want to lose your left hand or your right hand,” she said.

The only signifi-cant route change announced as a result of public objections is an increase of the sum-mer sailing from Bella Coola to Bella Bella from one run a week to three.

The consultation report has been posted online at www.coastal-ferriesengagement.ca.

Ferry cuts confirmed

Hot stuffAbove: Members of Coal Harbour, Port Hardy and Port Alice Fire Department pose in front of a burning building on Quatsino Reserve. The building, previ-ously damaged, was used for a live burn training exercise before being demolished with a controlled burn.Right: Frank Paul came prepared as firefighters monitor the building.

A O’Toole

Thursday, February 13, 2014 www.northislandgazette.com 3

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NEW LISTING!

New Listing!Wanted: fans of inclusion, inspiration, sport, and fun!Special Olympics BC is welcoming athletes to power up brand-new programs in the Mount Waddington area.

For more than 30 years, Special Olympics BC has been dedicated to providing individuals with intellectual disabilities opportunities to enrich their lives and celebrate personal achievement through positive sport experiences.

We are seeking athletes ages 8 and up for our swimming and 5-pin bowling programs, and youth ages 2 to 6 for Active Start, which teaches basic motor skills through fun and positive movement experiences.

We invite athletes, parents, caregivers, and assisted living programmers to attend our information meeting. Join our joyful community!

When: 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2014Where: Port Hardy Civic Centre – Island Copper Room, 7400 Columbia St.

More info:Bobby Debrone, Manager, Community Development Tel 250.208.5402 Toll-free 1.888.854.2276 Email [email protected]

www.specialolympics.bc.ca Facebook specialolympicsbc

and search for Special Olympics BC – Mount Waddington

Twitter @sobcsociety

Wolf activity merits cautionfrom page 1

yelling at the wolves and kicking the river ice as she retreated back to her vehicle, Gudbranson said. The RCMP made patrols to the area and spoke to several area residents notifying them of the incident.

Sightings — includ-ing a photo of a wolf in a vacant lot on Hunt Street in Port Hardy Jan. 31 — have also been shared by resi-

dents on the Facebook page “North Island Wildlife Awareness” for much of the past month.

“Wolves are gen-erally not a threat to humans,” said Gudbranson. “Wolves

are secretive; usually once a wolf has spotted or winded a human it will run away without the person even know-ing it was there.”

Gudbranson offered the following advice for those who encoun-ter a wolf:

• Bring children and

pets inside until the wolf has left the area;

• Do not allow a wolf to approach any closer than 100 metres;

• Raise your arms and wave them in the air to make yourself look larger;

• Maintain eye con-tact with the wolf; and,

• Back away slowly, do not turn your back on a wolf.

The Conservation Officer Service is mon-itoring the recent wolf activity and is urging the public to report all wolf encounters or sightings to them at 1-877-952-7277.

SEEKING PROPOASALSRepair and Building Upgrades

The Village of Alert Bay is seeking proposals for the Piling repair and building upgrades at the Visitor Centre/Library-Museum .

Scope of work:To provide upgraded under pilings, foundations and secure the existing

building from elements.· Remove/replace or repair existing decomposed pilings· Remove/replace or repair failing concrete foundations

· Secure concrete sidewalk between building and Village Square (north side)

Deadline for submission is 4:00pm Friday February 21, 2014

All inquiries should be directed to Pete Nelson-Smith, Public Works Superintendent 250-974-7091 [email protected]

Proposal Packages are available at www.alertbay.ca or by calling Pete Nelson-Smith

“Wolves are generally

not a threat to humans.”

Gord Gudbranson

Pin upPort Hardy Rotarian Dale Dorward, left, accepts the ‘Energizer Bunny’ pin for volunteerism from District Governor Pete Taylor during Taylor’s recent visit to the North Island. Sandy Grenier

Rachel Child came to work at Hardy Buoys in the summer of 2008. Over the years she has worked in just about every area of the operation. Always eager to learn new procedures and processes. Rachel is putting her years of experience into training to become a Lead Hand. Born and raised in Port Hardy. Together with her fi ance’ Albert they are raising two energetic boys, Mattias & Mason. Being surrounded by a large close knit extended family is what she loves most about living on the North Island. What she likes most about her job is the people. Rachel is on the Joint Health & Safety Committee and is our Catcher for “The Smokers” baseball team. Deeply committed to community, Rachel never hesitates to volunteer her time. Hardy Buoys values the dedication Rachel gives to her job, family & community. A truly AMAZING employee and person.

MEET OUR AMAZING CREW

Rachel Child

person.

9300 Trustee Road,(In The North Island Mall)

Port Hardy, BCV0N 2P0

www.northislandgazette.com Thursday,February 13, 20144

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 921 of the Local Government Act that the Board of the Regional District of Mount

Waddington (RDMW) will consider adopting a resolution to approve the issuance of Temporary Use Permit TUP-01-2013 at its meeting on Tuesday,

February 18, 2014, to be conducted in the boardroom of the RDMW administrative o� ce located at 2044 McNeill Road in the Town of Port

McNeill, commencing at 2:00 p.m. If approved, the Temporary Use Permit would allow, subject to conditions,

a temporary dwelling to be located on 4040 Cougar Crescent, Woss, BC (Lot 19, Block D, Section 21, Rupert Township). � e temporary dwelling would be in the form of a travel trailer that would allow the residents of the property to reside within it for up to 18 months. A copy of proposed Temporary Use Permit and related information can be inspected at the

RDMW administrative o� ce located at 2044 McNeill Road, Port McNeill, B.C., between the o� ce hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through

Friday, from February 4, 2014, until February 18, 2014. Written submissions regarding this proposal can be sent by email, facsimile, mail or hand

delivered using the contact information below. All submissions must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2014.

Jonas Velaniskis, Manager of Planning, Regional District of Mount Waddington

PO Box 729, 2044 McNeill Road, Port McNeill, B.C. V0N 2R0Telephone: 250-956-3301 Facsimile: 250-956-3232 Email:

[email protected]

REGIONAL DISTRICT OF MOUNT WADDINGTON

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY USE PERMIT

HealtHy corner

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February is Heart Month, and not just because of Valentine’s Day. Heart month began 60 years ago to fund-raise for heart and stroke research. To date, Heart Month volunteers have raised $1.3 billion to fund research and fight heart disease.

Heart disease is an umbrella term referring to a group of different health issues that can affect the function of the heart and cardiovascular system. These issues include high blood pressure, coronary artery disease(build-up of plaque on artery walls), high cholesterol and more. Having multiple risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol increases your risk of complications such as a heart attack or stroke.

You can prevent many of the risk factors of heart disease through healthy lifestyle practices such as; not smoking, being active, eating a balanced healthy diet, decreasing or managing stress and managing other health challenges, such as diabetes, if you have them. This month to help you with making heart healthy food choices, I will be conducting store tours in both Overwaitea and IGA. The tour will give you skills to navigatethe grocery store. The dates and times of the tours are: February 19th, 2014, 11am at Overwaitea in Port Hardy. February 20th, 2014, 11am at IGA in Port McNeill.

Come out to learn and be entered in a draw to win a basket of heart healthy ingredients! For more informationregarding Heart Month visit www.heartandstroke.com. For more information regarding the store tour call Bronwyn Coyne at 250-956-4461 ex66259.

CorrectionThe article on the

Speaker’s Corner series in last week’s Gazette misidentified the guest speaker. Randy Bell of Alert Bay was the present-er at the event.

The Gazette regrets this error.

J.R. RardonGazette editorPORT McNEILL—

Efforts to create an economic strategic plan for the Town took a big step forward last week when council approved a proposal by the Zethof Group to help formulate the plan.

The $50,000 plan is jointly funded by Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) and the Town of Port McNeill. A draft plan is tenta-tively expected to be completed and submit-ted for a community workshop by the end of May, 2014. An open house will be hosted to provide additional public review and input no later than July, and the final Strategic Plan will be announced in August.

Council had to sift

through a su rpr i s ing 24 respons-es to the T o w n ’ s Request for Proposal, which was drafted after ICET committed to matching funding.

They were won over by Bert Zethof, who personally visited and spent several days in the town.

“I’m happy with what we chose,” coun. Shirley Ackland said. “I think (Zethof) had a personal touch. I like that he drove up and talked to us. Many of the reports added that piece into what they were going to offer, but he had already done that on his own time and his own dime.

“And he wasn’t just talking with us. He was talking in the

community and find-ing infor-mation out about Port

McNeill.”Zethof, a former

staffer with B.C.’s Ministry of Economic Development before forming his own firm, will employ Sointula’s Annemarie Koch as a subcontractor providing research, local expertise and community engage-ment support.

Mayor Gerry Furney and council-lors Ackland, Grant Anderson, Chris Sharpe and Gaby Wickstrom will serve as steering committee.

Project ComebackPat English, Economic

Development Director for the Regional District of Mount Waddington,

unveiled the results of a survey of the North Island’s Grade 11 and 12 students during a presentation to council. English also outlined the schedule for a series of development work-shops beginning later this month and invited council to take part.

Project Comeback, initiated by English’s predecessor, Neil Smith, in 2013, is an effort to determine what causes young adults to leave the North Island after com-pleting school and the economic and social determinants that might best draw them back to work and raise families in the region.

“The end point is to develop some strate-gies to strengthen youth retention,” English told council.

Economic plan OK’dCouncil Meeting

Port McNeill

Taking on taggingTed Olynyk, left, BC Hydro’s community relation director for Vancouver Island, presents a $1,000 grant cheque for graf-fiti removal to Port McNeill Mayor Gerry Furney and Councillor Shirley Ackland last week in front of a hydro box painted by artist Heather Brown at the Port McNeill waterfront.

J.R. Rardon

GAZETTENORTH ISLAND

Chamber Updatesubmitted by Carly Pereboom

Port Hardy & District Chamber of Commerce Executive DirectorSubmissions to Update: Fax: 250-949-6653 or email [email protected]

GM Luncheon February 19, 2014R.S.V.P by February 14th

Sponsored by

UPDATE on Broadband: Fiber Optics & North Island Communities Broadband provides the technological capacity for businesses and communities to compete and communicate in the modern world. Upgrades to remote areas present a fiscally daunting task for both private investors such as Telus and the rural communities in need of critical technological upgrades. The District of Port Hardy and the Regional District of Mount Waddington have engaged Design Nine, a consulting firm that has global experience in networking services to remote communities. The consultation will cover topics from infrastructure construction to technical concerns, planning and political considerations; Design Nine will provide a summary report in the near future, with information regarding successful strategies for joint private and public sector investments, which will be reviewed by the District of Port Hardy and the Regional District. The Port Hardy Chamber is working in partnership with the District as this process goes forward, as well as working alongside other Chambers whose communities are facing similar challenges.

Online: Chamber Members Area We have developed a members’ area at www.ph-chamber.bc.ca to provide members access to privileged information. Visit www.ph-chamber.bc.ca and visit our members’ area, located under the Chamber of Commerce header. When prompted for a password, you can enter the password to unlock deals on hotels, car rentals and links to future promotions by the BC Chamber of Commerce and more. For more information and for your Chamber Member access code contact us @ 250-949-7622 or [email protected]

Gala Planning - Business Awards 2014 Mark your calendars, this year our Gala and Business Awards will be April 12th! We are currently looking for volunteers for our fantastic Gala Event Committee! Play a part in this yearly fun night recognizing the contributions of business in your community. Look for business nomination information on our website or contact the Chamber Office for more details; 250.949.7622 or [email protected]

Waggoner Coffee Break A successful morning meeting January 15, 2014. Special thanks to those members who attended our first "Coffee Break" of the year. Our guest was Mark Bunzel, editor and publisher of Waggoner Cruising Guide. Mark is the past president of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce and a proponent of diversification and services in coastal communities.

Mark's primary objective was to meet and greet Port Hardy businesses to better understand what the community has to offer boaters. He highlights Port Hardy on a regular basis, but feels there may be more we could be doing to connect with the thousands of boaters that pass through our waters each year. We will be working towards implementing the following suggestions; Updating the website to include a section for boaters; Work towards sponsored WIFI at the various wharfs throughout town; Promote events & services on online forums that boaters frequent; Do out-reach to clubs and flotillas that travel together yearly. We’ll keep you updated on our progress. GM LUNCHEON FEB.19th @ Setos 12:00-1:00pm Guest Speaker – Doug Bennet sight supervisor for the new Coast Guard building in Port Hardy, he will be speaking about how the project is developing, site features and how their building will be green! RSVP by Feb. 14th @ 250.949.7622 or [email protected]


Port Hardy - Thunderbird Mall • 250-949-9522

Port McNeill - Broughton Plaza • 250-956-3126

Looking for a list of 10 foods that are generally good for you? Hereʼs one: almonds, apples, blueberries, brocolli, beans, salmon, spinach, sweet potatoes, vegetable juices and wheat germ (sprinkle on cereals and use in baking).

Many factors aff ect how drugs work in our body. These include age, liver and kidney function, genetics and reactions with enzymes in the body that aff ect drug metabolism. Weʼve learned much in recent years about the eff ects of enzymes on drug action allowing new drugs to be more effi cient at lower doses and with fewer side eff ects.

One pound of body fat contains 3500 calories. If you reduce the number of calories you eat and drink each day by 500 calories, youʼll lose two pounds in a month. Combine that with walking a half hour per day and you are well on your way to your desired weight. With all the weight-loss ideas all around us, this is the simplest: expend more calories than you take in. It works!

Pharmacists are often asked about non-prescription products to help sleep. Melatonin may help. Start with 0.5 to 1mg an hour before bedtime. Melatonin is a hormone that occurs naturally in our brains but the amount we produce can drop with age. Give melatonin a try.

We are familiar with the various remedies people take to help them sleep better. Weʼd be happy to discuss them with you.

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winter snow plowing & sanding

a reminderThe winter sanding and snow plowing season is upon us. do not park vehicles (cars, trucks, trailers, boats, etc.), basketball hoops or other equipment on District roadways as they interfere with plowing and sanding activities.

District of Port Hardy Operational Services(tel) 250-949-7779 (fax) 250-949-7465

email: [email protected]

notice to property ownerssnow & rubbish removal

bylaw 14-2005 - maintenance of boulevards

Sec 4(a): An owner or occupier of real property shall:

i) remove snow or ice from a sidewalk or footpath bordering his real property by 10:00 a.m. each day; and

ii) remove rubbish from a pedestrian facility bordering his real property by 10:00 a.m. each day.

Sec 4(b): An owner or occupier of real property shall remove snow, ice and rubbish from any roof or other part of any structure thereon adjacent to any portion of any highway or sidewalk if the snow, ice and rubbish constitute a hazard to person or property.

In doing the above, no person shall use corrosive material or willfully damage any District property.

The full bylaw is available on the District website: www.porthardy.ca

District of Port Hardy: (tel) 250-949-6665 (fax) 250-949-7433

email: [email protected]

district of port hardy

Gazette staffPORT HARDY—

North Vancouver Island may be a bit off the beaten path, but it will be smack in the middle of The Road to Carnegie Hall Feb. 22 when the North Island Concert Society resumes its 2013-14 concert season by pre-senting Ken Lavigne.

Lavigne, a found-ing member of the Canadian Tenors (now know as The Tenors), will appear as part of the annual NICS din-ner show at the Civic Centre. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dinner is served beginning at 6 and Lavigne takes the stage with his band at 7:30 p.m.

Rather than a straightforward singing concert, Lavigne’s The Road to Carnegie Hall chronicles his odyssey en route to realizing his dream of singing onstage at the vener-able New York City venue, through a mix of music, anecdotes and humorous story-telling.

A veteran performer with the Pacific Opera Victoria, the Portland Opera and Burnaby Lyric Opera, Lavigne is still in demand as an opera performer. But

he has found success and a new following in the genre known as “cross-over” clas-sical, employing his polished and powerful voice to blend classical and modern pop music in the vein of a Josh Groban or, indeed, The Tenors.

Lavigne has toured the show since last fall, backed by a band featuring piano, guitar, bass, drums and violin. Some combination of that group will support him in his Port Hardy stop, part of a larger B.C. tour that serves as something of a home-coming for the Victoria native.

Catering is provided

by Northern Lights Restaurant, and dinner will be accompanied by music from the North Island Community Band.

Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance for this event, with the ticket deadline Monday, Feb. 17. Tickets are avail-able at Port Hardy Museum and Cafe Guido in Port Hardy; at The Flower Shoppe in Port McNeill; and in Port Alice by calling Gail Neely at 250-284-3927. Additional ticket information is avail-able through Kathleen Davidson at 250-949-7676, and more info on the concert society can be found at www.niconcert.ca.

9-9130 Granville StreetPort Hardy

Great investment property or perfect for the � rst time home buyer. This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhome is situated in a very central location in Port Hardy. Easy access to schools, hospital and shopping. Plenty of storage with a separate storage area outside and more storage off the second bedroom on the top � oor. Seawind Estates is a quiet complex in a great area.

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Very well maintained three bedroom,

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Good sized family room with a wood

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Merrilee Tognelacell: 250-230-52201-800-779-4966mtognela@coastrealty.comwww.coastrealty.com

PRICE REDUCED!

NICS invites tenor to dinner

Ken Lavigne

Immigrant focusses on NICGazette staffPORT HARDY—

Thanks to help from staff at North Island College’s Mount Waddington campus, a recent Canadian immi-grant can study in com-fort in NIC’s English Second Language tutoring sessions.

Kazeem Af-say came to Canada as a refugee, to escape the violence of Iran, after his wife had been killed and his children taken from him. Now a permanent resident of Canada and living on the North Island, Af-say visited North Island College in Port Hardy seek-ing English Second Language tutoring ses-sions as he wanted to improve his English skills.

During Af-say’s writing and read-

ing assessments, he requested to be closer to the light. He was wearing glasses, so ESLSAP Coordinator Julia Falla Woods, wondered why he needed more light.

“I asked him if he had a problem with his glasses,” Falla Woods said. “He said, ‘I know these glasses are not

good. They are those that you buy at the pharmacy, but I can’t afford to buy glass-es that are good for me, but can I still do the tutoring sessions, please?’”

Falla Woods con-tacted Thuy Sin, the Settlement Manager at the Immigrant Welcome Centre of

North Vancouver Island, located in Campbell River, and asked her if something could be done.

After the Immigrant Welcome Centre arranged an eye exam and the purchase of lenses, Af-say received his new glasses and started his tutoring ses-sions at North Island College Jan. 9.

“This is just one example of the won-derful partnership that exists between the Immigrant Welcome Centre and NIC’s ESLSAP program, as both organizations work to welcome and prepare new immi-grants for their new lives in Canada, and on the North Island,” said Susan Auchterlonie, NIC’s director of com-munity relations.

Volunteer mentor Arnet Hales, left, joins recent immigrant Kazeem Af-say in North Island College’s English as a Second Language program. Photo submitted


VICTORIA – On April 1, medical marijuana growing licences expire across the country, and only licensed commercial growers will be able to legally fill a pre-scription for pot.

Ottawa is moving to clean up the mess it created by issuing medical licences all over the country. Since then, municipalities have complained that small-scale medical licences have been greatly exceeded, with many used as fronts for a criminal drug trade that has made B.C. infamous around the world.

How big is the problem? There are about 38,000 Canadians licensed to carry marijuana for medical pur-poses, and half of them live in B.C. At the community level, police in the Fraser Valley suburb of Maple Ridge estimate that it alone has 500 properties licensed to grow pot. No, Maple Ridge is not a world hotspot for glaucoma or arthritis. Police have only an esti-

mate because Ottawa’s bun-gled medical pot scheme conceals the location of licensed growers from pro-vincial and local govern-ments.

This mess was created by Ottawa in response to a court ruling that forced them to make medical pot available. The Harper gov-ernment remains trapped in a failed war-on-drugs mentality that prevents any innovation or even common sense.

Then there is the circus

in Vancouver, where self-styled princes of pot exploit the confusion of the medi-cal marijuana law to run an Amsterdam-style retail trade.

Cannabis Culture, the pot and propaganda empire built by Marc Emery before he was jailed in the U.S., rants about the govern-ment’s “war on patients,” amid garish ads for “pot by post” and exotic weed varieties.

“By Health Canada’s own estimate, the cost will increase from $5 per gram to $8.80 per gram – going up by nearly 400 per cent,” its website warns. Apparently smoking lots of weed really is bad for your math skills.

Dana Larsen, who spear-headed the ill-conceived and failed decriminaliza-tion petition last year, heads up the serious-look-ing “Medical Cannabis Dispensary.” It has done so well at its location in the drug bazaar of East Hastings Street that it’s got a branch

office on Vancouver’s west side.

Its official-looking forms have a long list of con-ditions where only a con-firmation of diagnosis is required. In addition to gen-uine conditions such as side effects of chemotherapy, it includes anxiety, psoriasis, spinal cord injury and even “substance addictions/with-drawal.”

And did you know you can get a vet’s note to buy medical pot for your pet?

Larsen has boasted about the exotic offerings of his stores, including “water-melon hash oil” at $150 for 2.5 grams. Wow man, that’s like 400 million per cent higher!

Fittingly, this farce goes back underground on April Fool’s Day. Medical users can only order shipments from an approved commer-cial producer.

Tom Fletcher is legisla-ture reporter and columnist for Black Press. [email protected]

6

COMMENTARY

Before Spencer O’Brien shuffled her snowboard to the brink of the starting drop-off in Sunday’s Winter Olympics slopestyle finals, she was already a winner in the eyes of those in the small community where she was born.

A 12th-place finish in those finals didn’t change that.The community of Alert Bay pulled out all the stops

last weekend to honour O’Brien, the two-time reigning world champion in women’s slopestyle. It is a chal-lenging, hybrid event combining sliding on rails, like those found at neighbourhood skateboard parks, with acrobatic jumps.

O’Brien’s Olympic scores were undone when she touched down unevenly on two of those jumps, and the medals in the event were hung around the necks of others.

But if medals were awarded for inspiring a communi-ty, she would have been on the top step of the podium.

“What I’m hoping to get out of this is inspiration for our young people,” Val Hunt said as she helped deco-rate the local Rec Centre for a public viewing of the finals. “I hope this lifts them up to follow their dreams.”

As a small, remote and largely First Nations com-munity, Alert Bay can benefit from role models like O’Brien, who has already proven herself among the world’s elite in her sport, regardless of Sunday’s shaky landings.

She may have moved as a child to Courtenay and, later, to Vancouver to be nearer the training facilities offered at Whistler Ski Resort.

But last weekend showed O’Brien remains Alert Bay’s child, and the village shared her dreams and goals as family.

With the help of North Island College, a recent immigrant can easily manage his English language class with new glasses.

Well, that was helpful. After another round of ‘consultations’, the province and BC Ferries decided service cuts are just the ticket.

Comments? Box 458, Port Hardy, B.C. V0N 2P0 250-949-6225 Fax 250-949-7655 or email us at [email protected]

A member ofThe North Island Gazette is published Thursdays at Port Hardy, B.C. by Black Press Ltd.Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #391275. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

One year home delivered North Island subscription = $48.05 (includes GST)For other subscription rates call the Circulation Dept at 250-949-6225

Follow us on Facebook: North Island Gazette

Question: Was the BC Coastal Ferries Community

Engagement a waste of taxpayers’ money?

www.northislandgazette.comTotal votes received for this question:

Voting deadline is Monday at 3 p.m.

Yes80%

No20%

Rocky landing offers lesson

B.C. Viewswith Tom Fletcher

Prescription pot pretense ending

We Asked You

This North Island Gazette is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council.Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2.For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

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Letters to the editor The goal is to publish every letter, so keep them brief, clear and to the point. Be hard on the problem, not the person; skip quotes except where readily confirmable; accept editing

for length and legality. Include full name and home community (plus phone number to confirm authorship). Mail, fax, email or drop off c/o the editor by 4:00 pm Friday.

[email protected]

Is columnist drinking from tailings ponds?Rants Raves&

Come to the Hobby Nook and choose from these great itemsto wrap your sweetie up:

• Blankets • Sweaters • Coats • Hats • and more...

Let us help you make this Valentine’s Day Special!

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p up your sweetheart!

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Hello Kitty!Love cats but don’t have

the time or space to adopt one?

The Cat’s Meow Society is always looking for

donations: cat food, toys, money, or your time.

Any contribution would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Old man, take a look at your facts (B.C. Views, Jan. 22)

Tom Fletcher should stop taking Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver’s advice. Drinking from tailings ponds does not appear to be bringing any clarity to his argument.

The fact that similar environmental destruction exists in the U.S. means Canadians should shut up and ignore what goes on in our country? Would Fletcher at least con-cede that any industrial development of this size comes at a significant cost to the environment?

I agree that the oilsands are extremely important to the Canadian economy and provide thousands of high-pay-ing jobs to people across this country, but surely there’s room for a balanced discussion. Perhaps we could start somewhere between shutting it down as Neil Young would prefer or expanding it as fast as humanly pos-sible, the clear choice of the present federal and Alberta

governments.If Young’s comments lead to discussions at dinner

tables across this country then he did us all a great ser-vice.

Bob TannerCampbell River

Open letter to Premier Christy Clark and Transportation Minister Todd Stone:

Dear Mrs. Clark, Mr. Stone,

The signees of this letter represent the major tour operators in Germany special-ized in travel to British Columbia.

To our dismay we have learned that there exist plans to discon-tinue the BC Ferries service "Discovery Coast Passage" between Bella Coola and Port Hardy. We all still cannot believe that this really is a seri-ous plan of the B.C. Government and at this point we can only urge you to intervene immediately in order to avoid serious and lasting damage to British Columbia tour-ism from Europe.

Apart from the local problems and grief

this would cause for many of our partners in the lodge-, ranch-, hotel- and excursion-business in the Chilcotin and North Vancouver Island regions, the B.C. Government is in danger to virtual-ly destroy one of the most important travel routes for repeat cus-tomers – Highway 20, the Chilcotin Highway. By forcing this well performing and prom-ising route into a dead-end-situation, B.C. is taking away the major part – if not all – of the route's attractive-ness. British Columbia is in danger to lose one of the most substantial and promising magnets for repeat – and thus lasting – tourism from Europe.

This is our cur-rent evaluation of the impending situation combined with our hope that it might be

helpful for your own analysis. Regarding your plans and deci-sions and to avoid mis-understandings: Apart from our view of the local and province-wide impact of such a decision we still respect the legitimate interest of a company and / or its sharehold-ers to terminate a ser-vice which appears not profitable. But what we cannot accept – and what is much more dramatic in our case – is the timing that you seem to have in mind for your corresponding plans. Are you aware of the circumstance that all our 2014 travel catalogues have been printed and completely distributed long before we had the chance to learn about this situ-ation? Just imagine what huge investment this alone is reflecting. The Discovery Coast

Passage is published all over Germany and Europe – as a stand-alone product as well as (and even more so) as a component in all sorts of self-drive packages. In the public opinion of European travel-lers the Discovery Coast Passage is happening in 2014! Hundreds of pas-sengers and vehicles are already booked. Bookings for the 2014 season have been accepted for more than 6 months now - just like it has always been the mutually agreed and accepted pro-cedure between BC Ferries and its oversea partners. Even entire tour series with buses and tour-guides and many eagerly awaiting German passengers are booked on this connec-tion!

In other words, what you are threatening us

with are significant financial losses (lodges and hotels would need to be cancelled, other transportation means would need to be found – e.g. floatplane – but what happens with the rental vehicle?), since according to European travel right, these costs cannot be charged to the customer – as you will know. Lawsuits would become inevi-table. Reservation departments would be blocked away to han-dle the mess of rebook-ing, compensation and legal communication in a time where they should do nothing else but receive and pro-ceed travel bookings to British Columbia. Thus, the total impact for us and for tourism in British Columbia is not even foreseeable at this point.

So, may we raise the question why you

seem to consider turn-ing your back on all your oversea partners – partners who have been loyal and reli-able to BC Ferries and B.C. Tourism for the past decades? Would it not be a fair and nor-mal procedure to give your partners at least a one-season-notice in order to allow us to adapt to the new situ-ation, to rework and change itineraries and, ultimately, to avoid printing hundreds of pages with wrong con-tents and thus produc-ing a significant image damage to the general perception of B.C. Tourism's reliability?

At this point we can only hope that it is not too late to minimize or reduce the damage. If it is too late may we kindly inquire as to your compensation plans, assuming that you would not leave

this financial damage on our shoulders alone.

Many thanks for your attention and your quick response.

Kind regards,

Rainer Schoof, Managing Director,

SK TOURISTIK;Tilo Krause-Dünow, Managing Director,

CANUSA TOURISTIK;

Per Illian, Director, DER

Touristik Frankfurt;Mike Lehmann, Director, Meier's Weltreisen, DER

Touristik Frankfurt;Michael

Merkentrup, Managing Director,

CRD Canada Reisedienst;

Heike Pabst, Group Destination Director North America, FTI

Touristik;Andreas Neumann, Managing Director, Explorer Fernreisen

Ferry cuts face European backlash

Sea GateMarket

Open every Sunday(weather permitting)

11:00am to 4:00pmWhere:

Sea Gate Pub parking lot

First come first served

Contact Carrie for details,250-230-1176

Email: [email protected]

10 x 10 tent with table available for rent

February 14Treat your special Valentine to dinner and movie, cour-

tesy of Tia’s Café and Gate House Community Theatre, Port McNeill. 5:30 p.m. dinner at Tia’s followed by show-ing of Hitch, 7 p.m. at the theatre. Tickets $50 per couple; dinner seating limited so act early. Movie also open to those who do not attend dinner. Tickets available at Tia’s Café; FMI gatehouseca.org.

February 15Avalon Adventist Junior Academy invites all to its

performance of Avalon's Got Talent, 6 p.m. Variety show, dessert bar by donation. For more info, call 250-949-8243.

February 16Hotdog and hamburger sale, 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. hosted

by the Hardy Bay Seniors, 9150 Granville St.

February 16Bottle drive fundraiser by Eagle View grade 5/6 stu-

dents, collecting for their ski trip. Bottles can also be dropped at the Return-it centre in Port Hardy.

February 21 Watch an inspirational movie based on an international

best-seller before it comes out on DVD at PH Baptist Church (6950 Highland Drive), 7 p.m. This movie is meant for adults and teens. $2 per person (includes pop-corn). Concession with pop, chips and chocolate bars ($1 ea). FMI: www.porthardybaptistchurch.ca

February 21-22Port McNeill Figure Skating Club hosts its biennial

Ice Carnival at Chilton Regional Arena. Shows at 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday.

February 22North Island Concert Society presents Ken Lavigne,

original Canadian Tenor, in its annual dinner show, Port Hardy Civic Centre. Doors open 5:30 p.m., dinner 6 p.m., music at 7:30. Additional dinner music provided by North Island Community Band. Tickets $45, available in advance at Cafe Guido and Port Hardy Museum in Port Hardy, at The Flower Shoppe in Port McNeill and in Port Alice by calling Gail Neely, 250-284-3927.

February 22Women’s Wellness Gathering 2014 at T’lisalagi’lakw

School, Alert Bay. Daylong series of interactive work-

shops covering fitness, nutrition, meditation and yoga with guest instructors. All ages welcome; $60 per person before Feb. 15, $80 afterward. FMI or to register: 1-514-708-8685 or email [email protected].

February 22 & March 1 Word Level 1 course at North Island College, 9 a.m.- 4

p.m.. Call 250-949-7912 to register or for more info.

February 26Mount Waddington Health Network hosts its 2014

Health Forum, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Port McNeill Lions Hall. Booth setup 9-10 a.m.; Health Network elections held during lunch. To register or reserve a booth, contact Bettina at 250-902-6090 or [email protected].

8 www.northislandgazette.com Thursday, February 13, 2014

HOT

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SPIKETOP CEDAR LTD.Quality lumber since 1992

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Air dried clear lumber in stock

5935 Steel Road (TACAN Site)Call Jim: 250-949-1283

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LOOKING FOR A CAREER?

Want to stay on the North Island?REGISTER NOW!

250-956-0004#3B-211 Hemlock St.(Above Subway) Port McNeill#3B-311 Hemlock St. (Above Subway) Port McNeill

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Welcome

Chantal FritzOur new instructor

MEETINGS & ONGOING EVENTS• Are you interested in being part of the team?

Join the PH Fire Dept. drop-in meeting every Thursday at 7 p.m. at the fire halls.

• Port Hardy Museum & Gift Shop open Tue-Thu, 1- 5pm; Fri & Sat. 10am- noon & 1- 5pm. FMI 250-949-8143.

• Quatsino Museum & Archives is open Saturday and Sunday from 1:00-2:00 pm Sept.-June, daily July-August. FMI [email protected].

• Games Day first Sunday of each month, 3-5 p.m., Coal Harbour Activity Centre. Bring a friend. Free. FMI 250-949-0575.

• PH Lions Club Bingo every Thursday. Doors open at 5:30pm.

• The German Edelweiss Cultural Club meets Thurs. at 7pm in PH Inn Pub. FMI 250-230-1376.

• The Port Hardy Hospital Auxiliary Society meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome.

Locally Distributed

8665 Hastings, Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0

250-949-0193 or 250-334-1666

Kevin McIntyre

GOOD LUCK !158 Athletes, 44 Coaches, and 19 Officials from Vancouver Island - Central Coast (Zone 6)will be at the Mission 2014 BC Winter Games February 20 - 23.

T’ ŁisAlagi’lakw schoolFeb 22nd 9:30 am - 4:30pm

$80 per person$60 Early hummingbird until feb 15th

includes healthy lunch

inquiries: [email protected]

T’ ŁisAlagi’lakw schoolFeb 22nd 9:30 am - 4:30pm

inquiries: [email protected]

Talking Circles: healing + sharingFitness: strength + Empowerment

nutrition: immunity + Vibrancymeditation: balance + creativity

yoga: Alignment + Flow

Woman’s WellnessGathering

Woman’s Wellness

alert Bay, B.C.

Tickets cedarandgold.ca/events

***rsvp***space is limited

Locally Distributed

8665 Hastings, Port Hardy, BC V0N 2P0

250-949-0193 or 250-334-1666

Kevin McIntyre

Gazette staffPORT McNEILL—The

Mount Waddington Health Network will offer a free, daylong Health Forum Feb.

26 to connect the public with a wide range of health-care programs and services avail-able on the North Island.

The Health Forum will be

held at Port McNeill Lions Hall, on Mine Rd., with wel-comes beginning at 10 a.m. Booths will be set up and staffed by representatives

of numerous health care and health support services available in the region.

Lunch will be served as well, and elections for the

Mount Waddington Health Network will take place over the lunch break.

The public is invited to drop by at any time. Booth

set-up will be held from 9-10 a.m. To register a booth or for more info, contact Bettina at 250-902-6090 or [email protected].

Health Forum to connect public with programs


Happy Valentine’s Day

Wrapped up in LovePurchase an in� nity scarf or a

pashmina and receive a bonus $5 gift card! at

the Book Nook

up in Loveup in Love

Latte Love

Purchase one Cafe Guido to-go tumbler and receive a

bonus $5 gift card! at Cafe Guido

Hurry! Offers only

available until February 14th

Perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day?

Fri. & Sat 5- 10 pmCall NI Lanes to book.

250-949-6307

Come to the North Island Lanes Valentine’s Day weekend.

Sweetheart

ChallengeFeb. 14 & 15

Enter to Win PrizesEnter to Win PrizesEnter to Win Prizes

Couples $30Singles $15

Come check out these LOCAL stores & restaurants for great Valentine’s Day gifts, fl owers, chocolates or a night out

for you and your sweetheart


Come to Rexall Drugstore. We have a large selection of perfume or jewellery that will

make your sweetheart smile. Don’t forget to pick up some yummy

chocolate or candies. We have a large selection to choose from.

8925 Granville StreetPort Hardy, BC

250-949-6552

Want to win over someone’s heart?

For all your Valentine needsFor all your Valentine needsChocolates Candy Cards Flowers

Sun. – Thurs. 8am – 8pm • Fri. & Sat. 8am – 9pm

with awarm winter coat, gloves,

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Do you need the perfect gift

for your loved one?Peoples Drug Mart

Port McNeill has it all.

Broughton Plaza • 250-956-3126

Every sweetheart loves chocolate! We carry Rocky Mountain Chocolate

Factory and Russell Stover. Get yours while supplies last!

Every women likes Jewellery!!!Come in and see our

beautiful selection of jewellery.

Great Food • Great Atmosphere • Great Location

8700 Hastings Street250-949-7811• www.thesporty.com

Kelsey Lavoie and Josh Terry present a “heart-song” theme ~ playing folk/rock & roll with some heartbreaking melodies, all acoustically as a duet.

EntertainmentEntrees:Ginger Salmon Salmon fillet pan seared and finished with a sake and soya glaze, served with basmati rice & seasonal vegetables $28Pepper-Crusted Fillet Mignon with a red wine sauce, served with duchess potatoes & seasonal vegetables $32Chicken Breast Stuffed with Apple & Goat Cheese served with a seven grain rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables $26

Valentine’s Day Menu

Appetizers:Curried Carrot SoupRoasted Pear Walnut Goat Cheese SaladChilled Prawn Cocktail with Cocktail Sauce (add $3)

Dessert:Fruit Kabobs with a chocolate dipping sauce and an orange dipping sauce

Cherries Jubilee served warm over vanilla ice cream

Raspberry Fool

*Prices includes choice of an Appetizer & a Dessert

Glen Lyon Inn& Suites

3 Course Menu Including:

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Entrée: Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Scallops and Prawns, Seasonal Vegetables & choice of Potato or Rice

Dessert: Chocolate Mousse OR New York Cheesecake with Strawberries & Whip Cream 250-949-7115 • 16435 Hardy Bay Road, Port Hardy www.glenlyoninn.com • [email protected]

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Reservations Recommended

250-949-7135

Valentine’s at the Glen Lyon



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We deliver to all North Island Communities!

SPECIAL DINNER for VALENTINE’S DAYFriday, Feb. 14th5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Quarterdeck Pub 6555 Hardy Bay Rd, Port Hardy250-949-6922

Seafood Newburg $18.95Scallops, Snapper, Prawns, Halibut & herbs in a creamy sauce baked in a pastry shell served with Rice and Veggies

Roasted Lamb $21.00with Greek Salad, Roasted Potatoes, Pita Bread

8oz New York Steak $18.95with Baked Potato, Veggies, Mushroom Sauce

Chicken Cordon Bleu $17.95Chicken Breast stuffed with Ham & Swiss Cheese and topped with béarnaise sauce, Mashed Potatoes & Veggies

Vegetarian Supreme $15.95Stir Fry Garden Veggies topped with Portobello Mushrooms and Brie Cheese

Appy:Calamari $11.00with Tzatziki and Pita Bread

Garlic Prawns $7.00

Advance Reservations Suggested

250-949-6922

*O� ers valid until Valentine’s Day.

Want to get the perfect gift for your Sweetheart?We are o� ering half price facials... Hurry in and book with Kathy

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Book a Manicure or Pedicure and receive a beautiful Sparitual Nail polish

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7035 Market St.250-949-5905



sports & recreationSubmit results to 250-949-6225 Fax 250-949-7655 or email us at [email protected] • Deadline 10 am Monday

on deckTell us about items of interest to the sports community.

February 14Men’s hockey

A League: Mustangs at Bulls, 7:30 p.m., Port Hardy; Islanders at Warriors, 9:15 p.m., Port Hardy.

February 14-16Curling

Broughton Curling Club’s mixed open bonspiel, Port McNeill. Draw times tba. Lounge, conces-sion, Saturday dinner for participants. To sign up or for info, call Keith at 250-902-8197 or visit Broughton Curling Club on Facebook.

February 15Rep hockey

North Island Eagles atom development hosts Victoria Racquet Club, 4:30 p.m., Port McNeill.

Minor hockeyPort Alice hosts a

novice jamboree, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Doug Bondue Arena.

Men’s hockeyB League: Whalers

vs. Rookies, 4:45 p.m., Port Hardy; Chiefs vs. Smokers, 9:15 p.m., Port Hardy.

February 16Rep hockey

North Island Eagles atom development hosts Victoria Racquet Club, 9 a.m., Port McNeill.

Men’s hockeyA League: Islanders

at Mustangs, 5:30 p.m., Port McNeill. B League: Smokers vs. Rookies, 8:45 p.m.

February 21Men’s hockey

A League: Warriors at Islanders, 8 p.m., Port Alice; Mustangs at Bulls, 9:15 p.m., Port Hardy.

February 21-23Minor hockey

Port Hardy Minor Hockey midget tourna-ment, Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena. Info, [email protected].

Midgets bounce back to top Comox

Bantams progress despite defeat

Gazette staffPORT HARDY—A

near flawless perfor-mance Sunday showed just what this year’s rep midgets are capable of as they swept aside the visiting Comox Chiefs in exhibition play.

The comfortable 10-1 win was just the tonic after Saturday’s playoff, where the Eagles suffered an 8-1 playoff defeat at the hands of Alberni Valley. Riley Heemels got the only goal for the local side in that

game, in which the midgets held their own in the opening stages before a five-goal third period saw the Alberni side run off with it.

The T3 Alberni team was always a tough prospect. Having spent the season battling it out in Division 1, the side claimed the top spot in the T3 North bracket with ease.

The Eagles will progress to the Island semifinals after taking the second seed in the North.

And Sunday’s game against the T2 Comox side was quite the con-fidence boost ahead of that matchup.

George Walkus put the Eagles on the board with just 33 seconds gone, latching on to an Alex Scott pass and fir-ing home.

From then on a fluid, commanding and, above all, disciplined display from the local side saw them take the game by the scruff and never let go.

The Eagles added

goals from Tyren Dustin, Tyson Cadwallader, Darryl Coon, Thomas Symons and Malcolm Browne, with Brett Walker and David Shaw adding two apiece. Thomas Coon joined brother Darryl, Dustin, Shaw and Cadwallader on the assist list with Scott picking up a second helper.

The visitors finally managed to get on the board with just 2:10 left in the third, an odd-man rush and backdoor

pass spoiling Troy Cadwell’s shutout but taking nothing away from a rock-solid per-formance throughout.

Coach D’Arcy Deacon said, “The score speaks for itself. We asked them to focus on a disci-plined style of play.” The coach said that the squad did concede a few more penalties than it had wanted but commended the play-ers for not engaging when the Comox side began to show sides of

frustration.“We have a big game

next weekend,” he said. “We asked the team to play this game as if it was a final playoff game.”

If the Eagles can replicate the same form, they will give any opponent a run for their money. With the schedule still to be confirmed when the Gazette went to press, Sooke looked likely to be the Eagles’ next opponent after topping the T3 South bracket.

Gazette staffPORT HARDY—A

brutal second period saw the Eagles ban-tams concede nine goals on the way to a 13-0 loss at the hands of Alberni Valley in the Tier 3 North playoffs Saturday at Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena.

The home side were put on the back foot early in the first as the visitors surged for-ward, but dealt well with the pressure from a team that was a competitive force in Division 2 this year.

As the opening period progressed the Eagles looked the

more dangerous of the two sides and Alberni was lucky not to be behind after intense

pressure late in the period.

From the moment the puck dropped at

the start of the sec-ond period the visitors took control, scoring just ten seconds in.

Alberni added four more before the ice-cleaning break and four more after, all variations on a theme. By drawing the defender off the crease and timing a pass to a late arrival in the slot, Alberni were able to race out of sight. The Bulldogs added four more in the third as the Eagles chased a goal of their own.

“We knew they were a tough side, they’re coming down from tier two this year,” said coach Boni Sharpe. “The players didn’t give up, there were no stupid penalties — they kept their positive

energy.”This positive energy

was personified by Jake Grinnell who was tireless through-out, chasing every puck and seemingly involved all over the ice during his shifts.

Having topped Juan de Fuca last week on the road, the Eagles claimed second seed in the T3 North brack-et, but will have to wait to find out their opponent for the next round after the three teams in the south split their games. If decided by goal difference, Victoria will be the next opponents for the rep bantams.

Jake Grinnell races ahead with the puck during the North Island Eagles bantam side's game against Alberni in Port Hardy last weekend.

Above: Tyren Dustin keeps his eye and stick on the puck despite being upended as the North Island Eagles midget side took on the Comox Chiefs last weekend in exhibition play at the Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena. Right: Riley Heemels carries the puck along the boards under pressure. A O'Toole

A O'Toole

www.northislandgazette.com Thursday, February 13, 201414 Sports & Recreation

If you know someone who should be the Athlete of the Week, phone the Gazette at 250-949-6225.

KeenAn SAunderSThe Port Hardy forward earned the Eagles atoms’ ‘Digger’ award in the

gold-medal game as the team won last weekend’s Campbell River tourney.

J.R. Rardon photo

Athlete of the Week

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Peewees go out in styleGazette staffPORT McNEILL—The

North Island Eagles peewee team fell one goal short of advancing in Vancouver Island’s Tier 3 playoffs. But, as usual, the peewees did not fail to provide excitement in a tight, 7-6 loss to the Campbell River Tyees Saturday at Chilton Regional Arena.

“Well, if you wanted to see a hockey game that day, we sure didn’t disappoint,” Eagles head coach Marty Gage said. “Both teams played their hearts out and it was anoth-er episode of the Campbell River-North Island rivalry that’s been going on for the last three years.”

The win clinched the second seed from the Tier 3 North Division into the Vancouver Island semifinals. Alberni Valley, which skated to a 5-5 tie with the Eagles one week earlier, took the top spot.

Rhys Dutcyvich, Carson

Strang and Payton Laming scored consecutive, third-peri-od goals as the Eagles rallied from a 6-2 deficit to close within 6-5. After Campbell River tallied on a hard slap shot to restore a two-goal advantage, Dutcyvich com-pleted a hat trick and brought the peewees back within a score with 7:01 left to play.

The Eagles’ best chance

came over the final minute and a half of play, when the Tyees were whistled for a penalty and the hosts pulled Michael McLaughlin to skate 6-on-4. But despite several scor-ing chances and a couple of pucks that skipped through the crease, the Eagles were unable to punch in the tying score.

McLaughlin came on to play the third period in relief of

starter Michael Perez.“That was for no other rea-

son than a change in momen-tum, and it worked,” said Gage. “Perez held our team in the game in the first and second periods.”

Mathew Saunders scored the Eagles’ opening goal to tie the game 1-1 in the opening period, and added three assists on Dutcyvich’s line. Laming, Clayton Bono and Liem Wadhams also added assists as the peewees fell just short.

“These teams have met in the playoffs, finals of tourna-ments and all the games seem to end in a one-goal differ-ence or a shootout,” Gage said of the rivalry with Campbell River. “They continue to find a way to beat us.”

The peewees will now look to set up some exhibition games and possibly a mini-tournament to wrap up the 2013-14 season, Gage said.

Find your flow with Aikido Gazette staffPORT HARDY—

After months of reno-vations and hard work, Sensei Andrew Hory has completed work on a dojo in Port Hardy and Raincoast Aikikai has opened its doors to students.

The custom-pur-posed facility, next to the bowling alley and Greyhound bus depot on Hastings Street, includes training dum-mies and change facili-ties, but it is the padded floor that will see the majority of the action as students learn the arts of Aikido and Modern Arnis from an expert.

With experience in various forms of Karate, Wing Chun and White Crane Kung Fu in addi-tion to his Arnis and Aikido expertise, Hory draws on an extensive martial arts background. “I started training in martial arts 30 or so years ago when I was 11,” said Hory. “I start-ed training in Aikido in 1994 and beginning in 1996 was a direct stu-dent of Kawahara Sensei (Shihan) until his death in 2011.” Currently, Hory is ranked as nidan in the art.

Aikido — the way of spiritual harmony — is a Japanese martial art

that uses the redirection of attacks against an aggressor, focussing on throws, locks and holds rather than on strikes. Practitioners use joint manipulation to unbal-ance an opponent and redirect the attack to a safe conclusion.

The principles can be used to overcome size and strength disadvan-tages, and seek to con-trol rather than directly harm an aggressor.

The dojo’s web-site describes Modern Arnis by saying, “This Filipino martial art involves the use of weapons, primarily the cane, although the techniques can be trans-ferred to empty-hand use. This is an effective martial that is particu-

larly suited for those wanting to learn an art but may have a physical limitation of one kind or another, as practice is done primarily standing while working with a partner.”

“Although Aikido and Modern Arnis have a lot in common and are both weapons-based arts, I would recom-mend them differently depending on interests and physical capabil-ity,” said Hory. “In Aikido one partner is always being pinned or thrown, as such it is a bit more physical. It is also taught in a more formal manner.

“In Modern Arnis, although there are also throws and pins, most of the practice is done

facing a partner with either sticks or empty hands. Modern Arnis comes from the blade arts of the Philippines along with some influ-ence from Japanese arts such as karate and jujutsu… I personally do not really see them as separate arts even though they are taught differently and use dif-ferent weapons — they embody the same prin-ciples and many of the same techniques. To me, Arnis is a natural extension of Aikido and vice versa.”

Aikido classes are Tuesday and Thursday with kids’ classes start-ing at 4:30 p.m. and adult classes at 6:30 p.m. Arnis classes are Monday and Friday, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Beginners are wel-come and anyone can try or watch a class free of charge; wear a keiko gi or loose clothing if you’d like to take part.

For more informa-tion call 250-949-0627, email [email protected] or go to the Raincoast Martial Arts page on Facebook.

Port Hardy Youth Soccer

Coaches Needed!• No Experience

needed• Training is

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Do it for the kids

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Sensei Andrew Hory demonstrates correct form to students Bertha Nicholson and Kim Vantrease during last week's Aikido class in Port Hardy.

Eagles peewee Rhys Dutcyvich, centre, slices past Campbell River defender Heydon Campbell as goalie Jayce Hudak lunges for the puck.

A O'Toole

J.R. Rardon

Gazette staffThe North Island Eagles atom develop-

ment hockey team bounced back impressively from their first two league losses, rolling to the championship of the Campbell River Family Day Weekend tournament Monday at Strathcona Gardens.

The atoms were coming off back-to-back home losses to Juan de Fuca, the first in Division 4 play for the league leaders, one week earlier.

A long weekend break from league play for the tournament proved just the prescription for the club to return to its winning ways, which included a perfect tournament record.

Individual game details and stats were not available as the Gazette went to press this week.

The atoms are back home this weekend to wrap up the regular season with games against Victoria Racquet Club Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m., both in Port McNeill's Chilton Regional Arena.

The playoff schedule will follow.

Atoms snare tourney title


from page 1were held in the com-munity. O’Brien’s fam-ily and friends gathered at the local Legion Hall to party and watch the broadcast of the slope-style finals, while a separate, all-ages event took place at the Rec Centre.

“Oh, my God, they are so stoked,” said Terri Popovich, who helped organize the Legion event. “Kids at both schools made banners, and you should see all the posts on Facebook.”

A group of volun-teers spent much of the day decorating the Rec Centre with ban-ners, balloons and pen-nants, as well as a huge poster of O’Brien. A large projection screen was hung from one gymnasium wall, with a projector set up to provide the live feed of the finals.

Tanis Dawson, who

directed the deco-rating crew, said she remembered the young O’Brien from her days as the girl’s baby-sitter.

“My daughter was so excited that I baby-sat (O’Brien),” Dawson said. “But then, I baby-sat everyone, so it’s not that big of a deal. Still, I’m excited.”

As the clock ticked past midnight and into the early morning hours, children were treated to snacks donat-ed by the ‘Namgis Band and face painting while the men’s down-hill played on the large screen.

As the women’s slopestyle finals came on, the lights were turned out and the crowd of nearly 100, ranging from infants to elders, whooped when the announcer intro-duced “Alert Bay’s Spencer O’Brien.”

Those whoops faded to groans when

O’Brien struggled with the landing on the first of her jumps in the opening run, and her medal hoped evapo-rated when she slipped again on the second and final run. The Rec Centre audience let out a collective gasp but, after a moment’s pause, regrouped for a hearty round of applause.

“We still love you, Spencer,” one woman called.

“I went for my hard-est run and it didn’t work out today,” O’Brien told reporters following the compe-tition. “So I’m really disappointed and really sad that I let Canada down.”

The Alert Bay con-tingent was similarly disappointed but hard-ly felt let down.

Her aunt Juanita noted that O’Brien had been particularly focussed on these 2014 Winter Games as they

may prove to be her only shot at the qua-drennial international showcase.

“She’s 26, so she would be 30 when the Olympics come again,” Juanita Johnston said. “Not too many people are still competing at this level at that age.”

On the other hand, the eventual bronze medal-winner Sunday morning was Great Britain’s Jenny Jones, at 33 the oldest com-petitor in the women’s field.

And, one day after her disappointing finals, O’Brien took to her Facebook page and provided an indication she may not yet be ready for retirement.

“It came and went,” she wrote. “Really sad not to put down my run, but stoked to be a part of snowboard his-tory. See ya in Pyeong Chang? #30andhope-fullystillgotit.”

O’Brien eyes 2018 Games

Top: Trish Nolie, with flag, centre, leads the cheers for local snow-boarder Spencer O’Brien before the start of the Olympic women’s slopestyle finals at the Rec Centre in Alert Bay early Sunday morning. Above: O’Brien’s image looks on from a large poster as her grandmother Minnie Johnston, aunt Juanita Johnston and uncle Aubrey Johnston pose for a photo at the Legion Hall.

J.R. Rardon

Above: Five-year-old Talan Puglas shows the effects of staying up past midnight waiting for O’Brien’s run at the Rec Centre early Sunday morning. At right: Juanita Johnston (left, with glasses) and her mother Minnie are interviewed for television by CHEK News reporter Dean Stoltz Saturday afternoon in front of the Big House.

A16 www.northislandgazette.com Thu, Feb 13, 2014, North Island Gazette

North Island Church ServicesPORT HARDY BAPTIST CHURCHCorner of Trustee & Highland

Morning Service 11:00 am Plus regular family activities

Office: 250-949-6844www.porthardybaptistchurch.ca

Pastor: Kevin Martineau 11/14

ST. COLUMBA ANGLICAN UNITED

Reverend Wade Allen9190 Granville St. Port Hardy

Phone 250-949-624711:00 a.m. Sunday School and Service

Wed., 1:00 pm Bible StudyEveryone welcome

Meeting rooms available [email protected]

11/14FULL GOSPEL CHURCH

2540 Catala Place Port McNeill(across from Firehall)

Sunday10:30 am - Morning Worship Church Office 250-956-4741

Pastor Stan Rukin Youth Pastor: Steve Taylor

Cell: 250-527-0144Office hours: 10am-4pm Mon-Thurs

Visitors always welcomewww.ptmcfullgospel.org

11/14

CHRIST CHURCH ANGLICANAlert Bay

Sunday Services - 10 amReverend Lincoln Mckoen

1-250-974-5844Warden Flora Cook

250-974-5945Warden Joan Stone

250-974-2234 11/14

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

4680 Byng Rd. Port HardyPastor George Hilton

250-949-8925 or 250-949-8826“Everyone welcome”

Saturday Services9:30am - Bible Study groups

10:45am - Worship/Praise serviceWednesday @ 7pm - Prayer meeting

Avalon Adventist Jr. Academy Offering Christian Education

250-949-8243 11/14

NORTH ISLAND CATHOLIC CHURCHES

Sunday MassesSt. Mary’s Port McNeill: 9am

St. Bonaventure Port Hardy: 11amSt. Theresa’s Port Alice:

Saturdays 5:00pmAlert Bay: 2nd & 4th Saturdays 10am

Father Scott Whittemore 250-956-3909 11/14

PORT MCNEILL BAPTIST CHURCH

2501 Mine RoadSunday

9:45 am (Sept-June) - Sunday School11:00 am - Worship Service

7:00 pm - Evening FellowshipYouth Group Wed - 7:00 pm

Children’s Programs & Adult Bible Studies are scheduled throughout the year.

For information contactPastor Dave Purdy • 250-956-4737

11/14

LIGHTHOUSE RESOURCE CENTRE

• Chaplain Services• Bible Studies

• Spiritual Counselling • Weekly AA Groups

(8635 Granville St. Port Hardy)250-949-8125

11/14

PORT HARDYCHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

at Providence Place, 7050 Rupert StSunday Worship 10:30 am & 7 pm

Tuesday Prayer 7:30 pmMidweek Biblestudies - Call the church

for time and place250-949-6466

Pastor George & Karen Ewald (home) 250-949-9674

E-Mail:[email protected] 11/14

PORT ALICE ANGLICAN- UNITED FELLOWSHIP

Reverend Wade AllenSunday Services - 4pm

1-250-949-6247 Box 159, Port Alice

You are extended a special invitation to share in our Services

11/14

ST. JOHN GUALBERT UNITEDANGLICAN CHURCH

250-956-3533Email: [email protected]

Sunday Worship - 9:00amReverend Wade Allen

All Welcome175 Cedar Street Port McNeill

11/14

GWA’SALA-’NAKWAXDA’XW SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

CHURCHat entrance to Tsulquate Village

(8898 Park Dr)Saturday/Sabbath

10:00 am-Sabbath School11:15 am-Worship Service

Pastor Randy Elliott 250-230-1885 cell

11/14

The next regular School Board Meeting of the Board of Education of School District No. 85

(Vancouver Island North) will be held on

Monday, February 17, 2014 6:00 p.m. North Island Secondary, Port McNeill

This is a public meeting. All interested parties are welcome.

AVALON’S OPEN HOUSE for all programs will be held on March 6, from 10:00 -11:30 followed by

a complementary hot-lunch. Avalon’s Kindergarten Round-up will be held on Tuesday March 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Please come and meet with Mrs. Jackson and check-out our excellent program.

Please call 250-949-8243 or e-mail [email protected] for an appointment.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMING EVENTS

QUALITY ASSURANCE course for Health Canada’s Commercial Marijuana Pro-gram. February 22 & 23 Best Western Hotel, Kelowna, BC. Tickets: 1-855-860-8611 or 250-870-1882; www.greenlineacademy.com

THE 5th annual WCOWMA-BC Convention & Trade Show will be held at the South Thompson Inn and Conference Centre (3438 Shuswap Road) in Kamloops on February 20 - 23, 2014. Work-shops, open forum discussions, networking opportunities and door prizes. Trade show admission is complimentary. Don’t miss the only wastewater trade show and con-vention in BC. More info at www.wcowma-bc.com


INFORMATION

Denied Long-Term Disability Benefi ts or

Other Insurance?If YES, call or email for your FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION

and protect your right tocompensation. 778.588.7049 Toll Free: [email protected]

LOOKING FOR the whereabouts of C.F. Single & S.W. Single. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of these peo-ple, please phone 1-204-224-4815 and leave a message.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUSIn Port Alice-Tues at 7:30 pm in room 101 of the community center. NA welcome. Call Deb or Bob at 250-284-3558 for more info.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Port Hardy meets every Wednesday & Saturday at the Upper Island Public Health Unit on Gray Street at 8pm. Sundays at the Salvation Army Lighthouse, 8635 Granville St., at 7pm.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS - Port Hardy meets on Mondays & Fridays at 8pm. Located at Upper Island Public Health Unit on Gray St. (rear en-trance), Port Hardy, B.C. For more information call 1-877-379-6652.

PERSONALS


INFORMATION

PERSONALS


INFORMATION CHILDREN’S MISCELLANEOUS

PERSONALS


CHILDREN’S MISCELLANEOUS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

INFORMATIONINFORMATION

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL

WE CAN HELPPort McNeill-Mon and Fri 8pm

Room 3 at the Old School. 375 Shelly Crescent.

Call Greg 250-949-0153 or Rick 250-230-4555.

Sointula-Thur 7:30pm at the Sointula Medical Centre.

25-2nd St. Call Annie 604-250-7085.

LOCAL CRISIS LINE 24/7Port Hardy

(250)949-6033Alert Bay/Kingcome

(250)974-5326

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGThe Annual General

Meeting of The Owners’, Strata Plan No. 349,

Cedar Heights Mobile Home Park, will be held on Sunday, February 23,

2014 at 4:00pm at the Quarterdeck Inn

(Conference Room). 6555 Hardy Bay Road,

Port Hardy, B.C.

fax 250.949.7655 email [email protected]

TOLL FREE 1-855-310-3535Your community. Your classifieds.

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WAREHOUSE LIEN ACT SEIZURE

2004 Dodge 4x4 Pickup

JAMES WILLARD GEORGE JOHNSON 714 Parkway Place M/A PO Box 28 Zeballos, BC V0P 2A0 Owing $3,915.68 to date February 1, 2014.This is to notify that the above described vehicle will be seized by Anchors Away Towing Ltd. under the provisions of the Warehouse Lien Act. The amount of the invoice owing is Three Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Nine dollars and Forty Three cents ($3259.43) for storage and related towing until January 1, 2014. There will be ongoing storage charges at Twenty Five dollars ($25.00) per day until the invoice is paid or seizure takes place.

Please contact us at our Woss office, 250-281-3483 or at our Kamloops office at 250-579-2566 regarding this matter ASAP.

ANCHORS AWAY TOWING LTD.P.O. Box 5065, Woss, BC V0N 3P0

Signed, Michelle Lodewijk, Owner

Land Act: Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land

Take notice that ner n De elop ents ritis Col ia Inc fro ontreal C has applied to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO), West Coast Region for 2 In esti ati e Licences for Wind Power purposes situated on Provincial Crown land located at Rupert Land District in t e icinity of Ni p is and

onan a La es

The Lands File Numbers that have been established for these applications are File 1412027 and File 1413151. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to the Section Head, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations at 142 - 2080 Labieux Rd, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6J9, or emailed to:Aut ori in A ency Nanai o o c ca Comments will be received by MFLNRO until

arc 27 2014. MFLNRO may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit our website:

ttp: arfd o c ca ApplicationPostininde sp for more information.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. For information, contact the Freedom of Information Advisor at the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operation s of ce in Nanaimo.


North Island Gazette Thu, Feb 13, 2014 www.northislandgazette.com A17

NOW HIRINGWestern Forest Products Inc. is an integrated Canadian forest products company located on Vancouver Island that is committed the safety of employees, the culture of performance and the discipline to achieve results.

HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC(Northern Vancouver Island)

AREA FORESTER(Mainland Coast Forest Operations)

Detailed job postings can be viewed atwww.westernforest.com/business-value/our-people-employment/careers

We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive bene ts package.

If you believe that you have the skills and quali cations, and want to experience the special West Coast lifestyle reply in con dence to:

Human Resources DepartmentFacsimile: 1.866.840.9611Email: [email protected]

INSTRUCTORLOGGING FUNDAMENTALS

TRAINING PROGRAMWestern Forest Products Inc. is currently seeking a seasoned individual with a background in logging and a demonstrated ability to teach basic logging skills. This is a contract position.

For more information, please visit us at:www.westernforest.com/business-value/our-people/employment/careers

Thank you for your interest, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Western Forest Products Inc. is an integrated Canadian forest products company located on Vancouver Island that is committed to the safety of our employees, the culture of performance and the discipline to achieve results.

The successful candidate must have previous experience, possess superior organizational skills, be an effective communicator and be able to provide exceptional customer service. Dave Landon Motors offers an excellent compensation plan along with a full benefi ts package to the successful candidate. To be considered please e- mail your completed resume with references to the attention of Todd Landon at [email protected]

Career Opportunity

Dave Landon Motors Ltd. is seeking applicants for the position of Service Manager.

Service Manager.

Positions AvailableLasota Contracting Ltd.

is seeking:

Grade Hoe OperatorDriller Blaster

Hoe Chucker OperatorProcessor Operator

These are full time positionsUnion Plus Rate

Email: [email protected]

Triport Minor Hockey AssociationAdministrator

Triport Minor Hockey Association is a volunteer lead organization that oversees the administration and regulation of minor hockey clubs in Port Alice, Port Hardy and Port McNeill as well as the North Island Eagles.We are currently seeking a self motivated, well organized and community oriented person to fill the role of Administrator.Reporting to the Triport president and executive, the Administrator’s primary duties include: registering players, teams and team officials using the Hockey Canada Registry system; acting as Triport’s liaison with BC Hockey and the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association; providing advice to Triport’s executive and members on policy and regulations; sharing information with local clubs via our website and other means; coordinating executive meetings and our AGM.Strong oral and written communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel are required. Knowledge and love of the game of hockey are preferred but not essential.The Administrator has limited duties March through July each year. Workload over the remainder of the year varies and is centered around key registration and administrative deadlines/dates. The successful candidate will have to have the flexibilty to adjust their hours of work to ensure critical work is completed on time.The Administrator’s duties exceed those of a typical community volunteer. In recognition of this additional time commitment, an honorarium of $7000 per year is provided.

Applications should be in the form of a letter describing why you are well suited for the position. Letters should be emailed to the attention of Vadim Stavrakov, Triport President,

at [email protected] .

Deadline for applications is February 17, 2014.

Fisheries Coordinator

The Quatsino First Nation is seeking the services of a full-timeFisheries Coordinator.

Quatsino First Nation is located at the northern end of Vancouver Island, 13 kilome-ters south-west of Port Hardy, B.C. Due to impacts of natural resources management policies implemented by both the federal and provincial governments, we have established a Lands and Resources department. The management of the fisheries resource will be an integral part, and managed in a manner that is more consistent with Quatsino values and principles.

POSITION TITLE: QFN Fisheries Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY: The Fisheries Coordinator will coordinate all technical activities related to fisheries, marine stewardship, fish habitat restoration, marine monitoring and fish culture programs and services with the QFN traditional territories and waters.

DIRECT RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Band Administrator, and in conjunction with team members from the Lands and Resources department:

• Coordination of policy and program development in the area of fisheries man-agement and related activities

• Management of QFN’s Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy agreement with DFO Management of other related contracts, including Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Environment Canada Responsibility for ensuring the safe operation and maintenance of marine vessels, vehicles and related equipment

• Reflect Quatsino First Nation position and interests when representing at external events

• Support for Quatsino Council portfolio holders including developing briefing notes and correspondence, providing technical advice at meetings, and related activities

• Participation in negotiation of fisheries and marine resources management relat-ed protocol agreements with neighboring First Nation communities

• Developing proposals for implementing marine resource stewardship goals• Participation in referral and consultation processes (corporate, province, federal

governments) as developed by the QFN• Participation in development of human resources (QFN) in continually expand-

ing opportunities for participation in fisheries management activities• Represent the Quatsino First Nation in regional and provincial FN organizations

and committees• Collaborate with QFN Development Corporation in aquaculture and fisher-

ies-related business ventures

REQUIREMENTS:• Knowledge of Quatsino culture• Extensive knowledge in fisheries and marine resources management as related

to First Nation• Knowledge of fish biology• Knowledge of Environmental impact assessment legislation • Good written and verbal presentation skills• Human resource and project management skills• Budget management• Valid BC Driver’s License• Ability to pass a Criminal Records Check

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Degree or Diploma in Fisheries Management or Environmental Sciences or related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SALARY:Based on QFN wage scale (dependent on education and experience)

Please provide two references that are directly familiar with your fisheries manage-ment work experience.

Please send application by February 28, 2014 at 4 p.m. to:

Email: [email protected] Fax: (250) 949-6249

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

COUNSELLOR TRAINING online, Register before Febru-ary 28 at www.collegemhc .com, Mental Health Counsel-lor Certifi cate/Diploma, Recog-nized Available: Supervision, Membership, Insurance, Em-ployment/Placement Assis-tance, Client Referrals.

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HELP WANTED

WE ARE looking for young enthusiastic carriers to expand our current paper routes in PORT HARDY, PORT MCNEILL, HYDE CREEK and PORT ALICE. A great way to gain experi-ence with your fi rst job and to earn a little extra spending money! Call the offi ce at 250-949-6225 and ask for Circulation.


TRADES, TECHNICAL

CEDA is Hiring!Shutdown Labourers &

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Qualifi cations include:• Physically demanding• Clean driver’s abstract• Travel within Alberta• Class 1/3 driver’s license• MED 3 boating license

To submit resumeplease visit online:

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JOURNEYMAN HEAVY DUTY MECHANICS

Fort McMurray & Leduc AlbertaGladiator Equipment Ltd. has immediate positions for Journeyman Heavy Duty, off road Certifi ed Mechanics for work in Fort McMurray and Le-duc, Alberta. Excellent wages and benefi ts.

www.gladiatorequipment.comfax 1-780-986-7051.

[email protected]

MECHANICRequired F/T for Vancouver Outboard. Primary duties will include maintenance troubleshooting and repair of diesel & gas marine engines. Knowledgeable in vessel electrical systems is an asset. Must have own tools and a valid drivers license. Exc. Compensation Based

On Experience.Please forward resume:

[email protected]

PERSONAL SERVICES

FINANCIAL SERVICES

ANNACIS ISLAND Pawnbrok-ers open ‘till midnight 7 days a week. 604-540-1122. Cash loans for Jewellery, Comput-ers, Smartphones, Games, Tools etc. #104-1628 Fosters Way at Cliveden. annacisis landpawnbrokers.com.

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A18 www.northislandgazette.com Thu, Feb 13, 2014, North Island Gazette

Mya Patterson of Alert Bay sports her face paint in support of snowboarder Spencer O’Brien Sunday morning at the Rec Centre.

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The local food move-ment is burgeoning, spring is right around the corner, and we’ve compiled a medley of (mostly) local resources and activities to keep growers and consumers busy for the next sev-eral weeks.

SeedIf you’re shopping for

seed to start on the win-dow sill, in the green-house, or out in the yard, placing an order online this month almost guar-antees timely arrival. Seedy Saturdays are another source of seed, plants, information, and growing aids, and we look forward to devel-opment of a regional one. If you’d like to be involved with a North Island Seedy Saturday, add your voice to the “North Island Farmer’s Market” Facebook page.

Down Island, the Comox Valley Growers and Seed Savers 14th annual Seedy Saturday and Horticultural Trade Show is in Courtenay on March 1. Lots to learn, swap, and buy. Details online at cvgss.org/seedy-saturday/.

February in the garden

It’s a great time to dig up Jerusalem artichokes and eat something fresh from your garden, even though it’s the dead of winter. These humble vegetables are a natural for North Island grow-ing. Once you’ve got them started, its unlike-ly you’ll ever need to buy another one as they will spread and endure. They’re eco-nomical and healthy. The roots have negli-gible amounts of fat and contain zero cho-lesterol. They are one of the finest sources of dietary fibers and con-tain small amounts of anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, vita-min A, and vitamin E. Further, Jerusalem arti-chokes are a very good source of minerals and electrolytes, especially potassium, iron, and copper.

With everything going for them except, perhaps, their appear-ance - don’t judge this

book by it’s cover!

Growing with and for the communityWith the increased

interest in local food, this is the perfect year to grow something extra to sell, swap, share or donate. If you need more space, check out availability of garden plots at the community gardens in Sointula, Port McNeill, Fort Rupert, Tsulquate Reserve, and Port Hardy.

Growing to share? Connect with others on local Facebook pages, such as “North Island Farmer’s Market” or “HardyLoca lFoods FoodShare”.

For information and community around food security issues, join and participate in the Mt. Waddington Food Security listserve, supported by BC Food Systems Network. Subscribe to “mtwad-food” by going to bcfsn.org/our-listservs/.

If you’d like to sell some of your produce, don’t worry about starting small, or very small. Why not form or join an informal co-operative in your community or neigh-bourhood — pooling your produce for sale with others leads to an abundant and inviting market stall, shared expenses, and support in selling to the public, something not everyone is comfortable doing.

Sales venues abound, from booking a table at long-standing commu-nity festivals and fairs, to participating in new ones. The North Island Farmer’s Market will launch its third season in Hyde Creek this spring, there’s a mar-ket at Fort Rupert on March 2, and there’s the new Sea Gate Market Sundays in

Port Hardy — look for their Facebook page: “Seagate Market”.

LearnNorth Island College

is sponsoring a free two-day workshop on food safety practic-es, especially geared to those who collect plants, grow herbs, spices or natural health products and/or pro-cess those items. The workshop takes place February 19-20 and pre-registration is required. Growers and wild crafters attending will address risks sur-rounding safety, quality, traceability and ethical practices. Regardless of the end use of your raw material, this program may be an asset to your operation. To register, contact Naida Brochie at 250-949-7912 ext 2811.

The provincial organ-ic community gathers in Nanaimo February 21-23 for the COABC conference with work-shops, organic meals, networking, and AGM. Online registration: certifiedorganic.bc.ca/i n f o n e w s / c o n f e r -ence2014/.

More informationWe all use differ-

ent communication methods — print, digi-tal, Facebook, email, phone, post, and/or meetings. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need more information to directly connect to the people and events mentioned above.

The columnists are affiliated with Grassroots Learning Centre in Port Hardy.

Comments and ques-tions are welcome at [email protected] , 250-230-4243, or Grassroots Learning Centre, Box 2015, Port Hardy, V0N 2P0.

The Bee’s Kneeswith David Lang and Dawn Moorhead

Sowing ideas


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FEBRUARY 26, 2014PRESENTED BY:

Proceeds benefi t anti-bullying programs in BC.

SUPPORTERS:

I read with interest — and a little chuck-le — the letter by Conservation Officer James Hilgemann giv-ing safety tips when dealing with wolves. They sound simi-lar to tips on dealing with cougars and, for that matter, bears, and include the whole issue of yelling. Yelling, as I’ve illustrated in ani-mal attacks in the past, has actually instigated an attack or two by bears. As for safety rec-ommendations by gov-ernment employees and literature, it’s more an issue of liability than actual, factual recom-mendations.

Probably no other animal has a more com-plex psychological rela-tionship with humans than the wolf. Despite our deep-rooted fear of wolves, the dogs we now call “man’s best friend” happen to be descended from wolves. And as for the lone wolf that was chasing dogs in the Byng Road area, let’s keep things in per-spective.

According to several hunters, deer sightings were a rarity this year. It appears the deer pop-ulation is on the low side, even with our mild winter to date. If there isn’t enough food for a wolf pack, the pack may actually separate

for a short period or individuals may be forced from the pack to fend for themselves. In this case of a healthy young wolf, they’re on the bottom of the totem pole, so if this young wolf was forced from the pack, it was search-ing out food supplies — including food on a leash.

What really concerns me is the comment about tracking the ani-mal’s movement, and the potential destruc-tion. Let’s try to keep a straight face; they will destroy this animal because of a few irre-sponsible pet owners and our fear of the rav-enous wolf. There are a number of you on the North Island that have been with me when we have had awesome wolf encounters while searching out bears. Never, ever in my life have I felt intimidated by wolves.

Historically speak-

ing, there has never been a recorded attack in North America by a true wolf; hybrids yes, but not a true wolf. While with Parks, per-forming winter stud-ies on the relationship between snow forma-tion and deer/moose fatality numbers, many times while travelling between stations we would wander upon wolves feeding on a fresh kill, muzzles satu-rated in blood and gore, but there was no threat to us.

And let’s consider the cougar activity this autumn. We had a high-er number than normal entering our communi-ties — again, most like-ly due to the low deer population — and since we know cougars do in fact attack humans, we can understand the precautionary destruc-tion of these animals by government authorities.

There are several interrelationships that will continue to lead wolves, cougars, and bears into our com-munities, but we need to look at the species in question, and why that animal is there. Historically speaking, the deer population in the 1950s was at 33 deer/square km in the Nimpkish Valley, an artificially high num-ber due to the bounty

on wolves and cougars. Since the removal of the bounty the deer cycle has continued to dwindle on the North Island.

We talk about cycles, but with deer the black bear it is having a greater impact than realized. Until I came to the Island I never seen a fawn eaten by a bear. In 1998, in a two-week window, I observed four fawns being eaten by black bears. What impact is this truly having on the population? To what degree will wildlife be forced to seek food in our communities, and will it increase?

I would have had greater respect for the letter writer if he had noted there was a lone wolf in the area; keep your food on a leash indoors and, in time, the wolf will move on to seek out new food sources. Then again, our historical attempts at exterminating the wolf appears alive and healthy, along with a vivid imagination of the blood-curdling, fear-some wolf. Beware: the myth of the big bad wolf appears to been given rebirth on the North Island.

Lawrence Woodall is a longtime naturalist who has spent much of his life in the outdoors.

Keep pets off the menu

Our Backyardwith Lawrence

Woodall

Medal worthy

The 1,100-square-foot It’s an Honour trailer, representing the Governor General’s office in Rideau Hall, appeared in Port Hardy last month as part of a nearly two-year, cross-country tour of Canada. Francois Grenier

Documents

North Island Gazette, February 13, 2014