I try not to write letters to the editor, and when I do I try to maintain a positive tone as I feel we already have too much negativity in the world. However, as I read through some of the statements on the Comox Valley Common Sense website, I found it very hard to maintain that positivity. From what I read, I gleaned the following key position statements: - Parkland costs too much money, so we need less of it – not more. - Building a third crossing over the river in Courtenay (which will cost at least $15 million) is inevitable, so we better plan for it. - Water meters should not be a priority – they had a link to a study to support it. - Sewage services should be provided to the entire valley and the costs spread fairly amongst all users - A deep water intake should be a priority – not conservation or water meters. - The union and staff salaries at our municipalities are too high. So, let’s address the parkland issue first, shall we? In one breath, the CVCS people state that the valley should be a pleasant place to live, and we should maintain a healthy environment and yet…”Furthermore, there are costs to maintain these parks every year. Second, land that is used for a park or set aside as green space, is not available for housing, or schools, or for industrial and commercial use, most of which would increase the tax base, taking pressure off existing homeowners and businesses.” So – less parks, more development? Will that keep the Comox Valley attractive and healthy? Do they place no value on parks and green spaces then? Do they not understand the way that parks and green spaces are directly linked to higher property value (and thus higher tax revenue)? Now, about that third crossing…as a civil engineer, I spent a good part of my undergraduate career learning about traffic and traffic management. One of the basic truths of how traffic works is that the difference in the volume of vehicles between efficiently flowing traffic and complete deadlock is very small. Thus, any efforts that reduce vehicle traffic in any way have a huge impact in improving the efficiency of vehicle traffic. So, wouldn’t it make sense to try and get people out of cars? I mean, we could spend $15 million on a bridge, which will then fill with cars, or we can spend a half million on a pedestrian/cycling bridge, say another $2 million on improved bicycle routes and maybe a couple of more million on improved transit, and shift people out of vehicles. It is quite possible that a shift of people out of vehicles could avoid the need to build a third bridge COMPLETELTY. It could also save millions of dollars – sounds like common sense to me! The site has a link to a study, from Montreal, about water meters and it is basically opposed to them. However, the study contains a fundamental flaw. I quote from the study: “The major part of costs related to water is taken up by the infrastructure needed to treat, distribute and collect water. These costs are fixed and will remain the same regardless of volumes. Variable costs such as energy or chemical products are negligible in comparison. Pricing proportionally to volumes consumed will not be proportional to actual costs of water production since these are essentially fixed.” Unfortunately, the reports reasoning is not quite correct. When sizing water infrastructure such as pipes, reservoirs and treatment plants, the volume of water required by the system being served DIRECTLY correlates to the size of the infrastructure, and thus the price. In the Comox Valley, we have some upcoming required infrastructure investment (in fact, the Common Sense people say we need a deep water intake) and the size of all of that infrastructure will be DIRECTLY RELATED to the projected volumes of water we will use the Valley. So, if we want to minimize the costs of the infrastructure, we might want to think about doing everything possible to reduce the use of water in the system…again, sounds like common sense to me! Let’s address municipal staff salaries. I work as a consultant and own part of a private consulting firm. When I look what I could get paid working for a municipality, the decision to stay where I am is very easy. For the most part, if municipal staff in charge of certain sized organizations with certain liabilities were compared to their equivalent in the private sector, we would probably see that the private sector salaries double or triple those of comparable municipal staff. Then, we are faced with attracting and retaining talented staff at municipalities. Should we drop salary levels across the board? What would happen? Well, it is likely all the talent would leave for higher paid jobs. I would say that we need high quality staff at our municipalities so that we retain high quality service. Sounds like common sense to me! They state that the CVRD is “a dysfunctional organization driven by a bureaucracy whose focus is building a bigger operation. It also is driven more by the views of a minority of the Valley’s citizens than by the needs and priorities of the majority. This is truly the case of the tail wagging the dog.” Now, I imagine that some of the politicians that they will endorse are current CVRD Board members – and who but the board is directing everything that happens at the CVRD? Now, I have to admit I do agree with some of their statements. We do need a deep water intake as the risk of contamination on the current intake that provides water to most of the Comox Valley is very high. However, I will again caveat that statement with the basic fact that the size, and thus cost, of the deep water intake will be DIRECTLY RELATED to how much water it is designed to convey. Thus, any means to reduce water consumption, including metering, will reduce the costs of the new intake. I also agree that sewage treatment should be provided to the bulk of the residents of the valley through shared systems. I will end with a plea to my fellow citizens. Please use some of your own common sense in the upcoming elections and research the issues and candidates and ignore any partisan or biased views. Make your own decision and don’t be fooled by anyone claiming to have all the answers. Above all else, please vote! This is your chance to have a direct say in how our community will look for the next three years. Andrew Gower 3 Comments Car Free Sunday - Cumberland Letter 09/18/2011
Hey Cumberlanders! On Sunday September 25th the Comox Valley is holding the 1st Annual Comox Valley Car Free Sunday. This initiative is being organized by 'Imagine Comox Valley' and hundreds of enthusiastic community volunteers. All activities are taking place in downtown Cumberland and downtown Courtenay from 1-5 pm. Why exactly are we doing this? The whole idea behind Car Free Sunday is to start creating communities where all our streets are safer and more welcoming for bikes, strollers, walkers, skateboards, roller skates and walking. Car Free Sunday also helps to remind us that reducing our carbon footprint can be fun, healthy and community building! So what does this mean for the Village? In reality, most Sundays feel pretty car free around here. We hang out close to home, explore the trails, cruise around downtown or visit our friends and neighbours. We're also pros at closing off the streets these days. Whether it's a Show and Shine, Market Day, Street Party or Bike Race we seem to take it in stride. So on Sunday the 25th we're encouraging folks to do just that! Rotary volunteers are doing traffic control for the closed streets and emergency access will be maintained if course. Whats happening that day? Join us for an opening ceremony at 1st and Dunsmuir at 1:00 pm on Sunday, show your support for the initiative and enter to win an awesome "Car Free Day Prizes" including restaurant and store gift certificates, Republic of Cumberland T-shirts, free CRI passes and much more! Then take part in free activities at the CRI, take the kids to a bike rodeo at Village Park and ride/walk/skate your way to Village Square for live music all afternoon. Lets show the rest of the Comox Valley that 'Car Free Day' is a piece of cake for Cumberlanders! For maps and more information explore www.imaginecomoxvalley.ca The posters for the First Ever Comox Valley Car Free Sunday are ready and you should be seeing one in your Courtenay/Cumberland neighbourhoods soon. Until you do see one near you, have a look at the one below: Please note: Residents are encouraged to take transit to the events and info on detours, schedules, etc. will be available online at: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/transit You may have heard something about a Car Free Sunday happening in our community on Sunday, 25 September from 1-5pm. The following provides an introduction to the event including maps of the route (see the bottom of this post), what activities are permitted, how this may impact you if you are along the route and what you can do to participate if you choose to do so. A bit about Car Free Sunday... Car Free Days are celebrated around the world to provide opportunities to the public to experience streets in a creative, non-motorized way. It is a people-oriented celebration characterized by free family-oriented activities for all to enjoy. Some will call it a ‘closing’ down to cars, while we prefer to think of it as an ‘opening’ to other uses for a limited time. Car Free Days are a growing phenomenon around the world. It is estimated that over 1500 communities around the world will celebrate World Car Free Day this year, which occurs annually in late September. The Comox Valley will be one of those communities in which Cumberland and Courtenay will participate. Why have a Car Free Comox Valley Event? The Comox Valley is appreciated by its residents and visitors alike for the high quality of life available here. The community has a strong appetite for recreation and festivities, including a vibrant arts scene and a number of environmental and social justice focused organizations. Locally run businesses strongly contribute to the Valley’s quality and character by providing services that are more unique and personal than the ‘big box’ shopping experience. Car Free Sundays are designed to be fun and entertaining, promote neighbourly interaction, celebrate local businesses, inspire creativity in those who chose to get involved – while remaining free! What to expect on the day... A combination of vendors, workshops, demonstrations, art displays, musical performances, street theatre, street sports and community engagement forums are all encouraged on Car Free Sunday. The specifics of each area is being coordinated by the Community Coordinator assigned for that area. If you are a business, you should expect increased pedestrian traffic. Cars will not be permitted to park in front of your store whether you choose to participate in the event or not. A ‘Market Days’ atmosphere is expected, depending on the number of businesses that choose to participate. Please note that traffic is permitted through key intersections (see Map). Commercial activities will be concentrated in and around the downtown areas of each community. Street sports, fitness classes and all other activities will be distributed elsewhere along the route. If you are a resident, you will also see more pedestrian traffic outside your home along with more strollers, roller bladers, cyclists, skate boarders and other non-motorized transportation modes. You will see fewer vehicles as none will be permitted to park along the route, including your own vehicle. You will be asked to park your car down in allotted areas before the event and can return your vehicle shortly after 5pm. Please be aware this applies only to vehicles that would normally be parked on the street. A notification of this request will be delivered closer to the event. Please note that traffic is permitted through key intersections (see Map). If you were thinking of holding a yard sale, or having a neighbourhood BBQ, you may find these activities benefit from the celebratory “feel” of Car Free Sunday. Other activities you may consider are to encourage your kids to host a lemonade stand, bring your patio furniture out in the front to watch the sights go by, practice your musical instrument outdoors, or almost anything else you can think of! What if I feel like the event will negatively affect my mobility? If you cycle or walk most places, you will likely find the identified routes to be more pleasant and possibly easier to use than on other days. If you use a car to get around, you may find the event a bit disruptive. Mobility Squads have been arranged to help you move items short distances from your car to your home if you have heavy or bulky items to move, or if you would just like a hand. It is not expected that anyone will have to walk more than a block or two from their homes to their car. If you have to take a Taxi on that day, we suggest you use a nearby intersection as the pick-up/drop off location. We will be notifying local taxi services of this. The event has been organized for a time of the week that is expected to experience the least amount of traffic and will occur for four hours. If you are feeling overly inconvenienced, we ask that you be patient with the event as you would be expected to with road maintenance activities. This is an opportunity for community engagement... A theme of the event will be a SpeakOut community engagement forum. A SpeakOut is a way of learning what is important to a community. It is a tool that is occasionally used by planners and community groups to gauge the ‘temperature’ of a community’s likes and dislikes, necessities and amenities that contribute to quality of life. This is not a local government initiated engagement event, so we cannot guarantee how the local governments will receive the information. We plan to assemble and present the material to local government officials and staff. If you have something you’ve been wanting to say about your community, but didn’t know where to say it, this may be a venue for you. How can I get involved as a business?
Events like these are permitted to occur so long as they meet key conditions, like any other public event. The Comox Valley annually allows a number of activities to occur that impact where cars are allowed to go for varying amounts of time. Courtenay and Cumberland governments have given their assent so long as the event meets key conditions. You do not have to participate in the event. A little about the organizers... A significant amount of work has been invested by dedicated and professional individuals to see this idea become a reality. Comox Valley Car Free Sunday has been spearheaded by the non-profit Imagine Comox Valley which promotes creativity and sustainability in community decision making. We acknowledge that not everyone will be enthusiastic about Car Free Sunday. But it has also been a pleasant experience in organizing this event to realize how much support there is. We know that ultimately Comox Valley Car Free Sunday will be what we collectively make of it. Community organizations, businesses, schools and individuals from all corners of the community are stepping forward to ask how to get involved. We hope you will join us in contributing to what we believe has the potential to be a truly community-based, fun and creative, talked about annual event. Where can I learn more about Car Free Days in general?
Who to contact if you have a comment/questions...
Sincerely, The Comox Valley Car Free Sunday Organization Team Andrew Gower (Administrative Coordinator) - Nancy Hofer (Courtenay Coordinator) - Pieter Vorster (Media Coordinator) - Tom Dishlevoy (Consultant) - Wendell Hoyseth (Sponsorship Coordinator)  The proposed route for Courtenay.  The proposed route for Cumberland. Car Free Sunday in Comox Cancelled. 09/01/2011
It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce that Imagine Comox Valley will not be organizing a Car Free Sunday event in Comox this year. We wish to be clear that Comox Town Council and Staff were supportive of Car Free Sunday, as were many members of the community. However some of the downtown business owners were very opposed and quite confrontational over the idea. With the limited time remaining before September 25th, we simply do not have the time to win over the business owners and organize a fun, inclusive event. The real disappointment will obviously be with the many residents of Comox who were excited and looking forward to the event. We know of many residents who liked the idea that all three communities would be hosting similar events, with each their own flavour, at the same time. If you supported a Car Free Sunday in Comox, you are encouraged to write to Town Council and the Business Improvement District and let them know. We are confident that Car Free Sunday will be so well received this year that all three communities will want to host it next year and we look forward to working with all interested parties at that time. This event is for everyone and anyone of any age, background and occupation, and offers us all a chance to experience some of our common infrastructure creatively. Car Free Sunday is a chance to go out, have some fun, imagine what is possible, and be a part of your community! We hope you will join us the afternoon of Sunday, September 25, and we hope you will bring your ideas forward to create an outstanding community event! Andrew Gower on behalf of Imagine Comox Valley. Thousands of people will be taking to the streets in cities around the globe in late September to celebrate the annual World Car Free Day - a public people-centered celebration characterized by free family-oriented activities for all to enjoy. (View details of Vancouver’s event at http://www.carfreevancouver.org) The local non-profit society Imagine Comox Valley, known for their work in presenting the first series of TedX events here in our Valley, has taken a leadership role in spearheading the first ever Car Free Sunday for the Comox Valley, which will occur on September 25, from 1-5pm along carefully selected routes in each of the municipalities of Cumberland, Courtenay and Comox. “To say we’re excited for this event is an understatement,” says Imagine Comox Valley co-founder Andrew Gower. “Interest for the event has been overwhelming and has come from all corners of this community - schools, arts and entertainment, sports clubs, public service groups, members of the business community and individual citizens. These Car Free Days are celebrated all around the world! They’re not so much about banning cars, as attempting to provide opportunities for the public to experience streets in a creative, non-motorized way. It may not be something we all think about, but streets make up the single largest public space in most communities and Car Free Days provide a brief opportunity to share the streets with other uses and other users.” Cumberland, Courtenay and Comox Councils have each approved routes within their communities, provided stringent guidelines are met. “Car Free Days have proven to be quite popular in a number of other communities,” says Nancy Hofer, Environmental Planner with the City of Courtenay. “I think most people enjoy them for the activities and social interaction, but if the event inspires people to not use a car for some of their trips, then that is consistent with the Comox Valley’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.” A key element to nearly all Car Free Days is that they are grassroots-organized by and for the public. Traffic management and activities along the three routes within the Comox Valley will be mostly staffed by volunteers. “We’ve had over 100 volunteers sign up for the event so far. We’re looking for another hundred,” says David Frisch, Volunteer Coordinator. “Basically anything you can think of that is people-oriented and legal. We’ve heard proposals for children’s games, neighborhood parties, yard sales, street theater, street hockey, music and organized fitness activities. If you have ideas and want to get involved, we want to hear from you! You can easily reach us through the media contact provided below, our website or our Facebook event” To sign up to volunteer for the First Ever Comox Valley Car Free Sunday visit: www.imaginecomoxvalley.ca. More information on the routes and details of the day will be posted on the website as they’re made available, along with informational posters and flyers. If you are interested in running an activity such as a free yoga class, aerobics, cooking class, scooter rodeo etc, please contact Imagine Comox Valley and check the website for the time slots and venues available. Time slots at each venue will be filled on a first come, first served basis and this event will provide businesses and organizations with an excellent opportunity to showcase their services. Media contact: Pieter Vorster - admin@imaginecomoxvalley.ca Volunteer Coordinator - David Frisch - frisch.david@gmail.com Imagine Comox Valley website - http://www.imaginecomoxvalley.ca Search for the “First Ever Comox Valley Car Free Sunday” event on facebook.com - or visit this link - https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127942717286912” Explaining Car Free Sunday 08/25/2011
As founder of Imagine Comox Valley, a non-profit society dedicated to promoting sustainable communities, I wish to provide clarity regarding the purpose and vision behind Car Free Sunday. Simply stated, we wish to provide an opportunity for the public to take to the streets and celebrate community. As a father, business owner of an engineering consulting company in Courtenay employing some seven people, retired military officer, and dedicated community ambassador, my personal objective is to enhance our experience of community. I attended the Royal Military College of Canada where I obtained a degree in Civil Engineering and served for 11 years, including six as a combat engineering officer. Through this experience, I am comfortable with taking risks, coordinating events, and organizing people to achieve a common goal. I say this as I think it is important to assure residents of the Comox Valley that the idea and planning behind Car Free Sunday is based on very solid planning principals, organized by a “command team” of over 15 dedicated volunteers from various backgrounds. As to the vision of “Car Free Sunday”, perhaps we did not choose the best name for the event. I wish to be clear that this is most definitely not an anti-car event. Instead, this is a “pro-people” event. We are proposing to close some roads and streets so that they can be available to all of us in a way they aren’t on a regular basis. The roads and streets of our communities make up a huge public space that we all pay for and, for the most part, can only really use with vehicles. Car Free Sunday is intended to be an event where - for four hours - anyone can go out and enjoy this public space. Residents of any age can be walking, running, roller blading, biking, scootering, dancing, or mingling with other members of the community. It’s a chance to talk to your neighbours, stroll down the street to the park, enjoy some live, free music, or go and participate in free exercise or fitness classes. If your home or business is along one of the roads that will be closed or partially closed, yes, you may be somewhat inconvenienced if you need to use your car. We recognize this, and have addressed it. However, you will also be sitting on a huge opportunity! What better day to have your annual yard or garage sale with hundreds of people potentially walking past your property? What better day to set up a stand in front of your business and promote your wares? How about offering a discount for folks who arrive at your business without a car? Why not get together with your neighbours, throw your lawn furniture in the street and host a block party? If you are a car, truck or motorcycle enthusiast, why not put it out on display? This event is for everyone – everyone of all ages, backgrounds and occupations. It is a chance to go out, have some fun and be a part of your community! We hope you will join us the afternoon of Sunday, September 25, and we hope you will bring your ideas forward to create an outstanding community event! Andrew Gower, Imagine Comox Valley Hello, I am writing on behalf of Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections. This email is in support of "Car Free Sunday". Many Lake Trail residents use bicycles as their main form of transportation and we have received overwhelming feedback that the roads need to be made safer for bicyclists, and pedestrians. We have also heard that if the roads were safer, more people would try cycling and walking. This neighbourhood is host to 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, forests and roadways. Car Free Sunday is a wonderful community wide opportunity to raise awareness of this issue, which is complex, and spans environment, community, health and wellness, but also City design, accessibility, education, and safety. Our group wholeheartedly supports this initiative. Thank you for your progressive thinking in making this wonderful opportunity a reality to change the way we do things. We all need a little shaking up from time to time. Kindest Regards, Samantha Garstang c/o LTNC -- Samantha Garstang Project Coordinator Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections Lake Trail School 805 Willemar Avenue Courtenay, BC V9N 3L7 250-334-3168 to leave a message laketrailvision@gmail.com www.laketrailconnect.ca Many thanks to Samantha Garstang for submitting this encouraging letter to us. CVCF Organisers Comox Valley Ciclovia - Action Needed! 06/20/2011
Hi everyone, thank-you so much to everyone who has signed up on Facebook to attend the proposed Comox Valley Ciclovia! It's great to see so many people excited by this idea! Here's the event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127942717286912 Here's the rub - we need some more action, and you can all help make this happen. Please take five minutes to e-mail your local politicians, you can find their addresses at each of the municipalities websites: Courtenay - http://www.city.courtenay.bc.ca/city-hall/council.aspx Comox - http://comox.ca/town-hall/mayor-and-council Cumberland - http://www.cumberlandbc.net/siteengine/activepage.asp?PageID=31 Regional District - http://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/section_rdb/content.asp?id=1562&collection=6 Let them know that this simple event is important to you, and that you support it. We need to give our elected officials the tools to make this happen - and the big one they need to have is a feeling of community support. You can also write letters to the editor supporting this proposal, which will also help make sure it happens. Record - editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com Echo - dmartin@comoxvalleyecho.com Finally, this event will take volunteers - so please message me here or e-mail imaginecomoxvalley@gmail.com. More details will follow as the plan evolves. Happy Trails! Andrew Gower | AuthorsAndrew Gower: Dad - engineer - sports journalist and hack mountain bike racer ArchivesSeptember 2011 CategoriesAll |
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