Logs left on Meares Island

A blog reader submitted this photo and wondered why these valuable saw logs have been left to rot on Meares Island.It would appear that they were cut down when the District of Tofino water resevoir was expanded...any information available ?? please write in . thanks,Ralph

Cougar Attack Update !!

UCLUELET, BC, August 30, 2011 – An 18-month-old child is being treated for injuries sustained from a cougar attack that took place at approximately 6:00 pm on Monday, August 29 in the Kennedy Lake day use area in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.  Family members were able to intervene and stop the attack and seek medical assistance. The condition of the child cannot be confirmed at this time. 

A wolf and cougar advisory has been in effect in the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, including the Kennedy Lake day use area, since August 13th due to a recent increase in carnivore activity in the area. Parks Canada staff are working with provincial conservation officers to track the cougar and take appropriate measures to ensure it no longer poses a public safety risk. 

The Kennedy Lake day use area is closed to the public at this time. All other areas of the national park reserve remain open. 

Parks Canada leads extensive prevention programs, awareness campaigns and research to minimize the risk of visitor encounters with bears, wolves and cougars. Parks Canada would like to remind the public of the following safety tips for visiting wilderness that is shared by cougars:
• Keeps dogs on a leash at all times
• Never approach a cougar
• If approached by a cougar, back away slowly while maintaining eye contact and create as much noise as possible. Wave arms to appear larger. Pick children up.
• Carry pepper spray and an airhorn and use these items if approached by a cougar. 

-30-

Information:
Arlene Armstrong
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Parks Canada
250-726-7165 ext. 234

Cougar Attack at Kennedy Lake

This just in.....unconfirmed reports of a cougar attack on a young child at Kennedy Lake swim beach......please write in if you have more information....thanks,Ralph

Message from Garth Cameron

Hi Gang; Garth here...some of you will be happy and relieved to hear this and others...well not so much. I have done some serious digging into the time that is required to be mayor of Tofino and do a good job. The thing is that I have contractual commitments in Ucluelet that require 40 hrs per week per year and out of that I get 3 weeks off a yr. If I were to be successful in the election and become mayor the hours required to fill that position could not interfere with the hours required under contract here in Ucluelet. Thus I would have to put in 9 to 10 hrs per day to offset meetings during the day (this time includes more than just meetings in Tofino) I would have to use up my holidays in order to attend conferences that occur throughout the year. So in a nut shell my work day would consist of 9-10 hr work days with no holidays for 3 yrs. Though the holidays in question are paid leave that I’m in titled to, any more time away would be at the discretion of my employer and may not be granted. I really enjoy working with the general public and I have an awesome working relationship with the local contractors here in this area and would find it hard to leave my job in order to fill the seat of mayor. It is with regret that I have to withdraw my idea of running for this position, (I would have loved to give this type of service for Tofino) but giving the style of employment I do have, I believe I would be selling short the people of Tofino (my town too) because of the time that would be required to full fill the office of the mayor and all of its commitments compared to the time that I would have available to give. I’m sure you would all agree with me when I say that I would not expect anyone else to give this much to in order fill such a challenging and rewarding seat. I have had enormous amounts of requests and support to run for the position of mayor and thank you all for your phone calls, e-mails and words of encouragement.



Garth

People want to recycle

People do want to recycle.....this pic was taken yesterday at Cox Bay parking lot.....what is so difficult about putting a few recycling bins around town ? We spend thousands of dollars on consultants for downtown revitalization but we can't afford a few recycling bins ? Meanwhile....the Lighthouse trail isn't finished, the Tsunami sirens lay lifeless in the District works yard and nobody even talks about the affordable housing project after we spent 500 grand on it.....Yes, I know I sound like a broken record.....complain,complain,complain.......

Cox Bay Garbage Can

The Cox Bay garbage can and some others in town utilize a 10 foot long garbage bag. They require 3 staff, a backhoe and a dumptruck to change the garbage bag.There is no recycling option at Cox Bay and many of the other garbage receptacles around town have no recycling options...everything goes in the garbage ! So much for a "green" Tofino !! Parks Canada has recycling bins at every garbage can.

Jack Layton and Tofino

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/128217858.html

Time for A Review of BC Ferries

This isn't local politics but it does have an effect on everyone in Tofino.Recent announcements from BC Ferries said that ridership is dropping to a 20 year low...BC Ferries CEO David Hahn blames high fuel costs and the strong Canadian dollar....
So what if we stopped running BC Ferries as a Crown Corporation and looked at how it fits in with the Province as a whole ???....The province gets zero HST from people who travel south for their vacations or business....If we slashed BC Ferries rates to the point where people traveled to Vancouver Island again the ferries might lose money but the Province would probably gain more in HST revenue than the ferry loss......
I took a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo this Friday and it wasn't anywhere near full...the round trip fare for a car and driver was nearly $150.00 !!.rather than raising rates let's lower them and get people vacationing and spending on Vancouver Island !!
Parks Canada and local tourism groups are all reporting that numbers of visitors are way down....the Province can't control the exchange rate with the US dollar but they have absolute control over BC Ferry fares.

Social Media Workshop Aug 22nd at the Weighwest Resort

Social Media Marketing Workshop
The majority of small businesses are using social media in some way but few have taken the time to develop a strategy or know how they will measure the success of their efforts. This workshop has been customized for Tofino businesses who want to be strategic in their approach.

After completing this 3-hour workshop you will know how to:

• Develop and implement an effective social media strategy
• Maximize your use of tools like Facebook, Twitter, Hootsuite & blogs to connect with and attract customers
• Set-up systems to maximize your time online
• Track and evaluate success and ROI
For more info and to register go to http://www.bwest.ca/work-shops

Council meeting tomorrow !

At tomorrow's council meeting : tabled report on Shore nightly rentals
Zoning Bylaw text amendment for Vacation Rentals
Water Utility Rates amendment
sewer rates amendment
Call for feedback from Minister of Community,Sport and Cultural Development regarding the Municipal Auditor General Office
Lots of other interesting stuff

Work starts at New Condos

Work has begun at the condo site next to Weigh West !! Many people will remember when this property was home to Sam Ko's Canako geoduck processing plant. "you work ! no talk " and later as the Tohei operation.....Contact Lefevre and Co to reserve your condo now !!

slow week

Sorry it has been a slow news week......I'll have something up tomorrow.....ralph

Another whale story Aug 8 2011

Getting many reports of a zodiac whale watching boat coming into hard contact at speed with a humpback whale last week.No reported injuries on the boat and no reports on the fate of the whale.Please contact Tofinonews if you have more info...thanks,Ralph

Photos from Alberni Drag Races Aug 7 2011

A good time was had by all at the drags....saw several race cars from Ucluelet and some spectators from Tofino.

Whale rescued near Tofino

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110806/bc_whale_rescue_110806/20110806?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
Here's a happy story !!

Port Alberni Drag Racing this weekend !!!

http://www.albernidragracing.com/

ucluelet CAO salary August 5,2011

Many blog readers have asked what the CAO in Ucluelet gets paid....according to the District of Ucluelet website the amount of renumeration for the CAO is $113,837.00

Some positive news....lots of No Vacancy signs are up....

guest editorials and submitted stories always welcome....

Lighthouse Trail August 3,2011

Blog readers have been asking what's up with the Lighthouse Trail. It's the middle of summer and no signs are up.....I thought the trail was a pretty good idea and that tourists would enjoy it if they could find it.....I will try to find out what's happening as soon as possible...

Still trying to figure out who owns the First St. Wharf......
many reports of parking rage at the North Chesterman's parking lot....not easy for large motorhomes or even large cars to navigate the poorly designed lot without hitting each other......still no washroom or tsunami sirens at North Chesterman's.....while we are on the subject of rage.....lots of comments couldn't be published regarding the CAO's outrageous salary !! please refrain from using profanity in your comments...

Again a reminder that guest editorials or stories are always welcome....