Council Meeting Survey

Here's your chance to let the new council know if you would prefer to have Tofino Council meetings in the morning or the evening . I feel that evening meetings are more inclusive but I'm sure there are a variety of opinions !!

Legion Membership Drive

Friday Nov 25th, 4 to 6pm
Monday Nov 28th, 7 to 10pm

The Tofino Legion plays an import roll in our community. Please come out and support the Legion, become a member.

Storm warning issued

Winds
Issued 04:00 AM PST 23 November 2011
Today Tonight and Thursday
Storm warning in effect.
Wind northwest 15 to 20 knots increasing to 20 to 25 this morning then diminishing to 15 late this afternoon. Wind increasing to southwest 25 this evening and to south 35 after midnight. Wind increasing to south 45 to 55 Thursday morning then diminishing to southwest 40 near noon Thursday.
 
 
Waves
Issued 04:00 AM PST 23 November 2011
Today Tonight and Thursday
Seas 5 metres building to 7 overnight and to 8 Thursday morning. Seas subsiding to 7 Thursday afternoon.
Extended Forecast
Issued 04:00 AM PST 23 November 2011
Friday
Wind west 25 to 35 knots increasing to southeast 35 to 45 late in the day.
Saturday
Wind southeast 45 to 55 knots.
Sunday
Wind northwest 25 knots.
 
 
Weather & Visibility
Issued 04:00 AM PST 23 November 2011
Today Tonight and Thursday
Periods of rain. Risk of thunderstorms early this morning changing to rain at times heavy overnight then to a few showers Thursday morning. Visibility 1 mile or less in rain.
 
 
List of Official Text Forecasts

Wolf Sighting

This just in : A large wolf spotted in the vicinity of the Cox Bay info center....

Whistler Election Report

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bc-politics/new-whistler-council-wins-by-avalanche/article2244232/

Sewer System Update

Many readers have been phoning to ask just what is the status of the sewer sysytem ?? Currently we do not have a stage 3 Liquid Waste Management Plan that has been accepted by the Ministry of the Environment (BC)

RCMP meeting at Community Centre

http://www2.canada.com/westerly/story.html?id=b8d250fe-3c83-40a0-bb71-9458efb7161e

You Can Help

Yesterday 1,696 unique viewers accessed the Tofinonews blog.If only a fraction of you will take the time to write your Federal MP, CBC, Federal Minister Responsible for Infrastructure or Provincial MLA it will go a long way towards getting some help with our sewer treatment plant. Below is the contact link for Scott Fraser MLA and former Tofino Mayor.

http://www.scottfrasermla.com/contact.php


you can post comments at this CBC site :

http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2011/11/who-should-pay-for-new-sewage-treatment-plants.html

Where to write

Below is the email address for Denis Lebel, Federal Minister responsible for infrastructure and a link to the contact page for James Lunney MP. Please write to them about the sewage situation here in Tofino.Please be civil . Thanks,Ralph

denis.lebel@parl.gc.ca


http://www.jameslunneymp.ca/contact.htm

CBC Infrastructure Story

CBC is running a series of infrastructure articles....this would be a good time to draw federal attention to our sewage situation...please take the time to write to the CBC at the address below and tell them about Tofino.Given that our sewer is connected to Esowista and will be connected to Pacific Rim National Park we should be eligible for some Federal assistance with our sewer treatment plant. http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2011/11/whats-the-big-fix-in-your-community.html

yournews@cbc.ca.

Storm Warning in Effect ! Still !!

Today Tonight and Tuesday Storm warning in effect.
Wind southeast 40 to 50 knots diminishing to southwest 15 to 25 early this morning then increasing to southeast 40 to 50 this afternoon. Wind diminishing to southwest 15 to 25 overnight.


Waves
Issued 04:00 AM PST 21 November 2011
Today Tonight and Tuesday Seas 4 metres building to 5 this evening then subsiding to 4 near noon Tuesday.

Newfoundland Sewage Story

Here's a story from CBC about a small town in Newfoundland with similar infrastructure problems to Tofino.The difference is we are expected to have treatment for sewage by 2015 according to the Province....

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/11/18/bigfix-sewage-municipalities.html

Storm Warning in Effect !

Marine Forecast
Winds
Issued 09:30 PM PST 19 November 2011
Tonight and Sunday Storm warning in effect.
Wind easterly 10 to 20 knots veering to southeast 20 to 25 early Sunday morning then increasing to south 30 to 40 late Sunday afternoon. Wind increasing to south 40 to 50 Sunday evening.


Waves
Issued 04:00 PM PST 19 November 2011
Today Tonight and Sunday Seas 1 to 2 metres building to 3 Sunday afternoon and to 5 Sunday evening.
Extended Forecast
Issued 04:00 PM PST 19 November 2011
Monday Wind southeast 35 to 45 knots.
Tuesday Wind southwest 20 to 30 knots.
Wednesday Wind south 15 to 20 knots becoming northwest 10 to 20.


Weather & Visibility
Issued 09:30 PM PST 19 November 2011
Tonight and Sunday Periods of rain beginning before morning. Visibility 1 mile or less in rain.

anybody have ucluelet results ??

election numbers !

Mayor Candidate * elected


# of Votes

SCHMUNK, Perry


494*

TILITZKY, Michael


219

For COUNCILLOR

Candidate * elected


# of Votes

ANDERSON, Allen


418*

ASHTON, Stephen


196

BAERT, Dorothy


362*

CAMERON, Garth


452*

CAMERON, Rod


324

FLOODY, Eileen


225

KROMKO, Bernard


209

MCBRIDE, Samantha


219

MCMASTER, Duncan


453*

THICKE, Cathy


421*

THOROGOOD, Raymond


399*

Election Results

unofficial results are
Perry Schmunk-Mayor
Al Anderson-Council
Cathy Thicke-Council
Dorothy Baert-Council
Garth Cameron-Council
Duncan McMaster-Council
Ray Thorogood-Council

Comments Closed

No comments will be posted until after the election.The next blog post will be the election results...Please remember to vote...thanks for reading the blog,Ralph

Public Process and Pet Projects

I attended two meetings this year that were held to determine where to spend the Resort Municipality Initiative money.There was a cross section of Tofino residents attending with no particular group over-represented.Not a large group but below is how people put their priorities:

Shuttle bus 9
Festivals 3
Community hall 6
Downtown improvement 2
Beach access 6
Infrastructure 2
So how did it work out that "Downtown Vitalization" got to the top of the list (1.25 million dollars) with only 2 votes ?
It was revealed at the "Downtown Vitalization" meeting that only 25 members of the public (not members of special interest groups) attended the "charettes"
http://www.canada.com/Charettes+bring+community+into+Tofino+downtown+vitalization/5405264/story.html

I would suggest that after the secretive DCC Committee had issues with the final report submitted to council that the citizens of Tofino have lost confidence in the "Public Process". Volunteers for that committee gave freely of their time and worked hard to come up with some good recommendations that apparently weren't reflected in the final report.

Larry Nicolay said in a recent blog comment that "It's very easy to be on the outside hurling rocks" This is very true but I have to think that shouldn't be an "outside and "inside" with regards to Tofino Council. This council has adopted a divisive "US and Them " attitude. They pay lip service to the "Public Process" and then push forth with their Pet Projects be it the "raspberry patch" or "Downtown Vitalization". Only the huge public outcry and hard work by some citizens kept us from having a "Traffic Circle" at Chesterman's Beach !!
Let's elect a Tofino Council that will actually listen to the people and operate in an inclusive manner.

Editorial by Ken Gibson

Ever since 1996 ,Tofino has been going in opposite directions .This is easy to understand as we have many 'walk's 'of life .I see no problem with
'Majority rule' ,but let's look for a moment at how our democratic principles have slipped,compared to the 'early days'.We still elect six councilors
& a mayor to make fair & honest decisions for us ,who turn the 'work ' over to a total stranger who directs what he wants done to three or four 'henchmen'- who see things his way . But who wouldn't when you see the
salary he offers & all they have to do is march as directed .. The
councilors sit back & say "we make policy & they carry it out " .. Well I can tell you its NOT happening . From engineers making colossal mistakes to the sewer fiasco with Esowista
.. Why is
Tofino different ? most govt's have a portfolio system where councilors are given a title ie; Public works - Fire & safety -Recreation & parks- Water -sewar.. Does this 'chosen COA' have superior knowledge ?-one wouldn't think so by the lawsuits. A half a million dollars for affordable housing & not a two by four up yet .. We have TV cameras watch the water flow & pay for every drop. but how come no one flushed the water line at Close creek ?.
At least if we had local representation .we would know who to approach .
.. Move over Incumbents & let a new "team " see if they can do more ,with less studies
& waste ,,-by-laws & signs that are enforceable or forget them , Most of
all restore democracy ,fairness & honesty , Down with one man rule .

It's Not Just The Blog

Yasmin Aboelsaud of the Westerly News has an excellent article in this week's paper that is critical of municipal spending in both Tofino and Ucluelet.

http://www2.canada.com/westerly/news/story.html?id=9d1f960a-24b1-4a5d-a079-e788f4c70bc4

candidates meeting: an update and my rant

Most people agreed that Perry Schmunk did better than Michael Tilitzky in the Mayoralty debate.
The most interesting part of the evening was when one incumbent councilor spoke of the anonymous hate mail that undermines the civility of the town.They spoke of respecting volunteers while this council has let the Volunteer Firehall rot away. I wholeheartedly agree with civility !! It was sad to see only a few questions asked from the crowd.The citizens of Tofino live in fear of council and some staff.Those who criticize pay a price ! Let's hope that after the election that people can exercise the right to free speech without fear of repercussions.
Let's hope that we have a civil council that welcomes criticism from the electorate and actually listens !
Let's hope that we have a civil council that doesn't hide behind closed doors at secret "in-camera " meetings!
Let's hope we have a civil council that can resolve disputes without forcing citizens to rely on the courts !
Let's hope that we have a civil council that operates in an open and transparent manner.
Let's hope that we have a civil council that doesn't use bylaws and zoning as weapons!
Let's hope that "Freedom Of Information" requests are a thing of the past and that information and documents flow freely from council to the electorate !! Many people that I talk to are shocked that one needs an FOI to get information in a small town like Tofino.
Let's hope that the day comes when this stupid blog isn't necessary ! The day when the truth comes straight from the Mayor and Council to the people !!!

Candidates meeting

A good turnout at the meeting.will have report after it concludes.

More wasteful Spending by District of Tofino

Another example of wasteful spending ! The cost of these generators isn't covered by the sewer agreement with Esowista, it's coming right out of your pocket ! For the past 27 years the sewer has worked without them so if they are necessary for the expansion that should have been factored into the agreement.I don't have a price for them but they won't be cheap ! Sounds like one got ordered in a haphazard manner....Please council pay attention just once in a while...

All Candidates Meeting Tonight

All Candidates meeting at the Community Center tonight a 7 pm

Snow in the Pass-Webcam

http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/207.html

Just a Small Example of Spending on Consultants.

I'm all about human rights and civil liberties but did Tofino Council really have to spend $9,638.79 of your hard earned tax dollars to have a consultant tell staff about human rights and managerial roles ??

Storm Warning in Effect

Marine Forecast
Winds
Issued 04:00 AM PST 16 November 2011
Today Tonight and Thursday Storm warning in effect.
Wind southeast 30 to 40 knots increasing to 40 to 45 early this morning except 55 northwest of Estevan Point. Wind diminishing to westerly 25 to 35 early this afternoon and to southwest 15 to 20 Thursday morning.


Waves
Issued 04:00 AM PST 16 November 2011
Today Tonight and Thursday Seas 2 to 3 metres building to 3 to 5 early this morning and to 4 to 6 Thursday morning.
Extended Forecast
Issued 04:00 AM PST 16 November 2011
Friday Wind variable 5 to 15 knots becoming northwest 10 to 20 in the afternoon.
Saturday Wind variable 5 to 15 knots.
Sunday Wind light increasing to southeast 40 to 50 knots late in the day.


Weather & Visibility
Issued 04:00 AM PST 16 November 2011
Today Tonight and Thursday Rain changing to a few showers early this afternoon.

Tofino Spending Gone Rampant !!

This just in :
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business' fourth annual BC Municipal Spending Watch reveals a new ranking system and a worsening picture of local government spending.

The latest report shows municipal operating spending, adjusted for inflation, has ballooned to nearly four times the rate of population growth in BC.
Tofino saw its population grow 24 per cent from 2000 to 2009, while operating spending rose 100 per cent. Per capita spending growth was 61 per cent.
Tofino ranked 24th in the list of worst spenders out of over one hundred and fifty BC municipalities !!
In the same time period Ucluelet operating spending rose 50% or half that of Tofino.
It's important to note that this is operational spending...not increased spending on infrastructure and capital projects....just the day to day running of the District of Tofino.

http://www.cfib-fcei.ca/english/research/canada/111-budgets_public_finance/3424-bc_municipal_spending_watch_2011

Freedom of Information report

This just in :
Documents obtained by Tofinonews confirm a non-wage payment to the former "Special Projects Coordinator" in excess of ten thousand dollars associated with her December 2010 departure. The District characterized her leaving after a few months as a "resignation" but what really happened ? We'll never know as there is a gag order on the departure.
Surely if it was a case of "Constructive Dismissal" it would have been discovered when Council conducted an exit interview ? Tofinonews has learned that no exit interview was held !! Why not ? What is Tofino Council scared of finding out ?? Please ask your incumbent candidates why we are hiring competent staff only to be paying out tens of thousands of dollars when they leave after only a few months ??? ask them why no exit interview ?? Seems there is something not quite right at City Hall...Councilors like to blame the press or public for staff turnover but this is clearly not the case.



Definition of Constructive Dismissal

The phrase "constructive dismissal" describes situations where the employer has not directly fired the employee. Rather the employer has failed to comply with the contract of employment in a major respect, unilaterally changed the terms of employment or expressed a settled intention to do either thus forcing the employee to quit. Constructive dismissal is sometimes called "disguised dismissal" or "quitting with cause" because it often occurs in situations where the employee is offered the alternative of leaving or of submitting to a unilateral and substantial alteration of a fundamental term or condition of his/her employment. Whether or not there has been a constructive dismissal is based on an objective view of the employer's conduct and not merely on the employee's perception of the situation.

It is the employer's failure to meet its contractual obligations that distinguishes a constructive dismissal from an ordinary resignation. The seriousness of the employer's failure as well as the amount of deliberation apparent in its actions are also important factors.

The employer's action must be unilateral, which means that it must have been done without the consent of the employee. If it is not unilateral, the variation is not a constructive dismissal but merely an agreed change to the contract of employment. Generally, if the employee clearly indicates non-acceptance of the new conditions of employment to the employer, there has been a constructive dismissal only if the employee leaves within a reasonable (usually short) period of time. By not resigning, the employee indicates his/her acceptance of the new conditions of employment.

Slapping lipstick on a money-losing pig

http://opinion.financialpost.com/2011/11/09/peter-shawn-taylor-slapping-lipstick-on-a-money-losing-pig/

Thanks to an avid blog reader for this submission.

Remembrance Day

Take time on this Remembrance Day to honour those that have served, and those that are serving, to preserve our freedom.

Powell River Controversy

http://hqcomoxvalley.com/news/local/news/Local/11/11/10/Powell-River-tight-lipped-on-suspensions/

Westerly News council report

http://www.canada.com/Tofino+council+meeting+November/5685922/story.html

Tofino approves downtown vitalization plan

http://www2.canada.com/westerly/news/story.html?id=3fb2ba9f-d611-476a-bd4a-3c6f236e80ea

Tofino Gym Open

http://www2.canada.com/westerly/story.html?id=b66f77d4-7080-4b4d-a2a9-eabf86175f92

Olympic Spending Scandal Won't Go Away !!

This just in : Documents obtained through a Freedom Of Information request show that the former treasurer was paid thousands of dollars in non-wage payments after her "resignation".
Her departure was covered by a confidentiality agreement so we have no idea what these payments were for but they are in excess of ten thousand dollars.....normally a resignation doesn't trigger severance payments so I have to wonder what was going on here ?? Did it have to do with irregular financial reporting from the previous CAO ?
Please ask your incumbent councilors why they accepted the "resignation " of the treasurer and why there were non-wage payments were made. Also please ask your incumbent councilors why they didn't insist on an exit interview ??? What were they scared of finding out ?? Or was it all discussed at an "In-Camera" meeting ? Below is a story that ran on the Westcoaster.ca.

B.C. town says Olympic pavilion under budget, but keeps higher tally hidden


Published on June 8, 2010
The Canadian Press Topics : O Zone , TOFINO , Vancouver Island , Richmond
TOFINO, B.C. — A small Vancouver Island town may have overspent its budget to promote itself during the Vancouver Winter Olympics and may have spent far more than officials have publicly disclosed.

The District of Tofino released a final budget to a local resident under freedom of information laws that said the town spent about $2,600 during the Games on a pavilion in an area of Richmond known as the O Zone after expenses and revenues were taken into account. That put the cost well below the original estimate of $10,000.

But records obtained by Westcoaster.ca included another, unreleased version of the budget that instead put the figure at $14,782, with the district’s director of financial services raising concerns about the lower figures when they were prepared for release.

“Upon closer review of the O Zone expenses and revenues released in the FOI request, some items have been incorrectly reported,” Jennifer Robb, who resigned within days of outlining her concerns, wrote in an email to the town’s deputy clerk. “I would like to correct the document before it is released.”

It appears those corrections didn’t happen, and the budget with the lower total was sent to Tofino resident Ralph Tieleman.

The primary difference between the two documents is the inclusion of wages for district staff: the unreleased budget includes $6,662 for wages, while the document that was made public omits this cost.

“(I) can’t really explain that other than district staff volunteered their time,” Bob Long, Tofino’s chief administrative officer, said in an interview.

“One is correct and that is the one that went out.”

Long, who said he did the “bulk of the work” on the document released to Tieleman, declined to comment about whether Robb’s resignation was related to her concerns over the budget.

When asked whether he was paid for working during the Olympics, Long replied: “I get paid on an annual salary and I volunteered my time.”

The issue is similar to questions the B.C. government faced about its decision to allow paid civil servants to work for Olympic organizers. The province allowed about 200 government employees to work for the Olympics while still collecting their paycheques.

When the program was announced last year, the Opposition NDP estimated those wages would equal about $25 million, but cabinet minister Mary McNeil argued the staff shouldn’t be seen as an added taxpayer expense.

In Tofino, the document sent to Tieleman also shows higher advertising revenues and donations than the version that wasn’t sent out.

It also included a GST rebate as an added revenue source that was absent in the other version.

Tieleman said he filed the freedom of information request because was concerned the pavilion went over budget.

He said he’s filed several more requests in the past week, as well as a complaint with the district.

“I feel there was some information lacking in the FOI that I was provided,” he said. “The main question I have is why did the treasurer not prepare the Freedom of Information request that was of a financial nature?”

According to the document released to Tieleman, the pavilion brought in $56,461.70 revenue but cost $59,078.32 in expenses.

However, the unreleased document obtained by Westcoaster.ca says the pavilion brought in revenue of $50,958.70 but cost $65,740.72 in expenses, including $6,662 in district wages.

(Westcoaster.ca)

Bernard Kromka Update

NOVEMBER IN TOFINO…THE WINDS OF CHANGE ARE BLOWING

Thanks Ralph for providing this forum. I’ve had some time to write for Tofino News again and elaborate on my platform.


FIX POTHOLES, NOT FIXATE ON PET PROJECTS

Downtown vitalization should first consist of repairing roads, making sidewalks and finishing the MUP so drivers, walkers, and cyclists can move around in a safe and functional town (please do not plant trees in the middle of Campbell St). Future plans for promenades should be considered longer-term.


ENVIRONMENT

“Environmental sustainability” is an overused term that has lost meaning. It’s obvious we’ve gained from having pristine nature and tribal parkland surround our peninsula. Habitat preservation has allowed for flourishing tourism, mostly replacing traditional resource extraction. On balance this has been a win-win situation (good for locals, visitors, First Nations and planet). Is it sustainable? Currently we truck in most goods and get power over hundreds of kilometers. In the future we’ll need to do better.

I believe “green is lean.” Using less of something saves money. If heating bills go down from better insulation and heat-transfer systems, that’s desirable. The District can help homeowners with incentives such as breaks on exorbitant building permits. What stops citizens from rain catchments to lessen water consumption? District initiatives can help.

Tofino Brewing Company has created their own initiatives to reduce waste and create methods of reusing (their growlers). I support entrepreneurs that implement environmentally friendly practices. We need to reward people for reducing their footprints and consumption.

The regrettable situation we created, a district with incentive to sell more water to local families, should never again be repeated. We’ve paid the highest water rates in Canada but live in a rainforest. However, it’s mostly a past deal. Looking forward we learn our lessons. I support a simple, flat water rate (the more you use the more pay).


PIPE DREAMS

Unless compelled otherwise, I can’t support local, grandiose plans for clean energy (ex. from sewage treatment.) Green technologies should be supported, but we must face the realities of having a small tax base in a remote location. Cost-effective delivery for taxpayers is essential.

Large capital projects such as sewage system upgrades shouldn’t be borne by local families alone. Our tourism industry is too important to the economies of British Columbia and Canada and we must get our fair share of provincial and federal dollars.

Too often our grant applications have been ignored. Maybe some haven’t met acceptable standards. For whatever reason, Tofino got zero during the largest infrastructure-spending spree in Canadian history. A better job must be done in the future because our deficits require success.


CONSTRUCTION PLEASE, NOT CONSULTING FEES

The district has land. What stops us from making affordable housing a reality? We have other advantages: historically low interest rates and a community full of builders. One way forward is to gather information on what works well in comparable locations. Another is to realize we’ll need a consortium if all interests are to be met and the taxpayer is to be respected.

On Lopez in the San Juan Islands, 11 families pooled resources to build units costing them $112,000 each. (http://thetyee.ca/News/2011/01/07/GreenHomesForLess/). They had help from groups and individuals from the private & public sector. Yet, they got a bargain because they worked hard, cooperated and innovated. The homes met LEED for Homes, Built Green, and Energy Star program standards. The homeowners save bundles on energy.

Some BC tourist towns build district-owned housing and developers build cooperative housing for concessions & land. I believe we’re well situated to make progressive, low-income housing a reality. We want young families to stay in Tofino.


TOFINO…A FORCE OF NATURE

Recreational facilities are important. Yet, we live in a place where nature provides a fantastic playground and options for physical health are abundant.

I support the West-Coast Complex as long as Tofino’s taxpayers aren’t on the hook. I worry for the project. That’s a lot of resources, water and power to have an Olympic-sized rink & indoor water-park several kilometers away from Tofino.

From the recent school board meeting I attended in Ukee, it’s clear the one-year deal for gym use is temporary. We need a longer-term solution.

One structure I’d consider is a community centre “plus.” By this I mean some traditional facilities for sports (gymnasium) and learning (move the library in?) with added functionality for Tofino. A yoga room is appropriate and doubles for Zoomba. A computer lab/resource centre is needed for continued learning and town projects. Tofino lacks a “black-box” room for music, theatre and visual art.

We have so much going on festival-wise that a creative and recreation centre could serve as a focal point for community projects. Tofino’s many societies and volunteers could meet, share ideas and trade resources in a supportive environment.

Newcomer festivals like The Feast and Carving On The Edge add to an already amazing roster: Whale Fest, P.R.A.S. Summer & Winter Music Series, Film (& Guerilla), Oyster, Public Market, Food & Wine, Lantern, the list goes on. This is Tofino’s community strength (and great for tourism too).

A community center “plus” would serve citizens and help promote Tofino.


COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

I believe in empowering community groups. When motivated, caring citizens are already steering community projects in areas they have passion for and experience with, they should be supported. Minimal city resources can assist community groups: use of district land, buildings and, where appropriate, small grants and resources.

I don’t think we need centralized arts and cultural committees. Let’s facilitate existing groups best placed to organize and present entertainment and cultural festivals.


TUFF ENOUGH

My duty is to get in the trenches and exhaust every available option.
My diligence is to seek the most and best advice possible.

Compare and contrast with similar jurisdictions and analyze then disregard the least promising proposals. Get input from citizens to evaluate what’s best for Tofino as a whole. Promote sound ideas and prevent wasted opportunities. Look through a lens of common sense and study council business through a magnifying glass. Serve coastal citizens first and special interests last.

I’m standing on my platform and underpinning beliefs. I pledge to put in the research hours and comparative studies required to make informed decisions. Tofino needs objectivity. I’ll advocate for public/private solutions combined with grassroots/down-home ideas. Together we can fix bumps in the road (literally!).

I thank the many strong teachers of Clayoquot wisdom, those citizens defining Tofino throughout the decades. Our collective potential is great. If given the opportunity, I’ll help present Tofino’s civic governance as reasonable, beneficial and justifiable.

Thanks for reading this,

Bernard Kromka

globe and mail article

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/employee-fraud-blamed-for-nova-scotia-towns-financial-meltdown/article2231190/

Salmon Virus Update

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/11/08/bc-no-salmon-virus-detected.html

Tofino Fire Department Seeking Volunteers

http://www2.canada.com/westerly/story.html?id=ca1a6410-5691-4d1c-98eb-127f1e684ede

November 9, 2011 - Advance Poll

November 9, 2011 - Advance Poll

Advanced Voting Opportunities will be available on:

* Wednesday, November 9, 2011 between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm
* Tofino Council Chambers, 380 Campbell Street, Tofino, BC

A glimpse into Council at Work-past priorities

Taiwan Earthquake-No Tsunami Warning

PUBLIC TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT NUMBER 1
NWS WEST COAST/ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER PALMER AK
707 PM PST MON NOV 7 2011

...A STRONG EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED BUT A TSUNAMI IS NOT
EXPECTED ALONG THE CALIFORNIA/ OREGON/ WASHINGTON/
BRITISH COLUMBIA OR ALASKA COASTS...

NO WARNING... NO WATCH AND NO ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR
THESE AREAS.

BASED ON THE DEPTH OF THE EARTHQUAKE WITHIN THE EARTH A TSUNAMI
IS NOT EXPECTED ALONG THE CALIFORNIA/ OREGON/ WASHINGTON/
BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA COASTS.

AT 659 PM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME ON NOVEMBER 7 AN EARTHQUAKE WITH
PRELIMINARY MAGNITUDE 6.8 OCCURRED
NORTHEAST OF TAIWAN AT 222KM DEPTH.

PACIFIC COASTAL REGIONS OUTSIDE CALIFORNIA/ OREGON/ WASHINGTON/
BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA SHOULD REFER TO THE PACIFIC TSUNAMI
WARNING CENTER MESSAGES FOR INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT AT
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PTWC.

THIS WILL BE THE ONLY STATEMENT ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT BY THE
WEST COAST/ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER UNLESS ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. SEE THE WEB SITE WCATWC.ARH.NOAA.GOV
FOR BASIC TSUNAMI INFORMATION - SAFETY RULES AND TSUNAMI TRAVEL
TIMES.

Downtown Vitalization Open House

Isaiah Oke R.I.P.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/tom-hawthorn/a-much-loved-surfer-rides-his-last-wave/article2227390/

Sewer Agreement with Pacific Rim National Park

On March 6,2010 funding was announced for the new sewer system in the park that will tie in to Tofino's system yet from the minutes of the council minutes posted below it would appear that as of January 11,2011 there was still no agreement between Parks Canada and Tofino....this was months after the pipes were in the ground....go figure....it should be noted that Parks Canada has told Tofinonews that they wouldn't send any effluent our way until we have a treatment plant.....please write in if you can clarify this situation or if you can recall a council motion to accept sewage from the Park..
Publication: Westcoaster.ca

Date: 2010/03/06

Byline: Keven Drews
Feds to Spend $3.3 Million In Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

UCLUELET — The federal government is pumping more than $3.3 million of stimulus funding into Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

James Lunney, Conservative MP for Nanaimo-Alberni, announced Saturday the money will help repair the roof and entrance ramp of the Wickaninnish Beach Interpretive Centre and install a new sewer and water line to the Green Point Campground and visitor facilities at Long Beach.

The sewage and water line will tie into the District of Tofino’s services.

“These projects will bring numerous positive outcomes to the region for years to come,” said Lunney.

“As the member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni, I am very pleased to be here to see these events that [are] making a difference in our beautiful, fabled park.

“These upgrades will serve the community and visitors for many years to come.”

Along the West Coast Trail, Parks Canada will use funds to build a new bridge at Sandstone Creek.

On southern Vancouver Island, the federal government will spend an additional $500,000 at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites. Parks Canada will use the money to upgrade the roof of a washroom facility and sewage infrastructure at both sites.

In total, the federal government is spending more than $3.8 million.

Kim Seward-Hannam, superintendent of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, said the park is excited about the announcement and ready to spend the money.

“You will be seeing some changes over the summer and the fall. Of course, it’s always a delicate balance when you’re trying to do some major construction projects and welcome 800,000 visitors over a season here,” said Seward-Hannam.

She said some of the sewer work can take place later in the season.

Tofino Mayor John Fraser said the sewer and water facilities at Green Point will tie into municipal services through the recent sewer-and-water expansion to Esowista, a Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation community at Long Beach.

He said there will be no additional capital costs to the municipality, and Tofino could get some “late comers fees” on the project.

“They’ll pay a user fee like everybody else that’s in the system,” he added.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve was established in 1970 and draws more than 800,000 visitors a year.

Sutton Pass Webcam

http://images.drivebc.ca:80/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/207.html
Thanks to an attentive blog reader for sending this link to the new webcam at Sutton Pass

Candidate's Statements

http://vimeo.com/31408166

Main St Sewer Pumps

A few readers have asked if the upgrades to the Main St. sewer pumps have been necessitated by the Esowista expansion and if the costs are covered by the agreement with Esowista.The costs are not covered in the Esowista agreement.
As to whether the upgrades are required due to additional flow from Esowista is a more complicated question. I couldn't find any engineering reports or any documents that address the Main St. sewer station that were completed prior to the signing of the agreement.I'm not sure that a full assessment was done prior to the signing of the agreement.Please write in if you have more information.

Globe and Mail article

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/buck-stopped-with-me-over-50-million-spent-on-g8-summit-baird-says/article2223024/

Bear at Cox Bay

This just in ! A bear has been making the rounds at Cox Bay.

The Island Coastal Economic Trust

Here is a link to another source of funding with wider criteria than the RMI. There is a variety of projects listed on this site such as the aquarium in Ucluelet and the wharf in Kelsey Bay. It seems at this time that Tofino wants to use money from the The Island Coastal Economic Trust for downtown vitalization in combination with RMI funding.I was at a couple of public input meetings for the RMI funding and don't have anything in my
notes that would indicate overwhelming public support for Downtown Vitalization and I'm not aware of any public meetings regarding the The Island Coastal Economic Trust funding...I may have missed it as there is a flurry of activity these days....please write in or call if you have more info. thanks,Ralph

http://www.islandcoastaltrust.ca/

Resort Municipality Initiative Information

Here's a link to a page explaining the Resort Municipality Initiative.There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding as to what the money can be used for.This page explains it quite well....

http://www.ruralbc.gov.bc.ca/about/RMI/RMI_Funding.html

Storm Warning in Effect

Marine Forecast
Winds
Issued 04:00 PM PDT 01 November 2011
Tonight and Wednesday Storm warning in effect.
Wind southeast 15 to 25 knots increasing to 25 to 35 this evening and to 35 to 45 after midnight except 50 northwest of Estevan Point. Wind becoming south 35 to 45 Wednesday morning then diminishing to west 25 early Wednesday afternoon.


Waves
Issued 04:00 PM PDT 01 November 2011
Today Tonight and Wednesday Seas 2 to 3 metres building to 5 to 7 before morning then subsiding to 3 to 5 late Wednesday morning. Seas subsiding to 3 Wednesday evening.
Extended Forecast
Issued 04:00 PM PDT 01 November 2011
Thursday Wind southeast 5 to 15 knots.
Friday Wind northwest 10 to 20 knots.
Saturday Wind southeast 15 to 25 knots becoming northwest 20 late in the day.


Weather & Visibility
Issued 04:00 PM PDT 01 November 2011
Tonight and Wednesday Rain beginning this evening changing to a few showers late Wednesday morning. Visibility 1 mile or less in rain.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE DISTRICT OF TOFINO COUNCIL

https://tofino.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=2886
Sorry for the lack of notice for this meeting..., I just saw this on the District Site....$1,250,00.00 for Downtown Vitalization !!