by David Frisch | Sep 16, 2014 | Blog, Letters to the Editor, News
With schools closed this September, balancing child-care and work has been a real challenge for many Courtenay families. I would like to thank the City of Courtenay and it’s staff for working hard to fill the gap by providing families with affordable, quality options for children and youth. From Parent Saver child-care for $125 per week at the Lewis Centre, to the LINC Youth Centre’s “Try it For Free Week”, the city is ensuring that families have the support they need to make it through the school closure. I know friends and neighbours who have taken advantage of these programs and found them to be high quality, well organized and, according to their kids, really fun. As a candidate for Courtenay council, my vision for Courtenay is one where the City is always playing an active role supporting families and children. I would like to thank all those responsible for ensuring that the city was there for families in a time of need. ...
by David Frisch | Sep 11, 2014 | Blog, Letters to the Editor, News
I would like to propose a new agenda for Courtenay city council. Let’s focus our resources on building a vibrant city that attracts and supports businesses that can support our children and young families into the future. Canada’s clean-tech industry grew faster than every other major sector of the economy in 2012, as reported by Analytica Advisors. While oil, mining and gas grew 0.3%, the clean-tech sector grew 9%. So how do we encourage entrepreneurs to come here? The answer is the same reason we are all here… It’s a better place to live, work and play. We didn’t move here for bigger roads, bigger stores, or bigger houses. We came here for better air and water, better transportation, and better recreation. We came here for a better quality of life! Currently, Courtenay council votes in favour of spending our tax dollars to develop urban sprawl. Urban sprawl has been proven to be detrimental to small business and creates a stagnant, unappealing, and isolating culture and city landscape. It also quickly destroys any beauty in its path, which in Courtenay’s case is it’s most precious resource. If Courtenay want’s to attract new businesses, like Internet Technology business, or Renewable Energy business, or Agricultural/Food business, we need to focus on building a better city. We need: Efficient and affordable transportation systems for people of all ages, including children and seniors. Public spaces, such as squares, commons and pedestrian streets, where people can meet and support businesses. Waste management systems that are sustainable, including composting, so we can delay, or even better avoid, creating a new, and very expensive, landfill in...
by David Frisch | Aug 26, 2014 | Letters to the Editor, News
I am writing with great pleasure to support the establishment of the new micro brewery, Gladstone Brewing Co, in downtown Courtenay. I have high hopes that small and medium sized businesses, like Daniel and Alexandra’s, will help strengthen downtown Courtenay’s appeal and help grow the City of Courtenay’s overall economic diversity. I am not surprised to hear that the brewery’s entrepreneurs “love the culture” and “ love the outdoors” and look forward to welcoming more investors for whom our culture and connection to the outdoors is revered. Best of Luck, David Frisch...
by David Frisch | Jul 29, 2014 | Letters to the Editor, News
I read with great interest that there is “vociferous” opposition to a heritage style triplex at the corner of Fifth and Menzies in Courtenay. It seems that renters are viewed as noisy and cause hassle. I was a renter once and now I am an owner, but I don’t think I make less noise now or cause less hassle. It is unfair to paint all renters with the same brush or deny reasonable housing to those wishing to rent or buy smaller or less expensive accommodations. Moreover, I like to think I live in one of the most naturally blessed communities in the world and one of the ways we can preserve it, while welcoming those wishing to join us, is to increase density in our cores to minimize the paving of our surroundings. Also, I wonder if having more people close to our town centers could increase economic trade in those areas? I live just three blocks further than Menzies from Downtown Courtenay and I do 90% of my shopping Downtown because it’s close. I imagine this would be of great interest to the Downtown Business Improvement Association and it’s merchants. Could more well priced housing benefit all of us? David Frisch Courtenay...
by David Frisch | May 24, 2014 | Letters to the Editor, News
A wise woman named Jesse Scott once pointed out to me, when it comes to children, “you can pay now, or you can pay later.” Her point was that it takes an investment of time, love and money to raise our children, and if we fail to pay this investment, we as a society will pay the consequences. I believe this also applies to all less fortunate members of society, especially those who are homeless. I understand that homelessness and poverty are complicated issues, but a do nothing attitude is, in my opinion, a plan for failure. It would seem that some believe that homelessness is somebody else’s problem, like the provincial government, or that we should count on non-profit organizations, like Dawn to Dawn, to do all the work. I don’t believe this to be true. I think it behooves the Comox Valley Regional District to take action on homelessness, and I can attest, as a long time volunteer coordinator, that non-profit societies can only go so far without support from our elected officials. Creating an arms-length agency to coordinate action on homelessness is a vital first step for a long term solution that will save us money. The Comox Valley needs a plan and our elected officials need to be…...
