Read moreMy vision is to build a vibrant and progressive Courtenay that will prosper with growth and preserve the beauty that we all love. Through Downtown densification, investment in a more cost effective transportation plan, clearer economic development options, and housing solutions for people of all means, I know we can be a stronger and more resilient community!
Densification and Well Priced Housing
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...
2014 Go Smart Day Volunteer information
Go Smart Day is a grass roots festival organized by Image Comox Valley. It’s purpose is to build a stronger community by developing and supporting more efficient use of its resources. Specifically, the Festival encourages the community to explore alternative modes of transportation and use of public space. Generally, Go Smart Day supports healthier lifestyles in other areas such as housing, economic development, food production and supply, and healthcare. Go Smart Day is not Anti-car. Go Smart Day is about enabling healthier alternatives. Intersection Volunteers: Please greet driver’s with courtesy and openness. Offer directions if necessary. If a driver insists on crossing the route and there is no danger (no one using the route), help facilitate the crossing. If a driver insists on crossing the route or driving on the route and there is a danger, please take a license plate number and vehicle/driver description and contact the Police - 250-338-1321. If there is an emergency (someone is seriously injure, or someone is extremely aggressive), call 911. Contact: Volunteer Coordinator - David Frisch – 250-338-3638 RCMP - 250-338-1321 2014 Go Smart Day Traffic Management Plan by David Frisch Intersection 11:45-2:00 1:45-4:00 5th & Cliffe Pat Pat 4th & Duncan Sue Moen Keith Monique 4th & England Joy Magnusson 4th & Fitzgerald Stan Kera Marguerite Ian 5th & Harmston Michael Linton 6th & Harmston Sheila McDonell 6th & Grant Chantal 6th & Fitzgerald Zak? 6th & England Terry Gil 6th...
Go Smart Day 2014
Go Smart Day 2014 asks one question: Is this the best way? On Sunday June 22nd, from 12-4pm, Imagine Comox Valley invites all citizens of all ages to enjoy a fresh perspective in Downtown Courtenay! Experience something new by participating in the Road Runner’s Fun Run or the open criterium, by helping your kids decorate their bikes, creating street art, listening to live music, savouring a Community Garden potluck, or riding the One Thirty Three/Jump Camp skate park. Take advantage of the healthy atmosphere by meeting family and friends for a street cafe meal or enjoying sweet and savoury treats from the valley’s finest vendors. To learn more about this relaxing afternoon visit our website at www.imaginecomoxvalley.ca and join our Facebook event page - Go Smart Day (https://www.facebook.com/events/624490074297191/)....
Elevate the Arts 2014
This year’s 3rd Annual Elevate the Arts festival has left me both grateful and inspired. It was most certainly a pleasure to be treated to such an amazing collection of music, art, and culture in a family friendly environment and I know it was in large part thanks to the hard work of the organizers, performers and volunteers. But, it also left me inspired for the future of Courtenay as a whole. Seeing so many people supporting the festival and enjoying themselves has renewed my belief that Courtenay can be both a beautiful place to live and an economically sustainable community. I believe that we have the hard working, socially minded people to achieve economic and social prosperity, and all we need to do is provide a framework that encourages innovative, progressive businesses and healthy lifestyles. I will definitely comment more on these thoughts, but for now…Thank you to Elevate the Arts!...
Homelessness
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…...Water
I am surprised to hear that Courtenay Council defeated the Blue Communities resolution regarding clean water. The resolution was to recognizes and affirm that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and that Council would call on the federal and provincial governments to enshrine water as a human right in federal and provincial law. I wonder what it is regarding access to clean water that Star Winchester, Manno Theos, and Mayor Larry Jangula are opposed to? Are they unwilling to show leadership out of fear or are they confused about the word “whereas” ? The wording of the resolution can be read at: http://canadians.org/sites/default/files/publications/RTW%20updated%20section%20and%20resolution.pdf The definition of “whereas” can be found...Failure to plan for the future
Staff writer – May 14, 2013 01:00 AM Thank you Ronna-Rae Leonard for opposing the adoption of the phased development agreement that gives Buckstone Investments Ltd an alternate route option for an off-site trail in South Courtenay. It appears you understand the effects a seemingly insignificant diversion of a bike path can have on its overall usefulness. By directing potential cyclists from the Buckstone development to a meandering oceanside pathway, this agreement dissuades people from using the pathway for practical purposes, such as commuting to work, shopping or general travel into town. Firstly, it is important to understand that the Courtenay Riverway, while being a wonderful recreational trail, is not the most efficient or practical transportation route for cyclists. In some short trip cases it is useful, but in general, it is a winding path separated from the majority of businesses by an extremely busy and unpleasant road called Hwy 19A/Cliffe Ave. If one lived in the Buckstone developement and wanted to shop at Quality foods or elsewhere in the mall, one would have to cross Hwy 19A once near Beachwood Road, to access the Courtenay Riverway, and then again somewhere near 29th or 26th Street to access the mall. Keep in mind there is no formal connections at 29th or 26th to the Riverway, nor is there an efficient way to cross Cliffe Avenue. If you want to encourage people to use alternative transportation, it needs to be relatively efficient! If it is out of the way and difficult to access is, people will almost always choose to drive a car. On the other hand, the Rails With Trails...