THETIS ISLAND RESIDENTS’ AND RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

President’s Report 2007

The past year has been relatively quiet. There have been several issues that have surfaced and are still being dealt with in 2008. They are the elementary school staffing issue and the sanitation issue. A committee was struck at the June general meeting to approach the school district as well as the Department of Education about the importance of the teachers aide position for our school. The result has been a review of this position and the possible reinstatement.

The Sanitation Committee has been exploring various options and has asked for and received input from the community. The options will be discussed and I hope a choice will be made at a special meeting to be held in April 2008. The contract with Ravenscall Enterprises for the recycling project was renewed subject to decisions to be made on the garbage handling at the April 12 special meeting.

A presentation by the Comox Valley Lifeline Society was made at our October general meeting. The Community Fund is supporting this concept for seniors on our island who live alone. At this meeting the problem of the lack of high speed internet service for the Pilkey Point area was raised. Efforts have been made to contact Telus and a meeting was finally arranged on site. Telus will need at least 30 applicants to be able to extend service to this area.

Standing Committee Reports are appended for more detailed information.

John Stadt

President TIRRA

 

Treasurer’s Report: See attached documents.

Transportation Committee:
There has been only one request for the Transportation Committee to follow up in the past year, and that is a recent request to look into providing pedestrian lanes along side the main thoroughfares. Your committee is actively following this up.
We are pleased with the Roads Department having painted the centerlines on a timely basis this year and with the continuing excellent service provided by Grant Gordon.
The Ferry Advisory Committee, no longer part of TIRRA, continues actively to represent our interests with regard to the ferry service.
Graeme Shelford, Chair.

Land Use and Environment Committee:
This was a fairly quiet year for the Land Use and Environment Committee, with only three initiatives:
1. An article was written and published in the Quarterly regarding positive relationship between land values and the ferry service charges, contrary to the more popular opinion that rising ferry charges will negatively affect the community and land values.
2. One issue was raised by some summer visitors who noticed the pile of old appliance trash at the southern end of the Lawrence Trail. The committee raised this matter at the October general meeting, suggesting that, since this pile of trash was a historical legacy of the community – dating from decades ago before the current collection system was in place - TIRRA should act in the community interest and clean up the site, applying a few hundred of the several thousand dollars in the general fund. Various members spoke against the idea, stating that the rubbish was on private property and therefore TIRRA should not take any action. The result was a decision that no action be taken.
3. The final initiative of the Committee in 2007 was to submit, via TIRRA’s President, the chairman’s name as TIRRA’s nominee for the proposed Advisory Planning Commission of the Local Trust Committee. As of the close of 2007, no decision has been made on these appointments.
Ken Youds, chairman

Thetis Trail Committee:
Regular inspections of the TIRRA’s community trail were made throughout the past year to make certain it stays safe and passable. A small work party cleared winter debris from the entire 1.7 km length of the trail March 8th.
Users will note that several large logs remain on the trail at various locations to ensure the facility is not accessible for motorized recreational vehicles. This is in accord with TIRRA’s trail use policy.
The small foot bridges constructed and installed by TIRRA members several years ago are still in good condition. Because water in low sections of the trail in winter and early spring, walkers should wear waterproof footwear and take extra care with footing.
Several people who walked the trail in the past year have remarked on its quiet beauty. Our aim is to keep it that way – by doing enough to keep it open and nothing to change its natural environment. The trail is another unheralded Thetis treasure. We wish to thank David Green for his help with trail maintenance.
Doreen Lilley, David Steen, chair persons

Community Education Committee:
Members of the Community Education Committee are Arlene Kasting, Elisabeth Bond, Stephanie Cottell, Denham Kelsey and Steve Frankel, chairman. The purpose of this committee is to investigate ways, with community support, to have the school’s Education Assistant position reinstated by the Cowichan Valley School District #79. The position was salvaged through the good graces, commitment and support of our Thetis island community and the Community Fund, for this school year; 2007 – 2008.
Our challenge remaining, is to convince the School Board to re-consider funding for the 2008 – 2009 school year. Given the challenges, we embarked on a number of planning and strategy meetings. Initially, we invited Board of Trustees to meet with us, early in this school year. Taking a suggestion from the Trustees, we organized a community and School District meeting, on February 18. Invited guests; Board Trustees, Superintendent of Schools, School Principal and Board Chair. That meeting proved to be quite positive. The end result being, the Board Trustees and Superintendent agreeing to meet further and continue an open and honest dialogue.
Further meetings are planned, with the goal of having the Education Position partially or fully funded (15 hours per week) for next September 2008. More details are available from the committee members.
Steve Frankel, Chairman

Sanitation Committee:
The “Trash Talkers” have been working diligently to solve our garbage/recycling dilemma. Progress has been slow however, due to the difficulty in obtaining bids, prices etc. from various venders. After reviewing the survey results and comments, garnering information from the other Gulf Islands and through committee discussions we are ready to present our final options. Here are the choices as we see it:
1. Keep current contract with Waste Services for garbage pickup. Build a formal recycling station. Garbage area would be fenced and only open one day a week. A paid attendant would man it.
2. Keep current system with no recycling offered.
3. Curbside garbage and recycling via CVRD. Cost quoted at $ 235/yr/household. Every household would pay regardless of participation. One other possibility is to have CVRD collect fees on a parcel tax thus reducing the cost to approximately $117/yr/parcel.
4. No garbage or recycling services offered on Thetis Island.
5. Seek an individual(s) on island willing to do curbside recycling garbage pickups. Individual homeowners would contract directly with this person(s)
A presentation of the pros, cons, costs and sustainability of each option will be given at a special TIRRA meeting on April 12, 1:30 – 3:30 at Forbes Hall. We will be asking which option you prefer.
In other matters, our current contract with Waste Services expires in June 2008. WSI estimates a 6% increase. The “tipping” fee has increased this year by 10%. In consideration of these increases we are asking the TIRRA membership for an increase to the garbage fees.
Barbara Williamson, Chairperson

St. Margaret’s Cemetery:
Although internments in St. Margaret’s Cemetery were average for 2007 with one burial and two cremation internments taking place, sales of cremation sites and burial sites were brisk. Six burial sites totaling $2100 and seven cremation sites totaling $1850 were sold. Other income included donations of $150 and book sales of $268.
Ground maintenance costs totaled $225 and $399 was paid towards the cemetery half of TIRRA’s liability Insurance. General and sundry office costs amounted to $112 and a reprint of Lives Behind the Headstones was $211.
The cemetery remains in sound financial shape. Excess of revenues over expenses in 2007 was $3527. Money in the bank and investments total $23,349.00.
St Margaret’s is managed by a local five-person cemetery board in compliance with the Cremation, Internment and Funeral Services Act and remains under the auspices of TIRRA. One long time board member resigned in 2007 and two newcomers have joined the board beginning in 2008.
The board is forever grateful to the volunteers who are always willing to lend a hand to other cemetery Duties. Thank you.
Lorrie Wood, Chairperson

Bylaws:
There have been no bylaw activities in 2007.
Tooner Knowles, Chairperson  

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