***  RESPECTS: Chuck Cadman, 1948 - 2005, "homo politicus rara avis": down to earth, honest, sincere, dedicated, selfless, without pretence or pomp, WYSIWYG, strength of conviction, independent of party [see Qtn]

*** SNOWBIRDS -- Happy 35th Birthday! [see INFObit]

***  THEATRE -- Bard's Hamlet opened July 6th and it's yet another hit!  Ben Frazer's a romantic, dreamy, mad hunk;  David Marr's Polonius plays with language amusingly.  It's theatre in the round, well, really square.  One warning: don't sit facing south.  Visit www.bardonthebeach.org or call 739 0559 for tix.

***  TALL SHIPS -- incredible sight in English Bay over the weekend, graceful by day and beautiful forms outlined in lights at night.  (The private yacht with a helicopter on board was mind-boggling as well.)

***  CUISINE -- Creme brulee is one of my favourite desserts so I've tasted all sorts: classic, fruit,  lavender, chocolate, even recently black sesame wch I thought surely was one of the most unusual.  Nope.  That was topped the other evening at Moorings in Horseshoe Bay where the Thai Curry Creme Brulee tickled my tongue tantalizingly.......

+ BYLAWS [for Adoption; Third Readings passed July 4]

~ 4:30pm ~ Special DAC mtg: design of new cmnty ctr [Presentation with model]

~ 6am ~ 17th Annual Knee Knackering Run (Baden Powell Trail)

~ 2pm - Artists' Talk at FERRY BUILDING GALLERY -- "NATURE STORIES" [Exhibit to July 24]

Mixed Media by Karen Bagawaya, Rolf Brandvold, Karen Cain, Samantha Sanderson, and Marion Webbe

Regular hours: M - Th, 10 - 9pm; Fri 10 - 6pm; Sat 10 - 5pm; Sunday closed from July 3rd to Sept 11th.

~ 5pm ~ HAC [CANCELLED]

~ 8:30am ~ Sports/Rec Fac. Plan. Comm. (MFCR)

~ 7am - 9am ~ Bay Challenge Swim Race (Sandy Cove Beach)

~ 9am - 4pm ~ Dundarave Farmers' Market

~ 11am - 4pm ~ Ambleside Farmers' Market (Parking Area in the 1300 Block of Bellevue Avenue)

~ 7pm ~ (Concerts by the Sea)

=== Delegation on tourism (coordinated project for North Shore) said will cost $83K, wants $20K from DWV; planning for 2010 and beyond.

Two hours before the public meeting staff received a letter from BPP withdrawing the offer of 'cmnty benefit' of many thousands of dollars.  VD asked why but got no answer.  Here's a partial transcript as I heard it:

There were some bleatings about there not being any Cmnty Benefits policy yet (the draft has been sent out for comment).  In my submission [below] I said they (Ccl) all have good ideas and am sure they can agree on something even without the policy passed (staff have done all the negotiating in past so why stop now?).

G-J came up with a sort of 'compromise' several-part motion:

but the recommended motion was for deferral and it wd have failed (and DP approved maybe) had the MMgr not said they needed a legal opinion, the vote was tied, so the Mayor broke the tie to send it to the solicitor.   As VD pointed out, why approve without benefits or without a commitment to have the benefits and integration with the (much larger) Rodgers Creek area plan (wch the OCP called for having been accepted before parts developed, and South Marr is a part).

In any case, putting in tennis courts, etc is a benefit for the subdivision itself making it more attractive for sale, ie a benefit to the dvpr in a way, not really for the cmnty.  BPP is asking for variances.

There is no doubt the abysmal traffic congestion with the schools and highway as a result of previous devt needs to be rectified asap.   As one supporter said, it's a traffic nightmare; and another warned of the likelihood of an accident.

Looks like the beginning of this area had problems -- even DFO slapped a stop order on BPP b/c of their (damaging) treatment of ephemerals.  BPP explained, unbelievably? ingenuously?, that DFO asked them "not to go into the creeks but didn't ask them not to go into ephemeral[ creek]s.  They did.  They got caught.

BPP also cleverly claimed no accidents with their trucks -- and it was explained that the trucks were hired by the construction companies.  C'mon.  We know what accidents.  We know what subdivisions and devts were having work done.

Another supporter also agreed that it had been a flawed process.

JF was concerned about the OCP obligations (understandable, since she chaired the process for the new one); Sop just advocated acceptance/approval as he generally does if it's BPP; his words and agreed: "BPP not bandits riding into the sunset" and he counted on DFO approval.

RD said this is 24 acres while Rodgers Creek is 250.

Public Mtg was closed (but this means little since it doesn't have the restrictions of a Public Hearing and speaking to Ccl and dvpr is permitted); item deferred one week on split vote with Mayor breaking the tie.  Good to see he's on the side of legal protection of the District and took the MMgr's sage advice.

Last words to VD around 9:30 before vote:

"reason I made motion

staff is saying 'hold this' in middle of negotiations and we're about to cut them off

===  DPA for ten-storey (not the 20 allowed), nine-unit multifamily on one of the last apt-zoned properties in WV (2100 block Argyle).  As one cd expect, complaints about views being cut off (and wanting them to be more in line with other bldgs nearby), less understandable complaints about the water feature (waterfall? down from original 100ft to 45ft? trickle? art? white noise? traffic better? or sound of sea and seawall?), but devt ~40ft lower than 180ft permitted.

Public Mtg adjourned to July 25th with staff report.

===  Report on Popn by Age and Gender and School Enrolment in WV.  VD pointed out that 27.4% aged 1 - 24; about the same, 27.9%, over 60; 25-40 only 11% (off at uni, travelling, can't afford to buy here); and greatest group is 40 to 60, 40% -- they're paying all the bills.  The Mayor commented that's the way it shd be.

===  Ferry Building Gallery - Architecture Project, "The Poetics of West Coast Modernism"; title came from Gordon Smith at last year's civic dinner; will be presented in fall of 2005 through to 2006; will be at various sites, travelling; $24K project, majority from donations.  As RD said: "WV does contain some of the best architecture in Canada; some hidden behind trees; we're in process of updating our heritage inventory; looking for ways to protect them; most built between 1940s to 1960s; next fall through spring; FBG, Silk Purse, Lib, M&A."  [Look forward to seeing this.]

===  Dir/Parks gave some explanation wrt Fees and Charges increases for cemetery, ice arena, and aquatic ctr; G-J queried filming in the cemetery and that will be reviewed.

=== Three readings passed re Lane Paving; residents pay 70%; see adoption July 11th ccl mtg.

=== At last motion to have a FAC rep at EAC mtgs.  FAC passed motion in February but when rep showed up not been allowed to join EAC b/c no formal motion/approval -- IMO, needless delay and embarrassment/frustration caused by staff not forwarding to Ccl in timely manner.   Why did it take about five months?  Forcing them (at least two tried to attend/speak) to sit in audience.  As Sop pointed out, the FAC rep had had to sit in audience (and not speak?!).  Oh well.  Resolved now.

===  REPORTS: Many congratulations (well deserved) to JC for a most successful and enjoyable Canada Day celebration with fireworks; Productive mtg with Westport Nbrhd Assn; More congratulations to JC invested as fellow of Rotary Int'l

===  Only a question re golf course in Correspondence (will be looked into)

===  PQ&C had praise for response team re ferry accident in HBay and the modelling of the official t-shirt of the red-legged frog we can kiss goodbye on sea-to-sky if overland instead of tunnel

-------  SUBMISSION re South Marr Proposed Devt  ------ Transcript from 2005 July 4 ------

Good evening, Mayor and Council

Carolanne Reynolds, Editor, WVMatters

Unfortunately, I have not yet had time to read the new information released with the supplemental package.

It is my hope however that you will recognize the damage already done to the streams and in particular to the important but sensitive ephemerals and with the development permit, insist on measures to rehabilitate them as much as possible as well as to enhance those that are left.

Please also pay close attention to the geotechnical studies to make sure clearcutting as done in Whitby will not speed up erosion and even cause slides or floods.  I viewed Whitby on the weekend and noted that one can see in some spots where the soil has fallen away, even under retention walls.  Measures must be taken to ensure no residents below will suffer any risks as has happened in some other parts of WV.

BPP wants South Marr to be better than Whitby.  Before approving this permit, please make sure this will be so.

Please do what you can to prevent clearcutting as they said they will do.

Please see the survey with any significant or rare trees/plants identified so they can be protected.

Please find out what the tree height restriction is and at least allow some tall trees, perhaps with windowing -- remember the view is through and framed by the trees.

No one is advocating a wall of trees, but nor are a series of monopoly trees desirable either.

And please make these clear conditions so that your intentions are understood and an accommodation for a park leaving some trees does not result in a measly four trees left as they did on the school site.

Let us appeal to BPP's stated commitment of being better and sensitive.  Why not have much wider setbacks from streams and allow clumps of trees likely to survive rather subject to blowdown so the excuse given they must all be removed.

The one line of small houses, addresses somewhat the need for variety in housing.  As I think both Planning and Design advisory cmtes said, the variances requested make them too close.

 In exchange for larger setbacks and groups of trees, pls ask BPP to consider changing the line of sgl-fam houses, to maybe ten or 12 units in duplexes or a multifamily, or maybe half and half -- a few small houses on lots not cheek by jowl, and one multifamily or a couple of duplexes. Vary it more.

IOW, they can keep their zoned density even with the wider setbacks and small woodsy areas, even if it requires some multifamily.   If they come forth with a comprehensive extremely environmentally sensitive plan, maybe consider a bit of a higher density in appreciation.

Council, before approving this please:

BPP want to do better.  Let's work with this goodwill to develop something much better than Whitby.

This devt can be a showcase and example of how sustainable, sensitive, and beautiful new devts as they creep across our mountainside can be.

Start today with real environmental and creek protection and enhancement.

As for cmnty benefits, my recommendation to adv cmtes and various groups is to give Ccl a list of their 'top ten' so that Ccl has a selection of various projects and amenities of varied  costs and value so that suitable benefits can be asked for, for the benefit of the whole community.

Please differentiate between amenities for the subdivision itself making the lots higher priced, more desirable, and easier to sell[, and cmnty benefits to residents of WV].

A great plan can be had {I think I meant 'made'} for this Rodgers area total plan, and this can be part of it, if you have an idea and sort of sketch in some of the parks, and the wider areas for linear parks and whatever

[Make this an integral part of the larger Rodgers Creek area plan.]

Thank you.

TO: Mayor & Council of WV -- Public Meeting on Evelyn Drive Proposal; June 28, 2005

 >>>  ABBREVIATED CCL AGENDA July 11th  <<<

3.1       Council Meeting Minutes, June 27, 2005  (to be provided in Supplemental Agenda)

9.         PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS  /   10.       ADJOURNMENT

>>>  MONKEY BUSINESS  <<<  *  Monkey Business on a Keyboard  *  by Norm Storer

Statisticians have argued that if 50 million monkeys typed furiously on 50 million typewriters for some incredibly long period, one of them would eventually produce a letter-perfect copy of Shakespeare's complete works -- and never mind that Will himself never accomplished this.

By the same reasoning, we can assume that all of humankind's other significant linguistic achievements would also be found in typographical perfection among the other marvellous monkeys' outpourings.

Our concern, however, is with the monkey who simply came close -- whose work in small chunks is perfect except for one letter.

Let us call this charming chimp Mickey.  (Mickey Monkey -- now why didn't Disney think of that?)

Inspecting Mickey's near-triumphs affords an occasional smile, once in a while a real snicker, and serves also as a salutory antidote to every author's dream of technical perfection.

The author in our original example, whom Mickey is sure to call the Barf of Avon, provides a number of examples:

Al, the world's a stage

A nose by any other name would smell the same

Let us sit upon the ground and tell Dad stories of the death of kings

Out, out damned snot

Death, where is thy stink?

Similarly, our struggling simian would wreak havoc on certain basic religious precepts:

Our father sho art in heaven

give us this day our daily break

God helps those who heap themselves

Rock of apes, cleft for me

To erp is human

Nobody knows the trouble I've been

Durn the other cheek

Certainly, Broadway would suffer terrific typographical terrorism:

Kuss me Kate

Fats

The Kink and I

The Icepan Cometh

Desire Under the Elfs

Couth Pacific

Memorable lines from political figures and famous authors form political figures and famous authors, as well as hoary adages, offer Mickey multiple opportunities for distortion:

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of sappiness

Ask not what your country can do for Lou

I am not a crock

A fool and his honey are soon parted

A poet lovely as a tree

'Twas the fight before Christmas

A rolling stone gathers no Miss

One if by land and two if by sex

And on the opposite whore shall be

There is no free punch

Try and cry alone

I pandered lonely as a cloud

And just before carpal tunnel syndrome set in for good, Mickey would undoubtedly type:

LET BLEEPING DOGS LIE.

>>>  INFObit - The Snowbirds  <<<  Snowbird Team History

Motto: THE HATITEN  RONTERIIOS (Warriors of the air)  /  Badge: An Iroquois Indian's  head

Thinking of Chuck Cadman, who will be remembered with admiration.....

"Ninety per cent of  the politicians give the other ten per cent a bad reputation.

                                        --  Henry Kissinger