At the May 8 Elphinstone Community Association (ECA) meeting, people heard about the ECA’s grant request for aid in removing the totes from the beach clean-up; we’re due to hear soon whether our bid was successful. Donna McMahon introduced Jason Lewis, one of two student councillors for the town of Gibsons, and a student at Elphinstone Secondary. Donna met him at Earth Day and as he lives in Area E, invited him to the meeting. Jason recently attended the inter-governmental meeting of the Sunshine Coast’s six governments and is helping to organize a Green New Deal Town Hall in Gibsons, May 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Elphinstone Secondary Library.
Donna noted that an emergency preparedness person is needed for the Sunshine Coast. Recently she’s met with an ICBC safety rep about various intersections, attended Howe Sound Forum on Gambier Island and the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention in Powell River. She raised concerns about dead salal seen on her hikes, a problem that is affecting many areas, likely due to the increasing summer drought conditions.
A July social is being planned by the ECA at Chaster House, July 13, 4 to 9 p.m. Everyone is invited to this community barbecue and potluck, including families and neighbouring communities. The plan is to have kids’ activities and possibly some music, so mark your calendar and stay tuned. The June meeting of the ECA will be on Wednesday, June 12 at Frank West Hall, 7 p.m.
A chance meeting of neighbours out walking our dogs the other day quickly turned into a conversation about water, which prompted me to ask Director McMahon about what the SCRD water priorities are. She says, “We are working on the Grantham’s well field – the first groundwater source to be developed for the system – and also have consultants reviewing our top four reservoir options for feasibility and costs. Getting more water online is our top priority and staff are moving this forward as fast as they can.” Important information about water conservation regulations are on this SCRD page: www.scrd.ca/Sprinkling-Regulations.
Birthday Bulletin: Doreen Bartley, a long-time stalwart of Elphinstone, just turned 92! Doreen and her late husband Jim were the bedrock of the Elphinstone Community Association for many years. Pat Ridgway calls her “Queen of Elphinstone, protector of the environment and our beloved wildlife” and reminded me that Doreen was a member of the Raging Grannies and fought hard against a proposed LNG facility at McNab Creek. We all wish you Happy Birthday, Doreen!
A year ago this month I began writing the Elphinstone Chronicles, taking it on after discovering there had never been an Elphinstone community column! Thank you for all the positive feedback (I also appreciate constructive criticism). I’m happy to be contacted with any news you think our community needs to hear at [email protected] Please note the column appears every other week.
