Hi everyone! Wow, what a week it has been! Temperature records have been broken throughout B.C., but it looks like it will be a little cooler next week. Stay cool and hydrated and be sure to keep your four-legged friends indoors with plenty of water.
The Good Samaritan Program implemented by the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will pay the landfill tipping fees for materials collected from illegal dump sites cleaned up by volunteers. Some areas may not be an actual “dump site” but may be debris washed up on shore.
One such debris site was recently found on a rocky beach near the entrance to Sargeant Bay. Halfmoon Bay residents Mike and Ruth Powell came across several large polystyrene-foam-filled remnants of a dock on a nearby beach and knew that something had to be done.
They gathered some very eager volunteers and set the date to move the debris closer to their beach trailhead. In 38-degree weather, neighbours and friends Pam and Dave McIntyre cleared a work area at the foot of the Powells’ stairs to the beach and placed ground cover sheets to help contain all the tiny foam beads. Getting the large dock pieces to the location proved to be quite difficult, but with some further planning and more volunteers, they found a way.
Neighbours and friends Dave Pennington and Hamish Watt waited for the evening high tide, got in their kayaks, secured the pieces to their boats and along with Riley, a very helpful yellow Lab, they made their way to the work site. There the volunteer crew cut up the larger pieces using hand saws and battery-operated tools to cut up the metal (thank you, Toby). They wrapped and secured the smaller pieces and hauled everything up the steep stairs to the Powells’ pickup truck. Mike said, “Getting this debris off the beach brings peace of mind knowing there’s less problematic material on our local beaches.”
For more information on the Good Samaritan Program, visit scrd.ca or call 604-885-6806. Another amazing group effort by local concerned citizens who took the time to make our world a better place. You are awesome and we so appreciate all your efforts. Thank you!
On Monday, June 28, the first Town Hall meeting hosted by the Halfmoon Bay Community Association with special guest Lori Pratt, Area B director and SCRD chair, was well attended by about 60 members of the community. Lori responded to questions from Halfmoon Bay residents on a variety of important topics, such as managing housing growth, property taxes, recycling, and short-term rentals. Participants appreciated the opportunity to interact with Lori and were able to voice some of their concerns. The HBCoA will continue to host similar events, with the next one slated for Oct. 18 in conjunction with their AGM. In the meantime, Lori and the HBCoA Board will continue to liaise and share information in an effort to find resolutions to the concerns of the community. The recording of this meeting will soon be available on hmbcommunity.org.
The association is planning their first outdoor event, Seaside Shuffle, on Aug. 1 at Coopers Green Park. HBCoA president Linda McMahon said, “The event planning is in full swing with many great local entertainers, food providers and breweries lined up. We are looking for volunteers to help on the ground, so if you are able to donate your time, please send a note through the Contact Us form on our website or send an email to [email protected].”
Be safe, be gentle, and always be kind. Have your “Say at the Bay,” please contact me before 5 p.m. on Mondays. [email protected].
