October 31, 2011

- ARESST 3 NOV AGM KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DR SHAUN PECK
- COUNCILLOR DISCLOSES CONFIDENTIAL LAND DEAL AT ALL-CANDIDATES MEETING (sewage plant points made)
- CANDIDATE HEIDI RAST, VIEW ROYAL (supports sewage plant but cost concern)
- CANDIDATE PHILLIPE LUCAS, VICTORIA (supports public sewage plant, against sludge on land)
- LETTER:  CRD COVERED BASES ON SEWAGE PLAN (Blackwell letter to TC)
- LETTER: CAPITAL REGION MUST BUILD SEWAGE TREATMENT (Blackwell letter in Goldstream Gazette)
- THE SAGA OF WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT (Bajard, CCA)

(NEXT CALWMC MEETS 9 NOV)

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       ARESST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
                         
                   Thursday, 3rd NOVEMBER , 2011 at 7PM 
 
Denison Lounge at St John the Divine, 1611 Quadra Street
                           (same place as last year) 

                          speaker: Dr.Shaun Peck
  
                              BRING A FRIEND!

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COUNCILLOR DISCLOSES CONFIDENTIAL LAND DEAL AT ALL-CANDIDATES MEETING (sewage plant points made)

Excerpts from article below: 
Hot topics included the provincially mandated sewage treatment facility for Greater Victoria...Cubberley and Leonard were both asked about funding for sewage

Kyle Slavin
Saanich News
October 30, 2011

The one highlight out of a relatively uneventful all-candidate meeting Wednesday night, was when incumbent Paul Gerrard shared confidential information about a land deal that had yet to be wrapped up.

Asked about minimizing traffic in Cordova Bay, Gerrard let slip that Saanich was looking to purchase land at the corner of Hunt and Fowler roads to try to improve traffic flow in the area.

At the time, the deal had only been discussed in-camera, meaning the details were not yet supposed to go public.

"It was an error on my part, and I apologize. It was the first time I've ever done that, and it will certainly be the last," Gerrard told the •News• Friday. "I thought that (the land deal) had been ratified, but it hadn't. I knew it was imminent."

That deal was imminent – it was finalized Friday, about 40 hours after Gerrard's accidental slip-up.

Tim Wood, Saanich's municipal administrator, said Gerrard’s slip could have complicated the acquisition if the deal wasn’t so close to completion.

"Although an inadvertent public reference about the land transaction, prior to the report out of the matter, was technically premature, it had absolutely no effect on the outcome," he said.

The meeting was the first forum that Saanich's mayoral candidates appeared together. However, the crowd at Claremont's Ridge Theatre never did have a chance to see David Cubberley and Frank Leonard spar over the issues.

The rules of the forum – no debating, no directing questions at particular individuals, not having mayoral candidates Frank Leonard and David Cubberley answer the same questions – hindered what many who attended wanted from the meeting.

Hot topics included the provincially mandated sewage treatment facility for Greater Victoria, transportation issues and a beach fire ban in Cordova Bay.

Cubberley and Leonard were both asked about funding for sewage and light-rail.

"We need to put it to you," Leonard said regarding using taxpayer dollars to  install a billion-dollar light-rail transit system on Douglas Street and the Trans-Canada Highway. "It's a lot of money, it's your money, you need to be involved in that commitment."

Cubberley said better lobbying needs to be done to upper levels of government to get them to commit to pay one-third of the cost of light-rail.

Mayoral candidate David Shebib and council candidate Jesse McClinton did not attend the meeting.

Upcoming (Saanich) all-candidates meetings

There are seven all-candidates meetings remaining before the Nov. 19 election.

• Thursday Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m., Room 216 in the Young Building Camosun College's Lansdowne campus

• Tuesday Nov. 8 at 7 p.m., Lochside elementary (1145 Royal Oak Dr.)

• Wednesday Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m., Prospect Lake Community Hall (5358 Sparton Rd.)

• Tuesday Nov. 15 at 2 p.m., Church of the Nazarene (4277 Quadra St.)

• Tuesday Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., Spectrum Community School (957 Burnside Rd. W)

• Wednesday Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m., Cadboro Bay United Church (2625 Arbutus Rd.)

• Thursday Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., Gordon Head United Church (4201 Tyndall Ave.)




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CANDIDATE HEIDI RAST, VIEW ROYAL (supports sewage plant but cost concern)

Excerpt from article below:
I support having a regional sewage treatment plant but I strongly believe that the scope and cost of the current plan far exceeds both what is required to reduce environmental harm and what the financial capacity of taxpayers within the region are able to pay.

Times Colonist
OCTOBER 29, 2011

Running for which council or school district? View Royal
If running for municipal seat, indicate position. Councillor
Occupation Research Technician for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Community where you live View Royal
Community where you work North Saanich

Political experience
I have been a Councillor for View Royal since 2008 and chair Protective Services, Bylaw and Community Services. I am the council liaison for the Official Community Plan Review, New Website Committee, Sustainability Task Force, Island Highway Improvement Project and an alternate for the Advisory Committees. I am a Director on the Board for WestShore Parks and Recreation and the Capital Region Emergency Services telecommunication (CREST).

Community involvement
I chair the WestShore RCMP Community Policing Advisory Committee. In the past, I was an active member of the soccer community as a player and a coach, for both adult and youth leagues.

What are the top three issues?
There are both local and regional challenges that will be facing View Royal in the next few years. Our Fire Hall is seismically vulnerable and needs to be replaced to ensure our community is protected. Traffic issues continue to be a challenge that impacts both our residents and local businesses. I support having a regional sewage treatment plant but I strongly believe that the scope and cost of the current plan far exceeds both what is required to reduce environmental harm and what the financial capacity of taxpayers within the region are able to pay.

Why should people vote for you?
I have worked hard over the past three years to develop a deep understanding of the issues that are facing View Royal. I believe in being a “Community Representative” and will always make time to meet with both residents and business owners. I do my homework and will work hard on your behalf to ensure that View Royal remains a great place to call home.

What are the best things about your community?
View Royal is a hidden gem. It has all the conveniences of the city while having the charm of a small town. Our taxes are some of the lowest in the region. We have some of the best parkland in the CRD and kilometres of beautiful coastline. Our volunteers are active in supporting our Reading Center, emergency support services and fire department which contributes to a vibrant community and makes it a great place to live.

What are the most vexing things about your community?
View Royal is segmented by two major transportation corridors; the Trans Canada Highway and the Island Highway. With the rapid growth in the Western Communities, the ability to properly manage the impact of traffic going through our town has been a challenge.
Lack of commercial services for residents within our community. I would love to see more civic celebrations.

http://www.timescolonist.com/travel/Heidi+Rast/5575721/story.html

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CANDIDATE PHILLIPE LUCAS, VICTORIA (supports public sewage plant, against sludge on land)

Excerpt from article below:
- On Core Area Liquid Waste Committee & Solid Waste Advisory Committee.
- I was the sole Director to vote to keep our sewage treatment project 100% public.
- I spearheaded a ban on the land application of sewage sludge on farmland in the CRD
- I’ll ensure good value for money and public ownership of the regional sewage treatment strategy

Times Colonist 
OCTOBER 30, 2011

Running for which council or school district? Victoria

If running for municipal seat, indicate position. Councillor/CRD director

Occupation
City Councillor, CRD Director/business co-owner (Hip Baby Victoria)/Drugs & Addictions Researcher

Community where you live Victoria

Community where you work Victoria

Political experience

I'm currently a City Councillor and CRD Director. My responsibilities include: Chair of the City of Victoria Environment and Infrastructure Committee, Community Development Committee, Council Liaison to City of Victoria Youth Council, Council Liaison to Quadra/Hillside and North Park, Trustee on the Greater Victoria Cemetery Board, CRD Board, Hospital Board, Vice-President of the CRD Housing Corporation; CRD Environmental Sustainability Committee; Core Area Liquid Waste Committee & Solid Waste Advisory Committee. My previous experience includes being a member of the Student Teacher Advisory Committee and the Secondary Program Council while studying to be a secondary teacher at the UVic.

Community involvement

I have a long history of community involvement, largely focused on homelessness, harm reduction and food security. I’m currently on the Board of the Vancouver Island School of Art and the Vancouver Island Compassion Society, on the Advisory Board of the Center for Addictions Research of BC, the, and the Chair of the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society, a non-profit working to bring a public market back to our downtown core. Additionally, I am the coordinator of the Eat Here Now Harvest Festival, which drew over 10,000 residents in support of local food and farmers to Centennial Square last September.

What are the top three issues?

1. Lower Taxes & Keeping Resources Public: I was the only councillor to vote to lower the residential tax rate in 2011. At the CRD, I was the sole Director to vote to keep our sewage treatment project 100% public.

2. Homelessness & Harm Reduction: I’ve championed a significant in affordable housing and passed motions in support of increased harm reduction and supervised consumption sites.

3. Environmental Sustainability: I spearheaded a ban on the land application of sewage sludge on farmland in the CRD, and passed a motion calling for a moratorium on the installation of Smart Meters in Victoria.

Why should people vote for you?

I work hard to make pragmatic, well-informed decisions, and to represent a progressive voice on city council and the CRD. Over the next 3 years I’m going to promote strategies to boost our local economy; improve food security; increase civic engagement; reduce poverty, homelessness and addiction in our region; and create a more age and family-friendly Victoria. At the CRD, I’ll ensure good value for money and public ownership of the regional sewage treatment strategy, and continue to protect unique natural resources like the Juan de Fuca Trail and our regions farmland.

What are the best things about your community?

I love the diversity of age, cultures and ideas that distinguishes Victoria. The remarkable creativity, commitment and cooperation that this community displays when faced with both challenges and opportunities is what makes living and working in Victoria so inspiring and rewarding. A great example is the many groups and individuals who give so much of themselves to address poverty-related and environmental issues in our region, ranging from homelessness, to smart meters, to food security. In Victoria, change and progress truly comes from the community, and the city needs to more to encourage, promote, and empower community development and social enterprise.

What are the most vexing things about your community?

The most vexing thing is the long-time deferment of spending on infrastructure that has left so many of our facilities and core systems like bridges, roads, sewage and community centers vulnerable. Unfortunately, short-term thinking and poor spending decisions by past councils means that our city is now left with the responsibility to address a backlog of 50 years of basic maintenance and upgrades, and that continues to compete with other municipal goals and spending priorities. One solution is a shift to pragmatic, long-term planning and responsible management of our many municipal resources.


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LETTER:  CRD COVERED BASES ON SEWAGE PLAN (Blackwell letter to TC)

Letters 
Denise Blackwell
Times Colonist
October 26, 2011

The provincial government ordered the Capital Regional District to treat sewage from the region's core area. That was followed up with a clear commitment from the then-premier to fund one-third of the cost.

The CRD has undertaken a comprehensive planning process using a triplebottom-line approach. This process has included the evaluation of centralized versus distributed treatment facilities, extensive siting investigations, environmental and social reviews, public consultation and the preparation of the business case.

As a result of the process over the last five years, initial cost estimates have been significantly reduced and impacts on neighbourhoods lessened. The plan for a treatment system, approved by the province, represents the best choice for the region and allows for future flexibility to integrate resource recovery, including biosolids and solid waste processing, as well as opportunities for district heating systems.

The CRD will also be sending out a request for proposals that will allow for innovative technology proposals, which may result in further cost reductions.

The proposed North Vancouver treatment system is very similar to the CRD's approved plan, namely, a centralized liquids treatment plant using the same technology and a biosolids processing energy centre co-located with a solid waste facility.

The main differences are that North Vancouver has proposed the immediate construction of a waste-to-energy facility and district heating system.

Not only does the CRD have to comply with the provincial directive, it will also have to comply with new federal regulations, which will require secondary sewage treatment for all areas by 2020.

From the CRD's perspective, the time for debate on the need for sewage treatment passed with the provincial order and the expected federal regulations.

Denise Blackwell, chairwoman
CRD Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee


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LETTER: CAPITAL REGION MUST BUILD SEWAGE TREATMENT (Blackwell letter in Goldstream Gazette)

Goldstream News Gazette (Blackwell is Langford Councillor)
October 25, 2011

The provincial government ordered the Capital Regional District (CRD) to treat sewage from the region’s core area.

The CRD has undertaken a comprehensive planning process using a triple bottom line approach. This process has included the evaluation of centralized versus distributed treatment facilities, siting investigations, environmental and social reviews, public consultation and preparation of the business case.

The plan for a treatment system, approved by the province, represents the best choice for the region and allows for future flexibility to integrate resource recovery, including biosolids and solid waste processing as well as opportunities for district heating systems. The CRD will also be sending out a request for proposals (RFP) that will allow for innovative technology proposals, which may result in further cost reductions.

The proposed North Vancouver treatment system is very similar to the CRD’s approved plan, namely, a centralized liquids treatment plant. The main differences are that North Vancouver has proposed the immediate construction of a waste-to-energy facility and district heating system, rather than phasing in these components.

Not only does the CRD have to comply with the provincial directive, it will also have to comply with new federal regulations, which will require secondary sewage treatment for all areas by 2020. From the CRD’s perspective the time for debate on the need for sewage treatment passed with the provincial order and the expected federal regulations.

Denise Blackwell
CRD core area liquid waste management committee


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THE SAGA OF WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT (Bajard, CCA)

Yves Bajard, member of the Board of the CCA
worried about our collective becoming
Camosun Community Association
October 13, 2011

For ages, Victoria has sent untreated sewage into the Juan da Fuca Strait, with only rough sieving of solids. A good number of experts stated that there were no adverse effects to either humans or to marine life, as they safely disperse in the Strait. 

Then for reasons unknown, on July 26, 2006, Barry Penner, then BC Minister of the Environment, demanded that the Capital Regional District (CRD) submit to him, no later than June 30, 2007, a land-based sewage treatment treatment plan. He requested a progress report at the end of 2006 with options on the type, number and location of facilities, preliminary cost estimates time schedule, consideration of new technologies, alternative financing and delivery options and  private sector involvement.

This was the beginning of a long and protracted sage. We are now in 2011.  Contradictory expert reports, CRD progress reports, public hearings, etc still conflict.

Nothing has started yet on the ground. The CRD kept on studying and reporting, at a cost of $ 24 million, examining Public-Private-Partnership (P3), optimization of construction and “smart growth”, minimization of greenhouse gas emissions, etc. The CRD project as is now, would cost approximately $ 0.782 Billion, i.e., an average of some $ 550 additional property taxes on end in the Greater Victoria .  

The process focused on secondary treatment, that would eliminate most of the dissolved pollutants, but not the most dangerous pharmaceutical and other chemical residues. The CRD is still looking for adequate and publicly acceptable sites. It is unlikely that the initial completion date of 2016 will be met.

A number of qualified experts still raise well grounded objections. Opposition, based on these objections. is led by groups such as the Association for Responsible and Environmentally Sustainable Sewage Treatment.(ARESST), chaired by John Bergbush, former mayor of Colwood and inspired by Dr. Shaun Peck. They rallied sections of the public against the project. On May 21, a public forum launched by the Esquimalt Residents Association was largely attended by opponents to the project. 

Meanwhile the CRD keeps on refining project as if it was unchangeable. It is now endorsed as an environmental project and the CRD is seeking funds from the Federal and Provincial governments.

Are you willing and ready to pay an additional half a thousand of dollars in municipal taxes for a project that seems to be a little unclear, that does not achieve the wished purification of effluents and that may be not really necessary? Are there not more effective and less expensive options? Would there be some concrete ways to deflect the CRD form its course without creating  havoc at administrative and political levels?

Let’s explore all this in our community. 

If you want to know more about the issue, and gear yourself to a useful civic action, please visit our Website at http://ww.CamosunCommunityAssociation.org/

Contact: Yves Bajard, Board member CCA  yves@bajard.net  Tel 250-598-4610

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