Jan. 1 - Salt Spring Island Archives

Wednesday, January 1, 1986 GULF ISLANDS DRIFTWOOD Page 11Spring brings school district disputes, concernsFrom Page 1incorporation was in the finalstages of preparation and slatedto be available by mid-March.Clair Nutting, who was guidingthe information-gathering team,noted that work was about amonth behind schedule but theinformation was on hand and wasbeing collated.MarchThe Gulf Islands School Boardissued a call for increased autonomyfor school boards in suchjurisdictions as taxing authority.The nine trustees attended aspecial meeting of the BCSTAheld in Vancouver, where theirmotion asking for increased localautonomy was accepted by theprovincial group.Disposal of eight properties onSalt Spring Island by IslandsSavings Credit Union was "anastute business deal," said OperationsManager Ron Morrison.The credit union was under somecriticism for foreclosing mortgageswhich carried interest rates upto 14 per cent and selling theproperties with interest ratesreduced to the six and eight percent range.Driftwood celebrated its 25thanniversary March 20.The Gulf Islands School Boardcame close to a confrontation withthe Ministry of Education over itsbudget but trustees decided discretionwas the better part offinancial stability. Trustees werein the process of approving a1985-86 operating budget of $5.01million when a motion to take theministry to task for the restraintprogram was put forward by SaltSpring Trustee David Williams.A bill allowing the Ministry ofMunicipal Affairs to appointIslands Trust staff was tabled inthe legislature — a move that wasbeing termed "a major blow" tothe government body. GeneralTrustee and Salt Spring Trustrepresentative Nick Gilbert saidthe Islands Trust AmendmentAct, Bill 30, gave the minister thepower to remove Trust staff and"prevent us from doing our job".AprilThe directors of the CapitalRegional Board introduced a 1985budget calling for expenditures of$42,078 million over the next 12months. That represented a 4.6per cent increase — or $1.83million — over the $40.24 millionbudget for 1984.Employees at Greenwoods onSalt Spring joined the hit-and-runstrike action staged by the HospitalEmployees Union againstlong-term care facilities for seniorcitizens across the province. The32 members of HEU Local 180 puttheir picket line in place threetimes to protest not only the lackof a contract but working conditions.Uncertainty about the fate ofthe school at Saturna Islandcreated a division in that communityand placed the GulfIslands School District in a no-winsituation.Another step for the preservationof water quality at St. MaryLake was taken when a boatingrestriction of electric motors onlywent into effect. The lake was thelast on Salt Spring to receive aboating restriction. Until then,gasoline engines of any size hadbeen permitted on the lake.MayBurning garbage at the BlackburnRoad dump on Salt SpringIsland spewed smoke all over thevalley, angering area residents.Norman Twa, who operates theprivate garbage dump, said hehad started a fire to burn stumpsas well as a second fire to burngarbage.Salt Spring residents wereurged to sign a petition in a bid tohave the spelling of the island'sname officially recognized. Thepetition was initiated by the SaltSpring Chamber of Commerceand contained a preamble writtenby Chuck Horel and Tom Hoover.The chamber hoped to havecopies available for signing atmost island businesses.Two St. Mary Lake propertyowners mounted an energeticcampaign to reverse the ban ofgasoline motors on the lake. BlueGables Resort owner Rick Rockliffeand realtor Ed Davis collected140 signatures in three daysfor a petition Rockliffe presentedTurn to Page 14Like New Again!DON IRWIN'SCollision &Repairs Ltd.Desmond Crescent537-2513BUSINESS DIRECTORYSaltspring EssoCOMPLETEAUTOMOTIVE REPAIRSCSSOl 537-4554OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK8-6 weekdays, 8:30-5 Sat.Marcotte's GarageSTEWART RD. 537-9423• All types of repairs • Used Parts• Towing or salvage • WeldingTUESDAY to SATURDAY, 9 am-5:30 pmSALT SPRINGGARBAGECOLLECTIONSERVICE537-5821Gulf Islands Septic Ltd.SEPTIC TANK PUMP-OUTSBox 17, Ganges537-9353ON PENDER ISLAND CALL:Ross-Smith Ltd 629-3573Jay'sPlumbingFor completePlumbing Service653-4437GUILBAULTELECTRIC LTD.RESIDENTIAL ANDCOMMERCIAL537-5675Box 181, Ganges, B.C.I DRAFTINGdrafting rendering . designillustration artworkindependent professional servicefor architects developersbuilders homeownersadvertisers dilettantes107 Dukes Rd at Fulford-GangesRR 1, Fulford. BC VOS 1 CO653 4613 _Bruce FianderYOURIMPERIAL©*Stove Oil* Furnace Oil* Marine Dock* IceAGENT 537-5312Box 347, Ganges. B.C.Rent-A-CarDaily, Weekly,Monthly RatesOFFICE HOURS:9 am to 4 30 pm,Monday thru FrrdayA NAME IN A FLASH -A HANDY GUIDE TOLOCAL SERVICES.I537-5527InsuranceALL CLASSES OFINSURANCEP.O. Box 540,Ganges, B.C.SALTSPRINGINSURANCE AGENCIES 1972 LTD.GULF ISLANDWINDOW CLEANERSJANITOR SERVICECARPETS STEAM CLEANEDWe also offer CARPET GUARD TREATMENT.537-9841JI EES5Si