***Mar 2006 Focus pg 1-32 - Focus Magazine

Focus presents: Rooster Interlocking BrickADVERTISEMENTlarly timely as more and more Canadiansare concerned about the role of Canada Pensionfunds and even so called “ethical” investmentsin supporting extraction industries fraughtwith environmental impacts and rights violations.We’re working on a video of Alain’spresentation, and as soon as it’s up we’ll posta link to it on the Mining Justice ActionCommittee Facebook page, along with upcomingevents focused on Canadian mining impactsand community resistance.Sharlene Patterson and Nedjo RogersMining Justice Action CommitteeBrick pavers: affordable, timeless, lasting beautyby Mollie KayeThe charming cobblestone streets of ancientEuropean cities have endured for many centuries.I ponder this as I stand in front of my Fairfieldhome and behold the non-functional hodgepodgeof crumbling, patched concrete, scraggly sod, and“Unlike asphalt or concrete, brick issemi-porous; the sand in the joints letsthe water soak into the ground below.”—Dallas RuudCity council ignores financial realitiesFor well over a decade, taxes and the operatingexpenses of the City of Victoria havegrown much faster than our population growthand inflation. In most years, the gap has beenlarge and there is no end in sight. In addition,we continue to ignore: (1) Aginginfrastructure and the need to build adequatereserves to refurbish or replace things likesewers, roads, buildings and bridges; (2) Atourism industry that is no longer what itused to be and is unlikely to recover in thenear- or mid-term based on global economies;(3) A downtown core that used to be theregion’s economic engine, but seems to bein decline; and (4) Though we are no longerthe centre of the region, we continue to actas if we are in our willingness to financiallysupport the larger region’s needs.The chatter about filling the gap by freezinga few dozen civil servants’ pay, cutting electedofficials’ stipends and curtailing inconsequentexpenditures is just that—idle talk in the faceof difficult facts. The City needs to look atmanaging its affairs in a sustainable fashion.We need a council that has a vision for dealingwith a significant and growing structuraldeficit. We need a council that is willing todeal with the challenges and not delay theinevitable. Some form of amalgamation orsharing of services with others, eliminatingextravagant expenditures on such things asjunkets to Asia are just a beginning. We needto think out of the box.The City of Victoria has governed itselfon false premises, which is another way ofsaying it hasn’t told itself the truth of whatis required to stabilize the City’s finances,today and tomorrow.Paul BrownLETTERSSend letters to: focusedit@shaw.caovergrown side beds we presently call our “driveway.”I’ve long admired brick driveways, so I call DallasRuud, owner of Rooster Interlocking Brick, to askabout the costs and benefits of pavers (“moderndaycobblestones”) compared to other options likeasphalt and concrete.“I’ve heard nasty rumours about weeds,” I tell himwhen he arrives. He shakes his head. “When we installthe bricks, we start with a six-inch base of graveland sand, so nothing will ever grow from underneath.Like any surface, if dirt builds up, little spores from theair can land and grow, so all you need to do is keepit clean and it will always look like new. If a brick ortwo get stained somehow, they can easily be switchedout with new ones to blend seamlessly.” I’m seeingdistinct advantages already.Drainage is another concern of mine. “Unlike asphaltor concrete, brick is semi-porous; the sand in the jointslets the water soak into the ground below,” Dallasexplains. Sounds perfect for our wet climate, andecologically preferable too. And durability? “Paversare three to four times stronger than poured concrete,”he adds, “and if you do need to get underneath thesurface for any reason, the bricks can be lifted outand reassembled.”I’m pretty well convinced, and Rooster’s estimateseems extremely reasonable. The final test is to see aRooster “reveal”—how are the owners liking it? Dallassends me to Sheila and Geoff Richards’ utterly charminghome on Oliver Street in Oak Bay. It’s a pristine Englishcottage with masonry accents, and the interlockingbrick driveway looks positively stunning. As I slide atoe around, admiring the smoothness of the joints,Sheila comes to greet me.“Isn’t it just wonderful?” She smiles excitedly. “Forthis particular house—the colours, the stone—it’sreally made it stand out.” I wholeheartedly agree. Shebeckons and I follow her up the long driveway, admiringthe way the bricks have been intricately cut and set tofit perfectly, just like an Italian mosaic. I’m led througha gate to the patio, a seamless continuation of theelegant pattern from the drive. “We had that awfulasphalt on the driveway, and ugly cracked concretehere on the patio. I’m so glad we had it all done in thePhoto: Tony BounsallDallas Ruud with the Richards’ new interlocking brick driveway.brick. It’s so tidy, and the area really looks larger now!”Sheila says she and Geoff figured they would haveto “wait to win the lottery” before Rooster createdthese durable, delicious-looking surfaces, but thequote came in comparable to replacing the asphalt,and “the quote was the final price. There were noextra charges. And I’ve never met such happy guys;it was like having four of my kids around doing it.Such fast, fast workers—the job was complete in justsix working days! It was a fascinating process; I tookso many photos. We’re just thoroughly delighted withthe whole experience!”I’ve asked Dallas if he can bring his “happy guys”over to my house to create a gorgeous, ever-lastingdriveway for my family to enjoy. I know our investmentin interlocking brick will be returned many fold,but would it be wise to get another quote? “Don’tlook any further,” advises Sheila. “Working with Dallasgave me faith in young people again. As our neighbourssaid after working with him, ’He is a princelyman.’ She gestures to the patio beneath us. “We’reso terribly impressed. It’s a work of art, really.”Rooster Interlocking BrickDallas Ruud, owner250-889-6655www.roosterbrick.comwww.focusonline.ca • April 2013 7