Keeping in Touch
As your spokesperson on the Regional District of Nanaimo Board of Directors, my role is to represent the interests, needs and concerns of the citizens of Electoral Area H. My purpose on the RDN Board is to bring your issues to the table, while assisting in making collective decisions to benefit the entire Regional District.
British Columbia is divided into 30 Regional Districts, or local government areas. These districts provide a flexible form of general government that includes both municipalities and non- municipal areas. Representation is based on population.
Regional Boards provide a forum for representation of regional residents, and a political and administrative framework for inter-municipal or sub-regional service delivery on a partnership basis. In additon, they provide rural areas with local government representation and community and land use planning. The Regional District of Nanaimo includes Electoral Areas A through H, as well as the municipalities of Qualicum Beach,Parksville,Lantzville and Nanaimo. Its 17 elected Directors ensure that services are delivered on a cooperative, regionwide basis, or within selected local areas.These services include public transit, regional and community planning, sewage treatment, solid waste management, recreation and parks, building inspection and bylaw enforcement, water supply, general administration and emergency planning. Residents only pay for the services available to them in the Electoral Area or municipality where they live. As your elected voice on the Regional District of Nanaimo Board,I am always open to hearing your questions, suggestions and concerns about services provided by the RDN in Area H.I am also committed to keeping residents informed about RDN projects and initiatives, both locally and region- wide.
Dave Bartram, Area H Director
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| Area H Director Dave Bartram and Deep Bay Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Jim Dennison at the Emergency Reception Centre opening at Lighthouse Community Centre. |
The RDN is working to improve public access between Deep Bay and Bowser with the proposed Thompson Clarke Ocean Trail. Through a lease agreement with a Deep Bay landowner, the RDN is developing a 182-metre- long pedestrian and cycling trail to link the two areas. Area H community representatives asked the RDN to secure this trail, as it is particularly important for the safety of the Deep Bay children who attend Bowser Elementary. It is only a short walk to the school from Deep Bay, but children are currently being bussed because the only legal access is along Highway 19A. Members of the public do use the E&N tracks as a walkway, but this is illegal and also potentially dangerous.
The proposed Thompson Clarke Ocean Trail will incorporate a portion of private land, as well as undeveloped road allowance under the management of the Ministry of Transportation. The landowner and his neighbours are in support of the trail development,as long as the RDN ensures garbage does not become an issue and motorcyclists do not use the route. Development costs will be covered under the Area H Community Parks Budget.
The Regional District has asked Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation, to conduct a review of traffic concerns on Corcan Road a project priority for the Transportation Ministry in 2005-2006. Corcan Road provides the only access to Qualicum River Estates, and the recent rate of growth in the area means residents are growing unhappy with the volume and speed of traffic in this neighbourhood.
Area F Director Lou Biggeman and I recently met with the Ministry's Regional Manager,Bonnie Whipple, about the traffic issue. As a result of that meeting, the RDN Board passed a resolution that the Ministry of Transportation work with RDN staff to investigate short-and-long-term solutions to resolve the traffic flow problems. Director Tom Krall, the RDN representative to the Vancouver Island Transportation Advisory Committee, has also forwarded the issue and the community's concerns to this Committee for review.
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| Red Cross Personal Disaster Assistant Tricia Pearson and her trusty Zeddy Teddies celebrate the opening of the new Emergency Reception Centre. |
Emergencies can happen at any time of the day or night – and awareness and personal preparedness are key initiatives for individuals, families, or workplaces. The Regional District of Nanaimo Emergency Plan contains contingency plans for hazards including floods, fires, blizzards, and more. The RDN is committed to the provision of planning, support and leadership in emergency management in order to protect people, property and the environment in the event of an emergency or disaster.
RDN Emergency Preparedness Program members have finalized an agreement that will allow the Lighthouse Community Centre to be used as an Emergency Reception Centre.Should an emergency require an evacuation,the Reception Centre is a gathering point where Emergency Social Services volunteers will provide members of the community with temporary shelter,food and other necessities.
 Watch for two upcoming Regional Parks System Plan Review open houses,where members of the public can review the preliminary draft of the revised plan (2005-2015). Wed Dec 1st;Oceanside Place,Parksville. 6:30-8:30pm Presentation 7:00pm Q&A to follow Thur Dec 2nd; Nanaimo Aquatic Centre,Room A. 6:30-8:30pm Presentation 7:00pm Q&A to follow |
Prior to this agreement,there was no formal Emergency Reception Centre available north of Qualicum Beach. Between the RDN and Emergency Management Agreement partners, Reception Centre coverage is now available throughout the Regional District.
After initial communication and meetings with local residents,plans for trail work at Oakdowne Community Park were halted with the expiration and non-renewal of the lease by the province.The Regional District recently met with a Land &Water BC (LWBC) representative and a development agent to discuss options for lease renewal,and wrote to request a renewal of the lease.
On October 20,the RDN Board sent a letter to Bill Barisoff,Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection.In the letter, the Board asked the Minister to pay special attention to the Oakdowne Road Crown Land parcel,as both the RDN Board and the community are interested in acquiring it for park purposes.
