Summer
2003
Departure Bay
Neighbourhood Association
Building
Block of our Community
Member
Newsletter
Correspondence: c/o Davidson, 2730 Elk Street, Nanaimo,
B.C. V9S 3T9 phone: 756-0395
Web Page: www.dbna.nanaimo-online.net
Welcome to the new edition of your
Departure Bay
Neighbourhood Association newsletter
In this issue:
·
May 1st 2003 AGM: What you should know
·
Get to know your Team of Executive Volunteers: A candid interview with
…your past and present presidents
·
Success Story: Results from your Neighbourhood Association
·
Upcoming Events: A must attend!
·
Suggestion Box: We’re listening . . .
·
Membership application: Make a difference and be a member
Executive
Positions - Term May 2003 to April 2004
President: Jennifer Davidson 756-0395
Vice-President: Gunter Zimmer 758-3846
Treasurer: Fred Pattje 758-7575
Secretary: Joan Wallace 758-8973
Past President: Dave Shillabeer 758-4355 (non-elected position)
Non-elected
committee positions
Social: Joan
Shillabeer
Newsletter & Publicity: Reale Emond
Members at large contributors: Rob
Ward, Allan Davidson, Karen Hovestad & Glenda Easthom
Note: This DBNA newsletter is going out to last year's members.
Please renew your membership to receive future newsletters.
May 1st 2003 AGM
The DBNA AGM was held on May
1st, 2003 at Kin Hut on beautiful Departure Bay beach. The turnout, although
small in size, was very interested and enthusiastic about participating in the
event.
Following the opportunity to
renew our DBNA membership with Rob Ward upon entering the premises, the
evening’s business went underway at 7:00 pm sharp; here is a brief synopsis of
the meeting.
Please note full copies of
minutes are available from our Executive Secretary, Joan Wallace.
- Introduction and Welcome to Members: Dave
Shillabeer – 2002 AGM minutes were passed
- Treasurer’s Report: Rob Ward – Current balance of
$730
- History of the Formation of the DBNA: Dave
Shillabeer (see story)
- Social Events of last year: Joan Shillabeer –
Success from “Old Fashion Neighbourhood Picnic” and “History Night”
- Banner Project: Joan Wallace – Our proposal to design
and make personalized banners for our neighbourhood lamp standard was
superceded by the new generic banners provide by the city. The new banners
look great and we are very happy with the improvement.
- Intersection of Hammond Bay / Departure Bay roads:
Dave Shillabeer, Allan Davidson and Rob Ward – (see story)
- DBNA monitors City Council meetings: Allan
Davidson – if anything from week’s agenda relates to DB, 2 delegates
attend the meeting.
- Plan Nanaimo: Gunter Zimmer – DB has been
designated as a Neighbourhood Village and we now have input on proposed
development not on the Plan Nanaimo document.
- Nanaimo Heritage Summit: Dave Shillabeer - Dave attended the
summit. There are 3 advantages to declaring one’s home as a heritage
site. A nation wide register is
now in the works for these homes.
Homeowners can get financial incentives for restoring their
homes. At the summit, the author
of the new book, “Black Diamond City” spoke about some of Nanaimo’s
history.
- Neighbourhood Watch: Glenda Easthorn (see story)
- Seawall Walkway (now named The Trailway) - The City has
approved and budgeted $100,000 this year for Parks to carry out further
planning and costing of The Trailway. They are also looking at less costly
ways to build the walkway from the Ferry to the park at Northfield Creek.
We have asked the City to hold Public hearings on this issue. What form the Trail takes is up to the
public & Council. We must all show up at the public hearings and make
presentations if we are concerned.
Any discussion re: the Trailway are “academic” according to
Council, since there is no funding for it in the near future. However, the
more discussion there is on the issue by citizens, the more likely it will
be that the hearings will take place. The E&N trail will be extended.
- New BC liquor licensing laws: Jennifer Davidson -
Dianne
Brennan responded to Allan’s concerns that the new laws would not allow
liquor outlets to be opened in the beach area.
- Litter from the 7-11 store: Jennifer Davidson –
Jennifer asked the 7-11 store to extend their litter pickup area to
Wardropper Park but has received no response.
- The Neighbourhood Village Open House: Jennifer
Davidson and Dave Shillabeer – Our neighbourhood survey shows that the
majority of residents would prefer a local service centre designation; we
also do not meet the 300-metre radius to store criteria for The
neighbourhood Village designation due to the proximity of water way.
- DBNA Nominations: Dave Harvey – motion to have
slate of executives as read, elected was seconded and passed.
- Our future concerns: Jennifer Davidson – We wish
liaise with City and be involved in DB related issues, develop a proper
Neighbourhood Plan and will continue to monitor council meetings.
Linley Valley: Jennifer
Davidson (see story)
- Member Peter Croft made an eloquent speech on the benefits
of the Trailway and moved that the DBNA make a request for Council to
initiate Public Hearings on the Trailway Issue. Richard Easthom
seconded the motion. The executive team has taken first steps to initiate
a meeting with city council to move forward with this motion.
- Member updates: Rob Ward, who resigned as
treasurer, was acknowledged for his contribution; we are happy that he
will remain as an active member. Reale Emond, a new member, is also
our new Newsletter Production Person. Karen Hovestad will again
lend us her expertise in organizing events and taking photos.
AGM came to a
close at approximately 8:30 pm.
Attending
members enjoyed a lovely dessert buffet
and a chat with
neighbours.
This DBNA newsletter is going out to last year's members.
Please renew your membership to receive future newsletters.
Interviews:
Jennifer Davidson, DBNA President & Educator
Jennifer
is originally from London, England and devotes her time to education; she is an elementary school teacher who
moved to Nanaimo in 1987 when her husband, Allan, was transferred here from
Prince George.
Q: Jennifer, why did you choose
Departure Bay as your home?
A. My college roommate
is from Nanaimo. During Expo 1986 she arranged a house exchange between friends
of hers who had a home in Departure Bay and my aunt and uncle from London.
Allan and I came down to stay with my aunt and uncle, fell in love with the
place and took the next available transfer to Nanaimo.
Q: Would you share with us your
outlook for the future of DB please?
A. I believe it will soon
be "discovered" and many people will want to move to this area for
its mixed neighbourhood, resort feel and access to the beach. It is important
that as the neighbourhood grows, the residents ensure that the growth takes
place with some planning and in a way that meets the needs of a growing
population while not offending the existing residents. Also, development should
be kept in line with the beach village theme.
I
personally do not see a place for the sort of development that might include
garish fast food outlets, excessive
entertainment outlets or late night activity.
I believe that grass roots
involvement is key to development in our special neighbourhood.
Dave Shillabeer, DBNA Past President & Beach Boy
Dave grew up near the glorious
resort beaches of S.W. England, spending his youth by surfing and as a
volunteer surf-lifesaver where he used the Aussie style, reel and line method,
to swim and retrieve people caught in rip currents. He feels very fortunate to
live in Departure Bay, where he says: "everyday seems like a scene from
'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous'". He has been on the DBNA executive
since its formation, and was the President for the 2002-2003 year.
Dave chose to volunteer for DBNA
because he wants to further enhance this very special area, as desired by the
majority of the DBNA members, through this organized society; he emphasizes
that except for wanting to clean and improve the beach for residents' and
tourist use he has no personal agenda.
Q: Dave, what is your vision of
Departure Bay in the years to come?
A: I see the DB area anchored by a beach that
with rock removal and some fine sand addition could be the premier ocean beach on the East Coast of
Vancouver Island south of Rathtrevor Beach. A foreshore trailway will give DB
and Nanaimo residents alike improved and linked walkway usage along one of
Nanaimo's most scenic waterfront areas. DB is already blessed with a diverse
variety of existing parks and recreational facilities. I see beautified upland
parking and pedestrian areas with a semi-tropical theme, fronting seaside
resort type of village stores, cafes, and service businesses; this to be backed
by low-rise, terraced garden multi-family units where appropriately zoned, in
the central core. The predominantly single-family DB housing, in its natural
arena style setting around the Bay should remain that way, renovated and
rejuvenated by individual owners as property values increase.
"As long as the DBNA Executive continues with its present moderate
and professional approach to improving activities and facilities for all, I
want to continue my active participation" says Dave
Look to future issues of
your newsletter for more interviews with your neighbours
DBNA Success Stories:
The Start of it all:
The Departure Bay Neighbourhood Association formed around
the 7-11 issue. Concerned about any future undesirable development, we asked
the City to do a planning study of our neighbourhood. As no money was
available, we compiled and circulated our own survey, then presented it to the
City. It showed how people felt about a variety of development issues.
Our
city hall representation:
PNAC Plan Nanaimo Advisory Committee and RAC Rezoning
Advisory Committee
Gunter Zimmer, DBNA Vice-President, is
our delegate and presence at the ongoing advisory board meetings. Gunter
reports back to DBNA with items pertaining to our area; from these reports and
our recommendation, the city has granted us Neighbourhood Village status (for
now); this means that commercial development near the waterfront will have a
definite perimeter and that our community is guarded from any additional
commercial development which has not been zoned commercial prior to the
establishment of Plan Nanaimo.
Gunter is also chairing the RAC, a direct link to
rezoning requests throughout the Greater Nanaimo Area, which directly impact
the development of our community.
Allan Davidson, member at large, also
monitors all the city council meetings.
We
are very proud to have such effective representation at City Hall.
Intersection Connection:
Dave Shillabeer, Allan Davidson and Rob Ward
monitored the Hammond Bay/Departure Bay roads intersection and suggested a more
substantial barrier on the beach side and a crosswalk to protect pedestrians.
The City honoured this request. The neighbourhood is pleased that the project
has greatly improved the traffic flow at that corner.
Thank you Dave Allan and Rob
for your contribution in making our lives safer and more efficient.
Neighbourhood Watch:
Headed by Glenda Easthom,
the Sherwood Forest Neighbourhood Watch program is a huge success. 30
neighbours out of 40 homes attended a meeting about crime prevention and
education. “It was awesome to see everyone so keen about networking together
and opening the lines of communication.” says Glenda, “I hope more Departure
Bay residents get together and start a program in their area. The Neighbourhood
Watch signs look good and are strategically placed to inform everyone that
people here care about each other’s safety and well-being.”
Glenda has offered her assistance to help you get started. Call her at
756-2163 if you have question but foremost:
1.
Talk to your neighbours, get together, and decide on a team
captain.
2.
Contact your community policing centre at 755-3145 and see how quickly
things fall into place.
·
Before September, you can contact Corporal Mike Sinstadt
·
As of September, please contact Constable Kate Mooney of the Crime
Prevention Unit.
Linley Valley:
Moved by Jennifer Davidson, Dave Harvey seconded the
motion for DBNA to donate $200.00 to the Linley Valley Campaign. Member Ron Bolin stated that he is
pleased about this move, and suggested we have a “photo op” while presenting
the donation to the campaign representatives, perhaps having a council member there
as well. He said we should be more vocal, writing letters to the City to show
our support for the campaign.
DBNA supports the
purchase of Linley Valley
Jennifer
Davidson, President of Departure Bay Neighbourhood Association proudly presents
a cheque for $200 towards the purchase of Linley Valley to John Young, Board
Member of Nanaimo Area Land Trust.
DBNA
Upcoming Events
Sunday, September 21st,
2003 from 1pm to 5pm
Last year’s inaugural
picnic was a blast! We are getting set to do it again this year!
Keep you eyes open for more
information coming to you end of August.
Would you like to get
involved? Here are the Volunteer postings available:
Set up: 10 positions
Take down: 10 positions
Food handlers:
5 positions
Funds handlers: 6 positions
Master of Ceremonies:
2 positions
Entertainers:
1 Fiddler, 1 face painter,
If you have ideas or
suggestions to contribute or if you would like to volunteer,
please contact Joan Shillabeer
at 758-4355 or email at dshillab@direct.ca
History Night
and Christmas Social
Wednesday, November 19th,
2003 at 7 pm
This is a great opportunity
to recover the roots of your community.
Look for more information
to come on this event.
Excerpt from Snuneymuxw Cultural
Archives:
As we
walked on the beach I saw posts about four feet high sticking out of the ground
about where Kin Park is today. There were only a few, two or three. I asked my
mother what they were and she said they were old posts from the longhouses that
used to be there. She told me that my father lived in one of these longhouses.
– Bill Seward
When I was twenty-two years old [1946] I remember that
my late mother was very upset because they were cutting down pillars at
Departure Bay. My late mother had lots of friends and they told her that people
were cutting down the pillars left behind from the Indian house posts at
Departure Bay. - Robert
Peters
Suggestion Box
What would you like to see in our next newsletter?
Contact Reale Emond at 250.760.0170 or remond@lwhs.com with your comments
Your Membership Application
Form
Departure Bay is your neighbourhood, and you are in
charge.
In order to vote at the DBNS AGM, you must be a
member in good standing.
Your support is essential!
Please fill the application and mail or drop it off
with your $5 yearly family fee to:
“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of
success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might… Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful,
and you will accomplish your objective.” Ralph
Waldo Emerson We thank
you for your support!
Jennifer
Davidson, 2730 Elk Street, Nanaimo, BC V9S 3T9