Should Manson Road be transferred to the CRD?

39 Comments

  • Peter Codling - 8 years ago

    I apologize without hesitation for the inappropriate language I used in the comments section of the Driftwood earlier this month. My comments came from my frustration with the politics and confusion
    swirling around the Kanaka dock problem.
    To the best of my knowledge my comments were accurate, but that is no excuse for expressing anger
    through offensive language.
    My comments were personal and not the position of HASSI. I have no authority to speak on behalf of HASSI.
    (I have previously apologized on line and had also contacted the Driftwood and been assured all the comments would be automatically removed from the Driftwood poll site).
    >

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    test

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    I have been officially asked by the chairperson of HASSI to state and I reiterate, that all my comments here are my personal opinions and are not official statements from HASSI. I am not a spokes person for HASSI. To the best of my knowledge, all my comments are true. As I am still sitting on the Harbout Authority Board of Directors, for now, and all questions directed at me, with regards to official HASSI business, should be directed at Jim Heath, Harbour Manager.

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Mark.
    You are comparing apples to oranges

    You state "Now from the figures you gave us lets say the Victoria Harbour Authority rates of $39.17 / ft / mo.
    for a 35 ft pleasure boat $1,370.00 per mo is average that would make the per year moorage of $16,440 per year."

    You are comparing pleasure boat rates in Victoria to CFV rates on Salt Spring. Using your figures, a one year Pleasure boat rate on SSI for a 35 ft boat is $1,188.00. So $16,450.00 { Victoria pleasure boat moorage}minus $1,188.00 { SSI moorage} is a $15,263.40 benefit / subsidy for a pleasure boat in Ganges.

    All community members benefit.

    The HASSI is " NOT FOR PROFIT ". We aren't pressured by stockholders to make a profit. All the money we collect, goes directly towards operating our harbours. We try to provide Safe, Affordable, Accessible moorage for every one in our community. Lately we have been having problems the Accessibility part. and have been Very diligent in trying to come up with a solution.

    I have no idea why Mark from the Tree House, would not accept our offer to continue using DFO property,, for the Subsided price of $1.00. a year.
    I have no idea why our elected officials, are disseminating false information and the Driftwood, is lying to the public.
    ASK THEM.

    The Driftwood stated that: "The proposed table locations, the lease’s short-term nature and the fact it could be terminated with 14 days’ notice, and its arrival so late in the year make it problematic."
    Lie Lie Lie.
    Let me show you again HASSI's offer, written by Peter Grove on July 14, 2014.

    How much time does the Tree House need to make business plans?

    I think it would be appropriate, for our elected officials, to make an official apology, for their actions and a statement recognizing, the hundreds of hours and dedication, Kathy has spent, dealing with this issue, with the best interest of her community, at heart.

    MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

    Harbour Authority and Treehouse Café (the Parties)

    July, 2014

    DRAFT

    Without Prejudice

    This memorandum is a summary of agreements reached during mediation discussions. It is without prejudice to either party or the mediator and is made in pursuit of settlement of the issues. Both parties have agreed to full disclosure and to retain independent legal and financial advice, as needed.

    Present: Kathy Scarf, Chair of the Harbour Authority Board of Directors; Marc Le Corre, owner of the Treehouse Café; Jim Heath, Harbourmaster, Harbour Authority; Darryl Martin, CEDC; Peter Grove, mediator.

    Subject to review of the agreement with the Harbour Authority Board of Directors and with the co-owner of the Treehouse Café, the Parties have agreed as follows:

    To sign the draft (presented at the meeting) “License of Occupancy” which expires on October 31, 2014, providing the Treehouse with the right to continue to serve food at its 7 tables and 28 chairs, as is presently the case, for a rental of $1.

    To begin negotiations as soon as possible for a long term agreement (it was noted that leases can only be for terms of up to one year) between the Harbour Authority and the Treehouse, which would provide the Treehouse with the space it needs and also fall within the legal constraints of the Harbour Authority. Both are confident that an arrangement involving them and, most probably, Mouat’s (the landlord) is achievable. (There appear to be a number of options. Mark noted that it is important access be provided to the restaurant’s main door and that some tables on the pathway be a part of any agreement. Kathy noted these requests and felt that all matters should remain open for the negotiations)

    To issue a joint statement as follows:

    Harbour Authority and Treehouse C

  • John - 8 years ago

    This is all redirecting the conversation(argument! ) from the topic of, public use of the space called Manson rd. Just what I'd expect from HASSI. The self interested board of directors is out of touch and out of date with the community they live in. It's no longer a fishing community. The board members only symbolic relics from the past. Who mostly don't even fish any more. It's not the 70s any more. Time for a change of the entire plaza that serves the the businesses the restaurant and the recreational boating community.

  • Mark Smith - 8 years ago

    Dear Peter

    So to get this straight you pay $130 per 1/4 for moorage for a total of $520 per year plus a $2000 fee per year for moorage. In total that would be $2520 per year for moorage in Ganges.

    Now from the figures you gave us lets say the Victoria Harbour Authority rates of $39.17 / ft / mo.
    for a 35 ft pleasure boat $1,370.00 per mo is average that would make the per year moorage of $16,440 per year.

    So the way I see it your getting subsidized $13,920 per year for your for profit operation plus your portion of the 600k that was give to DFO for the dock by the taxpayers.

    How do you not see the fact you have been making a living off the taxpayers backs for 25 years. Why should you be getting a "special commercial rate" for your "for profit business" that is set way below market rate by the board of HASSI that is controlled by fishermen. You are in fact getting a benefit from HASSI.

    In my book what your are doing is controlling a public asset for your own personal gain to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars per year.

    It's time to turn in your resignation.

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    why did Peter Grove spend the money .?
    It was a feeble attempt to solve the Access to Kanaka Dock problem. I don't think Peter Grove is an idiot. I do know he is extremely deceptive communicating with the public. In the big picture $1,000.00 is a drop in the bucket,

    Hydro is a fee over and above moorage.

    Our MP Gary Lund had a photo op holding a check for $600,000.00 that was given to DFO. What did they call it? Infrastructure Grant.? DFO replaced all the decking. Fire lines, water lines, wiring. lights... The conservatives rewarded us for voting the right way... I don't know how much was spent.... a lot.

    How do you not see this as subsidies from the tax payers?

    License fees, paid by fishermen , to DFO, go to Small Craft Harbours, to pay for the docks. We fishermen have already paid for them. The $2,000.00 plus I gave them last season, in license fees, went into the kitty for dock maintenance. Remember I use all the docks from Salt Spring to Rupert. The other $18,000.00 I paid in fees went to our association to pay for, joint DFO, PUHA, First Nation, Broad brush surveys, and scientific researcher, Also, Monitoring, Validation, our Presidents Honorarium. Wages for PUHA staff, Sea food Expos in Europe and Asia. etc.etc. The money to operate the Fernwood dock, comes from the CRD through property taxes, Average $24.00 a year. Do you really want the CRD to have anything to do with our docks? Can you imagine what our property taxes will be, let alone our moorage fees. In actual fact, fishermen are subsidizing the pleasure boaters. Salt Springers have a good thing going. But you know,
    all these city folks that have moved here are too f&%#@$% ignorant to see that. I promised Kath I wouldn't swear any more...jajajaj.

  • Mark Smith - 8 years ago

    Dear Peter

    I do agree with some of your point such as Peter Grove is an idiot. As a trustee of the Island Trust I do not know why he thought it was ok to spend the $1000 on drawings of Manson Road. This is not a Island trust matter. It's a MOTI right of way that the CRD is trying to get a licence of occupation for. Peter Grove should be made to pay back the $1000. How is it a trust issue and why did he spend the money and on who's authority? Like I said I agree with you on that one he is an idiot.

    A few more questions;

    About your moorage. Is the price you pay including electricity? Or is that separate?

    How much money did HASSI get in 2007 or 08 from the federal government in the form of an infrastructure grant? Was it 500k or 750k?

    How do you not see this as subsidies from the tax payers? You claim the the CRD dock in Fernwood is costing us money ever year and the HASSI dock do not cost us anything. Where do you think the federal infrastructure money comes from? Does it not come from the taxpayers? Or does it grow on the infrastructure tax money trees out side of Ottawa?

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    STATEMENT FOR THE PRESS July 14, 2014 as per Memorandum of understanding

    Harbour Authority and Treehouse Café

    Joint statement for the press

    The Harbour Authority and the Treehouse Café are pleased to advise that they have cleared up unfortunate misunderstandings and reached an agreement to move forward. Firstly, with an interim agreement to continue the present arrangement of service and pathway use outside the restaurant until the end of the current season. Secondly to begin negotiations immediately to provide the Treehouse with the space it requires for the long term. They are confident that an agreement, satisfactory to all, can be reached.

    The need to make changes to the current arrangements arose from legal and liability issues recently brought to the attention of the Board and which needed to be dealt with expeditiously.

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Having Copy Paste problems..??? Will try again ,

    PROOF

    in answer to your question regarding too little too late: HASSI took immediate action when the issue of liability and unlicensed liquor sales arose, we couldn’t wait given the risk that this put the directors in personally.

    As we were informed by 2 separate lawyers, DFO and our insurance folks, under the conditions of our lease, we could be sued and risk our personal assets if we ignored the unlicensed alcohol and an incident (not just on site) occurred. Like we said, volunteering our time is one thing, but none of us were willing to put our properties on the line for someone else’s business.

    Once the notice was issued (if you recall the board decision was to do so confidentially not go to liquor control, so as not to put the business in peril) and the Treehouse complied, we immediately offered him a license to continue to do business (without unlicensed alcohol sales. At no time did we remove tables or chairs, just no unlicensed alcohol.

    I am resending you the summary from the meeting we had with CRD, Trust and Treehouse on the 14th of July 2014.

    On your other question, I am baffled by the complaints from CRD and Trust. We had set up ongoing discussions with them a couple of years ago and gone over our mandate and even toured some of the facilities. On the Treehouse issue, they were actively involved from the ‘get go’ as we invited them into all the meetings from day 1. Why they continue to pretend to not have been involved or say we are operating without their involvement is not something I can answer. I have no idea.

    FYI Saint and I met with Mark and we will be finalizing the license with Mark asap once the final details we have agreed to are back from the lawyers. We are also going to get some of the rocks placed to better accommodate where he wants the tables and keep a cleaner walking area. (this is a safety issue as they could be a tripping hazard and could also be nicer to sit on.

    If you have more questions, email is best today.

    MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

    Harbour Authority and Treehouse Café (the Parties)

    July14, 2014

    DRAFT

    Without Prejudice

    This memorandum is a summary of agreements reached during mediation discussions. It is without prejudice to either party or the mediator and is made in pursuit of settlement of the issues. Both parties have agreed to full disclosure and to retain independent legal and financial advice, as needed.

    Present: Kathy Scarf, Chair of the Harbour Authority Board of Directors; Marc Le Corre, owner of the Treehouse Café; Jim Heath, Harbourmaster, Harbour Authority; Darryl Martin, CEDC; Peter Grove, mediator.

    Subject to review of the agreement with the Harbour Authority Board of Directors and with the co-owner of the Treehouse Café, the Parties have agreed as follows:

    To sign the draft (presented at the meeting) “License of Occupancy” which expires on October 31, 2014, providing the Treehouse with the right to continue to serve food at its 7 tables and 28 chairs, as is presently the case, for a rental of $1.

    To begin negotiations as soon as possible for a long term agreement (it was noted that leases can only be for terms of up to one year) between the Harbour Authority and the Treehouse, which would provide the Treehouse with the space it needs and also fall within the legal constraints of the Harbour Authority. Both are confident that an arrangement involving them and, most probably, Mouat’s (the landlord) is achievable. (There appear to be a number of options. Mark noted that it is important access be provided to the restaurant’s main door and that some tables on the pathway be a part of any agreement. Kathy noted these requests and felt that all matters should remain open for the negotiations)

    To issue a joint statement as follo

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    HERE IS THE PROOF The CRD is EVIL !

    Hi Peter,

    in answer to your question regarding too little too late: HASSI took immediate action when the issue of liability and unlicensed liquor sales arose, we couldn’t wait given the risk that this put the directors in personally.

    As we were informed by 2 separate lawyers, DFO and our insurance folks, under the conditions of our lease, we could be sued and risk our personal assets if we ignored the unlicensed alcohol and an incident (not just on site) occurred. Like we said, volunteering our time is one thing, but none of us were willing to put our properties on the line for someone else’s business.

    Once the notice was issued (if you recall the board decision was to do so confidentially not go to liquor control, so as not to put the business in peril) and the Treehouse complied, we immediately offered him a license to continue to do business (without unlicensed alcohol sales. At no time did we remove tables or chairs, just no unlicensed alcohol.

    I am resending you the summary from the meeting we had with CRD, Trust and Treehouse on the 14th of July 2014.

    On your other question, I am baffled by the complaints from CRD and Trust. We had set up ongoing discussions with them a couple of years ago and gone over our mandate and even toured some of the facilities. On the Treehouse issue, they were actively involved from the ‘get go’ as we invited them into all the meetings from day 1. Why they continue to pretend to not have been involved or say we are operating without their involvement is not something I can answer. I have no idea.

    FYI Saint and I met with Mark and we will be finalizing the license with Mark asap once the final details we have agreed to are back from the lawyers. We are also going to get some of the rocks placed to better accommodate where he wants the tables and keep a cleaner walking area. (this is a safety issue as they could be a tripping hazard and could also be nicer to sit on.

    If you have more questions, email is best today.

    MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

    Harbour Authority and Treehouse Café (the Parties)

    July, 2014

    DRAFT

    Without Prejudice

    This memorandum is a summary of agreements reached during mediation discussions. It is without prejudice to either party or the mediator and is made in pursuit of settlement of the issues. Both parties have agreed to full disclosure and to retain independent legal and financial advice, as needed.

    Present: Kathy Scarf, Chair of the Harbour Authority Board of Directors; Marc Le Corre, owner of the Treehouse Café; Jim Heath, Harbourmaster, Harbour Authority; Darryl Martin, CEDC; Peter Grove, mediator.

    Subject to review of the agreement with the Harbour Authority Board of Directors and with the co-owner of the Treehouse Café, the Parties have agreed as follows:

    To sign the draft (presented at the meeting) “License of Occupancy” which expires on October 31, 2014, providing the Treehouse with the right to continue to serve food at its 7 tables and 28 chairs, as is presently the case, for a rental of $1.

    To begin negotiations as soon as possible for a long term agreement (it was noted that leases can only be for terms of up to one year) between the Harbour Authority and the Treehouse, which would provide the Treehouse with the space it needs and also fall within the legal constraints of the Harbour Authority. Both are confident that an arrangement involving them and, most probably, Mouat’s (the landlord) is achievable. (There appear to be a number of options. Mark noted that it is important access be provided to the restaurant’s main door and that some tables on the pathway be a part of any agreement. Kathy noted these requests and felt that all matters should remain open for the negotiations)

    To issue a joint statement as follows:

    H

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Mark.
    II am a board member who has inside information that most people don't have . I am going to expose every lie I can, even if it means Being reprimanded by the board. Kathy has already told me to cool it,but I have had enough and don't care about being diplomatic . so I told her that I would explain, that everything I have said here is my opinion as a member of our community and not of the HASSI. I am an extremist and now I'm a loose cannon. This is going to get even better.

    You Say. 'I do think the public has paid for these docks and needs to know how they are run and who is getting the major benefits of this government owned asset.'

    Mark........All moorage on HASSI's docks and it's upland properties are subsided.
    HASSI pleasure boat monthly rates rates $8. 49 / ft / mo. / 3 month/ Paid in advance.
    For a 35ft. boat. $99.05 a month

    Victoria Harbour Authority rates$39.17 / ft / mo.
    For a 35 ft pleasure boat $1,370.00 per mo.

    Ganges Marina for one month $11.20 / mo or
    For a 35 ft. boat $ 390.00 a month.

    Salt Spring Marina $10.00 / ft. / mo or
    For a 35 ft boat. $350 / mo. for winter only.
    Their summer moorage rate is $1.59 / ft / day or $55.65 a day x 30 days is
    $1,669.5 a month.
    S.S. marina has no summer monthly moorage.

    The Tree House has been offered a lease of DFO property for $1.00 a year.. The harbour authority of Victoria leases outside patio space for $13.16 / sq. ft / year. One space they rent is for832 sq. ft. and the charge to the renter is $10,951.00 a year.. Talking about subsidies....EVERYONE BENEFITS

    So ..What do you think? Pretty good hey? HASSI is charging way less than any other marina and still keeping the docks in excellent shape, with money in the bank.

    You know as well as I " The Govt would loose money with a whore house in a logging camp". Plus they are lairs. Especially That Peter Grove guy and Darryl Martin. They believe HASSI has done too Little too late, to solve the Tree House Fiasco.

    Below, at the bottom of the page is a document { MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING } written by Peter Grove,immediately after the Tree House was given the cease and desist order , proving HASSI has been trying to come up with a solution from the very beginning. Neither Peter Grove nor Darryl Martin will be forthright and set the community straight. Hence my Letter to the Driftwood stating " They are truly evil" It also shows in the memorandum the lease cost , offered to the TREE HOUSE ..at $1.00 a year.
    HERE IS THE PROOF
    Hi Peter,

    in answer to your question regarding too little too late: HASSI took immediate action when the issue of liability and unlicensed liquor sales arose, we couldn’t wait given the risk that this put the directors in personally.

    As we were informed by 2 separate lawyers, DFO and our insurance folks, under the conditions of our lease, we could be sued and risk our personal assets if we ignored the unlicensed alcohol and an incident (not just on site) occurred. Like we said, volunteering our time is one thing, but none of us were willing to put our properties on the line for someone else’s business.

    Once the notice was issued (if you recall the board decision was to do so confidentially not go to liquor control, so as not to put the business in peril) and the Treehouse complied, we immediately offered him a license to continue to do business (without unlicensed alcohol sales. At no time did we remove tables or chairs, just no unlicensed alcohol.

    I am resending you the summary from the meeting we had with CRD, Trust and Treehouse on the 14th of July 2014.

    On your other question, I am baffled by the complaints from CRD and Trust. We had set up ongoing discussions with them a couple of years ago and gone over our mandate and even toured some of the facilities. On the Treehouse issue, they we

  • Mark Smith - 8 years ago

    Dear Peter

    Here is something you might want to consider, it a clip from; http://www.straight.com/article-210201/can-commercial-fisheries-ever-be-sustainable

    Up until the start of the 20th century, commercial hunting was an important industry in North America. Hunters would wander off into wild regions, kill as much game as possible, and then transport the carcasses back to big city markets. It was commercial hunting that almost caused the extinction of bison, extirpated elk from east of the Mississippi, and reduced deer and moose to temporary rarity. Commercial hunting also hammered avian populations: passenger pigeons, whooping cranes, and many other species were pushed toward endangerment or beyond. By now, given the repeated pattern of collapse, it should be obvious even from our removed terrestrial perspective that most marine species/ecosystems are equally incapable of supporting commercial harvest.

    It seems to me commercial fisherman will fish until the last fish or government doll runs out.

    Mark Smith Salt Spring

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Mark You are getting off topic.

    twilight industry You are dead wrong. I guess you don't remember, that a few years ago the biggest run of sockeye since 1906 went up the Fraser. 40 million I think.

    One Salmon caught by a sports fisherman can bring into the province up to $1000 in ancillary revenue.

    I like sport fishing too and I know it is also good for the economy but I don't know much about the wild caught, commercial salmon industry. I'm unaware of a large government subsidy unless you mean everyone from the fishing crew to Air Canada 747 Cargo, and restaurant workers. receive some sort of benefit,. News to me.

    You are telling me if your grandmother wants to have salmon for dinner she has to buy a boat, motor, fishing gear, take a boat operators course, figure out how to fish and go out and try to catch a sockeye, say in January,,,,Ain't happening. Salmon are a common recourse. All Canadians have the right to eat them and licensed commercial fishermen, provide that. NOT SPORTIES. Anyway, Sporties can't catch millions of fish off the West Coast or going up the Fraser or Skeena.

  • Mark Smith - 8 years ago

    Dear Peter

    Your utter contempt of the public is appalling.

    This quote you made is so telling of someone who thinks they are entitled; "why would you want to have a bunch of bureaucrats, who know very little about this, manage our docks on Salt Spring Island?"

    The telling work in your quote is "OUR DOCKS". What makes you think they are your docks? I do think the public has paid for these docks and needs to know how they are run and who is getting the major benefits of this government owned asset.

    Just go to the CRD site and see that the transportation commission, economic development and or Parc is not a bunch of bureaucrats. They are volunteers who do not get paid and do not receive subsidized perks. All the minutes of the meeting are on their web site and the public can go to any meeting.

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Mark Smith Moorage rates from Campbell and Prince Rupert
    Hi Peter,
    Got to love the public sometimes!
    We have a couple of different rates so included monthly, 4-11 months, and annual.
    Month- $43
    4-11- $39.69
    Ann- $33.08

    All are for one month, with GST included. The 4 to 11 months and annual is payable in advance for the amount of time that is wanted.
    Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck.
    Phyllis

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Peter Codling [mailto:pedro_c@shaw.ca]
    Sent: Monday, May 09, 2016 7:23 AM
    To: fishermans@telus.net
    Subject: Moorage Rates

    Hello Phylis. Could you please quote me your 3 month, paid in advance
    moorage rates for a 35 foot , Commercial Fishing Boat. The public is bitching and want the CRD to take over the docks here. What a Mess.

    Thank you, Peter Codling
    Board Member
    Salt Spring Island Harbour Authority { HASSI
    M.V. Alta Viking
    Hi Peter,
    We don't have a 3 month option, but our monthly rate for a 35' CFV is $60.94 after tax. ($5.44/m + GST)
    Leah

    On Mon, May 9, 2016 at 7:18 AM, Peter Codling wrote:

    Hello. Could you please quote me your 3 month, paid in advance moorage rates for a 35 foot , Commercial Fishing Boat.
    Thankyou Peter Codling
    Board Member
    Salt Spring Island Harbour Authority { HASSI

  • Mark Smith - 8 years ago

    Dear Peter

    Commercial fishing is a twilight industry that relies on large government subsidies. One Salmon caught by a sports fisherman can bring into the province up to $1000 in ancillary revenue.

    What is the point of comparing your low subsidized moorage with other low subsidized moorage? Why should you be getting a lower than market rate for your for profit business? Why do you think you are entitled to have subsidized moorage?

    Open and Transparent means that one would have open books, bylaws and all. Is this really such a hard concept to grasp?

    Here is a good article that explains why Sports fishing is the way forward not commercial fishing; http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/one-fish-two-fish-troubles-in-the-bc-fishery/article4170429/

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Mark Smith
    You are looking at Private Marinas. not DFO Small Craft Fishing Harbours.

    http://www.fishermanswharfcampbellriver.com/rates-and-hours.html
    Campbell River CFV (Canadian Fishing Vessel)
    Daily $0.10/FT DAY
    Weekly $0.07/FT Day
    Monthly $0.06/FT DAY
    I think 3 months or a year, in advance is cheaper

    Your quota fee is what you pay to take and sell our natural resource. Just like loggers pay stumpage fees.

    Every fishery is structured differently and it would take me hours to explain it all to you. You look up the breakdown of where the $20,000.00 goes. at
    http://www.puha.org/assets/sea-urchin-conferneces.asp For Red Urchins
    and at: http://www.pscha.org/ for sea cucumbers

    MARK Let me explain something to you.
    Every Day I fish 100 people have a job, from my crew, to the packer crew, the unloaders. the validators, the truckers, the plant workers, airlines, whole salers, grocery stores. restaurant workers. It goes on and on.. The FEDERAL Gov't recognizes the importance of the fishing industry in Canada and it's economic significance. They have built a network of docks , on both coasts to facilitate the fishing industries, to provide safe affordable, accessable moorage to the commercial fishing fleet. A network of docks up and down the coast is essential to fishermen and the CANADIAN economy. I have risked my life many times, over the years to provide high quality food for the world as do all fishermen. This network of docks gives me protection to the many STORMS and HURRICANES we have on our Coast.
    To say :" Only a fool can not see the island is getting taken for a ride by a few who somehow thing they are entitled to have everyone else subsidise their for profit business. " is just ignorance. I hope you understand.
    Also because Safe, Affordable , Accessible moorage is an essential part of the fishing industry, and it is no mystery to us, how to properly maintain everything to do with the fishing industry, why would you want to have a bunch of bureaucrats, who know very little about this, manage our docks on Salt Spring Island? The community is looking a gift horse in the mouth. OPEN and TRANSPARENT is just Bureaucratic BULLSHIT. You know it and I know it.

  • Mark Smith - 8 years ago

    Dear Peter

    I do not know how big your boat is but assuming it's a 30 foot boat your $130 per quarter moorage is about 1/10 the going rate for moorage. Just google moorage Vancouver or Victoria and anyone can see a 30 foot boat would be approx. 1400 per quarter or so.

    Your quota fee is what you pay to take and sell our natural resource. Just like loggers pay stumpage fees.

    Out of the 8 board positions on HASSI fishermen get 5 so they can live off the revenue brought in by all those tourist that come here and or those that ride the float planes.

    Only a fool can not see the island is getting taken for a ride by a few who somehow thing they are entitled to have everyone else subsidise their for profit business.

    How much other public money are you getting? Right I forgot you will not open you books to the public because we might just be shocked at the benefits your getting.

    I will be putting in my membership application and then asking for all the financials which I will publish. Unless that is against your bylaws? Wait we can not see the bylaws until after we join because they are secret.

    Mark Smith Salt Spring

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Mark Smith

    You claim that HASSI has done such a great job running the docks for 25 years. For who's benefit I ask?

    I answer, the whole community benefits. Our commercial fishing moorage rates are very similar to all the other DFO Small Craft Fishings Harbours on the Coast. . Licensed Commercial Fishing Vessels have priority and if there is room, pleasure boats are welcome. On Salt Spring we have lots of room for pleasure boats these days. The Kanaka dock is the only DFO dock on the coast that I know of, that is totally designated for transient tourist moorage, from May to Sept. Except for the School Boat spaces. This is a very big boost to our local economy.

    You claim that HASSI has done such a great job running the docks for 25 years

    Go take a look at the Fernwood Dock that the CRD controls, then tell me we aren't doing a good job. I was there this morning. The dock lights are on in the daytime,wasting energy, the railings are covered in moss and if not dealt with soon will be rotten , Planks need replacing. The wood at the bottom of the ramp is almost worn out. Should I go on? They are inept when it comes to managing docks. It's pathetic !

    Why did you bar the driftwood from your AGM?

    Answer: Only members of the HASSI are allowed to the attend AGM. Or invited people, IE the auditor. All anyone needs to do is sign a membership application, specify what sector they want to belong to. and hand it in to the Harbor manager. At the next meeting, if there is a quorum, you should be accepted. Simple.

    How much do board members get paid? Do you get paid?

    I am a volunteer and have never been paid one cent from HASSI. No board member gets paid anything except, If they are tasked do special work for the Authority, Over and above their regular duties, as a board member. I think this happened once, 5 or so years ago.

    Do you get free moorage?
    I pay the same moorage rates that all fishermen pay all along the coast. I think I pay about $130.00 for three months , paid in advance. Daily moorage is much higher. Most people don't know that fishermen pay large license fees, and a portion of that goes to DFO , Small Craft Harbours for Dock Maintenance and repairs. Last year I paid around $20,000.00 in fees for 3 Red Sea Urchin Quotas and 2 Sea Cucumber Quotas. Look it up... I Pay dearly

    Do you even live here or do you live in Prince Rupert?
    I moved to Salt Spring in 1973. You know where the Barn is in the Middle of Beddis Road. That's home. I go to the old timers reunion here that happens every 5 years. Local enough for you? Sometimes it feels like I live in Rupert ,more accurately the Hecate Strait.

    How can the DFO let HASSI be so secretive?

    " Ask and yea shall receive"

    We try to fulfill all DFO requirements for our lease, and from what I understand DFO is more or less happy with our performance. Except for the Tree House debacle. I have a feeling that DFO is just about fed up with this local Government, and Salt Springers. We have probably really pissed them off by wasting so much of their time and money, that they don't have.

    How can the DFO let HASSI be so secretive? Ask DFO this Question.

    Please prove me wrong and publish all of the before mentioned documents on your web site including financials for the last 7 years.

    What In the Hell do you think you are going to find ? What would you do with them...Fire starter? You are not a member, so HASSI has no obligation to post the 4,000 pages of documents you are asking for. They wouldn't post them for me, let alone a concerned citizen. Give your head a shake. Good By Mark

  • Mark Smith - 8 years ago

    Dear Peter and HASSI

    You lack of understanding the basic principals of open and accountable government is appalling. You claim that HASSI has done such a great job running the docks for 25 years. For who's benefit I ask? The select few fisherman who have had subsidised moorage for 25 years. An open and accountable organization would have their constitution, bylaws, financials and minutes of their meetings open to the public for public scrutiny.

    What is HASSI hiding? Why did you bar the driftwood from your AGM? How much do board members get paid? Do you get paid? Do you get free moorage? Do you even live here or do you live in Prince Rupert? How can the DFO let HASSI be so secretive?

    Without being open and accountable HASSI has no moral high ground. How could anyone endorse a self serving entity that is using government docks for what appears to be personal gains. I do think DFO should revoke the lease from HASSI and start fresh with the a volunteer committee set up by the CRD.

    Please prove me wrong and publish all of the before mentioned documents on your web site including financials for the last 7 years. If you do so I will retract all I have said about HASSI.

    Mark Smith Salt Spring

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Mark Smith...
    Good, I got your attention. I am a board member, and I have no intention of resigning.

    My " inappropriate remarks" are only directed towards those who have deceived the community. and trashed the hard work, of the many different, community member, volunteers, who have taken a seat on the HASSI board of directors, over the last 25 years. I take great offense to people deceiving my community.

    Sorry if I have offended anyone, with my unorthodox communication skills.

    Almost all Harbour Authorities on the coast . have the same structure and to my knowledge, non have had such a problem with this "open and transparent." issue. Islanders are truly passionate about what happens here. There are also, many people here with too much time on their hands. Aren't I diplomatic?

    Ok ... I have offerd to find any information, any HASSI member wants. If no one asks for anything, I can assume this " Open and Transparent" issue is just political positioning, which at this point, I think, is the case.

  • Mark Smith - 8 years ago

    Dear Peter

    I'm shocked with you blatant disregard for civility. Are you in fact a board member of HASSI? If so your conduct on this page is unbecoming of a board member. HASSI has failed to gain public support because it's not open and transparent to the public. You sir should resign your seat on the board for your over the top inappropriate remarks towards the community of Salt Spring Island.

    Mark Smith Salt Spring

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Bruce Cameron

    " Every one of the 2500+ petition signatures and comments supporting the withdrawal of HASSI's original legal notice to Tree House in 2014, "
    What the petition was asking HASSI to do was to condone illegal activity , selling alcohol, on public land.
    In retrospect we should of withdrawn the legal notice and let the LBC deal with the criminal activity. They would of probably taken the Tree House to court, fined them and taken away their liquor license, which would of been a shame. In retrospect HASSI protected the Tree House, from legal action and got shit on by the community. You ungrateful bunch of bastards.

  • Bill Cote - 8 years ago

    It is clear that the vote will be in favour of transfer to CRD, although I voted no. If it is transferred CRD will still require of the Treehouse that they fund required modification of the space to suit their needs and that they are properly insured for conducting business on CRD controlled land, this is also required of the current letter of occupancy from DFO/HASSI. There will be no free ride just because CRD controls the space. Why doesn't the Treehouse now take control of the space? Is it for their own business reasons?

  • Chris Acheson - 8 years ago

    A no vote will ensure public access to kanaka wharf head

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Below are some of the comments that I have received, of peoples perception, of what has happened with the Tree House, which is absolutely a FALSE perception of what has transpired.

    Hi Peter Thanks for the info. It's amazing i was under the impression that it was HASSI that was threatening to close the Tree House. Turns out it was the CRD. I have been a supporter of local Govt from the beginning and I still am. The sooner we get out from under the CRD the better. One thing the CRD is good at is spending some one else's dollar!
    ie an 8 million dollar water plant. a 2 million dollar weir It's amazing!! Fire taxes through the roof , water taxes over the top. They really do not want SSI to leave as we are the main tax base for all the other islands.

    Anyway I will vote NO.

    All board members love having lunch at the Tree House and enjoy the evening music. It is a blatant lie that we want to shut down the Tree House. That is what happens when lies are printed in the Driftwood. All the board ever wanted, was to fulfill their lease agreement, by providing public access to the Kanaka Dock. What if 25 school children had to be evacuated fast because they needed medical attention from say CO poisoning, or there was an accident at sea and they were suffering from hypothermia.. What would you do? Drag them down a gravel pathway? Say a tsunami took out all our docks and the Kanaka dock was the only functioning dock for us, left to use, to supply goods and services to SSI. We do live on an island.
    >

    Here is another lie that was printed in the Driftwood, that the public is basing their voting on.:

    Great argument, Peter. Just one question before I vote: is HASSI
    > really going to pave a road through there?
    >
    > See you soon!
    >
    > My Reply :
    >
    > I have no Idea where these people came up with that idea. Pave what?
    > where? There is no road yet. Only a gravel pathway. The board would
    > love to have this whole public area redesigned to accommodate all
    > parties. We need a design first before anything happens. The paper is
    > absolutely full of blatant lies. Read my comment in the driftwood,
    > just below where you vote. I've taken off my gloves and have come out
    > swinging. These lying bastards need to be put in their place. The
    > TRUTH will soon be out there.

  • Pauline Beauvais - 8 years ago

    NO..... Manson Road Should "NOT" be Transferred to the CRD. .

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Bruce Everett .
    If Kath is busy, or you cannot get a hold of her by email or phone, call me , 250 653 9097 or pedro_c@shaw.ca. We also have a great harbour Manager, Jim Heath, who is very busy, but could possibly help you. I am neither diplomatic nor well versed in politics, but I do know the truth from a lie. There has been a lot of bullshit flying around, and I'm fucking sick of it, and intend on doing something about it. I've only just started.

  • Bruce Everett - 8 years ago

    Peter, you mention that if I wanted to discuss a matter in regards to a situation with HASSI that I should contact Kathy Scarfo. I have tried to do that more than once; leaving my name and personal info, and have never been contacted. No reply. You talk a good story but your actions tell a better one.

    with HASSI that I should just contact Kathy Scarfo. I have tried, more than once, to do just that; leaving my name and phone # and email and have Never been contacted. You talk a good story but the actions of HASSI speak for themselves.

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    I sent this to the Driftwood today.

    Defamation of character occurs when someone makes a false statement about you that causes you some type of harm. The statement must be published (meaning some third party must have heard it), false, and it must result in harm, usually to the reputation.

    Libel is a method of defamation expressed by print, writing, pictures, signs, effigies, or any communication embodied in physical form that is injurious to a person's reputation, exposes a person to public hatred, contempt or ridicule, or injures a person in his/her business or profession

    Before you published articles in the Driftwood, vilifying the Harbour Authority, you had every opportunity to corroborate the information with the Chairman of HASSI. Kathy Scarfo . but chose not to. If I were you, I would seek legal advice about what you have published.

    I have a Questionnaire for next weeks Driftwood. Should the Harbour Authority Take the CRD, SSITC and the Driftwood to court for Liable and Deformation of Character or should we spend the Money on beautifying the Tree House Grounds.

    Beautifying Tree House Grounds YES or NO . Peter Codling

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    Bruce Cameron. I have no Idea who you are. Go down to the harbour office and fill out a membership form. There has never been a person who has been refused a membership to my knowledge. You can play by the rules or bitch. Your choice. There are 4 groups: Fishermen, Business, Community and Commercial non fishing. I have no problem answering any question or finding the information you are requesting. If our constitution allows it. What statements are misleading? I have no reason to keep anything from anybody. I am just a volunteer and try to do my best for my community. HASSI cannot issue Licenses to serve alcohol on public land. DFO has just oked this activity on public land, and HASSI can issue a license, providing all LCB , legal requirements are met. The board members were given legal advice, to notify The Tree House, to stop that activity, unless we wanted to be personally liable for any damages that could occur. That is were this all started. What a mess. I am committed to straighten it out. The CRD paid, I think $1,000.00 dollars to a landscape artist to make conceptual drawings of the Tree House Area which were OKed by HASSI but vetoed by...Mouats,or someone,I think. We have been trying. Lets see your concept of how it should be. We are committed to finding a solution, but now it's spending countless hours dealing with this open and transparent problem. We operate almost exactly like all DFO Small Craft Fishing Harbours up and down the coast. Being a fisherman out of Prince Rupert I'm not able to get to all the monthly meetings but I keep informed about most activities by email. Hence to make a quorum of 5 we need 5 members from the fishing community. Our AGM is usually in November. and open to all members. Anyone can be a member, and go the the meeting, and ask any question. You can listen to the auditor's, Harbour manager's, President's report. have a provided lunch and get informed. "the public has been awakened to the dysfunctional nature of HASSI governance?" That is harsh and based on what? Letters to the editor or do you have other sources? I guess what the public needs is a board member who will dedicate his time, to a Public Relations position. You make many derogatory statements , that to me is just rhetoric. but I hear you and hope to enlighten you, about anything you want to know. I know one of the Campbell River, and French Creek Board members. I will ask them what they would do in a situation like this. What do you want first? A membership list? Lets do it. Shit or get off the pot. pedro_c@shaw.ca

  • Bruce Cameron - 8 years ago

    Dear Peter Codling and all HASSI board members: your comments are a vast twisting of the truth. The community needs to take control of this publicly important space and HASSI has been the main impediment for over 2 years. There are so many misleading and self-serving statements in your comments that I find it galling.
    1. HASSI is a secretive closed group with their own agenda. There is no realistic way for anyone to simply "gain a seat on the HASSI board", as you suggest, unless your board allows them to become members of the Ganges Fishermen's Association. Who are you trying to "dupe"? I have tried for over 2 years to get the simplest information about HASSI, including membership lists, minutes of board meetings, and your bylaws. Every one of the 2500+ petition signatures and comments supporting the withdrawal of HASSI's original legal notice to Tree House in 2014, plus my numerous calls and requests, were greeted by the HASSI board with resounding silence. HA, indeed!
    2. To claim that this action of restoring pubic control over the Manson Lane is somehow an "elaborate conspiracy" is absurd. Conspiracies are hatched behind closed doors in secret meetings that the media and concerned citizens cannot attend (like HASSI meetings). CRD committees have openly and publicly demanded an accounting from HASSI and a seat on the Board to bring HASSI into the modern era (by which I mean an open transparent accounting of what is being done in our harbours on behalf of citizens). Yet again, HASSI has stalled, delayed and spoken mis-truths, and only within the past month has HASSI reluctantly provided a heavily redacted copy of the HASSI lease after repeated requests. What is HASSI hiding?
    3. The disrespectful and antagonistic manner in which HASSI has interacted with the public is shameful. Many of the solutions you outline now in your comments were available to HASSI back in the Fall of 2014. Why has HASSI, through you as a board member, chosen now to issue a public statement on the matter? Is it because you and the other hand selected HASSI board members know the public has been awakened to the dysfunctional nature of HASSI governance?
    4. To claim that this attempt to remove HASSI from oversight or control of the Manson Lane is somehow a push for privatization is an outright lie. If HASSI had acted with the community's best interests in mind from the start of this incident , rather than issuing legal edicts and ignoring public requests for information, a publicly supported solution could have been found. It is Orwellian for HASSI to now insist it is representing the public interest.
    I will be voting YES in order to reach a permanent solution , and will continue to demand a full and public accounting of HASSI decisions and immediate reformation of HASSI's Stalinesque governance structure.

  • Johnny Walker - 8 years ago

    I vote in favour of transferring jurisdiction of Manson Rd. To our local government, the CRD.

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    There is a seat open on the HASSI Board of directors. Become a member of the group, you want to represent and have your group vote you in as a director. Then you, the new director, can inform anyone you please. anything about the Board you want and vote on management issues. More volunteers would be great. There is nothing to hide.

    Should the CRD take over management of the Farmers Institute as well ? Ridiculous right?

    Salt Spring ..You have been duped.

    This is not about the Tree House. It's an elaborate conspiracy designed by our elected officials to build their little empire and seize more power and money. The truth will come out.

    And I thought managing, building and maintaining dock facilities, in top notch shape was going to be my work as a director. HA HA HA. These Gov't pricks have taken too much of our time.

    We can come up with a beautiful design for the public land around the Tree House., and also have access to the Kanaka Dock. Any Volunteers? Don't bitch. Get off your ass and help.

  • peter codling - 8 years ago

    >> Misleading information as created a situation where the uninformed public has been duped by the CRD.,Tree House owners and Mouats into thinking the Harbour Authority of Salt Spring Island Is trying to kill 111 nights of summer music. This is absolutely not TRUE.
    >>
    >> Facts:
    >>
    >> 1. All HASSI needs is access to the Kanaka Dock, similar as to the way it used to be.
    >>
    >> 2. Department of Fisheries and Oceans, { DFO} have jurisdiction of the land at the head of the ramp.
    >>
    >> 3.Minister of Transport {MOT} has jurisdiction of Manson Road, which butts up to DFO land { The gravel pathway }
    >>
    >> 4. Every proposal by HASSI in the last two years, to resolve the access issue, has been vetoed.
    >>
    >> 5. The CRD refused to participate in a working group to actively resolve the access issue.
    >>
    >> 6.The Tree House has been a pawn for the CRD trying to acquire more local power and control of what a well organized, volunteer, group of long time residents {average 40 years, each living on SSI, } have successfully accomplished for 25 years at no cost to the local TAX PAYERS.
    >>
    >> 7. DFO, HASSI and the Tree House bypassed the CRD to come to an agreement after all efforts involving the CRD had failed.
    >>
    >> 8. Mouats encroached on both sides of MOT and DFO property without any public awareness and blocked access to Kanaka dock.
    >>
    >> 9. There is enough land around the Tree House to rearrange the area to allow Harbour users access to the Kanaka dock and the Tree House to double it's outside seating capacity.
    >>
    >> 10. HASSI will always keep all it's properties and Small Craft Fishing Harbours open to the public at no cost to the local TAXPAYER.
    >>
    >> 11.CRD could privatize it all, and Tax us like on the Fernwood dock.

    12. CRD manages one dock on Salt Spring with the average tax cost per household at $24.97 a year.

    13. HASSI manages 9 docks on SSI with the average cost per household of $00.00 ZERO Dollars.

  • Patricia M Fraser - 8 years ago

    I'm totally in favour of democracy, Herb. But what and how are you going to vote for/against this use of public space?
    HASSI's meetings are closed even to their own membership let alone the public. Meetings are closed to the Press.
    Board member-- if advised of the meeting dates and times-- are permitted to vote--eight voices alone to decide matters that affect the whole community.
    I'm voting YES because I do have a possible voice when it comes to electing Islands Trustees.

  • Herb Burnett - 8 years ago

    My feelings mirror the feelings that private citizens can an will decide much fairer than bureaucracy so my vote is no. Most definitely NO!

  • Ky Fox - 8 years ago

    The laneway next to Tree House Cafe is in the Driftwood poll this week. If you support ensuring that local, transparent, and accountable decision making over the use of this community space is possible, please vote in favour of transferring jurisdiction of Manson Rd to our local government, the CRD. Please take a minute to click your vote so that your opinion can be represented.

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