Salt Spring News

Following a historic and decisive province-wide 86% vote that saw the BCTF’s highest ever turnout, the BC Teachers’ Federation has served notice to escalate job action on Tuesday, June 17 to a full withdrawal of services, BCTF President Jim Iker announced today. “This week’s vote made it clear that BC teachers care deeply about the state of public education and their ability to meet the needs of all their students,” said Iker. “As well, it showed how firmly teachers are committed to doing what’s necessary to reach a fair deal. “After 12 years of deep cuts, 3,500 teaching positions lost, and 200 schools closed, we are urging this government to reinvest in public education. Teachers are doing their utmost in an underfunded and under-resourced system, but students are not getting the support or one-on-one time they need. Our kids deserve so much more. “There are still several days left, during which both sides can hunker down, reach a settlement, avoid a full-scale strike…

Teachers walk the pickets again this Wednesday the 11th, 2014. Here are all the details.

CRD Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Pilot Project for the Market in Centennial Park Salt Spring Island, BC– The Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission approved a pilot project for the Saturday market to expand on Friday and Sunday’s targeting the three long weekends in July, August and September. The decision was based on the survey results in response to more than 600 petitioners for increasing vendor opportunities. Information compiled from the survey identified Friday and Sunday as an opportunity to increase the number of vendors and to create a venue for entertainment. The current zoning for the park limits expansion of the market on Saturday’s. The three long weekends in July, August and September, will include the market being open on Friday evenings 5:00pm to 9:00pm and Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm. The front paved portion of park will be available for 60 vendors on Friday and Sunday’s with entertainment in the gazebo featured on Friday evenings and…

North Salt Spring Waterworks District ratepayers responding to the District’s Alternative Approval Process returned a total of 361 votes defeating the initial request to allow the District to move forward with Borrowing Bylaw 264 which will authorize the borrowing of up to $10.4 million for the new St. Mary Treatment Plant at this time. The District remains under mandate from Island Health (formerly VIHA) to build this plant by January 1, 2016. Visit the St. Mary DAF website for all the information and facts about the project. North Salt Spring Waterworks District, Board of Trustees

Detailed information for parents regarding the teachers strike and impacts to education. The Gulf Islands School District has received notification from the British Columbia Teachers Federation (BCTF) that schools will be behind picket lines on June 3, 2014

BC's Salt Spring Books has been named Magazines Canada's Retailer of the Year for 2013, Magazines Canada announced today. Salt Spring is a vibrant island community, accessible by ferry from either Vancouver or Victoria. Its uniqueness has garnered it the nickname "Planet Salt Spring." Salt Spring Books is anchored in the heart of Ganges village; once you arrive at their storefront across from the harbour, you won't want to leave. Adina Hildebrandt and her knowledgeable staff will set you up with what you need. Choose a magazine, listen to the ocean and relax into the land of reading. It's the Salt Spring Books motto: "eat, sleep, read....life is simple." Salt Spring Books is a long-time and ongoing supporter of local literary talent, as well as of Genuine Canadian magazines. The store regularly participates in promotions like Magazines Canada's Newsstand Marketing Project, and since they began carrying Magazines Canada-distributed titles, Salt Spring Books' standing order…

The Living Strong fitness centre has gone out of business unexpectedly. Have you been impacted by the closure?              

Salt Spring Island, BC– On Thursday, May 1 the Capital Regional District (CRD) Salt Spring Island Area staff released the survey results about the Saturday Market in Centennial Park. The impetus for the survey was in response to more than 600 petitions for increasing vendor opportunities. However; due to space limitations at the market, CRD Director Wayne McIntyre worked with staff to undertake the work in evaluating the Saturday Market in Centennial Park experience from several community stakeholders groups: visitors, the market vendors, the downtown Ganges business owners, and Salt Spring Island residents. The report, based on survey results, outlines how opinions and perspectives compare between the community-stakeholders. “This information will help us better understand the community’s experiences and their ideas on how to improve the Saturday market, “explains CRD Director Wayne McIntyre. The survey report identified key themes for future consideration and planning…