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Salt Spring Exchange news and editorial account for general public news, community contributed stories and official news releases.

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BC Elections: Too Close to Call

Salt Spring voters are in for an uncertain, and possibly very close, BC Election outcome at the end of voting day Tuesday. The rolling online straw poll on the Exchange, after 890, single IP, Canada only online votes is showing a neck and neck race between BC NDP candidate Gary Holman and Green Party of BC candidate Adam Olsen. It would appear, at least based on this poll, which isn't necessarily representative of the overall riding Saanich North and the Islands as a whole, that neither of the two leading candidates has managed to galvanize a decisive lead over the other. BC Liberal candidate Stephen P. Roberts standings have remained unchanged at just under 24% of votes and late entry candidate Scott McEachern hasn't made even a small dent in the standings here on Salt Spring. The race is too close to call and unlike previous polling on the Exchange, where outcomes have closely matched polling results, this one is too close and too narrow to predict. This online poll wil…
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Video: Frogs Singing to the Moon

Here on the Exchange we mostly share beautiful photos and videos of our fair island taken during the day. Shooting photos and video at night often doesn't highlight the character of the experience, but we would be remis not to share at least a little of the drama that happens here after dark, especially at this time of year. Last night, a big bold moon was dancing in the dark coming in and out of the mist and clouds while the chorus of frogs that blanket the island sang the night away. Enjoy a little Salt Spring Island after dark.
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Video: Salt Spring Island Metal Recycling on Shaw TV

Shaw TV's James Green meets a family who runs a metal recycling business but may be forced to leave Saltspring Island as the community voted against keeping their business. The recent online poll, after 1,000 votes, suggests that the Islands Trust did not vote inline with community expectations on their recent re-zoning application.
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Poll: Salt Spring Fire Trustee Vote

Voting for Salt Spring Island Fire Trustees started today at the Ganges Fire Hall. Who will get your vote? Consider voting in our anonymous online poll to see how folks might be voting in the election. Advanced Voting at the Ganges Fire Hall – 4/10/13 (11am – 4pm) Election Day at the Ganges Fire Hall – 4/13/13 (11am – 5pm)       Who will get your vote for Salt Spring Island Fire Trustee in the 2013 Election?
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Closed: Moby's Oyster Bar & Marine Grill

There have been rumours swirling for a few weeks that Moby's Oyster Bar & Marine Grill, the iconic pub at the end of Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island might be closing and we can now confirm that the pub has indeed closed. A sign posted on the door of the pub confirms that they have closed until further notice. This now just weeks after Bruce's Kitchen suffered a similar fate. What is happening to our restaurant community on Salt Spring Island?
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Video: Fly Over Tour of Salt Spring Island

The view of Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island from one of Salt Spring Air's deHavilland DHC-2 Beavers. On April 1st, Salt Spring Air did a memorial fly-over of the visitors centre on Salt Spring Island for the late Jack Fraser. Edited by Eric Peterson ( ewpeterson.com ) Specials thanks to pilot Harold ( saltspringair.com )
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Denied: Metal Recycling Re-Zoning Application

UPDATE: March 22nd - Note from Peter Grove The Islands Trust has voted down Salt Spring Metal Recycling's application for re-zoning to operate their Rainbow Road recycling centre. They will not proceed any further with the rezoning application. UPDATE: Peter Grove Responds to Trust Decision March 22 2013 Good morning. I am writing to let you know that your Local Trust Committee voted yesterday to reject John Quesnel’s application to re-zone his metal recycling business on Rainbow road. This was a very difficult decision which should have been dealt with years ago, and which George and I inherited. It was difficult because John provides a valuable service to the community, a service which is greatly appreciated. We are going through tough economic times so it makes it particularly hard to discourage such a home grown business. However it is your LTC’s responsibility to uphold our island’s land use by-laws and Official Community Plan unless there is good …
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Spring Forward this Weekend

On Sunday, March 10 at 2 am, most Canadians will move their clocks forward an hour as we transition from Standard Time to Daylight Time. Although it means a lost hour of sleep, it's also a sign that the spring season is near. This change in time was first implemented as a way to save energy. By moving the clock ahead by one hour in the spring, it changes a person's daily schedule and allows them to use less power and light during the evening hours. With increasing darkness during the fall and winter months, areas return to Standard Time at 2 am on the first Sunday of November. Since the late 1960's Saskatchewan has not observed Daylight Time and remains on Standard Time all year round. As you move your clock ahead one hour, officials say it's best to change your smoke alarm batteries at the same time. “Smoke alarms double your chances of surviving a fire," says Carol Heller, a home fire safety specialist. "That's why it's so important to never tamper with the bat…
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BC Ferries Raises Rates

VICTORIA – BC Ferries is advising customers of increases in passenger and vehicle fares, reservations made less than seven days in advance, and Assured Loading Tickets (ALTs) on April 1, 2013. In accordance with the BC Ferries Commissioner’s Order 12-02 issued on October 1, 2012, prices for vehicle and passenger fares will rise by 4.1 per cent on average on all routes across the fleet on April 1, 2013. The fee for reservations made less than seven days in advance will increase from $17.50 to $18.50. Reservations made a week or more in advance will remain the same at $15.00. The reservation fees apply on the three major routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, the Horseshoe Bay – Langdale route, and the Comox - Powell River route. The last increase in reservations made less than seven days in advance was in 2005. The $15.00 fee for reservations made more than seven days in advance has not changed since the reservation product was introduced on the three m…
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BC Ferries: Government Releases Coastal Ferries Report

VICTORIA - The Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement summary report was released today, summarizing the input received during an eight-week public consultation process conducted in fall 2012. The consultation and engagement provided information to British Columbians on the challenges facing the coastal ferry system. The process sought public input on the principles to guide service adjustment decisions and strategies to further the Province's long-term vision for the ferry system. Over the eight weeks, senior ministry staff hosted 40 public consultation meetings in 30 communities, along with one webinar. More than 2,000 people attended the public meetings and almost 2,000 feedback forms and written submissions were received. The strong public response clearly reflects how much people value the coastal ferry service. Given the volume and detail of comments received during the consultation, government will take the time necessary to thoroughly review the feedback a…
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Weather Warning: Pineapple Express Headed Towards Salt Spring

WOCN11 CWVR 272322 Special weather statement issued by Environment Canada at 3:22 PM PST Wednesday 27 February 2013. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Special weather statement for: =new= Metro Vancouver =new= Greater Victoria =new= Fraser Valley =new= Howe Sound =new= Whistler =new= Sunshine Coast =new= Southern Gulf Islands =new= East Vancouver Island =new= West Vancouver Island =new= Inland Vancouver Island =new= North Vancouver Island. Pineapple express rainstorm expected Thursday night through Saturday. --------------------------------------------------------------------- ==discussion== A pineapple express-type rainstorm will develop across the South Coast of BC on Thursday. A warm Pacific front will tap into some very moist air from the sub-tropics, boosting rainfall rates to between 5 and 10 millimetres per hour. The rainfall intensity will increase Thursday night and the rain will remain h…
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New Salt Spring Island Library Open to the Public

Ganges, BC– - Yesterday, the doors to the new Salt Spring Island (SSI) Public Library, located at 129 McPhillips Avenue, opened to the public. The opening marks the return to normal operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. The success of the project is a testament to the excellent working relationship between the Salt Spring Island Public Library Association, which will operate the new library, the Capital Regional District (CRD), which owns the library building and Knappett Projects Inc., the construction firm responsible for building the facility. The new 12,500 square foot facility is built to last as a community hub that offers advanced technology, new low carbon energy management concepts, and a comfortable, efficient and unique artistic design. Building on the existing library programs and services, the library includes brand new material, security system and checkout, program and meeting room space, expanded seating and laptop space and many new pro…
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Salt Spring Man Leaves Omar Khadr $700 in Will

A British Columbia man says he's leaving Omar Khadr some money in his will, even though he thinks the Canadian war criminal wouldn't approve of his lifestyle as a gay atheist.

Jack Hallam of Salt Spring Island said 26-year-old Khadr could put the money toward his education now that he has been repatriated to Canada after spending a decade at a U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay. Hallam said he has set aside $700 for Khadr because he thinks the Toronto-born man has been treated badly by both the American and Canadian governments. "I think the young man has been treated abominably," Hallam told The Canadian Press on Saturday. "His story just moved me. He was tortured, he was kept in solitary confinement, he had light deprivation." The 84-year-old retired zoologist said he'd been in contact with Khadr's Alberta-based tutor, who had travelled to Guantanamo Bay. Hallam added that he may increase the amount of money he leav…
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