Engage BC Ferries community engagement division with letters – Sharon Small

August 31, 2023

“Carrie Mcintosh of BCF’s community engagement division is asking for feedback on the “success” of the improved summer service. Send feedback to engagement@bcf.com and to boost credibility, you could add your expertise/group affiliation in the conclusion, as I did. Feel free to cut and paste sections from my letter.”

Dear Carrie,

I speak for many Denman residents in thanking BCF for responding to our necessity for better ferry service this summer. Service has improved. Of course, we maintain that the cable ferry needs to be replaced, However, you and Commissioner Hage have made it clear that there will be no replacement in the near term.

Regrettably, the service improvement during the week does not mitigate Denman’s main concern (see our BCF Community page) – the safety and quality of life issues caused by tens of thousands of Hornby tourist and tourist related vehicles racing back and forth between terminals. On weekends and when there are service interruptions, traffic is often backed up at the two terminals and there continues to be competition for limited deck space at Buckley Bay.

We urge BCF to replace the Baynes Sound Connector in the next term and conduct a feasibility study for a direct ferry to Hornby Island. Given the dire effect of Hornby Island’s under regulated tourist policy and the Hornby Economic Enhancement group’s resolve to increase tourist numbers, a direct ferry to Hornby is the only option for Denman. Because of the threat of forest Hires in the interior of BC, more and more tourists will choose Vancouver Island destinations in the coming years. BCF needs to be prepared for this increase in traffic.

In the short term, the back-up of weekend traffic at both Denman terminals must be mitigated. This traffic can be held on Hornby and at Buckley Bay, as discussed at the May 26 roundtable meeting. We have seen some improvement in traffic flow but it is not consistent. On weekends, this traffic frequently blocks major intersections, creating peril for drivers, walkers, cyclists, and horseback riders, our environment and service vehicles. Despite a fine of over $500 for tossing cigarettes butts, many backed up folks toss theirs, and many run engines for air conditioning and charging devices while they wait. This creates great fear amongst Denman islanders.

See my complaint to information@bcf.com that described what I witnessed for three hours on a Sunday at the Denman- Northwest intersection. Hornby traffic was backed up beyond the Guest House and frequently vehicles and massive RVs gridlocked the intersection. Also, when traffic was flowing, drivers exceeded the 40 mph speed limit. At the very least, there needs to be flaggers directing backed up traffic off of Denman Road. As one of our FAC members commented on a Fb site, we now have a backed-up traffic problem creating peril at both Denman terminals.

The effects of this tourist traffic on safety and quality of life on Denman dominated the roundtable meeting and was listed as the main concern of the 170 Denman residents who attended. Our collective message was that the traffic issue is creating a crisis for Denman residents who filled the hall to share their experiences and strong feelings of anguish, frustration, anger, and despair. Once the full summary of the round table meeting, with verbatim comments is posted, you have all the evidence needed to conclude that Denman is suffering.

Denman continues to compete not only for road access, but limited ferry deck space due to an unsustainable number of tourist vehicles often taking up to 3 and 4 vehicle spaces. Once I overheard ferry staff complain that one tourist rig was 50 feet long. The length of tourist vehicles is not addressed in the 19,000 vehicles travelling one way in two months statistic provided by BCF in a 2022 report. As an essential service for residents, can’t BCF consider limiting tourist RV length given the competition for deck space and terminal road access?

I strongly suggest also that Hornby’s assured first come/first served loading lane at Buckley Bay be reconsidered. It should be reserved without cost for Hornby and Denman essential travellers such as MDs and other physical and mental health practitioners, off island workers, full-time residents with important appointments off island, parents with children going to school and engaged in activities off island, etc. One BCF manager at the roundtable proposed a free reservation service for full time residents to replace the current first policy.

I strongly urge BC Ferries set up a public meeting on Denman to address the above problems that continue to create an enormous strain on Denman and on BCF’s heroic ferry staff. While Hornby wants more traffic, Denman desperately needs a lot less. Our needs are opposite.

Respectfully, Sharon Small,

Retired University Professor and Denman Island Resident

Forgiveness

August 31, 2023

FORGIVENESS Sally Campbell

It’s not helpful to have an automatic expectation of forgiveness just because we’ve apologized. As I’ve written earlier, apology is just the beginning of a process of restoring/repairing relationship, it’s not the end point. In restorative processes, we’re working with the energy that the conflict generates. That energy is unique to each conflict, has its own rhythms. Some people stay engaged in low (or high) level conflict with another for years, despite the toll this takes on our psyches, on our peace of mind. Some stay in ongoing conflict because at least it’s a relationship, negative or not. They fear that closure might mean the end of the relationship. In fact, often the very opposite is true. When we address our conflicts in a humble and honest way, the relationship has chance to blossom and grow. It doesn’t mean there won’t be more conflict, but rather that there is enough safety in the relationship for it to continue. There is trust that difficult matters can be addressed, even when it takes time and may involve the assistance of others.

My grandmother gave me wise counsel when she said: “Darling, we each have to learn our own lessons in our own way”. Those words have echoed in me for over ½ a century now and are a continual reminder of acceptance. Conflicts within family seem the hardest places to apply that lesson, because we want so badly for that other person to be different, to treat us differently, to be more like we wish them to be. Alas, life’s not like that. We can’t really change anyone else, only ourselves and our own perspective. Sometimes a person simply does not want to be in a relationship with us any longer, period, and the hurt is deep. We may try to appease, accommodate, bargain – a whole panoply of approaches – and still end up feeling rejected, angry, resentful at the other’s intractability. I learned through hard experience that sometimes we need to just let go. But what to do about all those negative feelings? Here’s where forgiveness comes in. I learned that we can do the work of forgiveness on/within ourselves; it doesn’t have to be a mutual thing.

Unlike apology which needs to be communicated, we can forgive unilaterally through an internal process, and release ourselves from the burdens of a relationship defined by tension, competition and conflict. We can release ourselves from the guilt of being unable to “fix” a broken relationship. We can let go of the need to have the appearance of a healthy relationship, and simply forgive the other and ourselves, and get on with the process of living. Sometimes this means no contact. We form an intent to forgive and to be in a forgiving space vis-à-vis that other person. We then begin the work of doing just that.

Forgiving doesn’t mean we go back to the earlier status quo. In fact, sometimes changing the troubled, turbulent status quo is so disturbing to the other – interrupting the dance of conflict – that it signals the end of the relationship as we know it. This doesn’t mean that it’s all done with for good, especially when the troubled relationship is with a relative. To me, it just means we are letting it rest rather than letting it rule us. It may restore itself or it may not. It is important to keep our hearts open in situations like this and that’s where forgiveness comes in. We need to come to terms with the fact that no one is without frailties and flaws, including ourselves. Most of us do the very best we can with the resources we have – emotional, mental, spiritual. Sometimes, by reason of unhealed trauma, various kinds of abuse, neglect, lack of unconditional love, cultural conditioning, you name it, those resources are more limited. Why do we think life will be fair? It isn’t. Still we don’t need to perceive the world as victims. We have power and choice, in even the most difficult situations. Victor Frankl, surely one who endured enormous pain and loss, speaks to this idea in his fine book, Man’s Search for Meaning: “Everything can be taken…but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances”.

(next week: Part 2)

Currents

August 31, 2023

Currents

by Mr. Unknown

If you’ve been to a river

To go or to stay

Then you may find

A piece of nature’s dismay.

They stir and they whirr

With large frothing circles

Just don’t go close

To those deep dark whorls.

Some may be weak

And some may be strong

But currents

Oh currents

Keep the rivers at large.

Phoenix Riting! – August 31st, 2023

August 31, 2023

373174-phoenix-wallpaper-1920x1080-for-macbook — Phoenix Riting!

I gleaned from last week’s letters to the editor that my own column on a certain subject (July 6th, you can find the back issues in the files section of the Hornby Word of Mouth Facebook page if you haven’t read it) is the most likely cause of the current tempest on these pages. Surely that cannot be, as I myself received not a single word of response or commentary from any direction, in person or in writing. This led me to presume that all who read it must have nodded their heads in benevolent agreement (no, I knew better). Otherwise, surely, they would give me feedback. Isn’t that what humans do?

Are we humans anymore? It seems more and more that those in power, the lawmakers, are falling into lockstep with a kind of sloganeering, black-and-white thinking which the vast majority assumes must have a solid basis, so are comfortable leaving it to the experts. I cannot think that way. Who are these experts? What is this basis? What has changed? If there is a solid basis, I will agree. My brain requires it. I cannot agree because I am told to, based on slogans, opinion or hearsay. This is why I shy away from conspiracy theories.

Normally I’m all about dancing with shifts in culture as it evolves along with human consciousness. The current shift however alarms me deeply. “Silence is violence” was the rallying cry of the feminist revolution back in the day. Now, suddenly speech is violence. This is a dangerous twist, as it leads to quashing all opinions that counter the established narrative. In a repressive society, truth is not trusted to stand for itself; it must be proclaimed with slogans and enforced with rigid laws. This is called ‘propaganda’ and ‘marketing.’ Can it really be truth?

Humans as a rule value nuanced discourse. The thoughtful weighing of ideas, opinions and known facts, the open-ended querying, all serve our collective quest for understanding. This is essential to any free society. Now, apparently, we have reached the end of that quest. The final answer has been found! Now, any drive to discuss certain issues that affect us all is no longer a democratic value upheld by law, but a selfish and bigoted mindset, that by speaking, endangers vulnerable people – no matter what is being said. The only acceptable modalities are silence or compliance.

I ask again: how are the vulnerable endangered by my extremely moderate and centrist opinion on the subject, rooted as it is in love, support and admiration of the humans involved? My concerns are with changes in law, passed without discussion, and their unintended consequences to other vulnerable humans who should also matter. I see no care or concern evidenced for the people of #MeToo. Remember?

Piecing the story together – please correct me if I am wrong, Mike – I gather there was an attempt to pull advertising from TIG by an individual working for a tax-funded group because of the Grapevine’s editorial policy ‘harming vulnerable people.’ The publisher objected publicly, resulting in a public apology from the individual. The publisher was then, I gather, fired without cause from a job he held in the community, and removed from a position of responsibility as well. I don’t know the full story behind these reactions but it is not looking good from here.

Threatening someone with loss of income, firing them from their job, and removing them from positions they hold are extreme responses that ought to be reserved for extreme offenses. What was the offense?

I will fight to defend my trans friends, who are valuable, valid humans who have nothing to do with this issue. I am speaking of restoring the free public discussion of the rule of law mandated by a democracy. The alternative is tyranny. Something we all, I hope, dearly hope to avoid.

I am alarmed daily by the ever-increasing gap in the collective and our communal discourse. ‘Ever-increasing’ cannot be sustainable. Something must break, and I hope it won’t be us. Let us strive to find balance between opposing viewpoints for the good of all instead of this current mania for winning over, silencing or vanquishing the other. I see a widening gap between ‘sides’ of this issue.

Yet it seems to me we all agree on certain core values: human rights are universal, vulnerable people should be protected and the ability to live freely as one’s authentic self should be defended. I see a crying need to get together and talk out exactly what that means with each other, not pounding, cancelling, punishing or rallying our troops to war. We aren’t enemies, my friends. We need to find the brakes on this train before it goes off the cliff.

That’s what I think. What do you think? Email me at phoenixonhornby@gmail.com

Green Wizardries with Maxine Rogers

August 31, 2023

Green Wizardries, Tomatoes by Maxine Rogers

We are having a big harvest of tomatoes this year. One thing the recent years of volatile weather has taught me is that not every year will be a good one for tomatoes. I used to think we needed enough tomatoes to get from one harvest to another but I have come to see it is much better to have two, or even three, years of tomatoes put up.

There is a formula common among people who have to drive in large deserts that they need to take along enough water for several days of being stuck for each member of their party and an equal amount for any poor, unprepared people they might come across who are stuck in the desert with no water.

We also never know if we will need to be feeding extra people so we might as well have lots of food put by. I mean, what would you do if some relatives or friends needed to come stay with you for a while?

So, there you have it, two good reasons to have a large, well-stocked pantry. It also looks as if we are headed into another Covid panic and may be facing lockdowns and the supply shortages associated with disrupting the economy in this way.

This year, I tried a new to me Roma tomato, Italian Stallion. I got the seeds from Dan Jason and the plants are markedly more hardy and vigorous than the La Roma hybrids I got from West Coast Seeds and they are also more productive with very large, tasty fruit.

I tried another interesting, new to me Roma, called Orange Icicle. I was given some seedlings from a friend and her plants were also very vigorous. The Orange Icicle is originally from the Ukraine as are all the icicle tomatoes. It is open pollinated and indeterminate which means it can grow to be six feet tall. They are called icicles because they are a Roma type but skinnier than other Romas.

My husband didn’t like the colour at first as he wasn’t sure when they were ripe but they turn a deep orange colour when fully ripe and have a tangy flavour so they are a pleasant addition to soups, salads and salsas.

Every year, I trial a new cherry tomato or two as I hate buying tomato seeds and want to find an alternative to Sungold hybrid cherry tomatoes which taste so delicious. Hybrid seeds do not come true if you save them where open pollinated seeds do breed true. I bought Pink Bumble Bee cherry tomato seeds from West Coast Seeds and they are very pretty being of a light red colour with yellow stripes. They are a large cherry tomato and tasty but not as tasty as the Sungolds. I also tried a purple cherry tomato but am less impressed with its flavour. The colour is also not as appealing as I had hoped.

To collect tomato seed for next year for you and your friends and family, make sure you are only working with open-pollinated varieties. Let the fruit ripen fully or even over ripen. Cut open the fruit and harvest the seeds. The seeds will be covered in a sort of jell. This jell is a sprout inhibitor and needs to be cleaned off.

To clean the seeds, put them into a glass jar and add some water. Leave this jar uncovered on a windowsill until it gets mouldy. The mould will digest the jell off the seeds and leave the seeds clean and undamaged. Pour the mould off the top of the jar and any seeds that are floating on top. These seeds will be infertile. The good seeds are heavier and will be at the bottom of the jar. Strain and wash these seeds and put them to dry on a plate with a label on it. All tomato seeds look pretty much alike so you really do want to label. This process leaves you with clean, fuzzy tomato seeds that are easy to work with. Fresh tomato seed has great germination rates, as in every seed you plant come up so that is a good reason to save tomato seeds.

To preserve tomatoes, I use the water-bath canning method and have done so for a very long time. Some people say tomatoes should be processed in a pressure canner but I don’t see why as the water-bath canner does a good job and you can put batch after batch in the water-bath canner making it faster than trying to use a pressure canner.

We also dry a lot of cherry tomatoes in a dehydrator and these make a wonderful addition to winter salads and salsa. They are also a tasty snack on their own and I never need to worry about what to give my niece, Rachel, for Saturnalia as she just loves dehydrated tomatoes.

Letter to the Editor – Steve Christensen

August 31, 2023

August 28, 2023

Tony Gregson

Denman Works

Denman Is, BC

RE: Mike Van Santvoord, The Grapevine & The Misuse of Public Funds

Tony,

I’m writing to you regarding recent actions taken by Denman Works to cancel the maintenance contract with Mike Van Santvoord for visitdenmanisland.ca and to remove Mike from the Denman Works volunteer board. It’s been reported the reason for these decisions was due to your charge that Mike had brought “disrepute” to Denman Works.

I’m a taxpayer and 10 year resident and property owner on Denman Island and as such I am requesting an explanation from you for these actions, specifically I want answers to the questions below. I also urge you to consider the following point. There has been criticism of the Grapevine for publishing the contents of what was assumed to be a private letter from Bronwyn Schuster. Bronwyn admitted she threatened, in the letter, to withhold funding from the Grapevine for ads/content unless the paper stopped printing content she didn’t like. While Bronwyn may have intended the letter to be private, by discussing decisions related to disbursement of public funds, she automatically made this letter public. And so, Mike and the Grapevine were not only justified in reporting on the matter, but I would also argue they had a duty to do so (and really, why wouldn’t a newspaper report on an attempt to use public funds to influence the papers content)!

The questions I would like answered are:

1. What exactly did Mike do to bring disrepute to Denman Works (Mike has brought this to public attention so his dismissal is now a public matter)?
2. When were the decisions made to end the maintenance contract and remove Mike from the advisory board?
3. Were the decisions made by you who then asked the board for support or did the board come to a mutual decision after discussing?
4. Was there dissent on the board?
5. Did you or the board consider the consequences for Denman Works or the impact on delivery of services provided should the charge of disrepute against Mike prove to be legally invalid (in my opinion, if it is shown that Mike did not bring disrepute to Denman Works then there are grounds for legal action with respect to breach of contract, defamation and failure to obey the bylaws under which Denman Works operates).

I expect and await your response and welcome and encourage it to be public.

Sincerely,

Steve Christensen

Shucking Oysters: Still Life with the BSCon

August 31, 2023

Shucking Oysters: Still Life with the BSCon

Alex Allen

If you want to really liven up a conversation on Hornby, just mention the Baynes Sound Connector. It used to be a cardinal rule at the table to not talk about, Islands Trust, relatives with dementia, and tourism. Now, it’s the F word, Ferries (BC Ferries); stay clear and be very afraid.

When you Google BSCon you get directed to sites on how to cook bacon. Not sure if that is fraught with social commentary or not. For the nerds in the room, the BSCon is fitted with an EYE designed bull wheel system that is driven by Hagglunds CA100 hydraulic motors. The $15-million cable ferry is capable of carrying 50 vehicles and 150 passengers, and with a crossing of about 1,900 metres, it is believed to be the longest cable ferry in the world. That still baffles me. It doesn’t seem that long; in duration but not in length.

From the beginning, there were cable change-outs because of accelerated corrosion; terminal maintenance reps on site daily managing the primer pump; and countless issues with the fire monitor systems, HVAC, lube system, hydraulics and vibration. BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall, noted at the time, that it is not uncommon for new vessels to experience “teething problems” during the first two years of operation. I think the teething problems have turned into an abscessed tooth, causing irritation and inflammation. They may be able to save the BSCon with a “route” connector procedure, perhaps. Or maybe we need to have it pulled, as it could lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications.

The whole design of the BSCon is, well, so mean-spirited. Passengers can’t even go up to another level and enjoy the view of the oyster and scallop leases. Crew only, even though the crew are all in that containment centre for the duration of the trip. Foot passengers have to sit in a lounge that does not have any sea view; a vista of rows of vehicles on both sides. And why is the bathroom door facing the lounge? Every time, after I do my business, I feel like I should be bowing as I open the door to the adoring crowd. It’s awkward. And the gated pet area on the main deck? Are you kidding me? No roof shelter. A cold hard surface, surrounded by restless passengers. Why not put the dog in a bosun chair and hoist it up somewhere — it would probably be more enjoyable and certainly a better view. Even the pet owner has to sit on an hemorrhoid-inducing metal box for the entire trip. I would be more forgiving if the Connector was built in the 60s, but it wasn’t.

Recently, a pleasure craft was merrily cruising along across the Connector route, ignoring those tiny red transit lights while the frantic BSCon honked its horn in protest. Forgive me, but the horn seems no louder than a bicycle horn. The captain should have had us all honking our vehicle horns and maybe the errant boater might of noticed. Maybe not. Or if Scott Wagner was on board, he could have started up his chainsaws. That would have got their attention. It’s all about safety, folks. Except for that red hatchet.

OK, here we go into the nether, lower, epidermal region, if you will. On Hornby, we get a special coveted “assured boarding”card when we are one of the first 15 vehicles on the 7:30 am ferry. People park overnight so they can get the coveted card. It’s like the sacrament, the passing of the wafer from a crew member. We are blessed and all is well with the universe. And then on Denman, at the other side, the coveted 15 arrive at the terminal with flashers on, like a parade of dignitaries. Make way. We’re here. We’re special. I find it awkward, but no more.

Here’s a secret Hornby (Denman already knows), when you are one of the first 15, you are not blessed at all. You are damned. It is better to be number 19 or 24. Why? Because if you are 1 to 15 you will never, ever get off first. Ever! They know it, now you know it. And once on board, as you gingerly ease your vehicle behind the other, turn off the engine, settle in knowing that all is well, a ferry crew guy appears. Not close enough apparently. Ever. I’m not even sure whether I should smile; it might be misconstrued. He’ll remember next time and who knows what he might do. And speaking of coveted, have you noticed that spot at the end of the lane on the starboard water side that they leave open until the last moment? They always save it for someone from Denman. One time, maybe it was a new guy, I’m not quite sure, I was directed to the G spot. It was like eating dinner at the Captain’s table. Special, very special, which I don’t often feel on the BSCon.

Even returning from town is another building-up-character moment. Vehicles going to Hornby are put in Lane 1, Denman Lane 2, and a free for all in the remaining lanes. Except, now they are unloading Lane 4 and Lane 5 before Lane 1. I was number six in Lane 1 and number 27 disembarking. (I’ll show you some diss and barking.) So then we get to follow the leisurely, blissful Denmanites across the island, not knowing whether we will get on the ferry on the other side or not. I know there’s that sign reminding us that there is no rhyme or reason to the unloading order. So, if that is the case, then may I make a suggestion? Just direct every vehicle that arrives at Buckley Bay, no matter which island they are going to, to Lane 1 and then Lane 2 and so on in order of appearance. (And no, I’m not talking about the guy with the Tibetan ear flap hat getting to go before the fellow in the Tilley Endurable hat.) Maybe, just maybe, after a few months of adjustment, Hornby Islanders will stop speeding across Denman and Denman Islanders will drive the speed limit.

Caitlin Johnstone – Notes from the edge of the narrative matrix

August 26, 2023

30 Signs You Might Be An Empire Simp

CAITLIN JOHNSTONE

AUG 26, 2023

There are many bootlicking simps for the US empire. It’s not entirely their fault; the empire has the most sophisticated propaganda machine ever devised and most westerners have been marinating in its influence their entire lives. But it does happen, and it’s good to bring awareness to it.

Here then are 30 signs you might be an empire simp:

1. You get triggered whenever anyone highlights the well-documented western provocations that paved the way to the war in Ukraine.

2. You think Putin invaded Ukraine solely because he is evil and hates freedom and the US is pouring weapons into the nation because it loves Ukrainians and wants to protect their freedom and democracy.

3. You’re more interested in Trump’s mugshot than the western-backed atrocities in Yemen or starvation sanctions in Syria.

4. You can listen to Tony Blinken talk without wanting to throw trash at his head.

5. You understand that the last time there was a credible foreign military threat near the US border the US responded so aggressively that it almost ended the world, yet you demand that Russia and China accept US military threats on their borders.

6. You think the US is filling Australia with war machinery because it loves Australians and wants to protect them from China.

7. You believe the world’s most destructive military force is encircling its #1 geopolitical rival with war machinery as a defensive measure.

8. You live in the most propagandized population on earth and make jokes about North Korean propaganda.

9. You live in the most propagandized population on earth and spend your time fretting about Russian propaganda.

10. You think the title of most murderous and tyrannical regime on earth belongs to any government besides Washington.

11. You live under the most murderous and tyrannical power structure on earth and yet spend your time shrieking about tyranny in Asian countries.

12. You want to see Vladimir Putin tried for war crimes before George W Bush.

13. You believe western interventionism has ever had anything to do with spreading freedom and democracy or protecting humanitarian interests.

14. You find protests in places like Iran, Venezuela or Cuba much more interesting than protests in places like France, Haiti or Chile.

15. You unironically call NATO a “defensive alliance”.

16. You rend your garments about China preparing to seize control of Taiwan by military force without ever acknowledging that the US empire is preparing to do the exact same thing.

17. You’ve ever believed for even one second that the US government gives a fuck about Muslims in China.

18. You oppose guns except when they’re being used to kill foreigners overseas.

19. You claim you oppose the misdeeds of all governments equally but find yourself spending most of your time yelling at people who criticize US foreign policy online.

20. You’ve ever accused anyone who criticizes US foreign policy of secretly working for Russia or China.

21. You’ve ever accused someone who criticizes Israel of being an anti-semite.

22. You think being anti-war means putting a Ukraine flag in your Twitter bio.

23. You think “the troops” have ever fought for your freedom at any time since you’ve been alive.

24. You think the invasion of Iraq had anything to do with liberating the Iraqi people.

25. You think the destruction of Libya had anything to do with protecting Libyans.

26. You think the west arming Al Qaeda in Syria had anything to do with advancing the interests of Syrians.

27. You think US escalations against Russia and China have anything to do with “national security”.

28. You think the Department of Defense has anything to do with defense.

29. You think it’s okay for the US to keep waging wars, destroying nations, starving civilian populations with economic sanctions, instigating proxy wars, arming neo-Nazis and violent jihadists, staging coups and persecuting journalists, because if it doesn’t do those things the world might be taken over by evil tyrants.

30. You were bothered by any item on this list.

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Same Every Day

August 24, 2023

The Misuse of Public Finds (Part 2) – Team TIG

August 24, 2023

Tony Gregson, Chair of DenmanWorks (DW) wasn’t accused of any malfeasance in the Aug.10 article in TIG, Threats, Lies, and the Misuse of Public Funds, but he subsequently fired Publisher/Editor Mike Van Santvoord from his job managing the visitdenmanisland.ca website without cause, and had Mike removed from the DW volunteer Board, charging Mike with bringing “disrepute” to DW.

In the dismissal letter to Mike, Gregson confirms that, “Denman Works recognizes that a DIBS contractor…., while entitled to an opinion on Grapevine editorial policy, had no right to use her position to threaten a withdrawal of advertising [sic].”

The firing from the publicly funded website job and dismissal from the Board is clearly punitive and politically motivated, for exposing corruption by a publicly funded DIBS employee. Gregson has weaponized the public DW funds he controls, by firing Mike from managing the visitdenmanisland.ca website without cause. Under DW bylaws, a vote to expel a member from the DW Board may only be permitted if Gregson gives the person subject to expulsion an opportunity to be heard by the DW Board and membership, prior to a vote being taken. This never happened.

Gregson is now serving as Chair beyond his 4 year term limit which expired earlier this year. All of the Board members have been personally chosen by himself, and he’s now operating on a one year extension, supported by his hand picked team. Of note, Gregson hasn’t publicly solicited recruits to the DW’s Board and membership in any print advertising.

Publicly funded employees must demonstrate integrity in performing their responsibilities. Tony Gregson performs pure sophistry in attempting to excuse his ill conceived words and actions. In firing Mike Van Santvoord from the website job without cause, Gregson has violated B.C. Labour laws. In forcing a vote to remove Mike from the DW Board, Gregson has violated the B.C. Society Act, and DW’s own bylaws and constitution.

Team TIG is calling for Tony Gregson’s resignation as Chair of DW, the local agency that channels CVRD funds to DIBS, the visitdenman.ca website, and other local agencies, for breaching public trust and the misuse of public funds.