Renoviction

There is a little bubble of talk on Canada's screen right now about happiness. UBC's Global Happiness expert, John Helliwell is quoted in this Saturday's Globe and Mail as saying that “happiness is very local. . .things like, 'Do you trust your neighbours or your company? Do you have confidence in the police?'”. In their responses to a survey question about happiness, most respondents quoted in the Globe, talked about common places and mundane family activities. Chantal Kreviazuk, for example, mentions “cooking with fresh produce from the Wednesday market” and other such simple pleasures.

In other news, New Westminster tenants are victims once again, of a crime called renoviction- the neglect of basic maintenance by landlords which eventually leads to tenants' eviction because of the necessity of renovation. This kind of behaviour sounds like exactly the kind of thing which does not foster happiness.

I would like to live in a world in which the people who have the power to make decisions which affect all of our lives do so with humility. I would also like to live in a world in which regular people know that they have a right to a satisfying experience of public space and where they feel empowered to participate in the making of it.

Islands Marketplace article: Dec. 10

Setting the Record Straight

By Emily McIvor

There are a few little known (or misunderstood) facts in play about the situation involving Admirals, Windflower Moon, Salt Spring Soapworks, and Acoustic Planet. The first is the question of leases: many people believe that these four stores were offered leases for the new building and simply refused to sign them. This is not the case. All four of the owners of the four small stores wanted a spot in the new building. None of them were given that choice. Of the four, Salt Spring Soapworks is the only one with a lease with time left on it. That's why they are being re-accomodated in an adjacent space after the reconstruction.

Acoustic Planet had a lease which just ran out. They requested a spot in the new building but were denied. Admirals has a lease with a five year 'option to renew' left on it however the paper copy has been lost so it's not much good. (Coincidentally, the landlord's lawyer has lost his copy as well).Admirals has requested a space in the new building and has been denied. Windflower Moon is the only one which did not sign a lease and that was years ago when they were offered a contract that they didn't like and decided not to sign it. They were not offered a spot in the new building.

The other little known part of the story is that all the appropriate permits are not yet in place. Any new development within Ganges is required to obtain a Development Permit. This process has not yet been completed. It has been started but the permit has not been approved so as far as we know, it could be months before anything can happen in that space.

The real problem with the new development is the loss of character and diversity in our downtown core. This is a pedestrian and tourism hot-spot. We need the interest of lots of quaint little shops. Mark's Work Wearhouse is great but they shouldn't be expanding right downtown. We need development in Ganges but it needs to be smart development. Development which makes Salt Spring more itself and which will serve us well into the future. This is not that development.

Refuting Johnathan

I am writing in response to Johnathan Yardley's Dec. 8 viewpoint article. I have a few problems with his letter and I'd like to point them out.

In response to the first point, a franchise is not simply a matter of “sourcing merchandise”. A franchise store buys the rights to the name, advertising and buying power of a larger corporation. In exchange, the franchise owner (in this case, Brian and Heather Gooding, who now live on Vancouver Island) agree to exclusive loyalty in their merchandising, decor and expression of the parent company's public relations messages. Franchise agreements also contain a “right of first refusal” for the parent company. This means that when the Goodings (now in their sixties) are ready to move on, the store will likely be bought back by Mark's (a subsidiary of Canadian Tire).

As to Johnathan's confusion regarding the objections raised against the proposed expansion of Mark's in Ganges, regardless of whose lease expires when, the opposition to Mark's expansion is two-fold. He is correct that there is sadness over the displacement of the four small businesses. What he has missed is the issue of diversity, pedestrian appeal and character in our downtown core. Even if none of these four small businesses continue in their current locations, there should still be four little storefronts there, not one big one.

In a place known world-wide for it's unique “made or grown on Saltspring” Saturday Market, it is a natural extension to protect the locality and charm of the surrounding area. People love Saltspring because of the forests, the farms and the “unique boutiques”. Development in this area should reflect our local vision and embody our values. It should be more interesting, more unique and more pedestrian friendly. Architects are among those whose vision serves the community through their ideas for our built environment. Six hundred and sixty eight people have signed the petition opposing Mark's expansion in its current location. Our vision serves the community too!

Open Letter to Mark's Franchise Owners

As you may know, I have started a petition opposing the expansion of your store in downtown Ganges. I have two reasons for doing this. The first is that I am extremely upset to see the loss of two of our most unique specialty shops in Ganges. Admirals and Windflower Moon have nowhere else to go and they will both be forced out of business to make room for your business to grow.

The other part is that I feel that Ganges needs the variety and character of lots of little shops. In this busy public space in lower Ganges, the pedestrian experience is enhanced by variety and by unique and charming small shops.

There is another piece of this story which I have not yet given voice but here it is: Saltspring needs you. We need the practical clothes at reasonable prices which you provide. We need to be able to buy t-shirts and workboots and we need to be able to do that on-island. Almost everyone I've talked to has stated their support for your shop.

The distinction I'm trying to make is between support for your business and opposition to your possible expansion in the current location. I realize that you may not have many alternatives but maybe you could expand in the new upstairs portion (like Mouat's) or maybe you do not really need to expand at all.

Please consider the opinions of community members as you think over your options. Part of the charm of Saltspring is its unique character boutiques. Fewer of these in the downtown area will negatively affect tourist experience and fewer tourists will affect all of us.

I would like to ask you, “What do you need?” Is there any way that the concerned citizens of Saltspring Island, wishing to protect the tiny shops next door can also help you achieve your goals? In other words, is there any room for compromise?

Please enter into dialogue with us. We support you and you support us too.

Sincerely,

Emily McIvor

29 Ways to Survive November

29 Ways to Survive November

1. Imagine prostate exams. (note: this may only be entertaining for women).
2. Go to Art Galleries. They are brightly lit, wide open spaces and some of them are free.
3. Cook. You're going to eat anyways and most homes come equipped for this process.
4. Attend Art Openings.(Not to be confused with Craft Fairs. THESE MAY CAUSE EXTREME IRRITABILITY).
5. Go swimming at the pool. It'll be worth it!
6. Play games. It will make you laugh and laughing is good.
7. Read a lot.
8. Make things: Poems, drawings, lists?
9. Go outside EVERY DAY! Just wear more clothes.
10. Have dinner with friends.
11. Get a prostate exam. (This has to do with surviving more than November).
12. Vitamin D drops. 3000 mg. under the tongue.
13. Research things online. (What is the difference between barristers and solicitors?)
14. Think of your own mental health as a worthy project.
15. Look at photos of your friends' friends on Facebook.
16. Vigorous exercise and meditation.
17. Sleep more. You know you want to.
18. Attend modern dance performances.
19. Get to know your neighbour.
20. Watch movies; eat snacks.
21. Do not feel guilty for above. Enjoy it.
22. Write a book. Start with an outline.
23. Sex. Obviously.
24. Tease co-workers about their hideous “mo”vember 'staches.
25. Hang out with a globe or atlas. Likewise dictionary. Wonder things.
26. Phone your old friends.
27. Email your new ones.
28. Give yourself a break. You're bound to feel lousy some of the time.
29. Go for a walk in the dark.

Big Box Store in Ganges

Big Box Store Takes Over a Full City Block of Ganges

by Emily McIvor

Many of you may know about-and feel helpless to prevent-the takeover of an entire city block of downtown Ganges by a big box chain store. No, wait, BIG BOX? That has got to be a mistake!! Not on Saltspring, right?!

Well, unfortunately it is true. Plans are going ahead to displace Admirals Specialty Foods, Windflower Moon, Acoustic Planet and Saltspring Soapworks. They will all be shoved aside by Mark's Work Wearhouse. Talk about a neighbourhood bully! The part that is less widely known is that Mark's is a subsidiary of Canadian (crappy) Tire.

The big chain will take over after January when the building they're in is taken down and rebuilt (presumably to Mark's specifications). Imagine the thrill of the tourists next summer, when they're picking through plastic coffee mugs and made-in-China tube socks. And, when local contractors want to replenish their wardrobes with Carhartts, they will only have to fight their way through the Ganges parking nightmare to get them. It's a win-win situation!

It is a 'little' sad that we won't be able to drop in to Windflower Moon and browse their unique selection of spiritual books, gifts and clothing anymore. I guess we 'might' miss the local, organic and wild meats as well as by-the-piece sushi and imported groceries at Admirals. Soon enough though, it will just fade to a vague memory of a time when Saltspring was different, when local character meant more than million dollar mansions.

Saltspring Soapworks owner, Linda Quiring, says that her store will have a new home in the current Mark's work-clothes section after the renos are done. Acoustic Planet owner, Greg Esposito, plans some kind of amalgamation of the store with his music studio nearby, although the view won't be quite the same. The real tragedy though, is for Paul Boatman and Laura Roveda, the owners of Admirals Specialty Foods and Windflower Moon (respectively) and their employees.

Laura plans to close her store for good in January, after seven successful years of business. Although she says it's time for her to move on, I'm sure it would have been preferable to sell the business rather than just selling off stock but everyone knows you can't sell a store without a storefront.

Admirals owner, Paul Boatman is the only one who remains unresolved to his demise as a business owner on Saltspring. He and his late wife Pamela, started the store 20 years ago in the old Creekside building, where Apple Photo now resides. Twenty years of community service as well as the provision of excellent and unusual groceries and unique, character window display. This is an unceremonious end for Admirals, a store which regularly takes international orders from regular visitors to Saltspring. It is also a step in exactly the wrong direction for Ganges!

If you are interested in helping preserve the unique character of Ganges, please contact me at: mlmcvr9@gmail.com .

Thank you

Censorship and Social Work Strange Bed-fellows

My friend Obi likes to stir things up. He finds things which he thinks are wrong with the world and then he sticks his oar in and stirs. Occasionally, when he pulls the oar up, he finds something even more surprising and disturbing than he'd thought.

Such was the case when, earlier this year, he sent emails to a number of large organizations which operate in his community and asked them what he calls “uncomfortable questions”. The organizations included governmental, corporate and non-profit including one whose main purpose is social service. Their secondary mission is religious and this is where Obi's email churned up some trouble.

In an email interview with my friend, the regional director for Salvation Army Thrift Stores, disclosed their policy of destroying books which promote religions other than Christianity. Destroying. The suggested reason for this is to prevent people being led astray by reading about Judaism, Jainism, Buddhism or perhaps Sufism. The well-meaning hierarchy of Salvation Army are afraid that others are not able to think for themselves. Or perhaps they're afraid that we are. Either way, they don't want to be responsible for our souls eventual burning in hell. It's nice of them to be concerned I guess but I personally have a few problems with it.

The first is the disrespect done to other people's treasures, donations or not. The second is the possibility that sacred texts are being destroyed (not to say burned). The third (and for me, most important) is the presumption of intellectual authority displayed as a matter of course by an entity which is responsible for a large share of basic services for our most needy.

There is a tendency, I think, for us in Canada, to assume that what we see is the real thing and what we experience is freedom. We want to believe that sexism, racism, fundamentalist and intolerant views have long been banished. We want to think that we are emancipated because we want to be. The problem with the actions of the Salvation Army is the suppression of ideas, a behavior which should have been left behind decades ago.

A fundamental respect for each others' ability to think and choose is the basis for democratic thought. It is the foundation of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms and it is the reason for the fairly widespread tolerance of other people's beliefs. I'm not questioning the right of the Salvation Army to choose what they sell but I do have an issue with destroying books on an ideological basis. Public institutions are held to an unbiased platform for their work but non-profits are not. I think we are riding a slippery slope when we entrust a religious organization to do the work of the public and we should be wary of their agendas and the invisible ways they impact our culture.

Article for the Driftwood

Emily McIvor

October 17, 2010

Short Term Vacation Rentals

There are a couple of really good things about Short Term Vacation Rentals and a couple of not-so-great things. The good things are a little extra cash for some hard-working islanders and the number of tourists which they draw to the island. These tourists pay for their housing and then buy stuff while they're here and contribute to the local economy. The not-so-great parts are the tendency to rob neighbourhoods of their vitality and the pressure they put on the already short supply of longer-term rental housing.

It is easy to see why homeowners would prefer short-term rentals over longer-term. A residence which draws $1500 per month year-round may instead rent for as much as $5000 per week during the summer and other holidays. Unfortunately, it is common for people who don't even live here to buy a house and rent it out as a short-term vacation rental without contributing much to the local community or economy themselves.

The result of all this fast cash making is entire neighbourhoods in which only one out every five homes is lived in on a long-term basis. This causes a chilling effect: empty windows, little community participation and no familiar faces on your daily walk to the mail box. It also, of course, creates a higher demand for the fewer remaining long-term rentals, leaving us poor island folks to scrabble hard for a decent place to live.

And in case you're thinking that your neighbour's problems are not your own, remember that many local service providers are renters. Firefighters, waitresses, nurses, grocery store clerks, school teachers, actors and especially young families all need rental housing and they don't need to pay an arm and a leg for it. They also don't need to get kicked out in the summer.

Keeping a fair balance between individual rights and freedoms (especially for those who own land) and the overall health of the community is the challenge. Nobody wants to be told what they can and can't do, yet for the good of us all, some really tempting things should not be done, or only done a little. Remember, no 'man' is an island, especially when you live on one. Each of our decisions impacts others and the environment and since quality of life is so much more than having enough money, we all need to take care.

Book Review No. 2

The Matter of Sylvie by Lee Kvern

Reviewed by Emily McIvor

The Matter of Sylvie is warm and vibrating with life. It is a story of family tragedy and learnig to cope with pain. The story is about Lloyd, Jacqueline and their four kids. Told by turns in the voices of Lloyd, Jacqueline and eldest daughter, Lesa, the matter of Sylvie is unraveled with excruciating delicacy.

Sylvie is the second of Lloyd and Jacqueline's loved and longed for children; the one whom they cannot care for. Her needs are overwhelming. We go up against the wall with Jacqueline as she does her best just to keep Sylvie safe in the face of Lloyd's absence. His work for the RCMP, alcohol use and other women steal him away from his family when they need him most. Jacqueline loves him though and as he tells his own story and that of one of his most needy subjects, we come to love him too.

Lesa, now in adulthood, lives out the anguish of both her parents' addictions as well as the confusion of a child whose little sister becomes institutionalized. She is bright and lucid however, and it is through her that we finally resolve the matter of Sylvie as well as her imperfect parents.

This book expanded my mind. I came through it loving each of the characters and having intimately shared an experience which I might otherwise not have the chance to: the pain of giving up a child. The texture of the writing is seductive, the insights shared with patience and good humour and despite the anguish of the characters, its atmosphere is lively and coursing with hope.

Penny Loves Wade; Wade Loves Penny Book Review

Penny Loves Wade; Wade Loves Penny, by Caroline Woodward is a big adventure and a lively story: one of increasingly few these days in which things actually happen. Plot is important to this book, and during the reading of it, I found myself, while busy with other tasks, yearning back to it, wondering about the next fate of Penny and Wade, the protagonists.

This book is highly regional; the Peace Country of Northern B.C. is described beautifully. There was great pleasure for me, in recognizing the highways on which Wade travels with his rig and sharing Penny's joy in canning peaches as well as her challenges, dealing with Evers, the creepy neighbour and a car that won't start. Even more important though, are the earnest attitudes of the characters. Penny's description of singing in the community choir: identifying her own species likeness to the “hub-bub. . .and mixed vocal tones” of the chicken coop and her surge of tears in the release of group singing is achingly honest and beautiful. Wade brings us with him as he passes in and out of consciousness while living on the road and being drugged, beaten, seduced and worse. We follow his ecstasies and horrors as innocent victims, subject to all his experience first-hand and sharing his inmost thoughts and reflections. Both of these folks try so hard to do the right thing and they question their own actions in a way which I found touching as well as uniquely Canadian.

Penny Loves Wade; Wade Loves Penny is a love story as experienced by separate individuals. Their devotion to each other is obvious, even as the characters themselves question it. Caroline Woodward has shared with us her sense of small-town, northern life and she has transmitted it with such delicacy and good humour, the effect is disarming.