Letter to David Howe, January 13, 2016
To: Mr. David Howe, Director SGI/CRD
From; Association of Mayne Island Boaters
January 13th 2016
Dear Director Howe,
The Association of Mayne Island Boaters (AMIB) has existed on Mayne Island for 15 years. AMIB was founded to provide its members an opportunity to have access to boat ramps and dock facilities. The purposes of AMIB as outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws, is to:
1) Promote facilities, services and conditions for boating activities on and/or around Mayne Island for public use.
2.) Promote existing services, facilities and conditions that are conducive to the enjoyment of boating activities on Mayne Island.
3.) To promote boating safety, education and training for the benefit of all boaters on Mayne Island.
In the early years, AMIB realized the ramp at Village Bay was going to be closed. It didn’t take long for the members to fund and organize a volunteer work party to repair the ramp.
Fast forward to 2015. AMIB is still guided by the purposes of our Constitution and Bylaws. In addition to the Horton Bay dock being undersized, it is subject to an ongoing lawsuit involving the upland property owner and the Federal Government. The future of the Horton Bay dock is locked in limbo for at least another year until a Judge decides its future. We continue to promote and protect Miners Bay dock as it plays a crucial role for commercial and emergency access, however, without major funding in long-term investment, it is not a safe place to keep a small boat due to the damaging Ferry wake and strong currents in Active Pass.
AMIB, with 200 members, is one of the largest organizations on Mayne Island. Our members are informed and support the need for a new community dock. We have members who don’t own a boat but support the work we are doing in our community. A survey AMIB conducted last year counted 591 boats of all sizes kept on Mayne Island. Kayakers are joining in support of improving facilities and want to be a part of our activities.
Our November AGM, attended by 42 members, was the largest attended AGM on the Island. In 2015 we held 9 Boating education courses, a Bar B Q attended by 70 members, three boating rendezvous and a Christmas Social attended by 75 members. Our website is an excellent source of reference www.mayneislandboaters.org It is evident that we have the backing of a strong membership. One of our founding members, an avid boater, was nominated and chosen at the Lion’s Charter Night as Mayne Islander of the year for 2015. The Boating Association was only one of the important volunteer contributions she made to the community of Mayne Island.
The Anson Road project is recognized as an efficient use of community resources to meet our Islands’ needs. The Mayne Island Harbors Commissioner is following due process and working with the Island Planner, Islands Trust and CRD staff to complete an application to rezone the existing water lease to allow for a public dock. These are all positive steps that have given the boating community hope and encouragement.
Finally, Director Howe, we ask for your continued support despite the recent but small vocal opposition emerging on the Island. These individuals have little backing from the boating community. Nevertheless, the AMIB Executive, with support of its members, is staying focused and positive because we believe the facts and information have been accurately and transparently presented. We trust that due process will prevail toward a much needed dock at Anson Road for Mayne Island’s boaters and those visiting from neighboring Islands and communities.
Thank you for taking the time to read our thoughts and concerns,
Respectfully submitted by the Directors of the AMIB
Al Cannon, Director and Docks committee
Ian Sutherland, Director and Ramps committee
Bryan Westby, Treasurer and Education committee
Allen Slade, Vice President and Social committee
Peter Hansche, Director
Sharon Bunnin, Secretary, Memberships and Social committee
Cliff Kiyooka, Director, Social and Education committee and Webmaster
Scott Funk, Director
From; Association of Mayne Island Boaters
January 13th 2016
Dear Director Howe,
The Association of Mayne Island Boaters (AMIB) has existed on Mayne Island for 15 years. AMIB was founded to provide its members an opportunity to have access to boat ramps and dock facilities. The purposes of AMIB as outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws, is to:
1) Promote facilities, services and conditions for boating activities on and/or around Mayne Island for public use.
2.) Promote existing services, facilities and conditions that are conducive to the enjoyment of boating activities on Mayne Island.
3.) To promote boating safety, education and training for the benefit of all boaters on Mayne Island.
In the early years, AMIB realized the ramp at Village Bay was going to be closed. It didn’t take long for the members to fund and organize a volunteer work party to repair the ramp.
Fast forward to 2015. AMIB is still guided by the purposes of our Constitution and Bylaws. In addition to the Horton Bay dock being undersized, it is subject to an ongoing lawsuit involving the upland property owner and the Federal Government. The future of the Horton Bay dock is locked in limbo for at least another year until a Judge decides its future. We continue to promote and protect Miners Bay dock as it plays a crucial role for commercial and emergency access, however, without major funding in long-term investment, it is not a safe place to keep a small boat due to the damaging Ferry wake and strong currents in Active Pass.
AMIB, with 200 members, is one of the largest organizations on Mayne Island. Our members are informed and support the need for a new community dock. We have members who don’t own a boat but support the work we are doing in our community. A survey AMIB conducted last year counted 591 boats of all sizes kept on Mayne Island. Kayakers are joining in support of improving facilities and want to be a part of our activities.
Our November AGM, attended by 42 members, was the largest attended AGM on the Island. In 2015 we held 9 Boating education courses, a Bar B Q attended by 70 members, three boating rendezvous and a Christmas Social attended by 75 members. Our website is an excellent source of reference www.mayneislandboaters.org It is evident that we have the backing of a strong membership. One of our founding members, an avid boater, was nominated and chosen at the Lion’s Charter Night as Mayne Islander of the year for 2015. The Boating Association was only one of the important volunteer contributions she made to the community of Mayne Island.
The Anson Road project is recognized as an efficient use of community resources to meet our Islands’ needs. The Mayne Island Harbors Commissioner is following due process and working with the Island Planner, Islands Trust and CRD staff to complete an application to rezone the existing water lease to allow for a public dock. These are all positive steps that have given the boating community hope and encouragement.
Finally, Director Howe, we ask for your continued support despite the recent but small vocal opposition emerging on the Island. These individuals have little backing from the boating community. Nevertheless, the AMIB Executive, with support of its members, is staying focused and positive because we believe the facts and information have been accurately and transparently presented. We trust that due process will prevail toward a much needed dock at Anson Road for Mayne Island’s boaters and those visiting from neighboring Islands and communities.
Thank you for taking the time to read our thoughts and concerns,
Respectfully submitted by the Directors of the AMIB
Al Cannon, Director and Docks committee
Ian Sutherland, Director and Ramps committee
Bryan Westby, Treasurer and Education committee
Allen Slade, Vice President and Social committee
Peter Hansche, Director
Sharon Bunnin, Secretary, Memberships and Social committee
Cliff Kiyooka, Director, Social and Education committee and Webmaster
Scott Funk, Director
