Community Articles
General News · 9th December 2024
Mark Vonesch
Hi Everyone,
As we step into the Christmas season, I am reminded of the incredible strength and resilience of our community. Together, we have accomplished so much, and I am inspired by the passion and commitment everyone brings to the challenges we face.
I’m excited to share some of the recent news from my role and what’s happening on Cortes and at the Strathcona Regional District.
Cortes Island Advisory Planning Commission (APC)
The role of an APC is to provide advice and recommendations to the Regional Board on matters including official community plans, zoning, development variances and temporary use applications.
Thank you to the following community memebers who applied to sit on the Cortes Advisory Planning Commission:
Amy Bockner, Darwin Olmstead, Tammy Collingwood, Romney Shipway, Andrew Paul Vine, David Kelly Ewart, Jeramie Ellingsen, Dwayne Lotnick, Kate Maddigan, Gabriel Dinim, Carrie Saxifrage, Elijah McKenty, Rochelle Fairfield, Bruce David Ellingsen , Annie Louise Rosenberg, Nicolas Gagnon, Kevin Peacey, Dina King, Amy Robertson, Mark Ordeman, Jacqueline Mathieu, Shirley Agopsowicz, Michael O'Donnell, Howard Nielsen, Kai Harvey, Rebeka Carpenter, and Michael Jon Taylor.
It was a difficult choice with so many great applicants and the board recently approved my motion to have the following people take these volunteer leadership positions:
Romney Shipway, Bruce Ellingsen, Amy Robertson, Kevin Peacey, Michael O'Donnell, Kai Harvey, Amy Bockner, Kate Maddigan, and Elijah McKenty.
I trust in this group's ability to work well together, with varying viewpoints and experiences, and to ultimately make recommendations that support the best interests of our community. Thank you for your service!
Cortes Island Zoning Bylaw Review Process:
This continues to be a significant opportunity for us to evaluate our current zoning bylaw and make recommendations for change. This bylaw controls how land can be developed on Cortes, including how many dwellings, the size of additional dwellings, and how land can be used for home, rental, and short term rental housing.
Last Week Strathcona Regional District staff shared a draft of proposed regulations and definitions which can be found here:
https://srd.ca/cortes-zoning-bylaw-review
It’s important to know there is still time for input, which you can email to planningsrd.ca (CC me so I’m aware! mvoneschsrd.ca) or fill out this online form:
https://srd.ca/feedback-cortes-zoning-bylaw-review-project/
Next steps will incorporate further feedback to create a full bylaw draft that will be presented to the Electoral Areas Service Committee for consideration, the SRD Board, and a public hearing.
Grant in Aid:
In the latest round of Grant in Aid, we had $58,500 worth of applications to consider. A volunteer jury convened by the Cortes Island Community Foundation made recommendations that I presented to SRD Directors at the Nov 24th board meeting . My motion to fund the following projects was passed unanimously:
Friends of Cortes Island:
Dillon Creek Wetland Enhancement Program - $6000
Cortes Radio Society:
Cortes Island Resonance Project - $5000
The Linnaea Farm Society:
Environment Art for Children Program - $3,000
Cortes Community Health Association:
After School Youth Programming - $4500
Parent Advisory Council:
Accessible Hot Lunch Program - $4000
The Cortes Museum & Archives Society:
"From the Ground Up" exhibition - $2,500
Cortes Island Academy Society:
FOLKU Cortes Literacy Programming - $3,000
Thank you to all of the organizations that applied with such great projects. Click here to see the staff report that includes details of all the projects that applied:
https://agenda.strathconard.ca/SRDAttachments/SRDBoard/Open/BRD-IN/27-Nov-24/20241114-GIA-AREA-B---COMBINED.pdf
Let me know if you are interested in sitting on the jury for the next round of applications in 2025. We are looking for people who care about the community and do not sit on the board or are employed by the non profits applying to the funding.
Cortes Community Works Funding:
Since 2016 there has been a bylaw at the SRD to allocate gas tax funding (now called Community Works Funding) to the electoral areas on a per capita basis. This equates to $60,000+ per year for much needed infrastructure and capital projects on Cortes Island.
Since I have been in this position we have used $20,000 on upgrading the water system at the Gorge Hall, $140,000 to the Cortes Housing Society for an access road into the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing development, and another $50,000 is in the works for a potential new sports court (basketball, pickleball, tennis) beside the skateboard park.
There was a recent motion at the SRD board asking for a staff report on re-allocating these funds to regional initiatives, which set off alarm bells for the Electoral Area Directors. Like every community, we need every infrastructure dollar we can get.
I’m glad to report that after extensive debate and some heated moments, the motion was defeated in quite a dramatic way. See how it all went down here:
https://cortescurrents.ca/srd-motion-fails-rural-areas-retain-sole-use-of-gas-tax-funding/
Cortes Island Vital Signs:
The Vital Signs survey results are in and they paint a powerful picture of what it means to live here. The report is a strong tool to illuminate areas where our community thrives and identify the aspects that need our collective attention and effort to make it better.
It’s an easy report to read with great graphics and charts. Check it out here:
https://cortesfoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/CICF-Vital-Signs-Report-12-5.pdf
Let’s make everyone’s Christmas merry
I’ve learned that close to 10% of households on Cortes Island need access to the food bank at least once during the year. 50+ households access this crucial service and, similar to communities across Canada, this number has grown significantly over the past couple of years. No one should go without healthy food and your support can make a real difference in the lives of families struggling on our island.
Please take a moment and join me in making a donation:
https://www.cortesfoodbank.ca/ways-to-support
Thank you for trusting me to serve you. I love this job and I encourage you to reach out with your ideas, concerns, or just to say hello.
Sign up to my newsletters here:
https://www.cortestogether.com/sign-up
With gratitude,
Mark
Regional Director
Cortes Island
mvoneschsrd.ca
250-202-4422
PS: Christmas party!
This Friday the school PAC is putting on a Christmas party at Manson’s Hall. Pull out your dancing shoes and dress to impress. This adult only event is going to be a tonne of fun. Principal Datura 🔥 and Miss Taylor 🔥 will be DJing, there’s a cash bar, amazing silent auction, and yummy treats. $20 tickets are available at all the stores.
As we step into the Christmas season, I am reminded of the incredible strength and resilience of our community. Together, we have accomplished so much, and I am inspired by the passion and commitment everyone brings to the challenges we face.
I’m excited to share some of the recent news from my role and what’s happening on Cortes and at the Strathcona Regional District.
Cortes Island Advisory Planning Commission (APC)
The role of an APC is to provide advice and recommendations to the Regional Board on matters including official community plans, zoning, development variances and temporary use applications.
Thank you to the following community memebers who applied to sit on the Cortes Advisory Planning Commission:
Amy Bockner, Darwin Olmstead, Tammy Collingwood, Romney Shipway, Andrew Paul Vine, David Kelly Ewart, Jeramie Ellingsen, Dwayne Lotnick, Kate Maddigan, Gabriel Dinim, Carrie Saxifrage, Elijah McKenty, Rochelle Fairfield, Bruce David Ellingsen , Annie Louise Rosenberg, Nicolas Gagnon, Kevin Peacey, Dina King, Amy Robertson, Mark Ordeman, Jacqueline Mathieu, Shirley Agopsowicz, Michael O'Donnell, Howard Nielsen, Kai Harvey, Rebeka Carpenter, and Michael Jon Taylor.
It was a difficult choice with so many great applicants and the board recently approved my motion to have the following people take these volunteer leadership positions:
Romney Shipway, Bruce Ellingsen, Amy Robertson, Kevin Peacey, Michael O'Donnell, Kai Harvey, Amy Bockner, Kate Maddigan, and Elijah McKenty.
I trust in this group's ability to work well together, with varying viewpoints and experiences, and to ultimately make recommendations that support the best interests of our community. Thank you for your service!
Cortes Island Zoning Bylaw Review Process:
This continues to be a significant opportunity for us to evaluate our current zoning bylaw and make recommendations for change. This bylaw controls how land can be developed on Cortes, including how many dwellings, the size of additional dwellings, and how land can be used for home, rental, and short term rental housing.
Last Week Strathcona Regional District staff shared a draft of proposed regulations and definitions which can be found here:
https://srd.ca/cortes-zoning-bylaw-review
It’s important to know there is still time for input, which you can email to planningsrd.ca (CC me so I’m aware! mvoneschsrd.ca) or fill out this online form:
https://srd.ca/feedback-cortes-zoning-bylaw-review-project/
Next steps will incorporate further feedback to create a full bylaw draft that will be presented to the Electoral Areas Service Committee for consideration, the SRD Board, and a public hearing.
Grant in Aid:
In the latest round of Grant in Aid, we had $58,500 worth of applications to consider. A volunteer jury convened by the Cortes Island Community Foundation made recommendations that I presented to SRD Directors at the Nov 24th board meeting . My motion to fund the following projects was passed unanimously:
Friends of Cortes Island:
Dillon Creek Wetland Enhancement Program - $6000
Cortes Radio Society:
Cortes Island Resonance Project - $5000
The Linnaea Farm Society:
Environment Art for Children Program - $3,000
Cortes Community Health Association:
After School Youth Programming - $4500
Parent Advisory Council:
Accessible Hot Lunch Program - $4000
The Cortes Museum & Archives Society:
"From the Ground Up" exhibition - $2,500
Cortes Island Academy Society:
FOLKU Cortes Literacy Programming - $3,000
Thank you to all of the organizations that applied with such great projects. Click here to see the staff report that includes details of all the projects that applied:
https://agenda.strathconard.ca/SRDAttachments/SRDBoard/Open/BRD-IN/27-Nov-24/20241114-GIA-AREA-B---COMBINED.pdf
Let me know if you are interested in sitting on the jury for the next round of applications in 2025. We are looking for people who care about the community and do not sit on the board or are employed by the non profits applying to the funding.
Cortes Community Works Funding:
Since 2016 there has been a bylaw at the SRD to allocate gas tax funding (now called Community Works Funding) to the electoral areas on a per capita basis. This equates to $60,000+ per year for much needed infrastructure and capital projects on Cortes Island.
Since I have been in this position we have used $20,000 on upgrading the water system at the Gorge Hall, $140,000 to the Cortes Housing Society for an access road into the Rainbow Ridge affordable housing development, and another $50,000 is in the works for a potential new sports court (basketball, pickleball, tennis) beside the skateboard park.
There was a recent motion at the SRD board asking for a staff report on re-allocating these funds to regional initiatives, which set off alarm bells for the Electoral Area Directors. Like every community, we need every infrastructure dollar we can get.
I’m glad to report that after extensive debate and some heated moments, the motion was defeated in quite a dramatic way. See how it all went down here:
https://cortescurrents.ca/srd-motion-fails-rural-areas-retain-sole-use-of-gas-tax-funding/
Cortes Island Vital Signs:
The Vital Signs survey results are in and they paint a powerful picture of what it means to live here. The report is a strong tool to illuminate areas where our community thrives and identify the aspects that need our collective attention and effort to make it better.
It’s an easy report to read with great graphics and charts. Check it out here:
https://cortesfoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/CICF-Vital-Signs-Report-12-5.pdf
Let’s make everyone’s Christmas merry
I’ve learned that close to 10% of households on Cortes Island need access to the food bank at least once during the year. 50+ households access this crucial service and, similar to communities across Canada, this number has grown significantly over the past couple of years. No one should go without healthy food and your support can make a real difference in the lives of families struggling on our island.
Please take a moment and join me in making a donation:
https://www.cortesfoodbank.ca/ways-to-support
Thank you for trusting me to serve you. I love this job and I encourage you to reach out with your ideas, concerns, or just to say hello.
Sign up to my newsletters here:
https://www.cortestogether.com/sign-up
With gratitude,
Mark
Regional Director
Cortes Island
mvoneschsrd.ca
250-202-4422
PS: Christmas party!
This Friday the school PAC is putting on a Christmas party at Manson’s Hall. Pull out your dancing shoes and dress to impress. This adult only event is going to be a tonne of fun. Principal Datura 🔥 and Miss Taylor 🔥 will be DJing, there’s a cash bar, amazing silent auction, and yummy treats. $20 tickets are available at all the stores.