questionnaire disclaimer -...

QUESTIONNAIRE DISCLAIMER At the request of SIC, the following questionnaire results were compiled by Savary property owner Robert Moore, with the aid of data analysis on-line. In the interest of maintaining transparency, we are releasing the results, with a caveat to the reader that SIC considers these results to be unrel iable as a representation of Savary opinion. SIC has concerns about leading questions that may have prompted the respondents' answers, and we are dissatisfied with the collection method that allowed for multiple submissions from individuals. Also, the number of respondents is only 176, which is too small a number to be extrapolated to represent al l of Savary. All quantifiable answers were tabulated (such as the 58% percent of respondents who favoured dust control on the main road). There were however many answers that were not included in the tabulation, because they were written commentary, which cannot be translated into data. SIC has summarized the comments at the end of this report, but cautions the reader that these comments can be misleading as they wil l not be read in context with the questions on which they were commenting. Due to the issues mentioned above, SIC will not apply the results of the questionnaire to our decision-making on transportation issues. We wil l continue to rely on our meetings with the Ministry of Transportation and the Savary public to guide our decisions. Savary Island Committee 2009-2010

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Savary Island Transportation Plan Questionnaire Administered by the Savary Island Committee 2007-2008, in advance of the July 19

th, 2008

Transportation Forum

Dear Savary Island Property owner, Please assist us in representing the views of Savary Island property owners at the July 19

th

Transportation Forum by taking half an hour to complete the attached questionnaire. Your response is important as it will help us determine priorities for the Transportation Plan, and the best approaches for its implementation, based on the views of property owners. The direct benefit of your participation in this survey will be ensuring that your views and priorities with regards to Savary’s transportation infrastructure are heard by the Powell River Regional District and the provincial government. Please be assured that your responses will remain confidential. Your suggestions and recommendations are sincerely appreciated, and we thank you for taking the time to fill out the attached survey. Responses would be appreciated by June 15 via one of the following methods:

a) handed in to a member of the Savary Island Committee, or b) mailed to: Savary Island Committee c/o General Delivery, Lund, B.C V0N 2G0

Responses received after June 15

th will be accepted, but due to the time needed to summarize survey

results, cannot be included in the results presented at the July 19th

Transportation Forum. Late responses will, however, be included in a later summary document. Thank you for your participation, The Savary Island Committee:

Barbara Graham (Area C) Jane Hungerford (Area A) Lowell Johnson (Area B) Jan Lindsay (Area C) Jack McGuire (Area C) Susan Poulos (Member at large) Harry Robertson (Area A) Rick Thaddeus (Area A) Ross Townsend (Member at large)

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Background

In 2006, the Savary Island Official Community Plan (SIOCP, Bylaw 403, 2006, available at http://www.powellriverrd.bc.ca/areas/area_a/ocp.html) was approved by the Powell River Regional District and the province. Section 6 of this document provided the objectives and policies related to Land and Water Transportation that were agreed to at that time, but little has been done to implement these plans. As property development has continued, so has the strain on the island's transportation infrastructure. The following questions relate to specific land and water transportation issue of relevance to the Transportation Plan.

In response to the following questions, please choose the ONE answer that best represents your view by placing a tick in the appropriate box.

Results are presented in % of N (176) I. Land Transportation Issues 1. Vehicle regulation views

A debate exists concerning whether Savary’s current transportation infrastructure should be adapted to accommodate more vehicles, or whether the number of vehicles should be capped

and/or reduced in order to preserve the island for non-vehicular uses.

Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following:

a. I am concerned about the growing number of vehicles on Savary.

Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Disagree Undecided

59 5 7 5 23 1 a. I am in favour of initiatives that would keep vehicle use on Savary at the current level.


15 8 6 9 55 6

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b. I am in favour of initiatives that would reduce vehicle use on Savary below the current level.


48 5 2 9 34 3

c. I am in favour of initiatives that would facilitate/allow an increase in vehicle use beyond the current level.


16 4 12 5 59 5 2. Transportation of vehicles to Savary One suggestion for keeping the status quo or limiting vehicle use on Savary is to add a

surcharge to barging of vehicles to the island (amongst other disincentives), making barging a vehicle more expensive than parking a vehicle in Lund.

Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following: a. I would support adding a surcharge to barging a vehicle to the Island.


45 4 1 5 43 2

i. I would support such a surcharge if the proceeds were used for barging derelict and/or unlicensed vehicles off the Island.


45 7 5 2 35 5

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ii. I would support such a surcharge if it was exempted for vehicles of permanent residents

and certain essential service vehicles.


26 10 5 11 45 3

b. I would support exploring the idea of a tax-funded parking lot in Lund as an alternative to

barging vehicles to Savary.


34 8 10 3 40 4

c. I would support prohibiting the barging of vehicles transporting building supplies to Savary

on weekends.


38 5 7 5 42 3

i. I would support such a prohibition during summer months only.


35 6 7 6 41 5 d. Please discuss any other suggestions/comments you have regarding vehicles on Savary: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

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3. Road Maintenance

Please answer the following questions with reference to this statement: Schedule C of the SIOCP breaks the island's existing roads into 3 classes, in order to assist the

Ministry of Transportation (MOT) in identifying priorities for road maintenance. Level 1 roads are

to be maintained “at a standard for reasonable all-weather access to all parts of the island”, with Level 2 and 3 roads maintained for access by emergency vehicles, land taxis, etc. Please refer

to Appendix (attached) for a map detailing locations of Level 1,2, and 3 roads.

Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following statements:

a. I think that Savary’s Level 1 (wharf to Indian Point) road is currently being maintained to the

suggested level.


27 10 3 12 45 3

b. I think that Savary’s Level 2 and 3 roads (all other roads) are currently being maintained to the suggested level.


25 11 9 14 37 5

c. If you agreed with either question (a) or (b), please skip to question (d). If you disagreed with either question (a) or (b), please answer the following questions: i. Increased levels of Ministry of Transportation maintenance is required.


48 10 1 1 4 36

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ii. Additional funding and equipment should be acquired by SIC to maintain existing roads.


19 10 9 5 30 26

d. I think that dust control measures are required in the summer on Level 1 roads.


58 16 10 2 10 5 e. Please indicate any other suggestions you have with regards to road maintenance: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

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4. New Road Construction/ Major Road upgrades

Please answer the following questions with regards to this statement: The Savary Island Official Community Plan allows for new road construction or major road upgrades “which significantly improve fire control access or increase public safety.”

a. In relation fire protection and emergency services, please indicate if you feel that your

property is poorly served with regards to any of the following: (check any that apply)

30 Access by fire trucks

31 Access to fire fighting water supply

29 Access by emergency vehicles

Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following statements: b. I think SIC should be pursuing public funds to upgrade Level 1 roads to minimum Ministry of

Transportation all-weather standards.


42 13 7 8 24 6

c. I think SIC should be pursuing public funds to build an alternate route between the wharf and Vancouver Blvd. (as put forth in schedule C of the Savary Island OCP).


21 10 13 7 41 9

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d. I think SIC should be pursuing public funds to develop a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle

trail running the length of the island.


46 15 9 5 23 2 e. I support only road upgrading, and not new road construction.


46 17 7 3 23 4

f. I am concerned that road upgrades and building will increase and encourage vehicle use on

Savary.


49 7 7 7 27 2

g. I am concerned that road upgrades and building will compromise the rural character of the Island.


50 4 6 7 31 2

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h. With regards to road upgrade options for the main road running the length of the island,

please indicate which of the following you would most support:

49 Maintaining the road at its current width

15 Reducing the existing footprint (ie. narrowing the road)

26 Adding more 2-way zones (ie. widening the road in some locations)

9 Creating a 2-way zone the full length of the road (ie. widening the entire road)

9 Other (please specify)

__________________________________________________

a. Department of Transportation standards suggest providing drainage ditches on major roads

(ie. the road running from the wharf to Indian Point), and providing culverts to divert flowing

water under a road. Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following statements:

i. I would support installing drainage ditches on both sides of the major road, along its full length.


13 9 17 5 50 6

ii. I would support installing culverts in areas of high water runoff to divert water

under roads.


42 19 4 5 24 6

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i. Paving the island’s roads has been put forward as a means to decrease road maintenance

costs, and to reduce or eliminate the need to grade the main road running the length of the

island, during the winter. Nevertheless, the concept of asphalt roads on Savary has long

been a contentious issue, as some property owners are concerned that paved roads would

interfere with the Island’s rural character. Please indicate the degree to which you agree with the following statements: i. Providing that asphalt would reduce road maintenance costs, I would support asphalt on

Savary’s main road.


25 7 3 4 60 1 ii. I feel that paving Savary’s main road would damage the Island’s rural character.


57 5 5 5 27 2

j. Please discuss any other initiatives you feel SIC should be engaging in with regards to road

construction and upgrades, or any other concerns you have regarding these issues:

____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

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5. Other land transportation issues

a. I think speed limits should be implemented on Savary using clearly marked signs.


50 17 8 3 18 5

d. I would support the removal of ‘abandoned vehicles’ (defined as vehicles left on a public road for longer than 72 hours).


53 11 4 3 28 2

e. I would support parking restrictions at the wharf area, along with dedicated wharf drop-off

and pick-up spaces, and spaces for emergency and essential services vehicles.


55 13 3 3 25 2

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f. I would support exploring the idea of a public transportation system on the Island.


28 21 14 5 30 2 Please provide suggestions for what this transportation should consist of/how it would run:

_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

g. Please discuss any other land transportation issues you would like to see addressed.

_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

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II. Wharf transportation Issues

1. I feel that the issue of traffic congestion on the wharf should be remedied through

improvements to the wharf.


35 16 13 4 24 8

2. I feel that the issue of traffic congestion on the wharf should be remedied through a form of

vehicular and pedestrian traffic regulation.


36 10 9 10 29 7

3. If you agreed with either question 1 or 2, please elaborate on specific improvements to the wharf, or on traffic or vehicular regulations:

_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

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4. Please discuss any other water transportation issues you would like to see addressed:

_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

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III. Resident vehicle use 1. Vehicle use

i. Do you own a dedicated Savary Island vehicle? Yes 30 No

ii. Do you bring a vehicle to Savary during selected months? Yes 18 No

If yes, please circle those months:

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

iii. Do you share a vehicle with neighbours? Yes 18 No

iv. If you answered yes to question i, ii, or iii, please answer the following: What do you use

this vehicle for? (please check all that apply)

Recreational use Yes 29 No

Construction (business) Yes 5 No

Construction (personal) Yes 26 No

Other business Yes 8 No

v. If you answered yes to questions i, ii, or iii, please indicate the level to which you agree with the following statement: My vehicle is my primary mode of transportation on the island.


22 6 2 2 14 54

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IV. General

1. Please rank, in priority order, your concerns regarding vehicles and transportation on the Island. Use numbers 1 through 10 to indicate priority, where 1 is greatest priority, and 10 is of least priority (using each number only once).

% % % % % 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Choice Choice Choice Choice Choice

7 11 11 13 14 Traffic on roads

2 6 5 10 10 Traffic on wharf

5 6 17 11 10 Dust on roads

11 12 8 9 7 Effects of vehicles on island

environment

13 11 11 11 8 The compromising of the rural

character of the island

4 6 6 11 13 Abundance of vehicles parked

near wharf

23 18 17 10 14 Safety of children/ cyclists/

pedestrians on roads

17 12 9 8 6 Condition of roads

5 10 5 4 3 Over-regulation of

transportation

11 2 5 2 1 Other (please specify)

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2. With relation to off-season occupancy, please indicate what percentage of the months

between mid-September and mid-June you predict your property will be occupied during the following years: ___ 2008 ___ 2013 ___ 2018

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3. Please indicate the area in which your property is located:

39 Indian Point/Sunset Trail

21 Mid-Island

16 Savary shores

15 Front

6 Mace Point/ South Beach

4. Optional: you may provide the following in order to help us analyse survey results by

specific geographic location

Please provide your family name ______________________________________________ and your Savary address: ____________________________________________________

5. Please add any additional comments you have with regard to Savary transportation issues:

_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________ This is the end of the questionnaire. Thank you once again for your time.

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SIC Transportation Questionnaire 2008

Summary of narrative comments from respondents The following written comments came from: Qty:

Indian Point/Sunset Trail 34 Mid-Island 36 Savary Shores 23 Front 30 Mace Point 11 Refused to Answer 1 Comments about Roads: First priority good road for fire truck & emergency vehicles 20 Separate emergency vehicles issues from general road policy 1 Don’t fix roads, will encourage speeding or more vehicles 19 Only fix the main road 1 Widen Vancouver Blvd, where dangerous or necessary 4 Pave roads 10 Need dust control 16 No dust control 2 Do not pave roads 10 Alternatives to asphalt 3 Develop bike trails 8 Concerned about speeding 8 Do not want speed signs 5 Need signs “slow down, you’re on Savary” 1 Want enforcement 1 Daily RCMP presence July and Aug 1 Owners should widen their own roads for emergency access 2 Rural roads better than Savary roads 5 Develop walking trails 4 Need more “pull outs” on roads 5 Do not need emergency access to all areas 1 Want fewer roads 1 Want better roads 4 Need an all weather gravel road for our tax dollars 2 Contract on-island road maintenance person 1 Rental bikes at various locations of island 1 Focus maintenance on problem areas 1 Close wharf hill road and extend Vancouver Blvd 2 Upgrade class 2 &3 roads 1 Roads to south beach area awful 1 Roads currently well maintained 1 Stop catering to the car 1 Property owners in Mid Island and beyond need vehicles 4 Roads should be graded monthly if needed 4 Roads should be graded 4 times a year 2

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Widen corners with poor sight lines 2 Don’t spend tax dollars, find affordable solutions 1 SIC should not buy road equipment 2 “Local” grading destroyed roads 1 Bikers & pedestrians have poor attitude about moving over 1 Need bike enforcement 1 Increase brushing = improved sight lines 3 Build “proper” roads (Savary has Trails) 2 Create “Savary Island Traffic Guidelines” - respect NOT regulation 2 No explosion of traffic – usually 0-2 vehicles passing length of island 3 No speed limits because no proliferation of signs 2 Lots of rural areas in BC with safe/paved roads 2 SIVFD to offer public rides in the ambulance to experience road cond. 1 Province should maintain roads, not SIC, we pay taxes 2 No signs, interferes with Island’s character 1 Roads/Parking cannot be legally or appropriately policed 1 MoT is using outdated map to classify roads 1 Why isn’t Tennyson designated for maintenance? 1 Why is there questions about an alternative road to the 1 wharf when the current roads aren’t maintained? 1 Doesn’t want dedicated pedestrian/cycling because these users 1 are the “only” deterrent to speeders 1 Don’t need speed limits if there were no vehicles 1 The roads need gravel 1 No cars = no maintenance 1 Roads aren’t properly graded 1 Put ditches & logs across roads to decrease traffic/speed 1 Do not support road upgrading or maintenance 1 Don’t use large crushed rock, hard on bikes & pedestrians 1 Comments about Parking: Need adequate parking at wharf 9 Enforcement and Towing 2 Volunteer compliance does not work 1 Allow for residents, construction workers & infirm 4 More free parking in Lund 2 Install ticket machines at wharf 1 Do not make laws that cannot be enforced 4 Restrict parking at wharf 4 No restrictions re: rights 5 No exemption for permanent residents 1 No parking along Malaspina 1 Restrict parking at barge 1 Increase parking at wharf 3

Design proper parking at wharf, doesn’t have to be an ‘eyesore’, can be designed to look nice 1 No longer sympathize with ‘Front’, they haven’t compromised 1 Don’t like people who don’t pay taxes parking at wharf 1

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Whoever hires contractors should provide alternative to parking at wharf 1 Restrict parking at wharf & ban everywhere else 1 Comments about Vehicles: Want vehicles restricted, or banned 5 Want fewer vehicles on Island 11 Less cars = less maintenance 2 Don’t think vehicles are a problem 1 Most vehicles are service vehicles not personal use 1 Most personal use vehicles sit on their property 1 Less vehicles in summer 2 If legal, who pays to remove abandoned vehicles? 5 Problem w/uninsured, unlicensed, poorly maintained vehicles 6 Remove derelict vehicles 3 Surcharges for removal of derelict vehicles 5 No surcharges 3 People should share vehicles 4 Land taxi too expensive, cheaper to bring vehicle 7 Land taxis are sufficient 4 No vehicle on island if not property or business owner 2 Remove abandoned vehicles at owners expense, if legal 5 1 wk instead of 72 hrs for vehicle to be considered abandoned 2 Workers should have short-term permit to have vehicle 2 Use ATVs & Golf carts, only if absolutely necessary 3 Provide free bikes, people can share 2 No ATVs & Golf carts 1 Barge & town parking too expensive so keep vehicle here 1 No Service Vehicles on weekends 1 Do not remove vehicle “beside” road & not “on” road 1 Want no cars on Island 2 People should be made to walk short distances 1 If one must have vehicle, move somewhere else 1 No rentals of scooters, etc. 1 Fully loaded vehicles brought, too lazy to unload at water taxi 1 Too much barging of vehicles to Savary 1 Read the OCP 1

Vehicle “permits” cheap/free for permanent/handicap/ commercial & expensive if not 1 Permanent residents, not summer people, have a right to own vehicles 2 Not legal to restrict vehicles, people have rights 1 Who decides whether or not there are too many vehicles 1

People are bringing over larger vehicles because roads are in such poor condition, too hard on small vehicles 1 No vehicles on island other than emergency vehicles and taxis 1 Taxi service should be limited for passengers & freight 1 Should be no uninsured vehicles or unlicensed drivers on road 1 Ban construction/heavy vehicle traffic on land trust 1

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Prohibit ALL vehicles (except land taxi & emergency) on weekends during summer from using any of the roads 1 Stop indiscriminate parking of vehicles 1 Convenient to bring vehicles in summer 1 Comments about Wharf: Want more control at wharf 10 Want a larger wharf 12 No bikes on the wharf 7 Dogs on wharf must be on leash 5 Want a second wharf 10 Need a second, or expanded, float at wharf 9 If redesigning wharf, make ramp longer 4 Have two ramps at wharf – one up and one down 1 Get rid of the wharf and make it the barge site 1 Widen wharf to 2 lanes 1 Allow land taxis only on wharf, & emergency vehicles 9 More dock space for boats & mooring buoys 1 Do not want a larger wharf 3 Add barge landing at the wharf 7 No unsupervised children on wharf 2 Concerned with water taxi congestion 2 Dredging required at the float 1 Relocate float if cannot dredge 1 Read the OCP 1 People at the wharf should stop whining 1 Onsite wharf managers July and Aug 1 Get kids, bikes and dogs off wharf 3 Dogs on leash on wharf 1 Build separate float for swimming 1 Land taxi should provide hand trucks at wharf 1 Reduce congestion on wharf by arriving >1/2 hr. before W.Taxi 2 Can’t even regulate bikes & dogs on wharf so how can traffic be regulated? 1 Another wharf at Indian Point needed if vehicles banned 1 Water Taxis should be staggered, same problem in Lund but there is space for 3 boats in Lund 1 Better use of wharf will decrease barging 1 Comments about Barge: Not legal to restrict private businesses 5 Restrict summer barge traffic to residents & service vehicles 1 Restrict barge traffic – June to Oct 1 No restriction on yearly barging of vehicles 2 Need better maintained boat launch at both ends of Island 1 Surcharge - $1000 (large) per vehicle to ensure removal 4 Tax vehicles brought to island and use money for enforcement 1 Tax will not effect the wealthy and hurt the regular person 1

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Make barge operators pay landing fee 1 Need barge landing at/on wharf 1 Only emergency vehicles & taxis allowed on wharf 1 Island ruined by too many lots therefore more people selfishly Driving all over island. Must reverse this immediately. 1 Need to control bikes & golf carts 1 Use barge landing at Indian Point 1 Barge operation is dangerous and disruptive 1 Barge puts beach at risk 1 Barge site should be severely restricted 1

NDP’s Moe Sihota to blame for barge site, should never have been approved 1 Support 7 day/week barge delivery in off-season & total ban in July and August 1 Should be other ways to get materials to Savary 1 Review barge landing area 1 Comments about Public Transportation: Want public transportation 22 Do not want public transportation 7 Public transport not sustainable 5 Want workmen shuttled to top of the hill 1 Wants competition for Land & Water Taxis 1 Co-ordinate all Public Transportation 2 Want water transportation to Indian Point 1 Want water transportation Powell River to Savary 1 Land Taxis need step stools for short people 1 Public Transportation not practical 3

Want small van to run from Indian Pt. to wharf with several posted stops, 4 X daily 1 Wants Island subsidized land taxi service 1 Consult with other islands who have public transportation 1 Want a golf cart bus system 1 Additional Comments: Questions too vague 2 Questionnaire not useful 2 Questionnaire badly written and waste of time 2 Questionnaire too long 2 Savary is a cash cow for PRRD 1 Savary taxes too high for service 2 Savary taxes not being used on Savary 2 Need transportation study by certified traffic engineers 1 Different owners have different needs for vehicles 1 Public transportation from Riggers in the evening 1 SIC has no credibility, authority or ability; stacked with “A” 3 Survey should have been mailed to everyone 2 No traffic, parking, barge issues in the off-season 1

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Want no strict rules for other 9 months of the year 1 SIC should follow up on encroachment issues 1 Bring BC Hydro to Island 1 Want Savary like it used to be – different, challenging 1 Like “no rules” want it kept that way 1 Water taxi has no PFD’s 1 Brackenwood propane vehicle parks in handicapped spot 1 Who decides results? (Hope not the person who wrote it) 1 If Land/Water taxi “better run”, would reduce vehicles on barge 1 Charge mooring fees for boats 1 Create a harbour with boat slips 1 Only prob. Is July 15-Aug.15 – don't make solution for 1 mo. prob. 1 Lack of Objective data (interview seasonable visitors w/cars 3 I like potholes (fun for cycling) 1 Only completed of questionnaire – WAY TOO BIASED 1 “Do-it-yourself pothole fixing – need materials 1 Why doesn't MOT clear trees from roads after windstorms? 1 Want to regulate something? How about no diving from wharf? 1

I am concerned that island politics has and will compromise the rural/rustic nature of the island – not improved roads 1

People inhabit Savary because it’s a place without a lot of rules and regulations. It's the people who behave like “traffic Nazis” who have changed the essence of the island – for the worse. 1

Expect good & fair governance for ALL Islanders not just the vocal ‘Front’ who seem to hi-jack every meeting with their barge/parking issue but refuse to ever compromise 1 Close the scooter rental 1 Need an evacuation plan in case of a major fire 1 Should be NO fuel sold on island 1 Island is over developed 1

4 questionnaires in the past 12 years, this will probably be ignored as well 1 There’s a lack of respect so more vehicles, parking, etc. 1 Keep Savary as natural as possible 1

questionnaire disclaimer -...

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