Welcome to Lake Flashback. Reporter Sarah Simpson has been combing through old newspapers with the assistance of the Kaatza Station Museum and Archives so we can jog your memory, give you that nostalgic feeling, or just a chuckle, as we take a look at what was making headlines this week around Cowichan Lake in years gone by.
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This week around the Cowichan Lake area…
10 years ago
"Report reveals rising living wage in Lake Cowichan" was the top story on the front of the May 20, 2015 Lake Cowichan Gazette.
"Social Planning Cowichan will be releasing the annual update to their Living Wage Report at the beginning of next month, and early numbers show that the living wage for residents of Lake Cowichan has continued to rise much faster than inflation. According to the report, the living wage across the Cowichan Valley has experienced a 50 cent increase from 2014, taking it from $17.05 to $17.55 per hour.
"The 2.9 per cent increase is double that of inflation, which rose by only 1.2 per cent over the same period. Social Planning Cowichan began calculating the Cowichan Valley’s living wage in 2010, when it was $15.81. The living wage is calculated by combining all expenses for a model family of two parents and two children, including food, housing, transportation, health care, childcare, clothing and other expenses, and determining the hourly wage each parent would need to earn in order to pay those expenses without accruing debt, working multiple jobs, or relying on outside assistance."
Another story was "Ts’uubaa-asatx hope to reintroduce traditional language to community".
"The local Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation is hoping to start a new educational program that would see their native language reintroduced to the community. While they are still awaiting funding for the program, the weekly classes could be starting as soon as next month.
"As no band members in Lake Cowichan are fluent in the language, the program would see elders from Duncan and elsewhere in the Cowichan Valley make their way to Lake Cowichan to pass on their knowledge. Ts’uubaa-asatx operations manager Aaron Hamilton said that interest within the band has been growing, and estimated that 80 per cent of members had an interest in at least gaining a grasp of their traditional language.
“'I want to be realistic with what the expectations are,' Hamilton said."
25 years ago
"Bears wake up looking for food" was the big headline on the front of the Lake Cowichan Gazette of May 17, 2000.
"In the woods, bears are waking up from their winter hibernation and they have one heck of an appetite. This year, an abundance of garbage is threatening to cause an unnecessary confrontation between man and nature. A group of four bears has moved into a neighbourhood in Meade Creek. One bear has even broken into a garage to get at stored apples.
"'The residents aren't really doing enough to help the situation,' says Conservation Officer Ken Broadland. 'Some people view putting the bears down as a solution rather than doing the little things.' The idea infuriates Broadland who says the bears are only showing up because of 'human stupidity'."
Another story was: "Council meeting or Union Hall revival?"
"Lake Cowichan's Town Council meeting was turned into a Union Hall revival last Tuesday as IWA Local 1-80 president slowly whipped up a tense crowd of workers and community members worried about the shutdown of the Youbou Mill. TimberWest is close to announcing a sale of the mill to JS Jones. When the deal happens, the Youbou mill will close and some of the employees will be offered jobs at a Nanaimo mill that JS Jones is also looking at acquiring. Along with Youbou's mill, TimberWest has packaged Tree Farm License 46. JS Jones is in need of a fibre supply for its current mills.
"'It is with a deep sense of sadness that I'm here today,' said Routley, commenting that the mill has managed to make money even though it has only been given 'garbage logs' while the best wood from the area is exported."
40 years ago
"Prosperity Forecast" was a front page story on the Lake News of May 15, 1985.
"The forest Industry will recover to provide jobs and prosperity again, predicted Barbara Wallace as she and a group of other MLAs, including NDP leader Bob Skelly helped plant 3,000 Douglas firs back of Shawnigan Lake last Friday. Mrs. Wallace said she participated in public hearings on the preceding day at which experts bad been optimistic about the future of the province's forest industry.
"'It's the B.C. government that is not optimistic,' she said. She made no comment as to when recovery will take place. It is necessary to plant more trees now and to invest in a provincial silviculture program, both of which have been neglected by the government, she said."
And finally, "Teachers get new contract" was another story.
"The School District 66 has reached an agreement with its teachers that will cover the 18-month period between Jan. 1, 1985 and June 30, 1986. The Lake Cowichan Teachers Association and the trustees reached the settlement May 1. Both groups ratified the agreement May 6. There are 71 teachers working for School District 66, and of these 68.95 are classified as 'full-time-equivalent' teachers. There will be no salary increase for teachers this year until June 30, when a one per cent raise will be paid. Increments will be paid according to the agreement."
