2021 Archive

Hello Community,

A community member has reported suspicious dead birds and a deer with no signs of physical harm, please take care to watch our pets and children on the trail off Nikolas by the kids park. We have reached out to City of Langford to investigate and will keep you posted.

From City of Langford:

Please be advised that from Tuesday, February 23, 2021 until Friday, March 26, 2021 Milestone Excavating will be continuing their upgrades on Bear Mountain Parkway and installing an automatic traffic signal to handle the single lane alternating traffic at all hours (including overnight) during the week, with traffic flowing as normal over the weekends. A traffic control personnel will be on site in case of emergency.

Delays may be expected, motorists please be aware. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Hello Community,

BMCA is in the process of refreshing our page and we could use your help. We need pictures that reflect Bear Mountain and the community we live in, please send high resolution submissions to bmcommunityassociation@gmail.com. We plan on increasing the FAQ and making better use of news/events/message postings, any additional suggestions are welcome!

http://www.bearmountaincommunity.com/

-BMCA

Hello Bear Mountain Community.

A friendly reminder, because we anticipate snow this weekend, the importance of appropriate tires and to drive with care.

We have also received complaints of drivers passing school buses while stopped with red warning lights flashing. It is illegal for an important reason, to protect child safety, and that also applies when vehicles are approaching from the opposite direction. This issue isn’t unique to Bear Mountain (https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/01/despite-covid-19-lockdowns-american-roads-are-getting-much-deadlier). Buses are equipped with cameras and to enable the school district to notify the RCMP of incidents, the Goldstream News Gazette just released an article:

https://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/school-bus-driver-laments-motorists-pass-while-red-lights-are-flashing/

As did CTV:

https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2124874

Drive safely and have a great weekend!

-BMCA

2020 Archive

Hi Bear Mountain Community,

Just to let you know, the elves of Mt Finlayson were busy today.

In preparation for New Years and to honor our legendary front line workers in BC, a red/white lit heart flashing on Mt Finlayson until after the New Year arrives.

Happy New Year

Relf, Senior Elf

A Bear Mountain Christmas Story

Check out the Santa Beacon on Mt Finlayson.

Here’s the Story

Regards
-Elf

A number of years ago, on Christmas Eve, a single tree, covered with Christmas lights suddenly appeared on the top of Mt. Finlayson.

This lit Christmas tree now shows up every Christmas Eve.

We have received the following information from a reliable source and long-term resident.

So, here is the story behind this mysterious and surprising sight.

Christmas lights on Mt. Finlayson, A Bear Mountain Christmas Story

From Relf, a long-time resident elf of Mount Finlayson

“As I see it, the trouble started years earlier, but early Christmas morning 2012, the problem came to a head.

As most everyone already knows, the last place Santa delivers presents, before heading home to the North Pole, is southern Vancouver Island and in particular, Bear Mountain.

The unfortunate fact is that Santa’s’ eyesight is not as good as it used to be and Rudolf’s’ nose is not as bright and on the trip home that fateful December 25th 2012 night, the crew headed off course and ended up in Siberia. Nowadays you don’t want to be flying around, unannounced, anywhere in Siberia.

The crew eventually arrived home to the North Pole. But, Mrs. Claus was worried sick and not at all happy.

And so, on November 3rd, 2013, Mrs. Claus sent a letter to the legendary Elves who inhabit Mount Finlayson. She requested that they set up a navigation beacon to direct Santa home. The Elves designed and built a beacon in the shape of a Christmas tree with a blinking star on top. The tree was oriented to point precisely in the direction of the North Pole. The beacon is lit at dusk on Christmas Eve and stays on until Santa heads home in the early morning hours.

This beacon has guided Santa and the reindeer back home ever since, safe and sound, and in record time.”

A BIG THANK YOU to our resident volunteers

Over the last 3 years, the Bear Mountain Community Association has installed 9 dog waste stations throughout the community. As this is a community initiative, installation, maintenance and waste management is done by your Bear Mountain neighbors. Many of these volunteers are not even dog owners!

So let’s give a big Bear Mountain THANK YOU! to:

Jim Armstrong
Bob Flitton
John Milligan
Cyrus Lim
Warren Armstrong
Joe Matuska
Michel Lavigne
Brigitte Nielsen

Dear Residents,

A snowfall warning has been issued for Monday December 21st in higher elevation areas:  https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?bc43#122906432758944577202012200502ws1171cwvr

The City reminds all residents of Bear Mountain that mud and snow tires are mandatory October to March. Any vehicles abandoned on the Parkways are subject to tow at the owners expense. If you have tenants in your home, please make sure that they are also aware of this requirement.

If plowing is required to clear side streets, we ask that residents and tenants park in their garages and driveways to allow the plows to get around most ideally.

Drive Safely!

Thanks

Langford Engineering

Hello Community,

City of Langford has advised of a upcoming delays on Bear Mountain Pkwy:

https://www.langford.ca/EN/meta/departments/engineering/bear-mountain-parkway-ultimate-project-flint-avenue-to-marble-place.html

Please be advised that from Monday, December 14, 2020 until Friday, June 25, 2020 Milestone Excavating will be upgrading Bear Mountain Parkway between Flint Avenue and Marble Place. Bear Mountain Parkway will be reduced to single lane alternating traffic between 7:00am and 5:00pm. Traffic control personnel will be on site.

Delays may be expected, motorists please be aware. We apologize for the inconvenience.

-BMCA

Hello BMCA members,

City of Langford Parks is hoping to connect with residents that may have an interest in invasive plant removal on Bear Mountain. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Shelby Newcombe at snewcombe@langford.ca

We are also very fortunate to have activities at Ponds Landing. In case your regular commute does not take you through the area, the City of Langford has planned activities including:

  • Outdoor Skating
  • Wreath Making Crafternoons
  • Horse and Carriage Tours
  • Colouring Contest
  • Mistletoe Walk

Find more at:

https://www.langford.ca/EN/main/lifestyle/events/calendar/122020.html

Happy holidays!

– BMCA

IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE

Non-Golfers are reminded to please KEEP OFF the golf courses.

Be remindful that golf courses are not a safe environment for non-golf traffic.

Please understand that you are putting yourself and our maintenance crews in danger and at risk for injury when you use the golf courses for activities such as walking or running.

Thank you for your cooperation.

More seasonal activities from City of Langford!

Hello members,

City of Langford is doing a fun drive around map this year and residents are being asked to participate if they’d like. Please see attached circular for details if you are interested in adding your home to the list!

Cheers,
BMCA

Hello Community,

Please remember to safely store garbage and minimise attractants, this photo was taken on Hannington Rd 8PM just last night.

At Bear Mountain there may be sightings of a bear and cougar(s) on the resort and hiking trails. Please use extra caution when walking around the resort, and in case you need a refresher in what to do.
If you should encounter a black bear, it is recommended to:

  • Identify yourself
  • Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
  • Pick up small children immediately.
  • Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears.
  • Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).
  • Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.
  • Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
  • If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. -Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.
  • Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
  • Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.
  • Further to the foregoing, we have been requested by Ministry of Environment officials to remind staff and residents that bears are attracted by food.  For extra safety, please be remindful, and remind family, friends and work colleagues, that it is critical to leave all waste food or food products stored indoors and not in outside garbage containers.
  • And when hiking or in the forest, make noise and they will generally avoid you. Try to never come upon them unexpectedly. The animals have been here longer than we have and have caused little difficulty through the years that we are aware of, but extra caution living or working on the edge of the forest should always be foremost in our minds.

And if you should encounter a cougar, it is recommended to:

  • Stay calm and stand your ground.
  • Maintain direct eye contact.
  • Pick up any children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.
  • Back away slowly.
  • Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.
  • Raise your voice and speak firmly.
  • If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.
  • If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any other items available.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Hello members,
Thank you to those who have generously signed up, we are fortunate to have such a wonderful community. With that said, we have many more donors than children! While many of us may be comfortable with door-to-door activities, some members are less able to participate but would still love to see smiling children. We’ve also decided to extend registration out to October 28, just let us know if you would like to help brighten someone’s day.
BMCA

Hello members,

Our first snow advisory of the season has aired, a friendly reminder to switch to snow rated tires if you can!

Weather warnings for snow blanketing nearly all of southern B.C.

BMCA

Please see attached advisory for distribution to your members for this week in the Millstream Road corridor.

Assume that these lane closures are in effect 24/7 until end of day Friday October 23rd.

If this changes we will advise the public through our traffic notice.

Thanks

Langford Engineering

Download PDF Notice

Immediate notice 12:10pm Tuesday October 13

A gas service has been hit on McCallum road at Millstream road

Fire crews are on site however lanes on McCallum are closed and the signal light has lost power

Please avoid this intersection and the Millstream overpass until further notice.

Langford Engineeeing

*** Update @ 1:26pm ***

Signal lights have been restored and lanes are back open, some delays remain as traffic clears

BMCA

In lieu of traditional trick-or-treating, the Bear Mountain Community Association will help facilitate a socially distanced candy exchange. If you would like to participate, simply tell us:

1) How many children and/or houses you would like to deliver candy to

And/or

2) How many children would like to participate

BMCA will randomly connect treat donors with parents. From there, it is up to you to coordinate where, when, and how to drop-off. We certainly don’t want to leave candy out; our neighbourhood racoons are already well fed! 🦝

If you would like to participate, simply contact us by October 24. Contact introductions will be sent out October 25 bmcommunityassociation@gmail.com

Our webpage http://www.bearmountaincommunity.com/

Or find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BearMountainCommunityAssociation/

Hello Community Member,

Your Bear Mountain Community Association has noted recurring questions and collected information for both new and established residents, as attached.

Please feel free to share as you see fit, let us know if there is anything you’d like to add

This will be added to our to our web page (http://www.bearmountaincommunity.com/) and on FaceBook (https://www.facebook.com/BearMountainCommunityAssociation)

– BMCA

Download Information Guide

Please be advised that the City of Langford has to shut off the signals at the intersection of Millstream Road and McCallum Road on Monday and Tuesday October 5th and 6th from 8am to approximately 8pm.

This work is being completed during daylight hours to safely relocate the signals to accommodate the new laning that is nearing completion on McCallum Road at Millstream Road

The intersection will be set to 4-Way flash but traffic control people will be at all intersections letting traffic through.

This work will be coordinated with the City’s work on Florence Lake Road such that there are no lane closures on Florence Lake Road before 9am or after 2:30pm on those days (school and commuter hours).

Please plan your travels accordingly. We recommend that Bear Mountain residents and resort/golf course guests use the Leigh Road Interchange on Monday and Tuesday to avoid potential delays.

We apologize in advance as we near completion of both the McCallum Road Improvements and the Florence Lake Road Improvements.

Thank you

Langford Engineering
engineering@langford.ca

Dear Members,

The BMCA normally holds an Annual General Meeting. It is held annually at the end of June. With the COVID situation, your Board of Directors deliberated its options. Under the Bylaws of the Societies Act an AGM can be postponed until the following calendar year. It was decided to cancel the AGM for 2020, which was communicated to members in June 2020.

Four Directors chose to step down, during the 2019-2020 term. Under the Societies Act, The Board can replace outgoing directors during a term, outside of an AGM. In the absence of an AGM, at our July Board Meeting, four new directors were appointed to replace the outgoing directors. These are members who had expressed interest in being Directors during the term.

At the last Board of Directors meeting on August 11, 2020, Officers were appointed to replace the two officers who had stepped down.

Here is a summary of the Directors and Officers changes:

Outgoing Directors and Officers

Michel Lavigne – President
Jim Armstrong – Vice President
Ellen Obeler –
Tammie Enyurekli – Past Secretary

Incoming Directors

Evelyn Pollock – President
Terry Trace – Vice President
Jim Stobie
Cyrus Lim

Existing and Remaining Directors

Bob Flitton
Kyle Fuzi
Charles Lugosi
Joe Matuska – Treasurer
Brigitte Neilsen – Secretary
Bill Stafford – Past President

We apologize for not sending this note immediately after the August 11, 2020 meeting. We understand that this was partially reported in the Bear Mountain News.

We appreciate that paying BMCA members have the right to vote to elect Directors. We apologize if the above events are unusual and that paying members have felt left out of the process. The BMCA is hoping to get back to a normal process and hold a regular AGM in 2021.

In the meantime, please rest assured that the new Directors and Officers are extremely qualified, experienced and keen to serve you, the members of the BMCA. We are lucky to have them on board to dedicate their time.

Signed

BMCA Directors

Hello Bear Mountain Community Member,

Last week, a small group of Directors and Members organised an impromptu garbage pickup along the new Bear Mountain Parkway extension and collected a full truck of waste, thank you for your ongoing support of the BMCA!

This is in addition to ongoing road safety, dog waste bin, yard maintenance, and more ongoing initiatives detailed in our updated BMCA activity update.

None of this would be possible without your ongoing support and participation. Thank you for your optional $20 membership and donations at http://www.bearmountaincommunity.com/membership/

Please stay tuned for the next round of cleanup and future BMCA activities, members have asked to volunteer but we have some logistics to sort out to ensure a positive and healthy experience for everyone.

You can also follow us on Facebook!


What We Did in 2019-2020

Dear members,

One of you enquired whether there was a program in place either by Ecoasis or the City of Langford to deal with the proliferation of broom, an invasive species, brought to the island in 1850 by Captain Walter Grant. Way to go!

Ecoasis removes broom from the golf course lands occasionally. It is not without much effort.

Otherwise they do not have a program to remove it from the developable lands which they own.

Ecoasis doesn’t own all the land.

We are not aware for what other developers which own other parcels on Bear Mountain are doing.

Here is the position of the City of Langford. See highlights.

https://www.langford.ca/EN/meta/departments/parks-and-recreation/invasive-species.html?media=mobile

Invasive Species

Invasive species are an ecological and economic threat to a resource-based economy like British Columbia’s. Langford’s economy is not based upon resource extraction, but that does not mean that invasive species are not a hazard to our citizens, pets, and local wildlife.

Invasive plants, such as the giant hogweed for example, can be toxic to the touch for both humans and animals. This particular plant can cause severe skin rashes and even blindness if exposed to a victim’s eyes.

The City of Langford is actively removing invasive species on two fronts. First, aquatic invasive weeds from Glen, Langford and Florence Lakes are removed by a Weed Harvesting machine during the summer months with the approval of the Ministry of the Environment. As well, the City assists residents who voluntarily remove broom throughout the City by arranging free pick up of the harvested materials for disposal. At this time, the City of Langford has no formal policies or procedures regarding other invasive species and does not remove them from private property. Residents are respectfully asked to take responsibility for clearing invasive species from their property to prevent the spread of the species to neighbouring environments.

Although the City does not remove invasive species, we refer residents to two very informative websites. Both sites are operated by BC non-profit groups who compile information on invasive species and provide education to local and provincial governments and individuals.

Coastal Invasive Species Committee is a Vancouver Island-centric non-profit group that educates, informs, and provides solutions regarding invasive species in the region. Coastal ISC will not remove invasive species. Instead the committee operates as a resource for individuals to take action by providing contacts for qualified contractors.

Invasive Species Council of BC is a province-wide non-profit organization that educates people and other organizations about invasive species, funds research into prevention, and initiates and supports actions that improve the health of BC’s natural ecosystems. The Invasive Species Council of BC does not remove invasive species but provides the resources and knowledge to do so.

Here is a link to Scotch Broom information. https://www.coastalisc.com/scotch-broom/

In summary, it seems up to residents to remove broom from their own lands.

Could the BMCA organize efforts to organize broom pulling or cutting? I suppose we could.Something to keep in mind.

If one of you wants to spearhead efforts to arrange group pulling, and in the absence of a current program, the BMCA could at least spread the word at this point.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear members,

We enquired about the subject. The following update was received and is being shared with you FYI.

“Due to COVID the plant material was unable to be installed this spring, the remainder of this project has been re-scheduled for fall 2020.”

Cheers,

BMCA
Directors

Dear members,

We typically hold our Annual General Meeting, at the Westin Hotel, in June.

Given the COVID situation we have not scheduled it and will postpone it indefinitely until the situation changes.

In the meantime, it is business as usual.

Cheers,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

This is not something we typically do but here goes…

We have a member who is a first responder, with a new puppy. She is looking for someone who would like to share dog walking. She can walk dogs on her days off.

If you are interested, we can arrange to give you her contact information.

Cheers

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

Since the COVID-19 shut down, Ecoasis has been kind enough to turn a blind eye to resident traffic on the Mountain Course.  However, the Mountain Curse is reopening tomorrow and Ecoasis has asked the BMCA to circulate the attached message, reminding residents that the golf course facility is for golfers and maintenance crews only.

Thank you for observing their request.

Respectfully,

BMCA
Directors

Download the message here.

Dear Members,

One of our members reported a cougar sighting in the past few days on the cart path near Jacks Pub.

We are sending this (previously sent) as a reminder of what to do in the event that you spot a cougar.

At Bear Mountain there may be sightings of a bear and cougar(s) on the resort and hiking trails. Please use extra caution when walking around the resort, and in case you need a refresher in what to do…

If you should encounter a cougar, it is recommended to:

  • Stay calm and stand your ground.
  • Maintain direct eye contact.
  • Pick up any children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.
  • Back away slowly.
  • Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.
  • Raise your voice and speak firmly.
  • If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.
  • If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any other items available.

 And if you should encounter a black bear, it is recommended to:

  • Identify yourself
  • Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
  • Pick up small children immediately.
  • Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears.
  • Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).
  • Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.
  • Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
  • If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. -Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.
  • Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
  • Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.
  • Further to the foregoing, we have been requested by Ministry of Environment officials to remind staff and residents that bears are attracted by food.  For extra safety, please be remindful, and remind family, friends and work colleagues, that it is critical to leave all waste food or food products stored indoors and not in outside garbage containers.
  • And when hiking or in the forest, make noise and they will generally avoid you. Try to never come upon them unexpectedly. The animals have been here longer than we have and have caused little difficulty through the years that we are aware of, but extra caution living or working on the edge of the forest should always be foremost in our minds.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

We are dressing up our messages with The Sights and Sounds of Bear Mountain.

By Joe Matuska – Flicker making sawdust

At our 2019 AGM, we presented a Community Award to Jorge Munoz and Terry McRorie. These two gentlemen dedicated countless hours to improve the natural environment of Ponds East and West. Their efforts made a huge difference. Perhaps we can recognize actions of residents who are difference makers in our community, on a more regular basis.

In this spirit, let us tell you about Maria Manna, if you don’t already know. Maria a professional singer, sings from her balcony at Ponds East at 7pm every day, after the pot bangers are done. She belts out 2 songs every night, in recognition of the front line health care workers.  She publishes these performances on Facebook.  Check it out here.

You can hear her live from the back of the Ponds East building. Not that we are encouraging social gatherings! 🙂

Thank you Maria for community building.

We would also like to recognize members who made donations in addition to their membership fees. The proceeds will be used to install 2 additional dog waste receptacles. Some of these members will also be emptying the dog waste receptacles regularly / every 2-3 days. It’s a real commitment.

Thank you to Keith Walsh, Warren Armstrong, Carla Anderson, Andrew Robertson (our webmaster) and Wayne Wills for your donations.

We are up to 82 paying members.  We hope this can keep growing.

If you have stories to share about other acts generosity and community building, please share them as we would like to circulate them.

If you have photos that you would like to share about moments and activities in our community, please do so and we will showcase them in our emails.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

With the proliferation of dogs at Bear Mountain and especially with the increase of dog walking at this time, we would like to remind dog owners that dogs must be kept on leash at all times.

This is for the protection of people, of other dogs, of wildlife and of the environment.

Please be responsible and please help spread the message. Thank you for your support.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

We would like to wish you all a Happy Easter.

Regardless of your religious belief, Easter is a time to rejoice, celebrate the gift of life and embrace rebirth and the cycle of life.

Enjoy this spectacular day in our beautiful Bear Mountain paradise

If you are looking for new ways to spend the day, here are a few ides to fuel your mental health

  • Dance: Mark Kanumera – aka @mkik808 – is running daily dance parties live on Instagram at 2PM PST daily. When it’s over, he shares video of other people from around the world who were all dancing with you.
  • Museums: Tour a museum – or 12! – from home. These famous museums have virtual tours available online so you can dig into a world class cultural experience in your pjs.
  • Classes: Take a class with the best. Go to MasterClass and finally have the time to focus on something that fuels your passion, whether it’s entrepreneurship, cooking, writing and so much more.
  • Church: Researcher and author Brene Brown has started offering an “unofficial, unplugged and unapologetic” church service on Sundays on Instagram Live @brenebrown. If you’re missing connecting with your faith, this can be a great alternative.
  • Concerts: Check out this list of free, virtual concerts across all different genres. Some of the shows you can catch include: Ben Gibbard, Indigo Girls, and the Vienna Opera! Coldplay’s Chris Martin and singer John Legend also hosted their own Instagram Live concerts called #TogetherAtHome, linked here and here. Whether you want to listen along while you work, or make a family event out of watching it after dinner, free concerts are a great way to get your mind off of the tough stuff and find a little reprieve.

Stay well,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

One of the positive things resulting from this COVID 19 isolation period, is the number of people out and about in our neighborhood. It truly is wonderful to see so many people walking, running and cycling around Bear Mountain.  It gives us a greater sense of community and also allows us to notice who lives in our neighborhood.  On top of that, it appears that the vast majority of people understand and are very respectful of social distancing. Good job, keep it up, you are all beautiful and we are proud of you!

Here is a link to an article written regarding sidewalk etiquette that was motivated by the writers’ experience of walking the streets of New York City. Now THAT would be a challenge. We are fortunate to have more room to maneuver around others.

https://www.treehugger.com/health/sidewalk-etiquette-times-covid-19.html

This next link is very interesting and probably less obvious. We are not endorsing the validity of the study, but it seems to make a lot of common sense. It has to do with the slip stream effect. On the basis of these results the scientist advises that for walking, the distance of people moving in the same direction in 1 line should be at least 4–5 meter, for running and slow biking it should be 10 meters and for hard biking at least 20 meters. Also, when passing someone it is advised to already be in different lane at a considerable distance e.g. 20 meters for biking. Enjoy and please consider using these as a good suggestion.

https://medium.com/@jurgenthoelen/belgian-dutch-study-why-in-times-of-covid-19-you-can-not-walk-run-bike-close-to-each-other-a5df19c77d08

Stay well,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

Our Annual Golf Event has been cancelled this year due to COVID19.  It is a big part of the fund raising to keep our organization alive.

This year, we are depending on the Annual Membership Fee more then ever.

We currently have 392 people who receive our emails and who we consider members. Our distribution list continues to expand. That is awesome.

The membership fee is optional. We have received the annual $20 membership fee from 47 members in 2020.  Thank you!!  We appreciate your support.

You can support us here http://www.bearmountaincommunity.com/

Click on Become a Member (even if you are renewing from last year)

Our objective is to support and represent the community regardless of who pays; however, we need many more paying members to sustain the BMCA.

Download an updated document about the BMCA and our activities.

Thank you for your support.

Directors
BMCA

Dear Members,

If you use the new Bear Mountain Parkway extension, you have probably noticed the new Radar Speed Display. It was installed a few weeks ago. It is located between Riviera and the Pebble Drive pedestrian crosswalk.

It certainly catch driver’s attention and would seem to be an effective tool to remind drivers of their speed and the limit.

The BMCA would like to recognize and thank the Engineering Department of the City of Langford, for considering and responding to the concerns of the community and its residents in this matter.

Cheers and stay safe!

BMCA
Directors

Dear members,

One of our members alerted us to the following;

Update from Millstream Market:

“Due to unprecedented volumes we need to suspend our online site. There is limited amount of orders that we can take over the phone. Please call 250-381-6000 if you live in the downtown area of Victoria, and 250-391-1110 if you live in Langford;

Save-on Foods is encouraging their customers to shop in store because delivery and pick up time slots are very limited due to high demand.

Those of you in self isolation may want to ask neighbors and/or friends for assistance, if you cannot get it done online.

Thank you,

BMCA
Directors

Hello Members,

We hope that you are all managing these unique times without losing your mind.

Here are a few comments received in the past few days.

“900 Degrees is also delivering to the Mountain daily between 4:30 and 8:00 p.m. You may place orders by calling 250 590 4493”

“St Anthony’s Pharmacy, Rexall, Walmart, Superstore and many other pharmacies deliver.”

We called Millstream Market and Thrifty’s food to quash a rumor that they had stopped delivery due to staff being overworked. Indeed, it was fake news.

Millstream Market told us that they are busy but continue to deliver. They do reach capacity to deliver same day in some cases. Ordering on line and having the order ready for pick up by someone not in “self isolation” would take some pressure off the service.

Here is an article on hoarding. Good quote “you don’t need 500 cans of baked beans for 14 day isolation.  Its socially responsible not to hoard. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200304-coronavirus-covid-19-update-why-people-are-stockpiling

It’s probably clear by now that spread of COVID19 is not just related to travel but happening at the community level. This article reports that 44% of new cases are acquired in the community. So, its up to us to stop the spread at Bear Mountain.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nearly-half-of-canadas-covid-19-cases-now-acquired-through-community/

Hopefully, we are all making our best effort to practice social distancing, washing our hands frequently and avoid touching our mouth, nose, eyes without clean hands.

We will make it though this.

Be well.

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

Here are some comments received yesterday regarding delivery of essentials. Thank you.

“I have ordered from The Market on Millstream on 2 occasions for fresh produce and miscellaneous groceries.  They have been very busy but have delivered as promised….with some items out of stock but getting most of my order filled with substitutions.”

“This is an up to date link for the market on millstream https://express.themarketstores.com/

“Jack’s is making every effort to look after us during this crazy time. They are delivering on the mountain between 3-9 and the liquor store and coffee shop are all open (reduced hours). Support local!  Thanks Jack’s! “

“Costco have implemented a very efficient store entry practice. I went there yesterday and they have most things in plentiful stock. I did not witness any panic buying. “

“Quality Foods has an excellent online shopping system for delivery or pickup – however, they currently don’t have enough delivery times in service but are currently working on that. See their site: https://www.qualityfoods.com”

Someone asked if there are any Pharmacies which deliver. As noted in a recent email from the City of Langford and Forbes Pharmacy. “If medication or medical supplies are needed for the Langford residents, Forbes Pharmacy will be able to deliver products to homes.”

Be well and practice social distancing. It’s our best tool to shorten the impact of COVID19.

BMCA
Directors

Please take a moment to read through the information below about the COVID-19 Langford BC Response Team. This is a community driven initiative established by Forbes Pharmacy. They are here to provide assistance, help our community and keep you informed about the COVID-19 virus. 

This pilot project service has been made possible in part through the sponsorship by Mayor, Council and staff of Langford during this time of need.

Stay safe and help Flatten the Curve.

The Ecoasis Team

As previously announced, the COVID-19 Langford BC Response Team now has a phone line you can call. Our call centre (778-600-0240) will be taking calls seven days a week between 9am and 9pm.

Our team of Doctors, Nurses and Pharmacists are committed to ensuring everyone can access tools, advice, and resources without having to leave home, thereby decreasing the spread of COVID-19.

After a telephone consultation with a team member, you may receive advice on self-isolation/quarantine measures or be referred for a telemedicine consultation.

If medication or medical supplies are needed for the Langford residents, Forbes Pharmacy will be able to deliver products to homes.

In the meantime, remember to ‘flatten the curve’ by social distancing and hand washing regularly, and stay positive and pragmatic – we will fight this, and we will carry on.

Michael Forbes, BSc Pharm, MBA
Owner

P.S. – We have a Go Fund Me set up on our website to receive donations. Click the link here: http://covidlangford.com Sharing is caring, please spread the word and forward this email with website to your network! 

Dear members,

A little levity!

We accidentally parked our golf carts THAT far apart on 18 Mountain yesterday. Looked like about the right distance for social distancing.

Here is a real good article on the impact of effective social distancing, on how long we must do it for.

The Globe and Mail worked with researchers at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia to develop a set of scenarios based on a mathematical model of the epidemic.

If you are in a hurry, go right to the graphs!

It seems that the better we do it the quicker this will be over. Please pass it on.https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/technology/science/article-when-does-social-distancing-end-these-graphs-show-where-were-heading/

Stay well.

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

Things are awfully quiet up here on the Mountain these days.

In the event that returning snowbirds and others in self isolation are wondering about food supply delivery services, it appears that groceries stores including the Market on Millstream, Thrifty’s, and Save On Food have a delivery and pick up service for a small fee.

They will also get your order ready for pick up.

https://www.thriftyfoods.com/our-services/in-store-shopping-delivery

https://www.saveonfoods.com/shop-online-how-it-works/

http://dev.themarketstores.com/delivery/

And most of us are willing to pitch in and shop or pick up necessities for those in self isolation.

If any of you have thoughts, advice or experiences to share, please let us know and we will pass it on.

Stay well,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

In light of the current events relating to COVID 19, we will not be holding our annual Golf Event on the anticipated date of April 26, 2020.

We will reschedule once the situation is clearer.

We were considering taking our turn at promoting and encouraging appropriate behavior as it relates to COVID19; however, there is more than enough current information on all media to make informed choices.   Suffice to say, let us do our individual part to slow the spread in our community.

In the meantime, I hope you remain healthy and cautious through this uncertain period!

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

The Bear Mountain Community Association has received resident input regarding concern about speeding on Bear Mountain Parkway.

 As a result, the BMCA met with the City of Langford to discuss this matter.

The following summarizes the discussion points:

  • Speeding is a common issue and concern on roads in all parts of the city.
  • The City is sensitive to the issue and addresses it constantly.
  • They have undertaken a number of recent studies on both the existing and new portions of Bear Mountain Parkway.
  • The results indicate that speeds are within a prescribed measure of tolerance.
  • The prescribed measure of tolerance is that if 85% of traffic complies with speed limits, the signage and traffic controls are deemed sufficient.
  • The problem is the 15% who do not comply and are generally dealt with by implementing periodic radar checks.
  • At this point, there is little evidence to warrant additional speed controls, with a minor exception, specifically, a review of a Pebble crosswalk on the Parkway to determine if one is warranted.
  • Otherwise, the City will continue its ongoing monitoring of the situation.

 Having said all that, as we have all seen drivers who exceed the speed limit, we as pedestrians must remain vigilant.

The Langford Engineering Department welcomes feedback and I invite you to share any concerns you may have with them: Engineering@cityoflangford.ca 

Regards,

Michel Lavigne for BMCA Directors

Dear members,

The BMCA is looking for a volunteer to look after its website.

http://www.bearmountaincommunity.com/

The individual would add content and deal with any technical issues.

It is a very occasional commitment.

We use WordPress. Familiarity with the software is preferable.

Please reply to this email if you are the person in shining armour.  We will be eternally grateful for your time.

Cheers,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

This from the City of Langford…yikes!

Snow Forecast

Snow is in the forecast off and on over the next week or so. In the event that snow clearing is required, the City is asking that residents park all vehicles in garages or driveways so that the roads are as clear as possible to allow plows and emergency vehicles to access your areas.

Mud and snow tires are mandatory on both Bear Mountain Parkways. Please do not abandon any vehicles in driving lanes.

Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy the wintery weather!

City of Langford Engineering Department

Cheers,

Directors
BMCA

Dear Members,

We have received two messages from residents regarding black bear sightings on Friday, one on Echo Valley Drive and the other on Harrow Gate.

Although Black Bear sightings are not uncommon, it’s a good reminder that we live with wildlife and to remain vigilant.

As you know, Bear are attracted by garbage and it is an important practice to keep your garbage inside your home until the day of collection.

The following are best practices for bear and cougar encounters.

If you spot a bear:

  • Identify yourself
  • Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
  • Pick up small children immediately.
  • Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears.
  • Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).
  • Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.
  • Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
  • If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. -Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.
  • Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
  • Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.
  • Further to the foregoing, we have been requested by Ministry of Environment officials to remind staff and residents that bears are attracted by food.  For extra safety, please be remindful, and remind family, friends and work colleagues, that it is critical to leave all waste food or food products stored indoors and not in outside garbage containers.
  • And when hiking or in the forest, make noise and they will generally avoid you. Try to never come upon them unexpectedly. The animals have been here longer than we have and have caused little difficulty through the years that we are aware of, but extra caution living or working on the edge of the forest should always be foremost in our minds.

If you should encounter a cougar, it is recommended to:

  • Stay calm and stand your ground.
  • Maintain direct eye contact.
  • Pick up any children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.
  • Back away slowly.
  • Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.
  • Raise your voice and speak firmly.
  • If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.
  • If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any other items available.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

2019 Archive

To all Bear Mountain Association members,

Here is hoping that we don’t wake up to this scene here on our Beautiful Bear Mountain.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays wherever you are!

BMCA
Directors

A number of years ago, on Christmas Eve, a single tree, covered with Christmas lights suddenly appeared on the top of Mt. Finlayson.

This lit Christmas tree now shows up every Christmas Eve.

We have received the following information from a reliable source and long-term resident.

So, here is the story behind this mysterious and surprising sight.

Christmas lights on Mt. Finlayson, A Bear Mountain Christmas Story

From Relf, a long-time resident elf of Mount Finlayson

“As I see it, the trouble started years earlier, but early Christmas morning 2012, the problem came to a head.

As most everyone already knows, the last place Santa delivers presents, before heading home to the North Pole, is southern Vancouver Island and in particular, Bear Mountain.

The unfortunate fact is that Santa’s’ eyesight is not as good as it used to be and Rudolf’s’ nose is not as bright and on the trip home that fateful December 25th 2012 night, the crew headed off course and ended up in Siberia. Nowadays you don’t want to be flying around, unannounced, anywhere in Siberia.

The crew eventually arrived home to the North Pole. But, Mrs. Claus was worried sick and not at all happy.

And so, on November 3rd, 2013, Mrs. Claus sent a letter to the legendary Elves who inhabit Mount Finlayson. She requested that they set up a navigation beacon to direct Santa home. The Elves designed and built a beacon in the shape of a Christmas tree with a blinking star on top. The tree was oriented to point precisely in the direction of the North Pole. The beacon is lit at dusk on Christmas Eve and stays on until Santa heads home in the early morning hours.

This beacon has guided Santa and the reindeer back home ever since, safe and sound, and in record time.”

The City of Langford is making a call for assistance.

Langford’s tallest building at 11 floors, the Danbrook One building, apparently may have an engineering or design issue and it is suggested residents might consider immediately moving out, a difficult thing to do with Christmas looming.  

Langford’s Economic Development Committee, made up of volunteers of Langford, therefore invites you to join them in raising funds for the affected residents of Danbrook One during this difficult time.

Funds will be used to help cover out off pocket expenses (e.g. meals, gas, etc) incurred by tenants as they transition into their new temporary or permanent accommodations.

The request is to please pass this on.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/residents-of-danbrook-one-fund

Regards, 

Directors
BMCA

Dear Members,

You may notice, starting next week, that trees will be coming down on the median of the original section of the Bear Mountain Parkway.

The City of Langford in partnership with Bear Mountain is undertaking a Bear Mountain Parkway Landscape refurbishment project between Stone Gate and Champions Way. The project includes the installation of artificial turf in the centre median and upgrading the existing irrigation system. The project aims to improve aesthetics and safety, while reducing water consumption and yearly maintenance cost. The project will result in the loss of existing median trees due to their health, impact to infrastructure (cracking curbs) and spacing aesthetics. New median trees will be planted in early 2020 when weather is appropriate.

Construction starts Tuesday November 12th and will last 10 weeks (weather and holiday permitting). For safety of the workers traffic will be reduced to single alternating direction for the duration of the work.

If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Mogensen at 250-391-3795

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Good morning members,

The BMCA is helping to promote the following message from Ecoasis, as a safety reminder about walking on the golf courses.

Thank you for your cooperation.

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

We have been alerted by a resident of a cougar sighting around Spirit Ridge and Timber View. It has been reported to a Conservation Officer.

Here is a reminder…

At Bear Mountain there may be sightings of a bear and cougar(s) on the resort and hiking trails. Please use extra caution when walking around the resort, and in case you need a refresher in what to do…

If you should encounter a cougar, it is recommended to:

  • Stay calm and stand your ground.
  • Maintain direct eye contact.
  • Pick up any children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.
  • Back away slowly.
  • Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.
  • Raise your voice and speak firmly.
  • If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.
  • If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any other items available.

 And if you should encounter a black bear, it is recommended to:

  • Identify yourself
  • Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
  • Pick up small children immediately.
  • Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears.
  • Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).
  • Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.
  • Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
  • If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. -Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.
  • Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
  • Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.
  • Further to the foregoing, we have been requested by Ministry of Environment officials to remind staff and residents that bears are attracted by food.  For extra safety, please be remindful, and remind family, friends and work colleagues, that it is critical to leave all waste food or food products stored indoors and not in outside garbage containers.
  • And when hiking or in the forest, make noise and they will generally avoid you. Try to never come upon them unexpectedly. The animals have been here longer than we have and have caused little difficulty through the years that we are aware of, but extra caution living or working on the edge of the forest should always be foremost in our minds.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Hello members,

There are concerns regarding the condition of the median (the center portion) on the original section of Bear Mountain Parkway. There are trees that have fallen and been removed, irrigation lines are showing, and the soil level is not adequate. It is not up to the standard of the new Bear Mountain Parkway addition median.

One of our members requested information from the City of Langford and the BMCA followed up as well.

Corey Manton, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Langford provided the following information;

  • It is the responsibility of the City to plant trees, shrubs and install irrigation.
  • It is the responsibility of Ecoasis to maintain the median.
  • There is a plan in place to restore the median.
  • The plan will be like the standards of the median on the Bear Mountain Parkway etension.
  • It will involve installing artificial grass in the narrow sections, replanting trees and shrubs and replenishing the soil / mulch.
  • There is a budget to cover the cost to do half of the work in 2019 and half in 2020.
  • The project should be completed by December 2020.

Good news!!

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear members,

At our AGM on June 27, 2019 there was a question relating to noise and parking bylaws.

Below are links to the City of Langford’s (the “City”) website where you can review the Traffic, Noise Abatement.

Traffic bylaw: 

https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/traffic-bylaw-33.pdf

Expectations around parking practices on City roadways are outlined through various sections of the Traffic bylaw.  Some common areas of control can include, parking on a sidewalk, blocking or within 1 meter of a driveway and ‘on street’ vehicle storage (eg: vehicles are required to move every 72 hours or less).

Noise Abatement bylaw:

https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/crd-noise-abatement-961.pdf

Noise Evidence Log: 

https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/noise-evidence-log.pdf

The Noise Abatement bylaw does not rely on decibel measurements/readings collected by recording equipment, rather it is structured in a way which relies on a quantity of nearby persons identifying a particular sound as being problematic or disruptive to them.  Of note, the General Section appearing early in this bylaw considers the community standard or tolerance will be established by neighbours to the event or sound causing the disturbance (eg: loud music, shouting, late night noises, etc.).  Later parts of that same bylaw address more specific aspects.

It is important to remember that enforcement of this bylaw will rely on unified representation from neighbours to determine that a breach has occurred.  To assist you in providing evidence for enforcement of this bylaw, there is a link to a PDF document referred to as a Noise Evidence Log which, when completed by a number of individuals claiming they have been disturbed, clearly demonstrates an alignment of the disruptive events.

Reporting:  Reports of suspected violations of these bylaws can be made through email at enforcement@cityoflangford.ca or by calling City Hall during regular business hours at 250-474-0604.  The City cannot accept and act on anonymous complaints.  After hours calls can be made to 250-857-0400 however, these calls are to a mobile phone which will be answered if an Officer is on shift and able to take the call (eg: not in the midst of addressing another complaint at that moment).  There is a voice messaging feature on this line which is checked regularly during an Officer’s shift, or with no one on duty, it is checked at the beginning of the next shift.  If a call isn’t immediately answered, those residents calling should be sure to leave a voice message containing their name and address, the day/time/location and nature of the complaint or inquiry, and of course a number where they might be contacted.  The City does not return all voice messages.

Note that noise or parking complaints can also be relayed to the West Shore RCMP (250-474-2264 then Press ‘0’)  who have the same authority as bylaw officers to enforce noise or traffic issues.  Such contact with the RCMP may be useful or necessary during late night hours and where bylaw officers may not be scheduled to be on shift.

Thank you,

BMCA
Directors

Dear members,

The Bear Mountain Community Association (BMCA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 27, 2019 at the Westin Hotel.

We would like to thank Lillian Szpak our City of Langford councilor, Ryan Mogensen and Shannon Drew of Ecoasis for answering questions from the attendees.

We attach the minutes of the meeting for your reference.

There were a few questions posed to Ms. Szpak which were unanswered, but which she volunteered to follow up as follows;

Use of land at the old Quigg development site: The site formerly known as the Quigg development site and located at 2131 Players Drive is being used by a developer as a construction management office with accessory outdoor storage. The City of Langford has granted a Temporary Permit which expires on January 2020. All outdoor storage must be screened by a solid 6 ft fence.

There was concern about noisy parties and the inability to exercise control over them. The answer was that there is a noise bylaw in place. We received information once again from the City in this regard and will send it, along with a link to the bylaw, under a separate email.

What is the Evacuation Plan for our community in the event of wildfire? The answer is that there is a plan in place, and we will circulate details under a separate email.

As concerns BMCA business, a Directors Report was presented outlining the activities of the BMCA for the past 12 months, details of which are in the Minutes.

We also approved a Financial Report and elected Directors.

Your BMCA Board of Directors until the next AGM is made up of the following volunteers;

Jim Armstrong
Marjorie Brown-Watts
Tammie Enyurekli
Bob Flitton
Kyle Fuzi
Michel Lavigne
Dr. Charles Lugosi
Joe Matuska
Brigitte Nielsen
Ellen Oboler
Bill Stafford

Thank you to those who attended.

We look forward to serving our community and acting as its voice, in dealing with issues which affect its residents. We encourage you to contact us if you have any concerns or ideas which can improve our community and its spirit.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Download Meeting Minutes

Dear Members,

Given that we live in a natural area which we share with wildlife, the following information may be useful.

The BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) is a public safety provider focused on natural resource law enforcement and human wildlife conflict prevention and response.

Conservation Officer Services

Their Hotline is 1-877-952-7277.

You can use it to report wildlife conflict (bear and cougars) and injured wildlife. You can also use the number to report known or suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife or environmental protection laws.

Thank you.

BMCA
Directors

Good morning,

The Bear Mountain Community Association (BMCA) will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, June 27, 2018 at 7:00 pm at the Westin
Bear Mountain Hotel.

The general public is welcome. Members in good standing (who have paid their $10 annual due) can vote.

The agenda is as follows;

7:00 pm – Welcome

Guest speakers:

  • City of Langford Councilors – Lillian Szpak and Denise Blackwell – update on City activities
  • Ecoasis Representative – update on Ecoasis initiatives

8:00 pm – BMCA Business

  • BMCA Directors Report of Activities
  • BMCA Financial Report – Membership fee review
  • Election of Directors

9:00 pm End of Meeting

We hope you can attend.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

Further to the previous email about this topic we would like to offer the following additional information.

The info below is correct with respect to signalling when entering traffic circles or roundabouts.

  • Signal right if exiting at first exit
  • Signal left if exiting at third exit
  • No need to signal when entering if exiting at second exit (straight)

However, it is always recommended to signal right when exiting the circle regardless if it is the first , second or third exit. Look at it like this: A roundabout is essentially a four-way intersection with a rotary traffic island in the middle. Signalling where you intend to go, and when you exit, is best practice. These rules are consistent with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, where roundabouts have been used for decades to improve safety and traffic flow.

This link supports this approach  https://www.tranbc.ca/2017/10/03/why-signalling-in-roundabouts-is-so-important/

By the way, technically a traffic circle has 2 lanes or more. What we have on Bear Mountain are roundabouts!

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

Our 5th Annual Golf Event which was held on Sunday May 5th, 2019 on the Valley Course, was a rousing success. The food and weather were both excellent and the 70+ participants also seemed to enjoy the course conditions, the camaraderie and the generous prizes.

Thank you to Jim Armstrong and Bill Stafford, our fine BMCA Directors, for leading the charge on organizing volunteers, getting sponsors, coordinating with the Westin and more.

Thank you to Chris Curry, sales manager for the Westin Bear Mountain, who always does an amazing job ensuring all goes smoothly.

The list of volunteers and contributors is long and we appreciate the effort of all those who made the day go smoothly.

A big thank you goes to our sponsors who donated $250 each to have their names displayed.

Cheques and Balances – Bill Stafford – https://cabbookkeeping.com/

Sotherby’s International – Brad MacLaren – http://bradmaclaren.com/

900 Degree Pizza – https://www.900-degrees.ca/

Merit Travel – Ed Willis – https://merittravel.com/

Bentley, Siu, Redmond – Justin Redmond – http://bsraccounting.ca/

Crease Harmon – Charles Lugosi – http://creaseharman.com/

You Move Me – Patrick Ellison – https://www.youmoveme.com

Alpine Group – Stew Young – http://www.alpinegroup.ca/

Mullin DeMeo Work – Celeste Connell – https://www.realestatelawvictoria.com/

Maxxam Insurance – Bill Rai – https://www.maxxaminsurance.com/

AireServ of Greater Victoria – Dean Ford – https://www.aireserv.ca/greater-victoria

Pattison Subaru – Steve Wickware – https://www.jpsubaruvictoria.com/

Gordon N Gordon – Stew Gordon – https://gordonngordon.com

New West Development – Todd Halaburda – https://newwestdev.com/

Jack’s Place – Jody Twa – https://jacksplacebearmountain.ca/

Global Health Management – Warren Armstrong

Twist Hair Salon – Amanda Nguyen – http://twistsalon.ca/

A special big thank you to Ecoasis for a large donation, which went towards prizes and subsidizing the cost of golf for non- golf members.

In all we had over $5,000 of prizes which were either donated or purchased.

The objective of the golf event is to bring people together and to raise funds for the BMCA. The event winner, those 4 people who came in first is not important; nevertheles, congratulations to Robert Ko, Janet Park, Jane Kim and Leo Lee.

The BMCA has fixed costs of well over $2,500 per year to cover such things as Directors Liability Insurance, holding the Annual General Meeting, keeping our incorporation current etc. The remaining profits of roughly $2,000 will help fund more dog waste stations and any other special projects which arises in 2019 – 2020.

Thank you to the participants and we hope to see you next year.

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

As you know we have 3 traffic circles in our community on Bear Mountain Parkway.

The following information, which we received from the RCMP, is a reminder regarding the traffic flow rules for traffic circles.

The traffic act in B.C. does not specifically address traffic circles, therefore traffic circle should be treated like any other intersection, where there is no traffic signal or stop signs.

Keep the following in mind;

  • Yield to the traffic IN the circle
  • There is no need to stop unless the movement of your vehicle will impede the progress of a vehicle already in the circle
  • First come, first serve
  • If two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the car on the right
  • Traffic on Bear Mountain Parkway does not have the right-of-way over traffic entering from side streets
  • Signal as you would in other intersections
  • Signal left if going around to the left and signal right when exiting to the right
  • No signal means going straight
  • The principle is driver courtesy, let the other driver know what you are doing

We hope this is helpful.

Regards,

Directors
BMCA

At Bear Mountain there may be sightings of a bear and cougar(s) on the resort and hiking trails. Please use extra caution when walking around the resort, and in case you need a refresher in what to do…

If you should encounter a cougar, it is recommended to:

  • Stay calm and stand your ground.
  • Maintain direct eye contact.
  • Pick up any children, but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.
  • Back away slowly.
  • Do not run. Running triggers a chase response in cougars, which could lead to an attack.
  • Raise your voice and speak firmly.
  • If the cougar seems aggressive, raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.
  • If in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools or any other items available.

 And if you should encounter a black bear, it is recommended to:

  • Identify yourself
  • Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
  • Pick up small children immediately.
  • Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to bears.
  • Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).
  • Do NOT allow the bear access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the bear and make the problem worse for others.
  • Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a bear from accessing your food.
  • If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Bears can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. -Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.
  • Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
  • Be especially cautious if you see a female with cubs; never place yourself between a mother and her cub, and never attempt to approach them. The chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs.
  • Further to the foregoing, we have been requested by Ministry of Environment officials to remind staff and residents that bears are attracted by food.  For extra safety, please be remindful, and remind family, friends and work colleagues, that it is critical to leave all waste food or food products stored indoors and not in outside garbage containers.
  • And when hiking or in the forest, make noise and they will generally avoid you. Try to never come upon them unexpectedly. The animals have been here longer than we have and have caused little difficulty through the years that we are aware of, but extra caution living or working on the edge of the forest should always be foremost in our minds.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

In January 2019, we shared the results of our Short Term Rental (STR) Survey and advised that we would meet with the City of Langford to discuss our findings. The objective was to create awareness and ask them to consider creating Short Term Rental bylaws, to help address some of the negative issues which arise from STR.

We met with 3 City of Langford officials in March 2019;  Director of Planning (Mathew Baldwin),  Manager of Municipal Enforcement (Lorne Fletcher) and Councillor Lillian Szpak.

We presented our results and had a thorough discussion of the concerns which were raised by our residents.

Even though they were attentive and supportive of STR issues, the conclusion reached by the City is as follows;

  • There is no evidence that STR is a problem, as they receive no complaints specifically about this issue directly from residents.
  • There is no evidence that licensing is effective at reducing Short Term Rental.
  • Notwithstanding the fact that other communities are imposing controls, there are legal challenges in instituting bylaws that control rental terms and conditions due to the Residential Tenancy Act and Local Government Act.
  • The additional budgetary costs required to implement and monitor bylaws is not something that can currently be justified.
  • There are active by laws to deal with some of the problems which arise from STR.
  • They will nevertheless bring our concerns and the results of our survey at a Council meeting.

Since 80% of our survey respondents feel that the City of Langford should create bylaws to control STRs, it may be more effective if there is more than one voice reiterating the issues. Therefore, we encourage you to bring any issues relating to STR directly to your Councillor Lillian Szpak  (lszpak@cityoflangford.ca)

We also encourage you to use the current bylaws as a tool if STR issues such as noise, garbage, parking, security becomes a problem.

Traffic bylaw: 

https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/traffic-bylaw-33.pdf

Noise Abatement bylaw:

https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/crd-noise-abatement-961.pdf

Noise Evidence Log: 

https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/noise-evidence-log.pdf

Unsightly Premises bylaw:  Accumulations of debris or garbage at a property are managed under this Bylaw:

https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/crd-unsightly-premises-1887.pdf

Even though the City is not taking decisive action on licensing STR, we have escalated awareness of the issue at City Hall. The BMCA will continue to stay current on province wide action and continue to bring awareness to the City.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

January 19, 2019 email excerpt:

RE:  Bear Mountain Community Association (BMCA) Short Term Rental Survey

Dear members,

In September, the BMCA conducted a survey to determine how residents felt about Short Term Rentals (STR) on Bear Mountain. STR in this case is defined as renting for a period less than 30 days at a time, ie. Airbnb or VRBO.

Thank you for participating in the survey. The response rate of over 50% was tremendous!

The survey revealed the following;

  • # of respondents who;
  • offer their residence for rent (3%)
  • use STR while travelling (47%)
  • have experienced negative impact (54%) specifically;

o    parking (39%);

o    noise and disruptions (40%);

o    property damage (19%);

o    security (21%);

o    garbage (22%);

o    erosion of neighborhood feel (38%);

o    devaluation of property (25%).

  • have experienced positive impact (8%)
  • believe that STR activity should be controlled through specific STR bylaws (80%)

Due to the overwhelming number (80%) who believe that the City of Langford should create bylaws to control STR, the BMCA will share the results with the City and discuss the concerns of our residents. We will update you on the results.

In the meantime, there are existing Bylaws to deal with most of the STR issues.

We will shortly be sending you an email summarizing these Bylaws and including links to further information.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

We are holding our 5th Annual Golf Event on May 5th at 8:30 AM.

This is a fund raiser for our community association and a chance to get together with other residents.

It is a fun event. Golfers of all skill level are invited. You don’t need to have a team of 4. You can register as a single.

There will be a few skill prizes and lots of draw prizes.

Please come and join us.

You can register at www.bearmountaincommunity.com

We hope to see you there.

Dear Members,

A boxing Event is being held at the Tennis Center bubble next week from April 23 – April 27. This is a National Event promoted by Boxing Canada.

The www.boxingcanada.org link provides more details regarding dates and ticket information.

This is another unique event being held in our unique community.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

2019 Super Channel Championships

Dear Members,

Please see attached Notice from the City of Langford, regarding an extension at the south end of Leigh Road, allowing access to the Langford Parkway. Opening on Sunday April 7th at 9AM.

This will allow Bear Mtn residents to drive down the new Bear Mountain Parkway all the way south over the Leigh Road overpass to Langford Parkway to access amenities in the City’s downtown core.

BMCA
Directors

Download PDF File

Dear members,

One of our constituents has alerted us to an incident which happened to his puppy. The dog ate a discarded joint and proceeded to feel the effects of the marijuana. Unfortunately, the excessive dosage caused drug poisoning. He had to be taken to the vet and have his stomach pumped. $850 later, lesson learned. The vet indicated that this is becoming a recurring problem, as dogs are attracted to the smell and taste of marijuana. As a dog owner you may want to keep an eye on little Fido.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

The Bear Mountain Community Association (BMCA) has recently formed a Membership Committee, whose objective is to grow the membership and bring structure to the process. We encourage you to join and here’s why:

BMCA is the official voice of Bear Mountain residents. We engage with our members to inform, bring awareness to issues and find solutions.

The  Board of Directors meets monthly to discuss issues raised by residents such as traffic, parking, garbage, speeding, noise, wildlife, safety, bylaws, covenants, etc.

The BMCA takes on projects to address community issues including the;

-Dog Poop Abatement Project;

-Survey on the issue of Short-Term Rentals;

-Mail out to residents of certain areas as a reminder of special secondary suite bylaws and covenants.

There will undoubtedly be other projects which will require capital. We welcome donations to these projects.

We run an annual golf event to bring community members together and  to raise funds for the BMCA. Our 5th Annual BMCA Golf Tournament is May 5, 2019. Visit the website to sign up http://www.bearmountaincommunity.com/.

Members receive regular updates via email. Members are invited to identify issues or seek information through the BMCA website contact page or by direct email to bmcommunityassociation@gmail.com

Membership funds help cover ongoing costs associated with operating the BMCA such as insurance, registration, website maintenance, communications, special signage, mail outs and our AGM held in June. The membership period runs from January 1 – December 31 and the current fee is $10.

We encourage you to support your BMCA by paying your annual membership. You can pay by cheque, e-transfer, Credit Card or Pay Pal at http://www.bearmountaincommunity.com/membership/

We appreciate the participation of our members and are privileged to be able to contribute to the betterment of the community of Bear Mountain.

BMCA
Directors

Dear Resident,

Your Bear Mountain Community Association (BMCA) undertakes special community initiatives from time to time.

Bear Mountain is a dog friendly community; however, we have noticed a proliferation of dog waste and dog waste baggies scattered around our Bear Mountain community. It was decided that something must be done to resolve this issue.

Last summer a subcommittee of BMCA directors, headed by Joe Matuska, was formed and the Dog Poop Abatement Project was underway!

We initially requested the assistance of The City of Langford, hoping that they would contribute additional garbage cans in problem areas.  Unfortunately, the City informed us that their limited budget for new garbage cans (4 new ones per year in Langford) did not permit them to contribute receptacles. Their cost for each can is $2,500 and the monthly waste collection is $300.

The BMCA decided to take the initiative and the Dog Poop Abatement Project pilot program was launched last September.  Two collection stations consisting of a green metal waste container and signage mounted on a metal post were purchased and installed for $250 each. These were placed along the Bear Mountain Parkway – one behind the bus stop near Bishops Gate and the other between St. Andrews West and the new Cypress subdivision.

Sticks and Bones Dog Grooming (101-1335 Bear Mountain Parkway) as well as the Westin Bear Mountain subsequently donated $250.00 each to this project. Two additional Dog Waste stations were installed in November, the first in the courtyard by the Bear Mountain Market, the second across the Parkway from Ponds Landing East.

If you use the waste collection bags, please ensure they are placed in a proper waste container.

We are happy to report that the collection stations are well utilized. The cans are maintained twice per week by Sticks and Bones Dog Grooming and BMCA volunteers.  Dog waste baggies in areas serviced by the waste stations have almost entirely disappeared.

Given that the pilot program is a big success, we must now consider a long-term sustainable solution.

The BMCA has identified additional areas requiring dog waste stations, but we welcome your input, as this will help us demonstrate the need for these stations to the City of Langford.

Please email us at bmcatreasurer@gmail.com if you know of an area that would benefit from a dog waste collection station.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors

Dear Members,

As mentioned in our email of January 19, 2019, this email summarizes existing bylaws and provides further information regarding STR issues which may be encountered by residents.

Below are links to the City of Langford’s (the “City”) website where you can review the Traffic, Noise Abatement and Unsightly Premises bylaws.

Traffic bylaw: 

https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/traffic-bylaw-33.pdf

Expectations around parking practices on City roadways are outlined through various sections of the Traffic bylaw.  Some common areas of control can include, parking on a sidewalk, blocking or within 1 meter of a driveway and ‘on street’ vehicle storage (eg: vehicles are required to move every 72 hours or less).

Noise Abatement bylaw:

https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/crd-noise-abatement-961.pdf

Noise Evidence Log: 

https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/noise-evidence-log.pdf

There is a long list of restrictions in the bylaw and we encourage you to read through it if you have any specific concerns.

The Noise Abatement bylaw does not rely on decibel measurements/readings collected by recording equipment, rather it is structured in a way which relies on a quantity of nearby persons identifying a particular sound as being problematic or disruptive to them.  Of note, the General Section appearing early in this bylaw considers the community standard or tolerance will be established by neighbours to the event or sound causing the disturbance (eg: loud music, shouting, late night noises, etc.).  Later parts of that same bylaw address more specific aspects.

It is important to remember that enforcement of this bylaw will rely on unified representation from neighbours to determine that a breach has occurred.  To assist you in providing evidence for enforcement of this bylaw, there is a link to a PDF document referred to as a Noise Evidence Log which, when completed by a number of individuals claiming they have been disturbed, clearly demonstrates an alignment of the disruptive events.

Unsightly Premises bylaw:  Accumulations of debris or garbage at a property are managed under this Bylaw:   https://www.langford.ca/assets/Bylaws/Community~Standards/crd-unsightly-premises-1887.pdf

Property damage and security: These issues are not managed under a City bylaw.  Complaints should be relayed to the West Shore RCMP -250-474-2264.

Erosion of neighborhood feel:  There are no bylaws in place to deal with this issue.  The erosion of neighborhood feel is one of the reasons why a municipality may want to control and limit STR and this will be highlighted in our communication with the City.

Reporting:  Reports of suspected violations of these bylaws can be made through email at enforcement@cityoflangford.ca or by calling City Hall during regular business hours at 250-474-0604.  The City cannot accept and act on anonymous complaints.  After hours calls can be made to 250-857-0400 however, these calls are to a mobile phone which will be answered if an Officer is on shift and able to take the call (eg: not in the midst of addressing another complaint at that moment).  There is a voice messaging feature on this line which is checked regularly during an Officer’s shift, or with no one on duty, it is checked at the beginning of the next shift.  If a call isn’t immediately answered, those residents calling should be sure to leave a voice message containing their name and address, the day/time/location and nature of the complaint or inquiry, and of course a number where they might be contacted.  The City does not return all voice messages.

Note that noise or parking complaints can also be relayed to the West Shore RCMP (250-474-2264 then Press ‘0’)  who have the same authority as bylaw officers to enforce noise or traffic issues.  Such contact with the RCMP may be useful or necessary during late night hours and where bylaw officers may not be scheduled to be on shift.

During our first meeting with the City in April 2018, they indicated not having received enough complaints to conclude that STR was a problem in the City and furthermore they wanted to monitor the effects of licensing and bylaws freshly legislated in other municipalities in BC.

We will report on the results of our next meeting with the City. In the meantime, we hope that the current bylaws and the above information are useful to residents who are encountering negative issues with STR in our community.

Sincerely,

BMCA
Directors

Dear members,

In September, the BMCA conducted a survey to determine how residents felt about Short Term Rentals (STR) on Bear Mountain. STR in this case is defined as renting for a period less than 30 days at a time, ie. Airbnb or VRBO.

Thank you for participating in the survey. The response rate of over 50% was tremendous!

The survey revealed the following;

  • # of respondents who;
  • offer their residence for rent (3%)
  • use STR while travelling (47%)
  • have experienced negative impact (54%) specifically;

o    parking (39%);

o    noise and disruptions (40%);

o    property damage (19%);

o    security (21%);

o    garbage (22%);

o    erosion of neighborhood feel (38%);

o    devaluation of property (25%).

  • have experienced positive impact (8%)
  • believe that STR activity should be controlled through specific STR bylaws (80%)

Due to the overwhelming number (80%) who believe that the City of Langford should create bylaws to control STR, the BMCA will share the results with the City and discuss the concerns of our residents. We will update you on the results.

In the meantime, there are existing Bylaws to deal with most of the STR issues.

We will shortly be sending you an email summarizing these Bylaws and including links to further information.

Regards,

BMCA
Directors