Ken MacLeod sat in the mayor’s chair while Larry Jangula highlighted some of the retired teacher’s contributions to the community during a presentation Monday at Courtenay council.
When he was teaching in Vancouver, MacLeod coached more than 60 sports teams.
“I’ve always believed in youth,” said MacLeod, who started coaching peewee football when he was 16.
During retirement in Courtenay, the historian/musician has entertained at rest homes, and helped organize numerous productions, Robbie Burns dinners, Remembrance Day ceremonies and Evergreen club activities such as karaoke. He also composed a power point presentation on the history of Courtenay.
MacLeod has received a commendation from Veterans Affairs Canada, and a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
“Building community has been Ken’s lifelong goal,” said Jangula, who presented MacLeod with a certificate of appreciation.
•Council approved a motion from Doug Hillian to posthumously convey upon Randy Wiwchar the award of Freedom of The City, and to look into naming a street in his honour.
Wiwchar, the City’s long-time director of community services, passed away June 9, 2016.
Hillian notes that Wiwchar devoted numerous hours organizing the 2015 Courtenay Centennial Celebrations, which Randy considered “a perfect way to end a great career, planning a huge celebration for the city he loved and all the citizens that make Courtenay such a wonderful community.”
•Council approved a second Hillian motion to consider a pole painting project on Fifth Street. The idea is to involve residents in “turning their hydro poles from an esthetic liability into a community asset.”
While the Complete Streets project is nearing completion on Fifth, the hydro poles remain standing.
“I think it’s a creative solution,” Coun. Rebecca Lennox said.
•Council approved third reading of a business licence amendment bylaw to include regulations related to cannabis production and retail sales. The federal government has legalized cannabis effective Oct. 17. Since new uses potentially create nuisance complaints and increased need for staff resources, City staff recommends a $2,500 annual licence fee for storefront cannabis retailers, and a $5,000 fee for cannabis production facilities.
•Council approved second reading of a zoning amendment to permit a 26-lot residential subdivision at 4100 Fraser Rd., next to the Ridge development. A public hearing about the bylaw will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 19 in council chambers.
•Council is invited to participate in a ceremonial pole raising Oct. 27 at the Centre for the Arts plaza at the art gallery.
The Comox Valley Art Gallery Society has been working with the City and K’ómoks First Nation to develop a culturally significant plaza renovation. The first phase of the project is to unveil two welcoming poles and an Indigenous plant garden at the base of each. The poles were created by artists Karver Everson and Randy Frank under the mentorship of master carver Calvin Hunt.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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