DNV

Batteries Don’t Belong in the Trash

LVCA

Single-use household batteries should never be thrown in the general garbage or recycling bin because they contain hazardous chemicals and materials, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and lithium, which can be harmful to the environment and human health AND if not disposed of properly, batteries can explode or ignite fires in garbage trucks or waste facilities.

Alkaline (non-rechargeable) batteries are included in our province-wide recycling program provided by Call2Recycle. Batteries can be returned to participating retail stores, as well as some recycling depots and transfer stations.

Types of batteries accepted include consumer batteries used in items such as toys, remotes, flashlights and smoke detectors. Technical terms for these would be alkaline (AA, AAA, 9V), rechargeable (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-Ion), button cells, carbon zinc, lithium primary and small seal lead acid batteries.

What batteries can be recycled?
Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! manages the collection and recycling of single-use and rechargeable dry-cell household batteries (weighing up to 5 kg each). This includes e-mobility batteries used on devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters.

Not sure what type of batteries you have?

To learn about the different types of batteries that can be recycled and find the nearest recycling depot that accepts these batteries, visit: Recycle Your Batteries Canada!

The 2024 Parade of Trees Winner is …

LVCA

With the last ornament packed away. lights wrapped, carpets rolled up and the stands and sand bags tucked away for another year, we finally get down to the challenging task of counting the online ballots and announcing a winners for the People’s Choice Tree, Best School Tree and the Organizer’s Choice Tree. It took a bit of time to sort through the votes and tally up.

We know you’ve been eagerly awaiting the results so without further ado, here they are . . . *drumroll please*

The People’s Choice Tree:  Monika’s Art Boutique

Best School Tree: Eastview Elementary School

Organizer’s Choice Tree: Forest Fairy Books & Toys

A special thank you once again to our Partners: (click on the name to be directed to their websites)

District of North Vancouver RONA: BH Allen Building Center Ltd. Lynn Valley Village Twin Lions Contracting and Great Canadian Landscaping Company

And to you, our “You + One” Shining Stars”, your generosity is duly noted. (in alpha order)

Absolute Landscaping; Amphitrite Homes; Bailey Environmental; Bee Haven; Brockton School; Collingwood School; Dominque Canedo; Jeff and Jonny Donohoe; Kelsie and Morgan.com; Lynn Valley Counselling; Lynn Valley Life Group; North Shore Orthodontics; North Vancouver Recreation and Culture; Powerhouse Team; Spectrum Mother’s Support Society; The Grove and Zazou.

Our thanks to this great team who stepped up to take down, load up and chip up the trees Absolute Landscaping, we love you!

A special thank you to Gillian Konst and Stefanie Donohoe for their dedication, tireless energy and incredible positivity for making it all come together.

And a big thank you to all of YOU who pitched in to make this event come together – our sponsors and volunteers. It takes a community to make events like this a success.

PS Let us know if you want us to save you a tree for next year!

The District of North Vancouver has failed 2 generations of youth in Lynn Valley.

LVCA

For the past 24 years, Lynn Valley has been trying to get a Youth Centre for teenagers to have a safe place to gather, connect and have some fun. For those that were 13 years old in 2000, they would now be 37 years old and could have teenagers of their own.

Lynn Valley is one of the designated Town Centres in the District of North Vancouver, with one of the fastest growing populations in the District, yet there is a singular lack of investment for youth.

LVCA sent a letter to Mayor Little and Council outlining the funds that have been set aside, a timeline of action taken (or not) with call for Mayor and Coucil to ‘support and prioritize’ this long overdue project.

DOWNLOAD PDF: LETTER TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL

We were extremely happy to have this project put back on the agenda for council. With the increase of density and development, Lynn Valley is attracting more and more families. We want to make sure we have a vibrant, thriving community with engagement from ALL our residents.

DOWNLOAD PDF: THANK YOU LETTER TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL

The issue was picked up by the North Shore News giving Mayor Little opportunity to address our concerns. He said “It has a challenged past of finding consensus,”

For the full NSNews article click here: North Shore News “Why doesn’t Lynn Valley have a youth centre?”

Wastewater Plant Costs Soar

Cathy Kuzel

Currently, every North Vancouver taxpayer is now facing an unprecedented $21,000 tax bill due to cost overruns on the new wastewater treatment plant.

Councillor Pope is advocating for a public inquiry to investigate how this Metro Vancouver project spiraled to six times over budget and to ensure this kind of mismanagement doesn’t happen again.

If you’re concerned about the handling of this project and support the call for a public inquiry, we encourage you to make your voice heard. Please send your thoughts by emailing: council@dnv.org

We have stated our concerns at the September 23rd Council Meeting.

The letter as follows:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

September 23, 2024

Good Evening Mayor and Council

Lynn Valley Community Association asks that Council immediately requests a public inquiry into the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant fiasco. 

We had originally intended to speak in support of Councillor Pope’s motion requesting a public inquiry but we are frustrated to learn that this motion has been deferred until November 4th.   

Meanwhile, seven local city councillors representing five different cities have penned an open letter calling on B.C.’s auditor general to conduct an independent review of the facility’s finances. These Councillors are actively working to request transparency and accountability from Metro Vancouver, SPECIFICALLY regarding the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Why then, is the District of North Vancouver silent?

Metro Vancouver has appointed John J.L. Hunter, a former judge, who will perform an “independent audit”.   Such an audit is typically NOT a public document, and Metro Vancouver is NOT required to make it public. 

Every North Shore taxpayer is facing a massive and unprecedented $21,000 tax bill to pay for this boondoggle and Metro Vancouver’s incompetence.  North Shore taxpayers did not vote for this project, the entire Metro Vancouver board did.  Why then are North Shore taxpayers alone responsible for the cost over runs?  Why are all Metro Vancouver members not sharing the cost of this project?   

The project was to have been completed in 2020 at a cost of $500 million; it is now stalled and is more than 6 times over budget.

Still we have no idea how or when this project will be completed.

Questions that need to be answered by a full public inquiry include:

  • Why did Metro Vancouver award a full “Design and Build” contract to Acciona instead of doing a proper design project first before issuing a completely separate contract to build the facility?
  • Why was Metro Vancouver not aware of all the site issues before the design and build contract was awarded?
  • Why wasn’t Metro Vancouver monitoring Acciona’s progress before things got so far out of Metro Vancouver’s control?
  • Is the current “estimate” of $3.8 billion to complete this project, including out of court settlements, accurate?   Or will Metro Vancouver reveal more cost overruns and court settlements?

Clearly, Metro Vancouver’s Board and staff have mismanaged this project, leaving North Shore taxpayers on the financial hook, with no accountability for those responsible for the mismanagement.

This is not acceptable.  Only a full public inquiry is acceptable to determine how and why this project was so badly mismanaged and to ensure such incompetence is not repeated. 

A public inquiry needs to happen now.  North Shore taxpayers need Council to act now. 

The other municipalities and organizations that constitute Metro Vancouver need to know how badly Metro Vancouver has failed.  They too should demand a public inquiry into this fiasco.   Their municipality could be next. 

We request Council petition for a public inquiry IMMEDIATELY. 

Gillian Konst

President, Lynn Valley Community Association

DOWNLOAD PDF

2024 All Candidates Meeting Oct. 7th

LVCA

All Candidates Meeting
Monday, October 7th at 7:00 – 9:30pm
Hillside Baptist Church, 870 Lynn Valley Road

Mark your calendars for the All Candidates Meeting ahead of the Provincial election on October 19th! This is your chance to hear directly from the candidates, ask questions, and learn more about their platforms. No need to register—just show up and join the discussion. It’s a great opportunity to get informed and have your voice heard before election day!

What is an All-Candidates Meeting?
At an All-Candidates Meeting, residents have a chance to hear from the candidates, evaluate
political platforms, and ask questions about current issues. All nominees running for MP in a
particular district are invited to gather and share their views. These events are non-partisan,
meaning all political parties are invited and attendees get to hear about the issues from many
different perspectives. The focus may be broad and cover a range of issues, or be focused on
an issue of particular importance to the hosting group.

Dogs, People and Parks

LVCA

In keeping with the guidance in the Parks and Open Spaces Strategic Plan 2012, the North Vancouver District is working to continue developing guidelines for parks and trail planning that promote safety and enjoyment for all.

They have heard many comments and requests from the community that relate to dogs in District Parks. Along with a desire to create new opportunities to recreate with dogs in parks, they also hear about conflicts relating to interactions with dogs, waste management, environmental concerns and more.

The District wants to hear from you whether you are a dog owner or not.

This survey will take about 15 minutes to complete all sections. Most questions are optional so you don’t have to answer every question, however, click through to the end of the survey to ensure your responses are submitted.

Deadline DECEMBER 5TH.

https://www.dnv.org/parks-trails-recreation/dog-plan

DNV Urban Tree Canopy Project

LVCA

A more diverse and healthy urban tree canopy will help us take action against climate change and increase biodiversity and wildlife habitat.

Plant a tree, make a difference.

The DNV is enhancing the urban tree canopy by giving free trees to homeowners, and plants or shrubs to people living in apartments and condos, as part of their Urban Tree Canopy Project.

Program history

The DNV invited residential property owners to participate in the inaugural Urban Tree Canopy program in 2021. 

In 2022, they expanded the program so those living in apartments or condos could receive a plant or shrub for their balcony. This year’s program offers a variety of tree and shrub species: cedar, fir, dogwood, shore pine, big leaf maple, willow, Nootka rose, woolly sunflower, tall Oregon grape, and Douglas aster.

To date, District residents have received 689 trees and shrubs to plant and help grow our tree canopy. 

The Urban Tree Canopy program is run in partnership with Coast Salish Plant Nursery and the Wild Bird Trust. Funds from the environmental compensation fee account were used to run the program.

Register today!

https://www.dnv.org/community-environment/urban-tree-canopy-project

To get your free plants, fill out the online linked above before Sept. 15, 2023. All plants are available while supplies last.

How the program works

If you own or rent a home in the District, you can apply to receive three trees and/or three shrubs for free, depending on your available space.

To request your free plants, fill out the online form linked above before September 15, 2023.

All plants are available while supplies last. DNV will be providing substitutions if any plant species run out.

After you submit your request

You’ll receive a confirmation email after submitting the online form. They will also email you approximately two weeks before the plant pick up days (Oct. 21 and 22) with more information about pickup times and parking, etc.

Picking up your trees or shrubs

You can pick up your plants at the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area (2649 Dollarton Hwy) on October 21 or 22, 2023. If you’re unavailable on the days above, and are unable to have someone else pick up your plants, email iwantatree@dnv.org to arrange a different time

If you’d like to know more about the native plants being offered, and which ones are suitable for your yard or balcony, refer to the plant information sheet (PDF file link) and by visiting the website to view videos on the program, how to choose, how to plant and care for your plants and so much more@

Meet Me at the Gallery

LVCA

Are you a Senior? Love art? Love meeting new people?

Meet Me at The Gallery is a daytime art program at The Polygon Gallery dedicated to enriching the lives of seniors in our community with monthly get-togethers inspired by the gallery’s current exhibitions.

Visitors are invited to drop-in on the first Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am to make new connections with art, and each other! A different activity will greet visitors every month, with social time to follow.

Admission is by donation, free for members

For more info and registration visit: https://thepolygon.ca/event/meet-me-at-the-gallery/

Annual Youth Awards

LVCA

Youth Awards nominations are open!

Do you know an exceptional young person who is working hard to make life better for themselves, their peers, or the community?

Maybe they’ve overcome personal challenges or obstacles… or maybe they’ve made a significant achievement in academics, sports, or music… or maybe they’re doing volunteer work to help make the District a better place to live, work, or play.

Whatever the accomplishment, celebrate it with a Youth Award.

Each year, awards are given in four categories:

Youth Recognition Award

For young people who have made great personal strides, overcome personal or societal barriers, or demonstrated great skill in music, academics, art, or sports.

Youth Community Enhancement Award

For young volunteers who have made positive contributions to the community by providing at least 75 hours of service on a committee, or by working with a local organization or group.

Outstanding Youth-Friendly Business/Supporter of Youth Award

For a person or business that did an exceptional job in hiring or training youth, providing opportunities to youth, or providing funding, support, or services to young people. 

Outstanding Youth Team Award

Recognizes a group of young people (ages 10 – 24) who have completed a minimum of 50 hours per person of community (or school) service to enhance programs or services in their school or community.

Nominations Deadline is March 13, 2023 @11:59PM PST

For more information and how to nominate that special youth, go to: Annual Youth Awards