Too often when British Columbians hear the term 'prosperity', the belief is that the rich are simply getting richer and the poor poorer. In fact, in a recent survey commissioned by the Business Council of British Columbia found 84% of British Columbians believed this to be true. While the reality may not be quite this stark, there is no question that many BC families have accumulated higher levels of debt and are under increasing financial pressure in their day-to-day lives.

Why should BC businesses care about this widely held sentiment in BC?

I receive a regular inspirational message in my inbox every morning. It's a great way to start my day. I see many more of these messages throughout the course of my day. They are everywhere. These encouraging statements are nothing new, one of my favourites drummed into my head by my mother - "Good Better Best, never let it rest, until the Good is Better and the Better is Best" - has served me well through school, business and my personal life.

I recently read an interesting article about filtering these sayings into Glass Half Full or Glass Half Empty categories. The writer describes these sayings as small lies. They have an important subtle message, but they're perceived as whole truths. And, often they're so universal we don't even give them a second thought. But, these small lies end up having a pretty distorting effect on our behaviour or our perceptions.

One example is the statement "life is short." I hear it all the time. I understand why people say it. What they mean is "live live to the fullest." But we don't say that. We instead say "life is short."

In the world of business I think the most dangerous lie we tell ourselves is: "I've learned more from my failures than my successes." It's simply not true.

Sustainability Audit Report:

Executive Summary

Using the free impact assessment tool provided by B-Labs, our group audited the sustainability of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce. As a group, we met with Kim Burden, the Executive Director, and completed the online survey. In addition to completing the survey we also discussed sustainability with Kim and his goals for making Parksville, British Columbia, one of the most recognizably sustainable municipalities in Canada.

I have spoken often in this space in the past about the benefits of managed growth. Since it is a new year, I thought I would put a new spin on the same subject.

One of the concerns I hear as I speak to my neighbours and friends is that growth is inconsistent with retaining our current need to improve the environment and the services that contribute to our current lifestyle.

The tree is up, the outside lights are on and I have even managed to do some shopping. As we head full tilt into the festive season, and brace ourselves for another festive onslaught, it can be a good time of year to pause and enjoy some perspective on how far we’ve come. Perhaps take a moment to pat yourself on the back for a job well done, and then turn your thoughts to things other than work, such as friends and family, and Christmas giving.

Reflection starts at home and I would be remiss if I did not start by giving our Board of Directors my sincere thanks for their faith and support.

To the fine group of Chamber staffers I work with, their patience and ability to both educate me, and learn from me, has made such a difference, a difference that has translated into a fun and efficient workplace.

To The City of Parksville, a pat on the back for getting the boardwalk started (hopefully there is a phase II & III), installing some excellent signage; beautifying the entrance to the Visitor Centre with the treed boulevard of Exit 46 and doing a spectacular job of maintaining our parks and streets.
To the residents of Parksville who have finally become involved in the decision making process. Well done. Respectful open communication is the only way we can work together to accomplish all the things that get talked about but rarely acted on.

To all the great volunteers in our community that enhance our quality of life. Thank You. Without you it wouldn’t be Parksville.

To the business community that gives and gives and gives; without you our community would not have the great events; sports teams and social organizations that are the lifeblood of this community.

During this Christmas season, May you be blessed
With the spirit of the season, which is peace
The gladness of the season, which is hope
And the heart of the season, which is love

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New Year.

Kim Burden

Executive Director

In addition to my duties here at the Chamber of Commerce I am also a member of The Parksville Historical Society, and based on some recent conversations with a variety of concerned citizens it wouldn’t hurt to take a quick look at some Parksville history.

1917 - The Island Hall was opened by Winifred Philpott and Joan Foster on March 31st, Good Friday. The population of Parksville was 1,000.

1923 - The community park property was purchased by a group of interested local residents who formed the Parksville District Community Society.

1947 - Mary Sutherland and Eileen Allwood bought the Island Hall Hotel, and would run it for the next 16 years.

In 1971 the population of Parksville was 2100.

In 1982 the population of Parksville was just over 5,000.

In 2000 it was just over 10,000 and today it is just shy of 12,000.

History is important to ensure that current decisions are made in the appropriate context and also to ensure credibility when putting forth concepts and ideas. 

Statements about unmanageable growth, as you can see by the population change in the past ten years, measured against growth in the previous 10 years, are untrue. Parksville experienced enormous growth in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, however, in the current decade it has been a mere 2%.

Change, Growth and Adapt are actions which are considered as positive attributes in people. We admire people as they take on personal growth challenges. There are people who make a good living counselling these attributes in individuals. We look on those who grow, adapt and change in their personal circumstances with respect; but apply these words to a community and we fight these actions with tenacity. Organizations spring up as alliances are formed to oppose growth and change.

So, if personal growth and change is an attribute in individuals why can’t we apply that same perspective to the growth of a community?

I attend a number of meetings where the growth discussion is the ‘topic de jour’. At most of these meetings someone is putting forward a belief that it is desirable to stop any further growth by stopping people from coming to live here. How is that first of all possible and second moral or realistic? Most of us came here from somewhere for a variety of reasons; surely we didn’t honestly expect to be able to pull up the drawbridge and stop others from coming once we had arrived to put our personal stamp on our interpretation of paradise.

As you know, School District 69 has recently engaged in a facilities review.  This review resulted in three recommendations for consideration by the board of trustees.  All of these recommendations include the closing of one of our secondary schools, KSS.

We have considered the issue of school closures carefully, and we are told the problem is declining enrolment.  It is the position of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce that declining enrolment is not the problem, but rather the symptom of a far larger and greater problem.  Municipal policies and public sentiment that is contrary to economic development.