Fonds consists of the records of the Cortes Island Ratepayers Association, an organization of the property owners and residents of Cortes Island from 1963 to 1984. They include administrative documents such as the constitution and membership lists, minutes of CIRA meetings, annual reports, newsletters to members, correspondence and materials related to the provision of services, land use planning and other issues of island concern.
The fonds is composed of the following series: Administrative Documents; Minutes; Financial; Newsletters and Notices; Correspondence; Subject; Community Planning and Land Use (Advisory Planning Commission); Clippings; and Maps and Plans.
The Cortes Island Ratepayers Association (CIRA) was an association of property owners and residents formed in 1963 to "further the development of the island and to have a representative body in dealing with the Provincial government."
The first activity initiated by CIRA was to lobby the provincial government for the provision of electricity and ferry service to Cortes Island. Their efforts met with success. Electricity was brought to the island in 1970 and ferry service from Quadra Island to Cortes Island began in 1969. CIRA also became an important forum for the discussion of other important services on Cortes Island, including roads, fire protection, garbage disposal, water quality, rural mail delivery and library facilities.
As a result of CIRA's efforts to bring electricity to Cortes Island, in 1967 the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Dan Campbell, designated Cortes Island a Local Improvement District. This made Cortes Island into a legal entity for the purpose of negotiating with the province for electrical power. In that same year, Minister Campbell invited CIRA to participate in discussions and committee work on the formation of a regional district level of government.
In 1968, Cortes Island was designated 'Electoral Area I' in the Regional District of Comox-Strathcona (RDCS) with an elected director. Under this system, a Regional Director is elected who in turn sits on the Board of the RDCS. Each Regional Director appoints an Advisory Planning Commission (APC), a committee of island residents who advise the Director on matters of island concern. In 1968, CIRA determined that the elected members of the executive of CIRA would form the APC for Cortes Island. This arrangement lasted until the dissolution of CIRA in 1984. The first zoning by-law was completed in 1970 and an Official Settlement Plan and zoning by-law in 1979.
In 1982, CIRA initiated a court case against Raven Lumber for non-compliance with the Cortes Island Official Settlement Plan and zoning by-law. CIRA won the case upon appeal, but in 1984 an Order in Council allowed Raven Lumber to proceed with their development. The court case had absorbed a great deal of CIRA energy and fund raising effort over a four year period. At the General Meeting in November, 1984 there were no candidates willing to stand for the executive. CIRA was declared inactive at that meeting and was never reactivated.
Custodial History
During the term of the last president of CIRA, the records were kept in the Gorge Harbour Community Hall on Cortes Island. After the dissolution of the CIRA in 1984, the records continued to be stored in the hall. The records were transferred to the Cortes Island Museum and Archives by the Whaletown Community Club (owner of the hall) in 2000.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of the records of the Cortes Island Ratepayers Association, an organization of the property owners and residents of Cortes Island from 1963 to 1984. They include administrative documents such as the constitution and membership lists, minutes of CIRA meetings, annual reports, newsletters to members, correspondence and materials related to the provision of services, land use planning and other issues of island concern.
The fonds is composed of the following series: Administrative Documents; Minutes; Financial; Newsletters and Notices; Correspondence; Subject; Community Planning and Land Use (Advisory Planning Commission); Clippings; and Maps and Plans.
Regional Director of Electoral Area I (Cortes Island) fonds
Gilean Douglas fonds
Finding Aid
File list available
Arrangement
Materials were received in their original file folders, however the files were not in any discernible order. In the absence of original order, materials were arranged by function and subject at the series level and chronologically within series.
File contains advertising materials, newsletters, membership applications, executive and general meeting minutes, financial reports, executive membership rosters, correspondence, Gorge Hall rental fee history, and a water analysis report.
File contains advertising materials, newsletters, membership applications, executive and general meeting minutes, financial reports, executive membership rosters, correspondence, Gorge Hall rental fee history, and a water analysis report.
File contains correspondence, advertising materials, draft of Gorge Hall manager responsibilities, newsletters, membership applications, executive and general meeting minutes, financial reports, reports from Old Schoolhouse Gallery, executive membership rosters, Gorge Hall improvement plans, list of Gorge Hall dances, and Gorge Hall public events checklist. Of particular interest are notes in the minutes documenting the WCC's project to acquire ownership of the old Whaletown school from the School Board.
File contains correspondence, advertising materials, draft of Gorge Hall manager responsibilities, newsletters, membership applications, executive and general meeting minutes, financial reports, reports from Old Schoolhouse Gallery, executive membership rosters, Gorge Hall improvement plans, list of Gorge Hall dances, and Gorge Hall public events checklist. Of particular interest are notes in the minutes documenting the WCC's project to acquire ownership of the old Whaletown school from the School Board.
File contains executive and general meeting minutes, financial reports, social convenor's reports, social and community events list, house and grounds reports, and bulletins. Also included are documents and reports pertaining to the Old Schoolhouse Gallery and the transfer of the two Whaletown Cemetery properties to the WCC.
File contains executive and general meeting minutes, financial reports, social convenor's reports, social and community events list, house and grounds reports, and bulletins. Also included are documents and reports pertaining to the Old Schoolhouse Gallery and the transfer of the two Whaletown Cemetery properties to the WCC.
Series consists of Whaletown Community Club executive and general meeting minutes, and various reports. Of interest: The Old Schoolhouse Gallery's application to become a nonprofit and correspondence relating to the Louisa Tooker Library. Topics include renovations to the Old Schoolhouse Gallery, a new water system (disconnected from Gordie Carr's well) and a cemetery expansion.
The Febrary minutes were accessioned as a sheaf of loose papers.
Series consists of Whaletown Community Club executive and general meeting minutes, and various reports. Of interest: The Old Schoolhouse Gallery's application to become a nonprofit and correspondence relating to the Louisa Tooker Library. Topics include renovations to the Old Schoolhouse Gallery, a new water system (disconnected from Gordie Carr's well) and a cemetery expansion.
The Febrary minutes were accessioned as a sheaf of loose papers.
Series consists of Whaletown Community Club Health & Welfare Committee reports, executive and general meeting minutes, Gorge Hall usage list, Gorge Hall manager's report, and financial reports. Also contains correspondence regarding the Whaletown Cemetery. Series was accessioned as a sheaf of loose papers.
Series consists of Whaletown Community Club Health & Welfare Committee reports, executive and general meeting minutes, Gorge Hall usage list, Gorge Hall manager's report, and financial reports. Also contains correspondence regarding the Whaletown Cemetery. Series was accessioned as a sheaf of loose papers.
File contains minutes of general and executive meetings with associated financial and committee reports. (No minutes from AGM). Topics include plans for a cemetery expansion; the need to upgrade septic and water systems to meet VIHA requirements.
File contains minutes of general and executive meetings with associated financial and committee reports. (No minutes from AGM). Topics include plans for a cemetery expansion; the need to upgrade septic and water systems to meet VIHA requirements.
File contains minutes of general and executive meetings with associated financial and committee reports. Topics include the installation of new septic/grey water tanks; list of Hall upgrades 1997-2013; transfer of WCC records more than 7 years old to the Cortes Museum for long-term preservation.
File contains minutes of general and executive meetings with associated financial and committee reports. Topics include the installation of new septic/grey water tanks; list of Hall upgrades 1997-2013; transfer of WCC records more than 7 years old to the Cortes Museum for long-term preservation.
File contains minutes of general and executive meetings with associated financial and committee reports. Topics include the installation of new thermal windows and a heat pump, and a discussion of tax-based funding for community halls..
File contains minutes of general and executive meetings with associated financial and committee reports. Topics include the installation of new thermal windows and a heat pump, and a discussion of tax-based funding for community halls..
File contains minutes of general and executive meetings with associated financial and committee reports and of a Special Meeting to amend the Constitution to change the procedure for electing the Executive. Topics include kitchen renovations, repositioning the generator; expanding the rear of the Hall for storage; tax funding.
File contains minutes of general and executive meetings with associated financial and committee reports and of a Special Meeting to amend the Constitution to change the procedure for electing the Executive. Topics include kitchen renovations, repositioning the generator; expanding the rear of the Hall for storage; tax funding.
File contains minutes of general and executive meetings with associated financial and committee reports. Topics include a new kitchen stove; 80th anniversary of the Hall; transition to the new Societies Act; hall tax.
File contains minutes of general and executive meetings with associated financial and committee reports. Topics include a new kitchen stove; 80th anniversary of the Hall; transition to the new Societies Act; hall tax.
