Latest from the Man Cave
More Pump Station Nonsense
This all started because I got pissed off. Pissed off that elected officials and CVRD staff were getting attacked in the local media over the proposed Comox No. 2 Pump Station, and especially as most of the "attacks" were overblown or down right false. So, I wrote a...
Ski Touring Mount Arrowsmith
Back in January, 2009, on the 18th day of that month, I went on my first (real) ski tour ever. The goal was Mount Arrowsmith on Vancouver Island. My notes from my log are as follows: "skinned up the road, had lunch in the sun, skied down, big blisters, truck high...
Comox No. 2 Pump Station
As I often do, when I see an issue grossly misrepresented in the local media, I can't help myself but wade in. Recently, the Comox Valley Record published a series of articles about a proposed sanitary pump station that will be installed here in the Valley. In an...
In case you were wondering…
When I was 12, I decided that I was going to be an air cadet. I don't recall exactly how I heard about cadets, but I knew I wanted to try it out. So, one Thursday evening I walked up the hill from my house to the school where the local air cadets paraded, and signed...
For the record
Just the facts.
I have worked on the Maple Pool “problem” since 2011. My company has donated over $6,000 in professional fees to assist the Lins resolve the issues with their site. I have donated additional hours of my personal time to assist the Lins in a professional capacity.
I have been in communications with the Lins throughout the last two weeks, and they have been consistent in their desire to have me continue to assist them.
The City of Courtenay council, with Bill Anglin signing as acting mayor, issued a letter to the “Friends of Maple Pool” and the Lins in August of this year (2014), well before the election, outlining a course of action to resolve the lawsuit. This letter included an offer by the City to execute the rezoning of the Lins property unilaterally.
Other than questioning the political motivation of some individuals involvement in the Maple Pool issue, solely due to the timing of their involvement in relation to the election, I did not comment on anyone’s character. Any response I posted on the Friends Facebook page was to correct misleading and inaccurate statements posted there.
The Friends of Maple Pool website is now littered with attacks on my character and that of Jon Ambler.
I was wrong to not take a leave of absence from my position on the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Board to assist with the election campaigns of Jon Ambler and David Frisch. I was not aware of the policy of the board that requires such action, but that is not an excuse for my mistake.
I am no longer a member of the Friends of Maple Pool, nor do I wish to ever be associated or identified as having anything to do with that group.
I will continue to assist the Lins with the resolution of the issues at Maple Pool pending any new direction provided by the next City of Courtenay Council.
Maple Pool
I am writing this letter to set the record straight, vent some frustration and, hopefully, provide some education. While I have been listed as a “Friend of Maple Pool”, this letter contains my opinions and understanding of the situation, an…
Nostalgia Dilemma
12 years ago, in April of 2002 I officially “retired” from the Canadian Army. This “retirement” came after an 11 year career as an officer, which followed a five year stint in both the air cadets and the sea cadets. In total, I spent 16 years of my lif…
Prime Updates
Well. June sure went in a hurry!
Considering June started with being a co-producer and the technical director for Elevate the Arts, followed by helping with Boomer’s Ride as a volunteer on the support crew, followed by organizing and running …
Quick Hit – 2014 Trek Slash 8
In 2010 (can’t believe it has been 4 years) I took a Trek Scratch out for a couple of test rides. I was impressed. (so was NSMB.com….as they ran the review on their front page).
Since then, 650B and “Enduro” have arrived, and Trek now has a bike call…
G3 Ion vs. G3 Onyx
Through a happy coincidence, I managed to get my grubby paws on a set of G3 Synapse Carbon 109 skis mounted with the G3 Ion binding. There are already a few reviews around the net, and lots of technical information, so I decided to do a bit of a photo …
The “Why”
Welcome to the home of Braxton Consulting (a.k.a. Andrew Gower).
Before we get on with blog posts, philosophical ramblings, and reviews/reports on equipment I am looking at, let’s talk about me and why the hell I am doing this site anyways.
I get things stuck in my head that need to come out. I also do some gear reviews and testing on the side. This page provides me the platform to say what I am thinking, and pass on things I learn about life. Originally focussed on gear reviews and advenetures, the path I have been following has diverged somewhat, so now you will hear about many topics – all shared with passion.
Clients
