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Wrong location for Rock of the Woods

Duncan - David Bain, director of Rock of the Woods Festival wrote in to rebut a writer's assertion that the festival organization did not consult with or contact residents near the ground zero for this festival.

I must clarify a few points raised in his letter.I am one of the 63 residents that letter writer claims to speak for.Sixty-three is the number of local residents who did sign a petition and we made representation at a directors' meeting. We are not a silent majority - we are an ignored majority. How is it that a couple of concerned citizens can make contact with so many of our local community and get signatures, yet your outreach coordinators could not make contact with us?Under CVRD Area E bylaws you do have the right to hold this event, but it is in the wrong location.Our concern is that this is a large-scale event not suited for an acreage surrounded by hobby farms and sitting on the Cowichan River aquifer.A viewing of your website shows the scope and size of your planned festival.This is not akin to a local gathering or wedding.This is a three-day and night event that includes a stage, camping, an alcohol garden, paid parking and a community store.Sounds like a Sunfest type event doesn't it?This is an event more suited to the exhibition grounds or a Providence Farm setting - a place with the dedicated space, facilities, services and more than one road to get in and out.So, we will see what happens this July weekend.We hope you have a fun and successful event, but we will lock up our livestock and hide the dogs, and hopefully not have to do any damage control.Mike WelsbyDuncan