A Strong, Independent Voice

For politicians, it’s easy to get trapped in a scenario where  votes are influenced by their impact the on next election. It’s also often attractive to  “go along with the group”. Neither approach is defensible. Decisions should simply be based on what is right for the community.

  I don’t belong to a party and, while it it’s good to keep things  harmonious with peers, I have tried to make community benefit the sole factor in votes, the opinions I voice and the actions I take.

I hope citizens have found that I’m a strong, independent voice on Council and the CRD, ready to ask tough questions, challenge insufficient answers and provide leadership to a better future.

Long Range, Visionary Planning

We are at a “watershed time” in our municipality and region. We should no longer be spreading outward but should look inward, begin to re-build and add density to existing urban areas. Bad choices and poor planning can only bring us increasing problems such as sprawl, congestion and loss of greenspace. To keep the best of our region and the quality of life we cherish, we simply have to GET IT RIGHT! Long range, visionary planning is the way to a future we can be proud of.

Consistently on Council, I have pushed for better long range planning. This term, we initiated major planning programs for the Douglas and Shelbourne corridors. These measures may be long overdue ,but they are important first steps nevertheless.

I have also developed The Natural City, a comprehensive approach to  urban sustainability that I have presented to a number of groups around the region. If you have a group that might be interested in a presentation, please contact me.

Defending the Regional Growth Strategy

The Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) is an agreement between municipalities that is administered by the  Capital Region District (CRD). It aims to mange change and growth in a desirable and sustainable  manner and is critical to the future of our municipality and region.

This term, I took a lead role in pushing the CRD Board to  be active in monitoring and , if necessary, defending the strategy. First, it was necessary to put a monitoring process in place since none existed. Secondly, I brought forward several motions asking that the CRD investigate specific projects in Central Saanich and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area to see if they met the goals and principles of the RGS.

There was political risk in this since I was accused of meddling in others affairs, but it had to be done.. A Times Colonist editorial began with this:  “Of course the Capital Regional District should review Central Saanich Developments” and stated  further on: “The Alternative is Chaos”. I couldn’t agree more.    

Getting Transportation and Land Use Right

You don’t have to look around much to realize that we are getting into a transportation mess. Frustrating traffic congestion has grown hugely in recent years and it will get much worse if we don’t take strong action.

Lack of a regional approach to transportation is one problem we must correct. With this in mind, I have pushed for a Regional Transportation Authority first as Chair of the CRD Travel Choices Select Committee and then as Vice - Chair of the CRD Planning, Transportation and Protective Services Committee.  Recently, we received a report recommending establishment of such an authority.  It needs to happen SOON!

Getting transportation right is, however, only part of the picture. Transportation demands flow from the  development patterns we choose. If we “sprawl out” with low density development, we will find even more people dependent on cars to get around. For this reason, I have continued to push for more compact development patterns that allow us to use transit, cycle and walk in addition to using our cars. It’s also one of the reasons why the RGS is so critical to our future.  

.  

Agriculture and Food Security

We live in a world that is becoming environmentally uncertain. None of us can completely predict the effects of climate change  but effects will happen and they are likely to be negative. We need strong action to insure that local agriculture and our food supply are healthy and secure.

Did you know that in the 1950’s we produced about 50% of our food on Vancouver Island? Now, its about 5%. It’s time to reverse that trend.

Two terms ago, I worked with our agricultural community to address negative affects from land assessment changes. All well and good, but we need to do much more. With that in mind, I have joined with Councillor Murdock in bringing a report on Agriculture and Food Security to Council. It recommends establishing a task force to develop a comprehensive strategy to food security and the wide range of issues facing our agricultural  community.

Incidentally, maintaining a strong agricultural community is the best way to insure that Rural Saanich remains strong, vibrant and viable.

Rationalizing Sewage Treatment

As you probably know, a sewage treatment project costing the better part of a billion dollars has been planned for our area. While I am not opposed to sewage treatment, I want to be sure we get value for money. That means taking advantage of emerging technology as well as existing and future development patterns to maximize resource recovery. Done properly, a sewage treatment project could be both financially and environmentally responsible.

In my opinion, the current project is neither. For our very considerable expenditure, we will get little environmental gain and may even suffer environmental loss. That’s just not good enough!

This term, at both the local and provincial level, I have continued to express concerns about the current project, ask tough questions  and seek a solution that actually addresses the problem. I’m not going to stop. In these difficult times, the last thing we need is the  poorly conceived and expensive project we are currently pursuing.

Seniors, Affordable Housing and More

There are many other important issues that face any elected representative in our municipality. We have, for example, a rapidly growing seniors population. While seniors are more vibrant, active and involved than ever, needs do change with age. We must be sure our decisions meet the needs of our senior community. During this term, I have continued to support projects designed to do exactly that.

Affordable housing also remains a concern. In a region so attractive to move to, the market will keep it in the forefront. Nevertheless, it is up to politicians to respond. We have set up funds to assist with new projects and have begun to ask developers for dedicated units or reduced rents and prices on a portion of units. We will need to do more.  

Elected representatives should also respond to problems facing individuals or small groups. A troublesome issue might seem small on the municipal or regional scale but for the individuals affected the nuisance can be significant.

I try to insure that all possible steps are taken to address bylaw issues or other concerns brought to my attention. It’s probably not possible to solve all these issues, but failure to reach a solution should not be for a lack of trying.

Promoting Arts, Culture and Heritage

This term, I have been Chair of Saanich’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee. For Arts Week in the spring, we have developed the “Carnival of the Arts”, a free event for families designed to introduce children 3 - 10 to the world of the arts and the delights it can provide. As with athletics, the arts are a great way for youth to channel their energies and creativity.

I was also able to initiate the idea of a “Sculpture Garden” at the Glendale Gardens (Horticultural Centre of the Pacific) and am happy to announce that it is now being realized. This will add one more reason to visit what is already a Saanich jewel. A program of working with developers to bring history and heritage to our citizens is also beginning to bear fruit.

Our crowning achievement this term, however, is the completion of the Arts Centre at Cedar Hill. This facility has been on the drawing boards for at least a decade but never quite got done. Now, we have a facility that could well  become the centre of community arts for our entire region. I am proud to have initiated a review of the concept for the Arts Centre and am pleased to have been able to take an active role in its design.