Posts Tagged ‘Susan Brice’
Councillors Report-out at the One-year Mark
November 2, 2015 | 
Author by Michele Murphy
During the 2014 municipal election campaign, Saanich Voice Online (SVO) asked all candidates in Saanich, Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney to tell us, in 60 words or less, what they would like to have accomplished in their elected post by Nov 15, 2015, June 1, 2017, and October 1, 2018. We received responses from many, but not all, of the candidates.
We’ve opened the time capsule and asked the original respondents – those who were elected – to report back on their accomplishments so far.
Here’s what some of them had to say …
Alicia Cormier
Councillor, Central Saanich
Desired accomplishments completed by 2015
By Nov 2015, Council and the community is celebrating a successful first year of the new Economic Development Advisory Committee and approving its mandate as an ongoing committee. The success includes the Agricultural Area Plan (Agri/Culinary Tourism) and tangible improvements for all businesses in Saanichton, Brentwood Bay, Keating, First Nations, as well as home based businesses.
Reporting back in 2015:
The Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) is underway with a mandate to advise and assist Council in pursuing the formation of an economic development function for the municipality and to concurrently advise and assist Council in carrying out the corporation’s strategic plan.
Membership includes a cross-section of businesses, community associations and residents from all parts of the District. We are completing a survey to identify local needs and I will be reporting to Council on progress in the near future.
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Christopher Graham
Councillor, Central Saanich
Desired accomplishments completed by 2015
Implement bylaw changes to foster Keating Revitalization, including a comprehensive bylaw review of Keating Business Park to make redevelopment faster and easier and allowing live work force housing over businesses. Begin in depth discussion with the Province to find feasible solutions to traffic safety on and off the highway. Develop infill guidelines to allow infill development that compliments existing neighbourhoods.
Reporting back in 2015:
We are mostly on track. My biggest accomplishment was the RGS, and council’s change of direction re-affirming the existing urban containment boundary. Council is moving ahead with a Keating ‘Business Plan’ to update the land-use bylaws. That is in the strategic plan and going to tender. Council has a commitment to look at infill guidelines. Hopefully we will be looking at that this coming year.
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Carl I. Jensen,
Councillor, Central Saanich
Desired accomplishments completed by 2015
I will be working with all community groups on the development of a walkability master-plan that will create safe passage between all areas of Central Saanich. By this point I would like to see the plan completed laying out a priority list of roadside trails/paths scheduled for upgrade annually over the next 5-10 years.
Reporting back in 2015:
The Multi-Modal Transportation Project list for Central Saanich has been established, and we recently completed the first project: a bicycle lane on Wallace Drive from Prosser to Blossom Park. The second project that the District will be proceeding with in the future is the multi-use train on Stelly’s Cross Road from the Western Terminus (Tsartlip) to West Saanich Road.
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Niall Paltiel
Councillor, Central Saanich
Desired accomplishments completed by 2015
I will grow my understanding of the processes and establish a new voice at the Council table. I will investigate the delivery of a more user-friendly municipal website as a measure to improve public outreach. I will also review our infrastructure, sidewalk, and traffic priorities to ensure a common sense and low-cost delivery.
Reporting back in 2015:
I am pleased that I have delivered on my November 2015 Goals for Central Saanich Council. I am growing in my role while working with our communications committee to deliver a new website that should be fully launched in 2016. Further, I have successfully advocated that Council add transportation, mobility and infrastructure projects to our strategic priorities over the next four years.
Susan Brice
Councillor, Saanich
Desired accomplishments completed by 2015
After an affirmative vote on the ballot question* we are well underway with an open communityconsultation to renew the governance within Saanich and throughout the region.
*Saanich ballot question: Do you support council initiating a community-based review of the governance structure and policies within Saanich and our partnerships within the region?
Reporting back in 2015:
As the first year of this term ends I am pleased to report that I have been appointed to some very important positions. I chair Saanich Parks, Recreation and Trails Advisory Committee, chair the CRD Parks Committee, serve on CRD Governance and CRD Finance Committee, trustee on the Municipal Finance Authority and chair the Victoria Regional Transit Commission.
I proposed to Saanich Council and received unanimous acceptance of a motion to support enshrining the right to a healthy environment in the Canadian Charter. Also, I proposed and had accepted a motion to Saanich Council that properties held by the municipality be governed by the same processes as private property when being considered for change or disposition. This is a commitment that I made during the last election.
As a council we continue to work on the ballot question relating to governance as approved by the voters in the 2014 election.
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Dean Murdock
Councillor, Saanich
Desired accomplishments completed by 2015
A food security task force has been established and has completed the development of a Food
Dean Murdock, Saanich Councillor
Security Strategy that will assist the District of Saanich in implementing programs and policies that will ensure Saanich residents have access to health, local, affordable food options.
Reporting back in 2015:
I am pleased to see the Agriculture and Food Security Task Force coming together at last. Saanich is currently taking applications for participation on the Task Force (closing November 6) and seeking an expert consultant to facilitate and assist the Task Force to develop an Agriculture and Food Security Plan, with policies, action items and an implementation strategy. Access to healthy, local, affordable food options is vital for Saanich’s Food Future. I look forward to the Task Force coming together and the development of an Agriculture and Food Security Plan.
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Colin Plant
Councillor, Saanich
Desired accomplishments completed by 2015
Working with the newly elected Council, Saanich’s Council Procedure Bylaw has changed to allow for presentations to Council as well as permitting for questions to be posed at the end of meetings. Additionally, Council and Committee of the Whole meetings can be viewed online.
Reporting back in 2015:
I am very pleased to write that Saanich has introduced a new Procedures Bylaw that allows for greater pubic participation at meetings. This includes delegations, commenting on agenda items as well as the creation of a monthly Open Forum. While we have not yet introduced webcasting, we have budgeted for it to happen this year.
Heather Gartshore
Councillor, North Saanich
Desired accomplishments completed by 2015
Council will be adopting a Local Area Plan, which addresses growth by way of increased housing density in the McTavish/East Saanich/Canora Road area, having been informed by a thorough public consultation process in which residents have confidence. Being respectful, I will have enjoyed a first year in office, with plenty of healthy debate, free of acrimony and friction.
Reporting back in 2015:
Council unanimously supported a motion to undertake a Goals and Community Values Survey, assessing attitudes related to future growth and density in North Saanich. The results will inform our next steps regarding the need for an OCP review and potential scope.
It is a pleasure to work with my colleagues at North Saanich, and a privilege to serve my community.
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Geoff Orr
Councillor, North Saanich
Desired accomplishments completed by 2015
Initiate local area planning for the McTavish and Tsehum housing areas. Contribute positively to effective Council dialogue. Participate in the Saanich Peninsula Housing Partnership initiative. Determine whether or to what extent a review of the OCP is warranted. Take appropriate action based on the outcome of the amalgamation question.
Reporting back in 2015:
The council dialogue has been respectful and constructive. Housing discussions took place as part of strategic planning exercise. Council recently endorsed staff recommendation to carry out community survey. Our housing partnerships have been active and the CRD recently completed a housing gap analysis, which will be considered as part of further action by Peninsula municipalities. OCP review decision will follow community survey results. There has been correspondence with the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development regarding amalgamation question results. Future direction is uncertain. Advanced conversations with Victoria Airport Authority and the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations related to a public boat ramp in Pat Bay. (Note from editor – this came in in point form and has been revised to fit SVO’s formatting)
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Celia Stock
Councillor, North Saanich
Desired accomplishments completed by 2015
Draft of an Affordable Housing Policy is being written; A Council approved Review of portions of the Official Community Plan (OCP) is underway; That property tax can be maintained at reasonable levels, with minimal increase; That there is momentum on the Sandown development agreement for the commercial property.
2015 is the Jubilee celebration for North Saanich. As a member of the Planning Committee, I would like to look back and say, we have had a wonderful, exciting Jubilee year with many memorable events for all residents; That I will have been able to mentor and assist new Council members with our work, so that Council can be more effective, and these members will have had an easier transition to Councillor.
Reporting back in 2015:
Property tax has been maintained at reasonable levels, with only a minimal increase in 2015.
Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond Council’s control, we have not had much momentum on development of the commercial portion of the Sandown property.
Our North Saanich Jubilee year celebration has been highly successful, with historic story telling, pancake breakfast new Jubilee Park dedication, Aviation Museum commemoration and other events, which have included all residents. These have been happy and jubilant events for all.
We have an effective, hard working Council, and I have assisted new Council members with the transition to Councillor.
SVO has not received any responses from Sidney councillors.
SVO will update this article as additional responses come in.
Posted in Community News | 
Tags: alicia cormier, Carl Jenson, celia stock, central saanich, Christopher Graham, colin plant, dean murdock, election 2014, geoff off, heather gartshore, Niall Paltiel, north saanich, saanich council, sidney, Susan Brice, time capsule | 
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The ‘A’ Question
Who’s not asking and why and who’s asking – and what?
by Roger Stonebanks
Some residents in Greater Victoria will vote Nov. 15 on whether they want a study of amalgamation – or to express support for amalgamation. And some won’t. It depends on where we live. And also on what the ballot question actually says.
The amalgamation campaign is being pressed under the banner “Amalgamation Yes” by the Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society. (See www.amalgamationyes.ca).
On the Saanich Peninsula, Central Saanich and Sidney residents will have a non-binding referendum but North Saanich council turned down the idea. Saanich council won’t be balloting residents.
Central Saanich voters will face this question on the ballot paper – “Should the District of Central Saanich petition the Province to fund a cost/benefit analysis of an amalgamation of Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney? Yes or No.”
Sidney voters will see this on Nov. 15 – “Are you in favour of a provincially-funded study to investigate the feasibility, costs and implications of amalgamating the three municipalities of the Saanich Peninsula?”
Retiring Sidney Mayor Larry Cross and some councillors are opposed to amalgamation but not to asking residents what they think. Amalgamation, said Cross, is “not in the best interests of Sidney.”
North Saanich council will not be putting any question to its residents.
“The main reasons were the opinion of most that amalgamation could only increase municipal cost, increase debt and increase taxes,” Mayor Alice Finall told Saanich Voice Online (SVO).
“With respect to my own opinion, I have had the opportunity to look into the extensive research on this question. This shows, with a number of examples, that contrary to popular belief, amalgamation does not save money but costs money, usually much more than anticipated. It also confirms that satisfactory levels of services tend to drop and access to local representatives is diminished. There are few economies of scale.”
She also said the peninsula municipalities already share certain services, a point echoed by Central Saanich Coun. Zeb King.
Saanich council, it is clear, won’t be putting the issue to residents.
“The current campaign to reduce the number of small municipalities is not a debate Saanich need be a part of,” Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard told SVO.
“We are one of the 10 largest municipalities in BC, are five times the geographic size of Victoria and our population of 115,000 is 40 per cent larger and we have 1,500 employees. The only larger local government in the region is the CRD and many would say that proves bigger isn’t better.
“Should ever a future council want to engage the public on this issue, I’d prefer one where there is factual information and a funded ‘yes’ and ‘no’ side. Currently this year the only information is from the advocates who have funding from the downtown business community.”
Coun. Susan Brice concurred with published comments by Mayor Leonard, in particular this one – “Saanich’s sprawling farms, parks and urban areas, lakes and streams take a small army of 1500 municipal employees and increasing those responsibilities won’t necessarily result in efficiencies.”
Another Saanich councillor, Vic Derman, said Saanich residents have not demonstrated wide support for putting the issue on the ballot and the question that Amalgamation Yes poses (asking if residents are in favour of reducing the number of municipalities) is “far too vague.” He said any decision on some form of amalgamation should be preceded by an “extensive process of public debate on the pros and cons. Only after such a debate could the general public make an informed decision.” Amalgamation Yes, he said, “has given no assurances of such a debate and are certainly not an appropriate organization to conduct one.”
Elsewhere in the region, Victoria (where the question will be, “Are you in favour of reducing the number of municipalities in Greater Victoria through amalgamation”), and Esquimalt and Langford residents, will get to express an opinion. Oak Bay residents might – a notice of motion will be before council on Sept. 29 which was after SVO’s deadline. In the “no vote” or unlikely to hold a vote category are Sooke, Highlands, View Royal, Metchosin and Colwood.
AMALGAMATION – UPDATED
Just as this issue of Saanich Voice Online came out, there were several new developments on the amalgamation question in the Nov. 15 municipal election:
Oak Bay council decided on Sept. 29, after SVO’s deadline, to ask voters on Nov. 15 this question – “Are you in favour of the District of Oak Bay being amalgamated into a larger regional municipality?”
Both votes would be non-binding and require simply “yes” or “no” from voters.
Esquimalt council decided on Sept. 29 (after SVO press-time) to put two non-binding questions to voters:
“1. Are you in favour of the Township of Esquimalt exploring options to achieve efficiencies by further sharing some services with other municipalities? Yes or No.
“2. Are you in favour of exploring the reduction of the number of municipalities within Greater Victoria through amalgamation? Yes or No.”
According to Langford Municipal Hall, they will have the following non-binding question on their November 15th ballot:
“Are you in favour of the City of Langford being amalgamated into a larger regional municipality? YES or NO
North Saanich had a change of heart as well – as of Monday, October 6th – Councillor McBride’s request to Council to consider adding a question regarding amalgamation to the ballot was granted. As a result, the following question will be added to the North Saanich ballot:
“Are you in favour of a study, provincially funded, to investigate the feasibility, costs and implications of amalgamating the municipalities of North Saanich, Central Saanich and Sidney.”
While the District of Saanich will be adding a question to their Nov 15th election ballots, it won’t be a amalgamation question. The Oct 6th Council meeting saw Saanich council unanimously endorsed Mayor Frank Leonard’s proposed addition of the question, “Do you support Council initiating a community-based review of the governance structure and policies within Saanich and our partnerships within the Region?”
Check back here for updates as they come in.
Posted in Community News | Tags: Alice Finall, amalgamation, Amalgamation Yes, Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society, central saanich, Frank Leonard, Mayor, non-binding referendum, north saanich, saanich, sidney, Susan Brice, Vic Derman, Zeb King | No Comments »
