Letters to the Editor and Comments on the articles

Recent Letters

All letters to the editor can be read by clicking on the link above. The remainder of the page is dedicated to comments, of which we received hundreds. Comments are collected from both our Facebook page as well as from the articles themselves. Want to write us a letter? Use the Contact page to reach us! We would love to hear from you!

Recent Comments

  • From Sande on Sooke Fine Arts Show stays online for 2021

    Bravo !

    2021/02/25 at 8:10 pm

  • From Diane Kent on Snow turns into snow fort (photos)

    Love it! Way to go you three!

    2021/02/15 at 7:47 am

  • From Sande on Snow turns into snow fort (photos)

    Great memory making Dad.

    2021/02/14 at 8:14 pm

  • From Sheila on Snow turns into snow fort (photos)

    That is so cool! You did a great job.

    2021/02/14 at 7:53 pm

  • From Veronica Diment on Snow photos, from Gregory Varano

    Thank you for these exuberant images. You brought me back into that magic realm of reliving great memories. Though I cannot fly down a hill, I can feel the experience deeply again through the glee on Brooklyn’s face.

    2021/02/14 at 7:14 am

  • From Sande on Snowfall expected overnight, cold snap continues

    Loving every flake float to the ground.❤️

    2021/02/13 at 8:23 pm

  • From Cheryl A on Additional Pfizer vaccines procured, feds claim back on track for September schedule

    What?? All of my family in the states have already received both doses! Are we supposed to be relieved that “ by September “ Canada will have received the doses it needs to inoculate its citizens??

    2021/02/13 at 12:54 am

  • From Roy on Arctic front cools winter temperatures in Sooke this week

    the spell check has frozen over already.

    2021/02/07 at 6:26 pm

    • From Britt Santowski on Arctic front cools winter temperatures in Sooke this week

      Indeed! Fixed. -B

      2021/02/07 at 7:25 pm

  • From Ellen+Lewers on Want to be a video star? Transition Sooke is looking for you!

    Tell the OCP committee. We are here to hear you

    2021/02/06 at 9:52 pm

    • From Alan Dolan on Want to be a video star? Transition Sooke is looking for you!

      Yes Transition Sooke is hoping to come and talk to the OCP Advisory Committee this month. See you then!

      2021/02/07 at 7:44 pm

  • From Roy on West Shore RCMP want Galloping Goose man to consider stopping creepy behaviour

    he looks similar to missing metchosin man last seen Jan 29th.

    2021/02/03 at 4:45 pm

  • From JS on Highway 14 upgrades update, completion date summer of 2022

    This is a complete unnecessary road project. If people drove more appropriately in bad weather we would all get home in a reasonable amount of time. If Sooke stopped tearing down forests and mountains to over develop this would not be necessary. If they would have invested instead in wildlife overpasses similar to Banff National Park the accidents with wildlife would be virtually eliminated. Seeing the devastation of the large trees and forested areas obliterated not to mention the mountain is horrifying. Pave paradise and put up a parking lot. If bus service was actually good on the Westshore people would park and take the bus. But to take 2 hours to get to and from anywhere is ridiculous.

    2021/01/29 at 9:14 am

  • From Loretta on Canada's Governor General Julie Payette resigns, in a shroud of allegations of workplace abuse

    She wasn’t against taking the people of Canada for her very lucrative Pension.
    She obviously was very good with nasty cutting words that caused a lot of grief.
    to a great many people.
    I think there should be someway of cancelling the Pension when leaving the Position under such a Dark Cloud.

    2021/01/25 at 7:19 pm

  • From Ron Ramsay on A reporters footage from inside the Capitol siege, January 6, 2021 (credit: New Yorker)

    thankyou for sharing this.

    2021/01/17 at 8:31 pm

  • From Ron Ramsay on A reporters footage from inside the Capitol siege, January 6, 2021 (credit: New Yorker)

    Thanks for sharing this.

    2021/01/17 at 8:31 pm

  • From Barry Rosenberg on Opinion: A second impeachment is just the start of Trump's legal woes (The Conversation)

    All pardons should require proof of justification for the pardon. Giving unjustified pardons must be stopped.

    2021/01/17 at 6:47 pm

  • From Sande on Itching for injection: Number of Canadians who say they want to be vaccinated ASAP against COVID-19 surges

    The time is way too long. Seniors are usually patient patients, but the timeline for those 65 plus, who are already considered more vulnerable, needs to be moved up.

    2021/01/15 at 8:32 pm

  • From Island Consulting on LETTER: Metchosin Councillor distances from peer who travelled to Mexico in December

    Interesting response considering there is a recorded zoom meeting from November 30th where Councillor Kahakawila informed everyone on council she would be travelling. Councillor Little was a participant of this meeting. At the last council meeting the mayor requested this recording be made public, which is a huge statement in itself.

    If it is proven that everyone was informed what will the consequences be to the councillor(s) who have not only lied to the media and general public but more importantly to their constituents? The conflict this has caused amongst council is going to cause issues in decision making that will have long term consequences.

    The residents of Metchosin deserve to know the truth.

    2021/01/14 at 10:45 pm

  • From Sande on Letter: Development is coming, engagement is low, second chance to contribute comes this spring

    I particularly agree, endorse the final paragraph of the above jo.p writer’s remarks, referencing “a cap on growth etc.”

    2021/01/13 at 5:39 pm

  • From jo.p on Letter: Development is coming, engagement is low, second chance to contribute comes this spring

    Indeed. I think many people in the Sooke Region have become aware during all the mandated isolation of the past (almost) year how fortunate we are to live here. We have quick and easy access to the calming effects of nature; we are still a small enough town to have a sense of community where we support one another and our local businesses and we’re (mostly) pretty darned easy-going when it comes to neighbors who might have a different take on things.
    An OCP is developed with input from the community because it is supposed to reflect our communal sense of what we would like our town to look like for the next 10 years.
    Since Sooke currently seems to be a most desirable place to live and is developing rapidly we might want to consider whether the OCP should generate a cap on growth that would better equip us to maintain the natural environs and sense of community that mean so much to us.

    2021/01/12 at 11:21 am

  • From Denise Ackinclose on Gallery: High tide attracts surfers to Sooke (Gregory Varano photos)

    Good morning
    I live in Fanny Bay and would not see this article,but a friend sent me your website info.this morning.
    Wonderful pictures of the surfers
    By Gregory Varano
    Especially like the ones of Ben Ackinclose.He is my Grandson.

    2021/01/11 at 11:20 am

  • From Sharon Wiltse on SPN is back up, for now ... which raises the question, how important is media to you?

    Welcome back. Please stay on Britt. I do look forward to the information you provide!!

    2021/01/07 at 8:19 pm

  • From Debra Lebus on SPN is back up, for now ... which raises the question, how important is media to you?

    Media matters
    Without a free press, our Democracy dies.
    Between the Circus over the last 4 years South of the boarder and the pandemic over the last year, the term “Fake News” and emboldened keyboard warriors have flourished.
    I have read your Publication for some time. You are a good journalist who reports facts with flare and sometimes gentle humor.
    I’m sorry you are a target. However, to me this means people are paying attention.
    I hope you are able to continue. I would love to be a contributor, but my writing skills only seem to manifest themselves on their own timetable. I can only find the words about subjects that I’m passionate or inflamed about, I can’t do it on demand.
    Perhaps when I’m able to write a decent article, I will send it to you.
    I hope your daily emails don’t disappear from my inbox.
    What you do for our small community is important, and I thank you for it.

    2021/01/07 at 10:21 am

  • From Sande on Note on Password Change notifications

    Thank you Britt.

    2021/01/06 at 3:26 pm

  • From veronica diment on SPN is back up, for now ... which raises the question, how important is media to you?

    I salute your steadfast way of never giving up in the face of years of difficulties. Thanks for all that effort.

    2021/01/05 at 9:05 pm

  • From Gale on SPN is back up, for now ... which raises the question, how important is media to you?

    Welcome back. Sorry to hear about the atrackers. I rely on your information and appreciate all the effort you and your team do to keep us up to date. Happy 2021!

    2021/01/05 at 11:07 am

  • From Ellen+Lewers on Weather warnings prevail from West Vancouver Island to Victoria

    Float the boat and pull out the oars .Gas up your generators.

    2021/01/05 at 7:09 am

  • From Ellen+Lewers on New poll: Politicians and international travel during this pandemic

    If politicians feel there is no or little risk then they should say so publically. Either speak your truth or get off the bench and out of our money pockets .are they Hilliers or just sneaks?. I for one would like to hear people and politicians stand up and be honest with us.

    2021/01/05 at 7:07 am

  • From Kate Saunders on SPN is back up, for now ... which raises the question, how important is media to you?

    Once again, this latest attack on SPN is very timely. Supreme Court hearings imminent, most likely late January/early February, and a certain other matter bubbling away on the back burner. Call me cynical, but I suspect someone feels threatened by your accurate, detailed, and fact-based reporting. The truth is uncomfortable (and humiliating) for those who strive to fly under the radar. On a broader note, as a member of the Sooke community I look forward to the newsletter delivered to my inbox every morning at no cost to me, but most certainly paid for in blood, sweat, and tears by Ms. Santowski. SPN lives to fight another day with unparalleled passion, dedication, and integrity. Thank you for your service!

    2021/01/04 at 10:05 pm

  • From Candy McKivett on SPN is back up, for now ... which raises the question, how important is media to you?

    Click thru! Glad to see you back

    2021/01/04 at 8:02 pm

  • From Jan Todd on SPN is back up, for now ... which raises the question, how important is media to you?

    So happy you’re back, Britt!! Don’t ever give up!

    2021/01/04 at 4:50 pm

  • From Cass Hepburn on SPN is back up, for now ... which raises the question, how important is media to you?

    Glad to have you back!! So sorry you are experiencing this again!!

    2021/01/04 at 3:26 pm

  • From Seymour Hersh on SPN is back up, for now ... which raises the question, how important is media to you?

    Glad you’re back.
    Now, who might have motive to facilitate this disruption?
    Knowing the local RCMP’s torpor and hibernation, I’d think there’s a jurisdiction that would seriously investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.

    Was the factual and pejorative content of any local fraudsters removed ?

    2021/01/04 at 3:06 pm

  • From Ralph Hull on Rainfall warning for West Vancouver Island, Port Renfrew and up

    Good thing we have boats ~ ~ ~

    2021/01/03 at 11:43 pm

  • From Joseph Edward Smith on First COVID-19 U.K. variant case documented in B.C., Island Health region

    Avoid non essential travel.However you still allow international travel.
    You are allowing the VIRUS to surge.You are one step behind this.

    2020/12/28 at 6:20 pm

  • From Sande on Gallery: Sooke turns into a winter wonderland, photos by Gregory Varano

    Thank you…beautiful ❤️

    2020/12/23 at 10:04 pm

  • From Barb S on Timothy Durkin's admissibility hearing adjourned until April 2021

    Maybe someone can shed light on this. ?
    In the past 4 days I’ve seen 3 Chinese men on The Spit, and in the parking lot in a Mercedes, another time they were going nto Buffy’s, another time they stopped in front of Durkins residence on WC Road.
    They might be staying at The Prestige.
    Is Durkin involved with Chinese investors or is The Triad interested in Durkin for some reason. ? Something seems strange. Very strange.

    2020/12/23 at 6:29 am

  • From Loretta Boerkamp on Gallery: December 21 snowfall in and near Sooke, by Gregory Varano

    Dear Britt.
    I would like to tell you what your wonderful Sooke
    Pocket News means to me.
    I may have left my home in Sooke, but not all my
    wonderful friends.
    I try to keep in contact with them mainly by phone.
    and with your great coverage of all coming and going’s.
    I feel still part of it all.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
    Thank you

    2020/12/22 at 9:51 pm

  • From Ellen+Lewers on Gallery: December 21 snowfall in and near Sooke, by Gregory Varano

    Lovely photos

    2020/12/22 at 9:31 pm

  • From Rory Slimeyballs on Timothy Durkin's admissibility hearing adjourned until April 2021

    “Beware of what you wish for.”

    No prospects for this criminal buffoon in Canada.
    $4,000,000 plus judgements and other costs forthcoming
    Certain indictments.
    Suggest gender transition and turning tricks

    2020/12/22 at 9:03 pm

  • From Lionel Hutz on Court costs waived for Philips (plus a few choice descriptors of Durkin)

    Mr McClure raises some important issues -will we see justice prevail in Sooke?

    Meantime, just for kicks…

    2020/12/19 at 8:38 pm

  • From Troy McClure on Court costs waived for Philips (plus a few choice descriptors of Durkin)

    Thanks for highlighting this portion of the Judgment -it’s important that Dim Turdkin’s accomplices be identified & sanctioned accordingly.

    I doubt Robbin’ Perkers’s qualifications include “accountant”. I always preferred “failed bookkeeper”, even as my most gracious descriptor.

    How many local farmers, wineries and other suppliers were short-changed or never paid?

    How many (under-qualified) family members of this group benefited from highly-paid employment positions at Sooke Harbour House during this reign?

    Tellingly,the “bookkeeper” was as promoted to Human Resources Mgr, and then to General Manager.

    Several long-serving employees of the hotel were terminated without notice, just cause, or compensation, and had to file claims with BC Employment Standards Branch and other regulatory bodies.

    Lively-hoods were lost & decent people’s lives up-ended, resulting in enormous stress and unnecessary suffering.

    So many in the Sooke community have been profoundly, adversely affected by the action of these crooks.

    I’d like to see criminal charges, arrests, handcuffs, and jail time until fines are paid -deportation orders notwithstanding.

    Thanks Britt & everyone else for keeping this conversation alive.

    2020/12/19 at 7:02 pm

  • From Roy on Court costs waived for Philips (plus a few choice descriptors of Durkin)

    What was the accountants part in all of this

    2020/12/18 at 9:41 pm

    • From Bobbie-jo Happell on Court costs waived for Philips (plus a few choice descriptors of Durkin)

      Expert taken from court docs (Thanks to SPN for the link)

      https://sooke.pocketnews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Judge-Basran-re-

      SHH-Management-Limited-v.-Philip-09-22.pdf

      (Accountant) Robin Parker

      [46] Inc. hired Ms. Parker in February 2014. She does all the financial accounting
      for Inc., including payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable. Throughout
      her evidence, she demonstrated unwavering loyalty to Mr. Durkin. For example,
      when Mr. Philip arrived at her residence on August 27, 2017 to retrieve the laptop
      that contained all of the financial information for the Hotel, she refused to give it to
      him. She knew that Mr. and Mrs. Philip were the owners of the Hotel, but after
      consulting with Mr. Durkin by telephone, she nevertheless refused to give Mr. Philip
      access to the vital financial information required to operate the Hotel.
      [47] In the wake of the injunction, Mr. Durkin was required to provide biweekly
      financial reporting to the Philips. Instead, Mr. Durkin instructed Ms. Parker to provide
      them with only two line items: total revenue and total expenses. She unquestioningly
      complied with this direction.
      [48] Ms. Parker was complicit in attempting to sabotage the Philips’ ability to
      operate the Hotel when they retook it on August 27, 2017. Mr. Durkin instructed her
      to shut down the online reservation system in order to “debilitate them, to stop them
      from being able to do anything.” Ms. Parker concurred with this tactic and seemingly
      did not consider, or otherwise dismissed, the reputational impact on the Hotel of
      taking this action.
      SHH Management Limited v. Philip Page 20
      [49] Another example of Ms. Parker’s bias in favour of Mr. Durkin was her
      unsupported estimate of $100,000 in lost revenue during the period when the Philips
      retook control of the Hotel for 11 days in August and September 2017. Tellingly, she
      admitted that the revenue from the ongoing operation of the hotel and dining room
      during this period went into Inc.’s bank account and that these revenues were not
      subtracted from the $100,000 estimate of lost revenues.
      [50] Ms. Parker complied with Mr. Durkin’s request to redirect all point-of-sale
      purchases using the Square device to Management’s bank account during a
      weekend in October 2019. She told the Hotel’s staff that there was a problem with its
      point-of-sale system. She knew that this was not true, but nevertheless complied
      with Mr. Durkin’s instructions. In so doing, she understood that all of the funds from
      the Square device went into Management’s bank account instead of Inc.’s account
      where they belonged. Similarly, Ms. Parker also knew that payments for events,
      such as weddings or the proceeds obtained from the rental of the premises by a
      television production company, went into Management’s bank account instead of
      Inc.’s bank account.
      [51] At Mr. Durkin’s instruction, Ms. Parker retroactively listed a series of 29
      $8,000 wage payments made to the Philips as debits to their shareholder loan
      accounts. She complied with this instruction and seemingly every other direction
      given to her by Mr. Durkin. As an experienced bookkeeper, she should have known
      better. Her conduct and testimony suggests that she was beholden to Mr. Durkin.
      [52] The tenor of Ms. Parker’s evidence suggests that she bears some
      unexplained animosity towards the Philips and seemingly blind devotion to Mr.
      Durkin. I find that she was complicit in diverting funds from Inc. to Management.
      [53] While I accept Ms. Parker’s evidence in respect of the Square device, I reject
      her negative characterizations of the Philips’ conduct over the past six years. She
      was complicit in Mr. Durkin’s web of lies and deception.

      2020/12/19 at 6:49 am

  • From Patricia Morgan on Court costs waived for Philips (plus a few choice descriptors of Durkin)

    I hope that 2021 brings a bit of closure for the Phillips . People like Durkin need charges that stick and any funds that he gets should go directly to the victims first and lawyers and courts. It is revolting that people work hard all there lives to be duped by this type of character.

    2020/12/18 at 7:17 pm

  • From Ben Dover on Application for Special Costs on hold for Gregory; Durkin ends with arguments, accusations and self-pity

    Durkin is a ‘wannabe’ with marginal prospects:
    70 years old.
    $4,000,000 personal judgement
    Add huge court costs and judgement
    A paraiah in the community
    No credible employment history save a series of frauds and thefts
    Everything he touches turns to shit
    BC Securities Commission investigation and indictment forthcoming
    Other criminal indictments expected
    Filmmaker son’s bio of him shows disrespect and contempt
    A resume of failures, ineptness and grift
    Slovenly dressed
    Toxic
    Indicted in the US
    Can’t travel
    Creditors everywhere
    Throws his associates under the bus

    Whoever said ” if you gave him an enema, he could be buried in a matchbox” had his measure perfectly.

    Send sympathy cards and pennies to
    xxxx West Coast Road [-personal information removed, by SPN] Sooke BC V9Z 0V2

    Be sure to honk when you drive by.

    “If you can’t succeed at fraud, well. Ah, ah, ah..stupidity has to be a strong consideration ” – George Carlin

    2020/12/18 at 9:10 am

  • From Trish on Basran rules: Philips' lawyers awarded proceeds from sale of Sooke Harbour House, Durkin denied

    And this tragedy continues! Thank you Britt for your coverage!

    2020/12/17 at 10:59 am

  • From Mike Menard on Webmax honoured to receive President's Choice award at the Sooke Chamber's awards night

    Congratulation on your award very well deserved. Be well.

    2020/12/17 at 5:46 am

    • From s jones on Webmax honoured to receive President's Choice award at the Sooke Chamber's awards night

      Thank you very much Mike! We really appreciate your hard work along with your counterparts at Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. You all have helped small business in a BIG way. Happy Holidays!

      2020/12/17 at 6:45 am

  • From Ellen+Lewers on Timothy Durkin among those asking for money on the sale of Sooke Harbour House

    Very well written article Britt . Welk researched and well written. Thank you for keeping the public informed

    2020/12/16 at 7:20 am

  • From Rory Smallballs on Timothy Durkin feels dropped 10,000 feet into a battleground (of his own making)

    Bless his pitiful little heart.

    It bears repeating: if you gave Timothy Durkin an enema, you could bury him in a matchbox

    2020/12/16 at 5:08 am

  • From Troy McClure on Timothy Durkin feels dropped 10,000 feet into a battleground (of his own making)

    If Turdkin is ordered to pay court costs, he can always blame his bookkeeper Robbin’ Parker -and then tell her to cut a cheque!

    2020/12/15 at 11:21 pm

  • From Troy McClure on Timothy Durkin among those asking for money on the sale of Sooke Harbour House

    Theft, fraud, perjury, and contempt of court -seemingly described as having been committed in Sooke by Tim Durkin and/or Robin Parker-, by a Justice of BC Supreme Court, no less, resulting so far in no criminal charges…

    Wow -has RCMP located the 2nd idiot that tried to steal the ATM from Tim Horton’s with a pick-up truck yet?

    2020/12/15 at 9:01 pm
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