Wow!! What a great idea for a promotion while encouraging participation

I see a push to establish two cost effective dog compounds regardless of what surrounding residents say so the district can move onto a leash bylaw and serve special interest groups in John Phillips Memorial Park. The other compound being part of the new development at Wadams Way and Church. A leash bylaw at John Phillips park will result in the return of the geese and their mess.

I witnessed a total disregard for the residents of the Sooke Ponds Community who numbered about 50 that showed up in person in the parking lot at Sooke Municipal Hall to express their opposition to the Ponds Corridor Fenced Dog Park construction. Because of Covid-19 PHO restrictions no one was allowed into Council Chambers however opposition letters were submitted; a neighbourhood representative spoke for the residents and yet, all of this activity was ignored. Is this the way anyone of us who has a problem with a dog park being installed in our adjacent property is going to be treated?

Although correspondence was submitted opposing the park and none supporting it was sent (according to Councillor Beddows) none was acknowledged by council. The fact that almost 9 years ago a special community hall meeting was set up to address this proposal and it was denied, was directly ignored and we the watchers were told that ‘the public wants this’ yet no evidence was presented nor had anyone spoke FOR the park. There were vague references to a petition submitted for a dog park in Sooke the specified location was not clear.

So my disgust and sadness for the mistreatment of the residents of the Sooke Ponds Corridor Neighbourhood Association is evident. Approximately 71% are against this yet council is set to construct it as soon as possible. I wonder how many residents of Sooke would like to have a dog park within 30 metres or less of their property? I wonder if any of the councillors live within the Ponds Corridor? I wonder what the devaluation of properties are going to be when the noise and traffic become a negative for homeowner values?

I would love to be proven wrong and I sincerely hope no one has to spend a night next to a dog kennel because that is exactly what this is going to sound like. If anyone is wondering why permanent dog parks don’t exist in other local communities just ask Saanich Councillors why they haven’t approved one for their municipality.

Have ghe new cases been vaccinated?

The motion to proceed is to be ratified on Monday, July 26. If you have concerns, please join us in person outside of City Hall, on the fire hall side, on Monday, July 26 at 6:30 pm. We also urge you to send your concerns to Mayor and Council by letter, as well as email, prior to this meeting. Together we can keep Ponds Corridor open for everyone to enjoy.

In my humble opinion, the municipality would be in a better position to leave the parks as they are with free access to humans and animals while leaving the funds allocated to developing other publicly owned parks such as Kaltasin Beach and locations that are NOT in a densely populated residential area. Why push for an unleashed dog-park when there are so many freely accessible locations? Dogs should not be off-leash anyway (professionally speaking) in any area that is publicly accessed as there are too many negative variables such as hostile, improperly trained, unhealthy, and intact dogs. Very rarely can an owner recall a dog once it has encountered wild life, other animals such as cats, rodents, horses, etc. as well as people who do not desire interactions with dogs on OR off-leash.

I am very concerned that there is a high probability of liability issues for our municipality if dogs or owners or others are attacked. Many studies done equate successful dog parks with dog clubs with volunteers who will monitor the facility at all times of use. This question was raised at the last council meeting and a once a day check in by a bylaw officer 5 times per week is not adequate for monitoring disturbing and abusive behaviour by either dog owners or dogs. I am an animal lover and own my own pets and livestock, however I would never allow my animals to be out of my yard, vehicle or off-saddle without leashes and/or a bridle.

I believe that the funds set aside for the dog park construction would be better put to use to create additional trails and walkways for everyone to use and respect rather then create a potential problem where NONE exists now…especially for the residents of the Ponds Corridor community neighbourhoods. Perhaps a referendum should be done in the fall to find out how many residents would like a noisy dog park in their nearby vicinity.

As for those who have dogs in townhouses, apartments and condominiums there is always common area designated for use of residents as well as many kilometres of parks and trails for everyone to use and enjoy without creating a noisy, smelly and busy dog park near a dense residential area.

It seems to be the decision has already been made to put the dog compound in the ponds park corridor and now they are just proving public cosultation.

Do you have a map of the area that will be serviced by the new sewage system? The article in SPN points out that the T’Souke nation have “aging septic tank systems” which need to be replaced, fair enough that obviously needs to be done.
Could you show us a map of the other areas that will be serviced by the new sewage system? People of Sooke are interested in what specific areas council predict that the future growth of Sooke will occur.

I thought Sooke had no money. What is the cost to the taxpayer for this expansion and we know our Federal debt is out of control.

A tremendous achievement lead by the very versatile & creative Director of the SFAS
TERRIE MOORE

This is a very insightful article. I have always known what challenges a farmer faces, but this highlights a more in depth description.
My family has always supported our local farmers in Sooke, and all Farmers Markets and we will continue to do so. With all of these rising costs, climate change, etc. now more than ever they need our continued support.
Thank you to all the farmers out there!

The time is now…So within 5 years this might be up and running?

Don’t judge politicians by what they say, judge them by their budgets. That is the only proof of what they believe is important.

Sounds like another hollow lie from the Federal Liberals.
GST anyone?
Proportional Representation anyone?

Come on.

Would the last farmer selling their land for development please turn out the lights.

I am new to Sooke two years ago….I sure hope this mall is a go ahead. I drive to Langford for all shopping as Sooke offers very little and the prices in the grocery stores are much higher than what is offered in Langford….less traffic to Langford would certainly decrease the traffic problem not only for shopping but for work. I do realize that people that have lived here for a couple of decades or so do not want change but that thinking needs to change….the population is growing and there is less of the oldies but goodies residing in Sooke and that will increase as each year passes

This is so tragic we need mental health abd addictions centers with professional compassionate people to show kindness and help these tormented people back to a happy life. Way too much emphasis on Covif and creating more fear into already compromised individuals wake up you political hounds and Serve the people not unnerve them

Thanks Britt for your excellent reporting all the way through this. Well done!

I don’t understand why these two shysters are not currently sitting in jail with no hope of parole. The two of them should be incarcerated for life … Durkin has proven that he is very likely to “re-offend”! They destroyed a Sooke landmark of which we Sooke folks were all so proud in destroying the Sooke Harbour House … and the real owners, innocent victims, have lost everything. This is just SO WRONG! What is wrong with our legal system that such men can so easily get away with destroying people and their livelihoods?

Wow, it looks like the Sooke RCMP really dropped the ball, gravely affecting two respected community members and contributing to the loss of their business. If the FBI and Interpol were after them, I don’t understand why Durkin and Gregory weren’t arrested when all of this was brought to police here.

You’d think these criminals would be prosecuted by the criminal justice system. Why do I suspect they won’t be ? Substantial evidence was provided the RCMP and they did nothing.
I’ll go to Serious Coffee to inquire of our local RCMP coffee connoisseurs

Wishing you sunny days and a speedy recovery. We’ll get you out to play Pickleball yet Britt!! We have many members with new knees and hips! In July we’ll have new dedicated courts on Throup Rd thanks to SCA, Sooke Council, Home Hardware, (6K!) CRD and Rotary! Getting close to our goal. THANK YOU Sooke! https://gofund.me/049d1d18

There are lots of agency effected under covid-19, most of them are associated with construction group.

Unfortunate that developer/builder funding is not Canadian

Best of luck with the surgery Brit. Wishing you a speedy recovery. peg

Best of luck with the surgery Brit. peg

Very best wishes to you Britt for the surgery. I hope you whiz through the process in record time!

I am so happy that I have lived long enough to witness the beginnings of the SHIFT from the colonial era to awareness of what really happened. I hope to watch the transformation as it gathers force. Getting Names in official documents is such a poweful step in the process.

You take care of you!! Hugs Britt! If you need anything, I can be a help!
Maxine

I’ve had both knees done at RebalanceMD…you’re in good hands! .do your exercises as many times a day as you can tolerate.. it will take several weeks before your knee And brain both cooperate. Take your time, it’s major surgery and you just need to be a patient patient!

Heal up fast and then… new freedom and mobility! Hope it all goes very well.

Good luck for a great recovery and take time to treat yourself to something wonderful!

Sending healthy, happy, humongous well wishes your way! Read you when you get back!

Good luck with your surgery and wishing you a speedy and uncomplicated recovery!

You will be missed Britt but take your time to recover and you’ll be back fighting fit before you know it.

I know they move you out of hospital quickly, but not sure a week away from SPN or the Chamber is enough time. Please take it slow and get off the meds ASAP. Do you have someone to help you at home? Thinking of you,I’m away up island until Sunday afternoon
but shout at me if I canhelp.

The quote from Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care stated “The pandemic has made it clear how important getting outside is to our mental, physical and spiritual health,”… and yet in reading the program’s description there is no mention of “spiritual health” which is the essence of who we are as spiritual beings. Essential to the success of this land-based project is spiritual programming that teaches the 3 fold purpose of our lives, that reveals the fundamental principles and morals found in all Faith traditions without exalting one over the others and which recognizes that we are all interdependent peoples of one world sharing a common homeland, the planet earth.

I already have a plan to walk to the proposed plaza for purchases instead of driving to Langford.

Both comment and article well said and must be given very serious thought and attention.

What if we employ locally and keep people off the road. Work local ,stay local. Many on the road are shopping Langford.

My residence is 20 years old.I wish to apply for the Greener Holmes Grant.

What a terrible introduction to this article! ” If for some reason you cannot get vaccinated … Begin by stopping the proliferation of nonsense.”
Assuming that people who chose not to get vaccinated are spreading lies?

If you want to get the vaccine, fine – you do you. And you’re “safe”! We don’t need people to pressure others to get it. There are plenty of good reasons not to get the vaccine that have nothing to do with the “fake news”. Particularly the fact that NO ONE knows the long term effects.

Poor journalism

Interesting chart! Thank you!

Interesting! Thank you!

Thanks for this. I hope the uninformed people read and heed!

Good stewardship shown by this innovative company. Bravo Sheringham Distillers. Tu

I am encouraged by this news. Bit by tiny bit, the change in economic attitudes is beginning to have an effect that will spread as the Circular Economic Model grows. A global seminar is planned for September 2021. I hope very much to see Sooke at the front of the line in innovative development. Small but mighty example.

A bridge over to east sooke, will be the only project that makes hwy 14 safer. The current project is a waste of 90 million.
Single vehicle accident will always be a issue.

Due to too many cars on the road,stressed drivers and especially work trucks trying to keep schedules in heavily congested traffic

I just love this story. Thank you

I’m wondering if you have a Facebook page that you announce your courses on.

Agreed. There have been no long term safety studies done on anyone, let alone pregnant women or babies born to women who have received these vaccines. Keeping in mind that this is experimental technology that targets our RNA or DNA and that it has never successfully been used before I am curious how it can be said that it can “safely” be used in pregnant people. I guess the pregnant people (and their developing babies) will end up inadvertently being the long term trials.