From the desk of the mayor: Highlights of our first year serving Sooke

The image below was posted on Facebook, and is transcribed and shared by Sooke PocketNews as a service to the community. -SPN

From the desk of the Mayor

Mayor Maja Tait, District of Sooke

As the seasons change, we are pleased to welcome the exciting changes in our Town Centre. These past months have been very busy for the District with the commencement of our Town Centre improvements. We appreciate the consideration of our local businesses and the patience of the travelling publish thought construction.

This past summer was exceptionally hot and dry and the potential for a serious interface fire was sever. We are very thankful for our Fire Department, dedicated volunteers and neighbouring departments for their commitment to public safety.

Council members are actively participating on our existing and newly formed committees. The Parks and Trails Advisory Committee has toured our community parks and is now working on recommendations for improvements. The Community Centre Advisory Committee continues to explore options for facilities to accommodate our diverse and growing population. Council has also re-established the Sooke Program of the Arts Committee to enable Sooke be be visibly recognized as an artistic community with exceptional local latent and our Long Term Financial Planning Committee will provide guidance to Council on capital projects in the years to come.

[sam id=”15″ codes=”true”]The Mayor’s Primary Health Working Group continually strives for a healthy community, ongoing research into improved medical services and infrastructure, improving care to vulnerable populations and greater community engagement and advocacy work. Accomplishments and priorities will be shared with the community in 2016.

Our adopted Strategic Plan continues to provide a clear focus for Council with many of the objectives well under way. Council is already planning the 2016 work plan, next phase of infrastructure improvements and the associated budget.

As the first year of this Term draws to a close, I would like to acknowledge the Sooke community for its support, all members of Council for their contributions, team work and dedication as well as our District staff for their considerable efforts and expertise. Together we have had a successful year in realizing the vision of a caring, prosperous community with an attractive Town Centre and I am looking forward to our next steps in realizing Sooke’s incredible potential.

With kind regards,

Mayor Maja Tait