ARCHIVE – SOOKE LOCAL NEWS – July & August 2017
Whereas in the past there have been two Assistant Superintendents reporting to SD62 Superintendent Jim Cambridge, as of August 1 a third Assistant Superintendent joined the team.
Introduced at the first public board meeting of 2017-2018 on August 29 was new Assistant Superintendent (A/S) Stephanie Hedley-Smith. She joins Paul Block and Dave Strange who were both new to the position of Assistant Superintendent for 2016-2017.
Three A/S positions makes it a lot easier to assign one ‘family of schools’ fully and directly under the purview of one administrator. The Belmont family of schools in Langford will be overseen by Hedley-Smith. The Royal Bay family of schools in Colwood will be overseen by Block. The EMCS family of schools in Sooke will be overseen by Strange.
Key aspects of their portfolios include Education Standing Committee, Information Technology and Aboriginal Education (Hedley-Smith); Distributed Learning, Curriculum and Secondary Counselling (Block); and Alternative Education, Comprehensive School Health and Elementary Counselling (Strange).
Also new at the board table in his first full year as Chair was Ravi Parmar. The overall meeting had an upbeat feeling not unexpected at the start of a school year. But there was an undercurrent of worries about the increasing cost of bus transportation (see Aug 30 article below). And pressure points are looming due to various ‘moving pieces’ having to do with registration tally unknowns and the space to accommodate all students in the schools.
Schools in SD62 are in Langford, Colwood and Sooke. As many as 19 portable classrooms are being set up this week ahead of the September 5 start of the 2017-2018 academic school year. A Proposed Definition Report (PDR) to justify the cost to expand Royal Bay Secondary by 600 seats (beyond the current 1,200) has been submitted to the BC government for consideration; if approved, design of the addition to Royal Bay (which opened in September 2015) could begin as early as this fall.
Sunday, August 27 ~ SOOKE. Beach Art at Whiffin Spit is a creative cleanup combo.
For many years now, the end of summer has been marked by a beach cleanup at Whiffin Spit in Sooke that turns flotsam and jetsam into art.
This year Beach Art is on Saturday, September 2, from 11 am to 3pm. It’s an opportunity to create art of a 3D nature, entirely from what is found on the beach.
Organized by the Sooke Community Arts Council, the annual funky Beach Art event usually falls on the Labour Day weekend. In some previous years when the event was held on the same weekend as the Sooke Fall Fair it was a bit of a time stretch for people to attend both.
Flotsam is debris in the water that was not deliberately thrown overboard, often as a result from a shipwreck or accident. Jetsam describes debris that was deliberately thrown overboard by a crew of a ship in distress, most often to lighten the ship’s load. But nowadays it’s mostly just garbage. Most of the trash and debris that covers beaches and floats in the ocean comes from storm drains and sewers, as well as from shoreline and recreational activities such as picnicking and beachgoing. Abandoned or discarded fishing gear is also a major problem because this trash can entangle, injure, maim, and drown marine wildlife and damage property.
The day after Beach Art, volunteers go back to the Spit on Sunday to cleanup the Spit of any debris, thus keeping our park pristine. Volunteers welcome! To help out on the day after, just show up at Whiffin Spit on Sunday Sept 3 from 11 am to 3 pm. www.sookecommunityarts.com
Friday, August 18 ~ SOOKE. If you happened to be at The Stick in the Mud Coffee House on Thursday, August 17 you might have been there for the moment in the courtyard that Moonfist was recognized as a SuperHero in Sooke.
It was recognition with cape and broom, for the long-time Sooke resident whose personal mission is to work the streets of Sooke clean almost daily.
Moonfist’s diligent sweeping and garbage pickup along the roadsides of Sooke is his self-styled commitment toward town beautification on several levels.
The District of Sooke recognized his efforts with a $200 honorarium earlier this summer, and Mayor Maja Tait was at The Stick on Thursday to award the cape. The Broomfist idea was by Moonfist’s wife Margaret, celebrated by
those who were there.
For Moonfist, The Stick is a regular hangout with friends.
Store manager Marcus Farmer says the self-checkout stations have been rolled out at Shoppers stores across Canada this year, and it was Sooke’s turn.
“The new self-checkout will be convenient for people who have just a few items to purchase, or maybe if there are long lineups at the regular checkout when other customers have big orders on special points days,” says Farmer.
You can check out from one to six items. Payment is accepted by credit or debit (no cash). You can use your points to pay too!
There is a place to put your shopping basket and bags for carry out.
So far the response has been all positive, says Farmer.
Friday, August 11 ~ SOOKE. The second annual Sooke Music Festival is coming up tomorrow, Saturday August 12. From 11 am to 10 pm, the event at John Phillips Memorial Park will offer live music and family entertainment.
The event is a fundraiser for the Sooke Community Turf Field and the Sooke Food Bank.
Building on the success of last year’s launch, the organizers have done a great job marketing the event this year, including lawn signs along various roadways in Sooke. www.sookemusicfestival.com
Linda Gordon will demonstrate about choosing an “Ambient Abstract” to compliment the colours of your home. 3-5 pm, the last day of the show. http://sookefinearts.com/events/
Linda Gordon chatted with BC Premier John Horgan at the Sooke Fine Arts Show during the Artists Celebration Evening on July 29.
Premier Horgan’s speech at the start of that evening included his compliments about the longevity of the show over 31 years and the quality and importance of art in the Sooke and coastal regions as well throughout BC. See Horgan’s speech on page 1 of the Aug 4th issue of West Shore Voice News.
Thursday, August 3 ~ SOOKE. The heat wave saw record-breaking temperatures yesterday in most parts of BC. It reached 30°C in parts of Sooke yesterday.
Today the weather in Sooke was 20°C ahead of 10 am (dropping a bit to 17°C at 10am due to smoky-sky cloud cover). By mid-day, 25°C (feeling like 28°C) is expected.
In nearby Langford today there is a smoky sky air warning, with a temperature of 24°C at 10 am (feels like 26°C), heading up to 27°C by mid-afternoon. A low of 16°C is forecasted for the overnight.
For your health in such hot conditions: stay cool (indoors or in shade where possible), stay hydrated (drink water before you feel thirsty), and avoid direct sun exposure (wear hat and long sleeves).
If going outdoors, wear sunscreen, as the UV-level is posted as Very High. Also wear UV-protective eyewear.
Weather graphic from The Weather Network, August 3.
Wednesday, August 2 ~ SOOKE. Early morning, already a hazy smoky sky in the area due to wind bringing over particulate from the BC Interior wildfires. Already 16°C by 7 am, the forecasted high today is as high as 30°C and The Weather Network says the UV Index is very high.
People with heart and lung health challenges are advised to stay indoors (in cool, air filtered conditions if possible), according to an Island Health release yesterday. If outdoors, stay hydrated and avoid over-exertion, and seek shade where possible. Wear sunscreen, hat and UV-protective eyewear.
So on July 31 the writing was no longer on the wall (er, the sign). The old sign across the front of the branch that said open daily was replaced with a sign bearing just the TD logo and name.
The convenience to customers with the longer hours, including Sundays, obviously is no longer the draw that it once was. The major domination of Internet banking is probably a large part of that decrease in demand for in-branch service. Additionally, in Sooke, once people are home from the long commute to employment elsewhere in the region, taking a trip out for banking in the evening is probably not top of mind.
The new branch hours were posted on the main door of the branch last week. Starting Monday, August 14 the branch hours will be Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturdays 9am to 4 pm, closed on Sundays.
Due to a motor vehicle incident on McCallum Road (in front of Home Depot), please avoid the area of
McCallum road from Staples to Millstream Road as both lanes are closed to traffic at this particular time
The TD Bank in Sooke was new construction in the middle of town centre, opening in 2012 based on an expectation of increased demand in what was thought to be a town growing rapidly enough to sustain the costs of opening a new branch here. Until that time, the next nearest TD Branch was (and is) in Langford.
TD — which is fully TD Canada Trust — has for many years distinguished itself from the other four major banks with it’s extra-long and 7-day-a-week branch hours as well as pitching to small businesses which usually operate with long and variable hours.
There are three other financial institutions in Sooke: CIBC, RBC, and Coast Capital Savings.
Monday, July 31. TRAFFIC ALERT. Tonight the new concrete deck for the Galloping Goose Trail bridge will be poured. All travellers — including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists — are advised that McKenzie Avenue will be closed while construction crews pour the new concrete deck as part of the McKenzie Interchange Project.
McKenzie Avenue will be closed tonight, Monday, July 31, between Burnside Road West and Highway 1 from 11 p.m. tonight until 5:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, Tuesday, Aug. 1.
Traffic on McKenzie Avenue bound for Highway 1 will be able to turn onto Burnside Road. Traffic heading toward McKenzie Avenue from Admirals will be directed to turn onto Highway 1.
Travellers along Highway 1 will be able to exit at Helmcken, Interurban or Tillicum instead of McKenzie Avenue.
Please plan to use alternative routes and allow for extra time. For up-to-date traffic advisories, visit: www.drivebc.ca
He was warmly received during the official ceremony that recognizes artists and volunteers. Here’s what he said to the crowd, amidst ample and frequent applause:
“It’s delightful to be here for 31st annual Sooke Fine Arts Show!
For those of you here for the first time, you’re in for a real treat. For those of you here for perhaps the 31st time you’ve seen how this small but vital program has grown to be the premiere event on South Vancouver Island if not the premiere event in BC.
I think I can say that now representing the government of British Columbia, because there’s no place that I would rather be tonight than at the Sooke Fine Art Show. It’s a testament to Geraldine and the board and all of the volunteers that make this happen.
I was talking to a few couples in the lineup from downtown, who made the great pilgrimage out Hwy 14 to come to the program tonight.
And I’ve been in this arena in early mornings for hockey games, I’ve been in this arena for graduation ceremonies, but somehow every year the volunteers and the people that get behind the Sooke Fine Arts Show turn this dusty dingy arena into a studio to demonstrate the spectacular work of the arts community up and down Vancouver Island and coastal communities.
I’m so excited to be here, on behalf of just me, and also as the Premier of BC, to make a commitment to everyone here tonight that I will do my level best to see that the arts will get the character and attention that they deserve. Not just now but into the future. And that we invest and ensure that we think of Sooke not just as a place to go fishing, not just where the forest industry used to be dominant, but a place that’s diverse and dynamic and can house a premiere juried art show like this.
This year, make it the best ever … and let’s work to next year that Sooke can continue to be the centre of arts in July each year going forward.”
Saturday, July 29 ~ SOOKE. Catch the July 28 issue of West Shore Voice News for coverage of the Sooke Fine Arts Show. Editorial on “getting those big pay-offs in the art world” is on page 2.
The Purchaser’s Preview evening on July 27 was well-attended. About 400 people came to mingle and view the art. Sales of show pieces as well as items from the gift shop sold well.
The popular 11-day show runs this year from July 28 to August 7. See schedules, admission fee info, and event info at www.sookefinearts.com
Friday, July 28 ~ SOOKE. Custom report by Mary Brooke, West Shore Voice News.
Last night the 31st Annual Sooke Fine Arts Show (SFAS) took off with a bang! People were lined up at least 20 minutes ahead of the 7 pm opening for the three-hour evening to browse and shop early for the best picks.
About 400 people attended through the evening, and ticket sales were high, says SFAS Executive Director Christa Rossner. This is the first year that the show is under Rossner’s direction. SFAS president is Geraldine McGuire.
Each year the show reflects the tastes of the three jurors. This year the overall feeling is light and airy, with touches and bursts of warmth and bright colours. There are plenty of paintings (many in soft pastel tonality) and creative photos as well as dynamic sculptures, high-impact ceramics and gorgeous jewelry. Art hanging and presentation is always fabulous, working with a full range of sizes, shapes, colour themes and textures of the art pieces.
The Sooke Fine Arts Show is considered one of the local social highlights of the year — particularly for the Purchaser’s Preview night (by ticket-purchase) and the Artists Celebration evening (by invitation), and also brings out droves of long-standing and loyal volunteers. Among the mingling guests last night were District of Sooke Mayor Maja Tait and NDP MP Randall Garrison (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke).
Other notable long-time art supporters in the crowd were Frederique and Sinclair Philip of Sooke Harbour House. Other high-profile Sooke guests included Dr Louise Morin of Sooke Optometry, Margaret Critchlow of Harbourside CoHousing, Roger Temple of Sooke Rotary and many members of the long-standing arts community.
The reception-info desk is again this year under the experienced management of Dave and Vicki Bennett. Local artist Linda Gordon joined the ticket-taker team at the front entry tables this year.
About 375 works are on display again this year … that’s how much the space in the SEAPARC Leisure Complex arena will hold — a venue that gets transformed into an amazing world class art venue for the 11-day show. This year the show runs July 28 through August 7 (BC Day).
For the youth portion of the art show, over 200 pieces were on display. Hovering proudly among the youth artworks was long-time youth art supporter Susan Percival, who said SFAS volunteer Linda Tenecke has done a fabulous job of presenting the student art this year. It’s a great launch opportunity for young artists.
Thursday, July 27 ~ SOOKE. The 31st Annual Sooke Fine Arts Show pre-opens with a bang tonight with their Purchaser’s Preview, 7 to 10 pm at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke. Tickets $30.
The show runs July 28 to August 7. Schedule and special events: www.sookefinearts.com
West Shore Voice News is again this year a sponsor of the Sooke Fine Arts Show. There are 80 sponsors supporting this amazing annual showcase of coastal-region artworks by local and regional artists.
Over 375 pieces are in the show including paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, fabric pieces, photography and more. Three judges select the showpieces each year. Includes gift shop and live entertainment.
Tuesday, July 25 ~ SOOKE. The District of Sooke has raised their local Fire Danger rating to “Extreme” today, July 25.
The ground cover and trees in the forests are extremely dry. Other than one bit of rain a few days ago, there hasn’t been rain for the past few weeks. Temperatures have exceeded 24°C for over a week.
The fire risk was called “very serious” in a news release from the District of Sooke today. Under these conditions any new fires start easily, spread rapidly and challenge fire suppression efforts.
Most fires are caused by human activity. People are reminded to fully extinguish any cigarettes and to avoid use of equipment like power tools and ATVs in dry areas.
Fighting fires is costly and draws volunteers away from other activities with family and friends.
All open air burning including campfires, backyard waste and beach fires continue to be prohibited.
https://sooke.ca/districtnews/fire-danger/
Those attending the special event from Sooke included District of Sooke Mayor Maja Tait, and Sooke Region Museum director Lee Boyko. On-site news coverage and photos that day by editor Mary Brooke of West Shore Voice News.
Premier John Horgan (Langford-Juan de Fuca) is also the local MLA for the Sooke Region. For direct access in the constituency, the office is in Langford at 122-2806 Jacklin Road, open Monday to Friday (10 am to 4 pm).
Friday, July 21 ~ SOOKE. Cell phone reception issues?
If you’ve been having finicky issues in recent weeks with your Rogers cell phone service, help is on the way!
Rogers says that tomorrow (Saturday July 22) there will be network upgrade work done on the equipment on about half their towers in the south-Vancouver Island area ranging from west of Sooke to View Royal, in Saanich, and out to Brentwood Bay.
In the past six months they’ve had 17 complaint-calls about degrading service in the west shore and south island area. That’s considered a high volume. And so it’s about to get fixed.
John Horgan (MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca) was sworn in as the 36th Premier of BC on Tuesday, July 18 at Government House in Victoria.
Horgan has worked hard to become widely known throughout the province, and seemed notably relaxed, humbly inspired and clearly excited in this new role during the swearing-in ceremony.
The new cabinet includes Ministers in new portfolios such as Mental Health and Addictions as well as an expanded Ministry called Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development. David Eby is now the Attorney General. Carole James is the Minister of Finance and Deputy-Premier. Heading up the Education ministry is Rob Fleming.
The new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is Selena Robinson, who will need to look at housing supply for its immediate and long-term challenges.
Attending the swearing-in event at Government House on Tuesday was District of Sooke Mayor Maja Tait, as well as Sooke Region Museum director Lee Boyko. Also there for the big day was SD62 Chair Ravi Parmar and former SD62 Chair and long-time NDP supporter Bob Phillips. Randall Garrison, MP, who represents Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke was also in attendance. Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Director Mike Hicks was there.
Six members of the new cabinet are Vancouver Island MLAs. Both of Greater Victoria area ridings, Lana Popham is now Agriculture Minister and Rob Fleming is the new Education Minister. Long-time Victoria-based MLA Carole James is now Minister of Finance and Deputy-Premier.
See full feature article about the July 18 swearing-in ceremony on the BC news page of this website (July 19 entry).
Sunday, July 16 ~ SOOKE. Another seniors co-housing project in Sooke gets the initial nod. What could be the second seniors co-housing project in Sooke got the initial go-ahead from District of Sooke Council on Monday night, July 10.
Bylaw 678 achieved 1st and 2nd reading for the property at 6603 Sooke Rd (roadside near Mariner’s Village) to be rezoned from large lot R1 to RM4, potentially allowing for West Wind Harbour Cohousing to build 32 multi-family units.
Councillor Rick Kasper worked hard to make the point that at least one unit in the complex is to be available for sale at below-market rate (i.e. somewhat meeting standards as affordable housing).
A public hearing to be held at Council on Sept 11. That’s usually followed the same evening with 3rd reading.
[This was first published in the July 14, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News, page 4]
There will be a live feed of the ceremony starting at 2pm on John Horgan’s Facebook page .
As well, there will be a public open house from 5 to 7 pm at the BC Legislature to meet and mingle with the new cabinet and Premier. including tours to areas of the legislature that are usually accessible, such as the library and speakers hallway around the chamber.
As Premier, John Horgan will briefly speak just after 5pm in the legislature’s Hall of Honour.
Among those attending were economic development leaders from Langford (including Langford EDC Chair Hugh MacDonald) as well as from Sooke (including Randy Clarkson, David Evans and Doug Wittich) where Mayor Young sees further growth potential for the broader west shore region.
Attending from Langford city council were long-time Councillors Denise Blackwell, Lanny Seaton, Winnie Sifert, and Lillian Szpak. From the SD62 school board was their new chair Ravi Parmar, and Trustee Dianna Seaton.
The forum explored innovative approaches to housing and community design, as one way of dealing with affordability in growing communities.
See the FULL ARTICLE on the main page of West Shore Voice News (July 16).
Wednesday, July 12 ~ SOOKE to LANGFORD. Due to a brush fire, Highway 14 (Sooke Road) has been closed to through-traffic both eastbound and westbound since about 3:30 pm this afternoon, July 12. The wildfire was being dealt with in the forest around 4700-block Hwy 14 (near West Coast Tire), just east of Kangaroo Road. One house went up in flames. But no persons, pets or livestock have been harmed.
Five fire departments have sent crews to deal with the brush fire, accompanied by six BC government forestry workers — all with the support of two helicopters. Incident command by Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop. By 6 pm this evening the fire was contained but still active.
The traffic detour along Happy Valley Road, Rocky Point Road and Gillespie Road was still in effect as of 6 pm.
The cause of the brush fire is not confirmed. However, some drivers in the area reported that a motor home was dragging something along the highway, giving off sparks. Langford firefighters reportedly discovered several little spot fires along a 2km stretch of the highway. Highway 14 is heavily traveled by daily commuters, mobile business service providers, transport trucks, and tourist vehicles.
The fire departments of Sooke, Langford and Metchosin just this week agreed to provide mutual aid to each of the others’ municipal areas, in case of a personnel shortfall. Due to a high number of wildfires in the BC interior (on the mainland), some firefighters may be called to deal with that, leaving Sooke, Langford and Metchosin potentially short-staffed.
Some firefighting personnel left the island yesterday for the BC Interior. Firefighters from North Saanich, Sidney and View Royal will be doing shifts of 6 to 14 days in the interior region.
Today in a daily update from the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations it was announced that one of the reasons 300 firefighting personnel have been brought in from other parts of Canada is to give BC firefighters occasional breaks. That’s to help pace the firefighting resources (personnel and equipment) through what is expected to be a high-incidence summer fire season.
As of today, 183 wildfires are burning in BC. That’s down from over 200 on the weekend. Of the current fires, about 20 are ‘of note’ (large enough to cause concern for possible danger to persons and property, and potentially requiring evacuation).
Followup story on page 1 in the July 14, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News .
Monday, July 10 ~ SOOKE. Firefighting resources are in high demand in this hot dry summer in BC. Wildfires in the BC Interior are commanding fire resources from wherever they can be spared. About 300 firefighting support personnel are coming to BC from other regions of Canada, to help out with the BC wildfire load.
Yesterday it was also announced that the BC Government is issuing $100 million to the Canadian Red Cross to deal with fire evacuees and related emergency support.
When it comes to Sooke firefighting resources, says Sooke Fire Chief Kenn Mount: “At the beginning of each year the Office of the Fire Commissioner has a request for resource list that is meant for backup during a state of emergency. At this time we have not been requested for any resources. We are short-staffed ourselves at the moment and have been very busy the last few weeks that we need members in our own area.”
On Sunday July 9 the Sooke Fire Rescue Service responded to two kitchen fires that occurred at the same time.
Discarded cigarette butts are the frequent cause of brush fires and wildfires. “With the fires in the province it is very troublesome to look at the statistics that show how many were human caused. The lack of awareness from the smoking community is very difficult to comprehend in this day and age,” says Chief Mount.
Friday, July 7 ~ SOOKE. This weekend the annual Sooke Philmarmonic Fling outdoor family concert will be held on Sunday, July 9. The concert starts at 2:30 pm at Ed Macgregor Park. It’s free. Bring lawn chair and sun umbrella, arrive early for a good spot. Food concession and washroom on site. www.sookephil.ca
No MLA names for the new cabinet have been released yet. However it is widely expected that the cabinet will not be comprised exclusively of NDP MLAs, but will also include one or more BC Liberal and BC Green MLAs.
This is part of Horgan’s effort to demonstrate — as he told the Lieutenant Governor — that he has the confidence of the legislative assembly.
“We are excited to deliver on our commitments. That’s why we are working as quickly as possible to give British Columbians the new leadership they voted for,” said New Democrat MLA and transition spokesperson Carole James.
“We’re going to make life more affordable, deliver the services people count on, and create good paying jobs around the province in a sustainable economy that works for everyone.”
Premier-designate John Horgan is the MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca, which includes Sooke.
It’s awful to see graffiti on the front of Sooke Community Hall, defacing of public property and a special community building in town.
Councillor Rick Kasper is out there cleaning it a bit this afternoon. A crew of volunteers is apparently showing up at 7pm tonight (July 6) to do more.
The exterior of the building is vinyl siding. The dark blue thick paint has made its way deep into the crevices of the siding. There’s also a bit of paint on the Heritage Sign about the history of Sooke Community Hall.
Apparently the damage was first discovered on Tuesday night.
Check out the West Shore Voice News editorial on the deeper concerns about this graffiti, in the July 7, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News (page 2).
The sight of smoke was first called in to Sooke Fire Rescue around 1:15 pm, says Sooke Fire Chief Kenn Mount. The half-acre forest fire was considered partially contained by about 4 pm today, Tuesday July 4.
On-scene to extinguish the blaze were Sooke firefighters (seven members) and crews from the BC Wildfire Service (nine members) and Capital Regional District Parks (7 members).
Including integrated command, there were over 23 personnel plus the two helicopter teams called out to deal with the Rank 2 blaze, which by 5 pm had come close to being Rank 3.
Rank 2 presents as a vigorous surface fire that is starting to move into the ladder fuels on the tree. Rank 3 means there are signs of crowning — i.e. the fire jumping from treetop to treetop.
It took 30 minutes for Chief Mount and one other fire official to reach the site of the blaze, to determine the extent of fire and how to handle it. Crews had to make their way up the hill on this hot day (over 23°C), dragging fire hoses behind them. There is no fire hydrant at Harbourview Rd. Water has had to have been trucked in by the Sooke Fire Department.
Ahead of that, initial crews on site built a hand guard … they built a line with tools where the surface fire can creep along, getting down to the mineral soil so the fire can no longer grow. A wet guard was not possible until water could be brought up the hill, says Chief Mount.
At 6 pm crews were doing a bit of rehab, said Mount, before retackling the fire this evening. “People can still expect to see smouldering by Wednesday morning,” says Sooke Fire Chief Mount.
Mount Manuel Quimper is a popular hiking destination in the Sooke Hills, just east of Sooke (about 9 km from the town core). No residences or other buildings in the area were threatened.
This is the 39th human-caused fire on Vancouver Island this summer so far. The carelessness of hikers and others in the woods is beginning to exasperate firefighting services, who feel that most of these fires could have been avoided.
The Fire Danger Rating for most of Vancouver Island is now High (up from Moderate on the Canada Day long weekend).
Monday, July 3 ~ SOOKE. The Prestige Oceanfront Resort is of course in their busy season. A full summer house for the six-year-old hotel: weddings, guests from around the world, and regional visitors out to enjoy the on-water and hiking recreational opportunities.
A new amenity at the 122-room hotel is a large upscale passenger vehicle with the Prestige brand name. The grey 2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur is prominently parked just out front of the hotel doors, ready for use.
“The car is used to transfer guests if requested, at a cost,” says Prestige Oceanfront Resort general manager Jacob Cramp.
The Sooke boat launch is at the foot of the Prestige driveway. Overflow parking for the boat launch is provided by the District of Sooke off Maple Ave South (with a bit of a hike along a trail, back to the hotel and docks). Parking there is free (though the cost to Sooke taxpayers for that parking area is $24,000 per year). Parking along West Coast Road continues, despite challenges for pedestrians and cyclists to get past the parked cars, trucks, and boat trailers.
Sunday, July 2 ~ SOOKE. The District of Sooke has initiated a new committee to look at how to streamline the process of development applications and building permits. It’s the municipality’s way of trying to support the development of more housing in Sooke.
The Sooke area is considered to be more affordable than other regions of south Vancouver Island. In the real estate statistics for the Greater Victoria area, Sooke certainly does come in lower than almost any other area. This is attractive to those with lower incomes, or people seeking to retire.
The actual raw average single-family home sale price in Sooke in May 2017 was $512,752 (HPI $465,100), compared to $675,843 in Langford (HP $555,300) and $876,910 in Greater Victoria overall (HPI $681,800).
For working commuters, the Sooke area still poses the cost of travel back-and-forth to the core areas of the Victoria area and beyond. Many military families reside in the Sooke area, many of whom commute to the dockyard and naval base in Esquimalt.
Three members of the public will be appointed to the committee by Sooke Mayor Maja Tait. More information is available at www.sooke.ca . The deadline to apply is 4:30 pm on Friday, July 7.
An overly complex or unnecessarily slow process of handling the intake, paperwork and approvals for development and housing construction has been determined to be an impediment to effective housing development in many communities, not just Sooke. For Sooke, this process of streamlining has now been set as a priority by Mayor and Council.
Chief Planes earlier in the day in a brief speech to a noon-hour crowd recognized the 150th year of Canadian confederation but also said that for the First Nations, the land is “ours for time immemorial”.
Planes emphasized the importance of maintaining the environment for generations to come “so this place will never change for another 150 years”.
Ahead of that, T’Sou-ke elder Shirley Alphonse gave a blessing ahead of the festivities, including thanks for local MLA John Horgan becoming Premier of BC.
Horgan has been integrally involved with the Sooke area since first (in 2005) becoming MLA of what is now Langford-Juan de Fuca.
There with his wife Ellie and security in tow, he had flown back by helicopter from his day of politicking at other Canada Day community gatherings in the Lower Mainland, to be in Sooke. Sooke holds an annual Canada Day festival, at ‘Sooke Flats’ down by the Sooke River. It’s an old stomping-ground from younger days for Horgan, and he relaxes, in his element.
Horgan grew up in nearby Langford where he still lives, raised his family, and has served as the MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca since 2005.
The evening air was cool but the skies had been bright all day. When Horgan first arrived at 8pm there were about 200 people on the grounds, listening to the band. By 9 pm about 1,000 people were on site.
Horgan was happily swarmed by groups of young people, even children. He was ably conversant with all of them and posed for selfies. All the political ‘old guard’ was there, for the natural rounds of congratulatory handshakes.
Horgan says he is eager to get down to business. Next week he will be establishing his Cabinet. He has said since Thursday night after being asked by the Lieutenant Governor to form government, that first things on the list are to eliminate tolls on bridges in Vancouver, add one cent to gasoline for an increase in the carbon tax, start things in motion to increase the minimum wage, and quickly set up a review of the Site C hydroelectric project.
Tonight he told West Shore Voice News that the 50% reduction in Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums would still go into effect in January 2018 (as first promised by the BC Liberals), and that within four years the MSP system will be revamped. A review committee to look at which model of health premiums would work for BC will be established soon, Horgan said. He says there are nine models — i.e. every other province in Canada — to look at. BC is the last province with a fee-based system. All other provinces deal with revenues for health care through the income tax system in one way or another.
Saturday, July 1 ~ SOOKE. There was a strong turnout this morning and ahead of the noon-hour official ceremony at Sooke Flats for Canada Day 150 today in Sooke. Crowds stayed into the afternoon for musical entertainment, food, and chatting with friends and neighbours.
Skies were bright with a light breeze, and no chance of rain. Perfect for Canada’s sesquicentennial on the west coast of Vancouver Island!
After the singing of O Canada by the day’s Elvis impersonator (great voice!) the crowd was in good spirits to hear a few speeches from the dignitaries on the outdoor stage.
T’Sou-ke elder Shirley Alphonse gave the blessing, including thanks for local MLA John Horgan becoming Premier of BC.
Chief Gordon Planes of T’Sou-ke Nation recognized the 150th year of Canadian confederation but also said that for the First Nations, the land is “ours for time immemorial”. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the environment for generations to come “so this place will never change for another 150 years”.
Premier-designate John Horgan (MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca) will be arriving at the Canada Day Sooke event for 8 pm this evening. He has been spending the day on the Lower Mainland in Port Moody and Surrey.
Fireworks begin after 10 pm. Sooke Fire Chief Kenn Mount says the display will be even bigger this year, in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday.
Randall Garrison, MP (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke) hadn’t made a speech in Sooke in a while (that opportunity was unavailable at the last Sooke Fall Fair), while reminding the emcee and the crowd that he was the driving force in getting name of the riding changed several years ago to include Sooke.
Garrison says Canadians can work together to make a better country, that Canada Day is a time when we can look back as well as look forward. “A window to the future for the next 150 years includes the challenges of climate change and increasing instability in the world,” said Garrison.
“If we all rise to meet these challenges, that will make us all proud to be Canadians.” He noted fairness and solidarity as common values among Canadians. Garrison emphasized the need to be more inclusive of indigenous peoples who “have allowed us to live on their land”.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait thanked the Sooke Lions Club and Sooke Community Association for organizing Sooke Canada Day again this year. She noted about people in Sooke “how we care for each other and give our best in times of need”.
In the context of 150 years for Canada, Tait acknowledged over 100 years of dedicated by the local Sooke Fall Fair and Sooke Fire Department. Afterward, Mayor Tait said she enjoys the annual Canada Day Sooke event as a way to enjoy meeting everybody and catching up. “And enjoying the sunshine, especially after such a long winter!” Tait was accompanied by her husband and young son.
In addition to Mayor Tait, Sooke Councillors who made it out to the Sooke Flats for today’s events included Bev Berger, Rick Kasper, Brenda Parkinson (who emceed the official event on stage), Kevin Pearson, and Kerrie Reay.
There was a bit more of a noticeable police presence this year during the late morning and during the official ceremony. This was the first Sooke Canada Day for Sooke RCMP Detachment Commander Jeff McArthur.
Saturday, July 1 ~ BC. Premier-designate John Horgan will be on both the mainland and Vancouver Island this Canada Day 150. He will be celebrating Canada Day with people at community events in Port Moody, Surrey and Sooke.
11:00 am – Port Moody Canada Day, Rocky Point Park, 2800 Murray St, Port Moody
1:30 pm – Surrey Canada Day, Bill Reid Millenium Amphitheatre, 17728 64 Ave, Surrey
8:00 pm – Sooke Canada Day, Sooke River Campground, 2259 Philips Road, Sooke
On Thursday evening, June 29, Horgan was asked by the Lieutenant Governor if he had the confidence of the legislature, and he said that he does. He and the cabinet he is assembling will be sworn in probably this coming week.
Check out the front page of June 30, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News for a summary of how the last few days went down for Horgan in his final steps to the Premiership.
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