METCHOSIN – Breaking News
Regional News: BC & NATIONAL | VANCOUVER ISLAND (island-wide impact) | LANGFORD | COLWOOD | VIEW ROYAL | METCHOSIN | SOOKE | JUAN de FUCA | REGIONAL EVENTS
Friday, September 14 ~ WEST SHORE. The nominations for municipal councils and school districts closed today September 14 as of 4 pm.
Uncontested for Mayor is incumbent John Ranns. For council’s four seats there are eight contenders (two of them incumbent): Darren Brown, Brian Domney, Sharie Epp, Norm Hardy, Kyara Kahakauwila (I), Marie-Terese Little, Andy MacKinnon (I), and Jenny Millar. This municipality of less than 5,000 residents prides itself on protecting greenspace and pursues a rural way of life.
Residents of Metchosin also vote in the election of school trustees within Sooke School District 62 (SD62), specifically in the Belmont Zone.
There are seven (7) trustees elected to the SD62 board, four of them from the Belmont Zone, and three from the Milne’s Landing Zone.
Belmont Zone – [4 trustees] Langford/Colwood area, Metchosin, and parts of View Royal. Confirmed candidates: Cendra Beaton, Bob Beckett, Russ Chipps, Wendy Hobbs (incumbent), Ravi Parmar (incumbent), Dianna Seaton (incumbent), Blair Sloane, and Trudy Spiller.
Milne’s Landing Zone – [3 trustees] Sooke area. Confirmed candidates: Bob Phillips (incumbent), Neil Poirier (incumbent), Britt Santowski, Margot Swinburnson (incumbent), and Allison Watson. [Note/update September 21: Marian Cvitkovic has withdrawn her nomination]
Monday, September 10 ~ METCHOSIN. Metchosin is pitching to their community for more volunteer firefighters. There’s a session on Friday, September 14 from 7 to 9 pm.
“We encourage to come down and find out what all is involved in being a volunteer firefighter – our recruit process, training courses, time commitment, physical requirements, and so on,” says Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop.
“Bring your family and meet some of our amazing volunteer firefighters, listen to their dedication and stories of involvement.”
It will be a chance to discover if the commitment a right fit for volunteer and family.
Information & application form: www.metchosinfire.ca
Tuesday, August 14 ~ METCHOSIN. Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop and members of the Metchosin Fire Department arrived in Fort St James in north-central BC this evening. They’re helping out with an extreme wildfire scenario there.
Members of the Sooke and Langford fire departments are also helping out with efforts at wildfire suppression in the area, along with firefighters from around the province.
Fort St James has been on evacuation alert since Saturday August 11. Now, nearly the 1,600 residents of Fort Saint James are being urged to prepare for evacuation if the forest fires come closer to the community.
The Shovel Lake fire is estimated to be 31,500 hectares and currently raging about 35 km away from the western border of Fort Saint James.
Sunday, August 12 ~ METCHOSIN. UPDATE at 9:30 pm – Hwy 14 is now open.
[First posting at 3:30 pm / updated 5:45 pm]: Road closure of Highway 14 (Sooke Road) in both directions from about 2 pm to probably mid-evening, due to vehicle crash in the Metchosin stretch of that highway between Langford and Sooke.
It was a single-vehicle crash, resulting in minor injuries, said Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop. Attending on scene were Metchosin Fire Dept, BC Ambulance Service, RCMP, and BC Hydro.
As of 5 pm still awaiting TELUS crews to come deal with lines down. Detours at Happy Valley Road and Kangaroo Road. www.drivebc.ca
The work will take place approximately 1.5 km west of the 4-lane section. Westbound traffic will be stopped for brief duration periods (5-7 minutes) while repair work commences.
The area that the repair work will take place is confined and has poor sight distance. Please drive with extreme caution and obey all construction signs and Traffic Control Person direction.
This notice was released by Mainroad South Island.
[UPDATE AUGUST 2, 2018: A public service for Moralea Milne (1950-2018) will be held Sunday August 5 at 2 pm with the Milne family, friends and Metchosin community at the Metchosin Municipal Grounds, 4450 Happy Valley Road. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own recyclable water container as this will be an earth-friendly service to honour Moralea’s passion and commitment to the environment. Parking will be at the Municipal Grounds on the front field and additional parking available at the Metchosin School field. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony. www.metchosin.ca ]
Crash investigators determined that the driver of an oncoming vehicle had disregarded a stop sign. It was a head-on crash.
“Today is a very sad day for everyone who knew and worked with Moralea, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family now,” said Metchosin Mayor John Ranns.
“Moralea made many thoughtful contributions to important policy decisions on Council and her voice will be missed. She cared deeply about Metchosin and the environment and in addition to being an outstanding Councillor, served her community well in many other ways,” Mayor Ranns said in a news release.
Moralea was first elected to the District of Metchosin in 2008. During her tenure she served on many important committees and Boards including, Finance and Administration Committee Chair, Finance and Environment Committee Chair, Environmental Advisory Committee, West Shore Parks and Recreation Society Board Member, CRD Regional Housing Trust Fund, Greater Victoria Public Library Board, among others. She was an active and dedicated member of Council. She was known for her diligence in all financial matters, always with the goal of getting the best value for taxpayers as well as being instrumental in solidifying the great relationship between Metchosin Council and Beecher Bay Scia’new First Nation.
“Our hearts go out to Moralea’s family, she leaves behind a wonderful and strong family and I know they will be a great source of comfort and support to one another,” it was posted on the District of Metchosin website today at 2 pm.
Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton opened her Council’s meeting this evening with her heartfelt expression of support for the Milne family. “There are some heartbroken people in the District of Metchosin today,” said Hamilton. Colwood Council members signed a card expressing their sympathies.
And the Mayor of Langford has provided a statement. “My condolences go out to her family on behalf of the City of Langford,” said Langford Mayor Stew Young. “Such a tragic loss, the whole region lost a great representative of the people. Her commitment and dedication to making Metchosin a better place for her residents will be missed and difficult to replace.”
District of Sooke Mayor Maja Tait offered her condolences: “I am saddened by the sudden passing of Councillor Moralea Milne. Moralea served her community with kindness and a gracious heart. I wish Moralea’s family and friends comfort and strength during this very difficult time,” said Tait.
Milne was not planning to run for re-election in Metchosin. She was travelling with her husband (age 73) at the time of the accident; he is reportedly in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The 37-year-old driver of the second vehicle was also injured in the crash.
“The date and details of a celebration of life have yet to be finalized. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Metchosin Foundation are appreciated,” said the District of Metchosin news release.
Metchosin Breaking News archives – July 2018