Author: Gayle Baker

• Our Housing Crisis: Integrated Solutions are Possible and Urgent

   September 25, 2021: Surprisingly, the weather gods smiled upon us and the rain cleared, giving 10 participants another lovely – and at times even warm – day in the United Church Meadow. Islands Trust Local Trustee Laura Patrick began our gathering by speaking about her personal journey of Reconciliation. She then noted that she had spent…

• “Hewers of Wood; Drawers of Water:” Adam Asks Us To Start A Different Conversation

  September 18, 2022: Twenty-three Salt Springers welcomed our MLA Adam Olsen to this gathering in the United Church Meadow. (Two others listened from a distance, but they never joined our circle nor our conversation.) While the air was smokey – a constant reminder of those in peril in the fires to the south – the rain…

• A Year in Retrospect for ASK Salt Spring: October 4, 2019 – September 18, 2020

  : September 20, 2020 Why:  ASK Salt Spring was born from the clear frustrations experienced by too many when seeking answers to even simple questions. Our complex governance has resulted in confusion about who does what as well as too many areas of either overlap or duplication. ASK Salt Spring is an attempt to bridge silos by providing…

• Affordable Housing: Both Successes and Stumbling Blocks

  September 11: 2022: Fifteen participated in this ASK Salt Spring gathering that welcomed special guest CRD Director, Gary Holman. (Three others listened outside the circle in the shade of the apple tree.) The focus of much of the conversation was upon affordable housing progress and the stumbling blocks impeding this progress.  The discussion began with a question about…

• Seeking Mental Health in Our Community – Beginning with Dignity and Tolerance for All

  September 4, 2022: Fifteen participated in this ASK Salt Spring gathering on one of those perfect last days of summer in the United Church Meadow. Although all questions were welcomed, the focus of the conversation was upon mental health in our community. We were pleased to welcome health professional and co-chair of the Salt Spring Health Advancement Network…

• Up Close and Personal – Climate Actions for Everyone

   August 28, 2022: Fifteen attended this ASK Salt Spring gathering on a perfect summer Friday to welcome Darryl Martin and Elisa Rathje, hard-working authors of our soon-to-be-released Climate Action Plan 2.0. Darryl, the chair of this audacious effort, began by acknowledging the many others (about 25) who have spent countless hours writing this plan of the action needed…

• Trustee Laura Patrick Envisions Crafting a Healthy Housing Balance for Salt Spring

  August 21, 2022: Nine Salt Springers came to welcome Trustee Laura Patrick on a rainy August Friday. While this was an usually-low turnout, the rains and the winds whipping through the Portlock Picnic Pavilion go a long way towards explaining the smaller-than-usual group of participants. Did they ever miss a great discussion!  Much of this discussion…

• Gary Holman is Asked: What Happened to our Safe Community and How Can We Get it Back?

  August 14, 2022: A total of 23 came to welcome Gary Holman and ask him questions about the issues on their minds. When folks began gathering in the United Church Meadow, there was pleasure in the clear, sunny day. Soon after noon, some had started to wilt in the unaccustomed beating sun while others huddled (too…

• Logging, Legislation, and Racism: Adam Shares his Vision and Wisdom

  August 7, 2022: Last Friday, a total of 37 Salt Springers gathered at the United Church Meadow on a practically-perfect summer Friday to welcome our MLA, Adam Olsen. While some did stand just outside the circumference of the circle (too close to one another for my comfort), everyone who wanted to participate was able to join the…

• Salt Springers Enthusiastically Welcome Our Elizabeth May

  July 31, 2022: Forty-four gathered to welcome Elizabeth May to this ASK Salt Spring gathering in the United Meadow. While we had feared a larger crowd (strictly adhering to social distancing as well as the BC limit of 50 for all gatherings), we were relieved to be able to welcome everyone who wanted to participate.  Elizabeth began by…