Author: Gayle Baker

• Struggling With a Double Digit 2025 CRD Budget Increase

  September 27 NOTE: Those of you who are watching carefully may wonder why Electoral Director/Local Community Commissioner (LCC) Gary Holman is often our ASK Salt Spring special guest. This is a result of circumstances: Chair Earl Rook has been on a family holiday in Europe, Ben Corno’s work schedule has interfered, and Brian Webster is…

• “Why Not Simply Borrow Creative Housing Solutions from Other Communities?”

  September 20, 2024: A small group gathered to welcome Electoral Director/Local Community Commissioner (LCC), Gary Holman, as well as LCC member Gayle Baker. After a lovely Territorial Acknowledgement by notetaker Sheila Dobie, facilitator Grant Fredrickson asked guests what “excites and delights” them. While, with a wry smile, Gary said that he is simply not the “excited…

• A Heartfelt Farewell to MLA Adam Olsen

  September 13, 2024: Eighteen joined us for all or part of the time for this very special ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming Adam Olsen for his last time with us as our MLA. (Be sure, he is very likely to join us again in one of his future community roles!)  We began with a Territorial Acknowledgement exploring the…

• Conversations About Community Policing With RCMP’s Clive Seabrook

  September 6, 2024: Ten welcomed RCMP’s Sergeant Clive Seabrook to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Clive shared some of what “excites and delights” him. Personally, he was buoyed by his recent 20th wedding anniversary trip to Paris, a phenomenal city. Professionally, he is blessed by a career that continues to excite and intrigue him despite…

• Welcoming Hardworking Volunteers Committed to Mental Wellness For All in Our Community

  August 30, 2024: Ten gathered to welcome David Norget to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. While the group was small (great weather, long weekend, and ???), we laughed about all being family as everyone in this conversation was involved in building community through: United by the strong shared commitment to creating a community of care, our time together…

• Celebrating Our New Local Radio Station – About to Go Live!

  August 23, 2024: A small group (plus another well-behaved pup) gathered to learn all about our community radio CHiR.fm. President of the Gulf Islands Community Radio Society, Damian Inwood, was familiar to many of us as a regular ASK Salt Spring participant, interviewing our special guests after most gatherings. (Interested? Check out ASK Salt Spring Answered: https://chir.fm/answered.) Damian was joined…

• Welcoming Housing Expert Justine Starke and Exploring Options for More Local Rentals

  August 16, 2024: Nineteen, and one very well-behaved pup, joined us for all or part of our ASK Salt Spring housing conversation with Southern Gulf Islands CRD Manager – and former Salt Spring Islands Trust Planner – Justine Starke. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we began our conversation with our traditional question, asking Justine what “excites and delights” her.  Recognizing…

• Salt Spring Lovingly Welcomes MP Elizabeth May

  July 26. 2024: Seventeen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MP Elizabeth May and Ned Taylor, Member’s Assistant. In her Territorial Acknowledgement, she gratefully recognized the many First Nations who honoured and protected land, noting that borders between Canada and the US have challenged free passage, impacting century-old tribal relationships. Giving everyone a chance to introduce…

• Salt Spring’s Community Services Team Discusses a Wide Range of Programs as well as Complex Challenges

  July 19, 2024: Twenty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming the members of the Island Community Services Team (https://saltspringcommunityservices.ca/contact-us/) that included Rob Grant, Executive Director; Jamie Ferguson, Food Programs Coordinator; Nikky Peers, Youth Program Coordinator and new Seniors’ Community Connector; Kyla Duncan, Clinical Director, and Rob Wiltzen, Operations and Communications Manager. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we learned from…

• Salt Spring’s Local Community Commission – Hurtling Forward Despite Hurdles

  July 12, 2024: While a small gathering, our time together offered a fascinating exploration of governance issues with our special guest, Local Community Commission (LCC) Chair, Earl Rook, backed up by Local Commissioner Gayle Baker, also notetaker and report-writer. We began with our Territorial Acknowledgement during which Earl lamented all the First Nations sites that have…