Author: Gayle Baker

• Beginning 2024 with MLA Adam Olsen

  January 5, 2024: Nineteen came to the first 2024 gathering to welcome MLA Adam Olsen and his Constituency Advocate, Jerram Gawley. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Adam began by reflecting on his break over the holiday season, savouring a time to relax and prepare for a very busy 2024. Concerning pace, he has observed that, while politics…

• Local Community Commission Examines Challenges and Progress

  December 8, 2023: Ten gathered to welcome Local Community Commissioners (LCC) Chair Earl Rook, Brian Webster, Gayle Baker, and Commissioner, as well as Electoral Director, Gary Holman. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Darryl Martin, doing the honours as our facilitator, began by asking all what they hoped to gain from this CRD/LCC-focused gathering. While responses varied, the…

• Will 2024 Bring a Relaxation of the Nine-Year NSSWD Moratorium on New Water Hookups?

  December 1, 2023:Ten joined this ASK Salt Spring conversation with North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD) Chief Administrative Officer, Mark Boysen, and Board Chair, Brian Pyper. The first time representatives of this important water district have joined us as our special guests, questions flew, creating a rich conversation. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Mark and Brian began by…

• Our MLA Adam Olsen: “I am bloody honoured to represent Salt Spring!”

  December 1, 2023: Twenty-nine joined us for this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming MLA Adam Olsen and Constituent Advocate Jerram Gawley. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we began a lively, philosophical, complicated, and quite wonderful conversation about housing in the context of just-passed Bill 44 (https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/bills/billsprevious/3rd42nd:gov44-3). After acknowledging ASK Salt Spring, beginning its fifth year of convening rich weekly conversations,…

• Prepare and “Keep It Boring!”. . . . Lots to Learn About Emergency Management

  November 24, 2023: While only 10 joined this ASK Salt Spring conversation about our preparedness for emergencies, we learned so much! Led by John Wakefield, Emergency Management Lead, Salt Spring Island, he was joined by Jolette Schenk, CRD Electoral Area Emergency Services Coordinator and Corey Anderson, Manager, Emergency Programs, both of whom had come from Victoria to join us.…

• Committed Volunteers Creating Connection Throughout our Community!

  November 17, 2023: Fourteen joined us (in addition to toddler Benjamin) for all or part of this ASK Salt Spring conversation with the enthusiastic team of volunteers committed to enhancing mental wellness in our community. Led by David Norget, a number of Mental Wellness Initiative volunteers joined us. Some of these volunteers are recruiting professional counsellors for Reach Out…

• Local Community Commissioners Field Tough Questions

  November 10, 2023: Eleven came to this ASK Salt Springgathering to welcome Local Community Commissioners (LCC) Ben Corno, Brian Webster, Gayle Baker, and Gary Holman, also our Electoral Director. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Commissioners were asked what excited and delighted them. Ben began by using the example of the construction at Centennial Park as an opportunity to be in the…

• Our Fabulous FabLab!

  November 3, 2023: While only seven joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering, we had a fabulous time welcoming Librarian Julia Wagner and learning all about our new FabLab(https://saltspring.bc.libraries.coop/fablab/). While we now know all about this wonderful new opportunity to learn and create, you may wonder: Whatever is a FabLab? Short for ‘Fabrication Laboratory,’ this exciting new offering is one of…

• Eating Together, Eating Local. . . We Can Do Better!

  October 27, 2023: Eighteen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome local food production advocates. While Grow Local leaders, Polly Orr and Nick Jones, and Farmland Trust Director, Jon Cooksey, led the conversation, the room was filled with other experts as well, including local growers, long-time local farm advocates, and even a local agronomist from the Ministry of Agriculture. …

• Welcoming BC Ferries President/CEO Nicholas Jimenez!

  October 20, 2023: A total of 32 joined us to welcome BC Ferries’ President and CEO Nicolas Jimenez to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. While possibly fewer participants than anticipated, everyone had a chance to ask their questions and participate in a rich and informative discussion with Nicolas. And, enjoy a wonderful carrot cake donated by our ever-generous…