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An Optimistic Chamber of Commerce Dives into Projects to Enhance Ganges Vitality
July 28, 2023: Only seven joined us this week to welcome Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce’s (https://www.saltspringchamber.com/) Operations Manager, Alexander Fischer-Jean to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. It was good news that throngs did not come hoping to see MP Elizabeth May and disappointed that she is, very wisely, prioritizing her health. Sometimes the best conversations take place when the atmosphere is at that casual level only possible with a very small group. So – while we do hope many more of you will come to welcome MLA Adam Olsen this Friday, August 4, we appreciated those who were there and everyone’s part…
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Umbrella Society – Providing Shelter From the Storms of Addiction in Victoria and now Salt Spring!
July 21, 2023: Only ten gathered to welcome Umbrella Society’s (https://www.umbrellasociety.ca/) Rebecca Wakefield, Evan James, and Corey Burtini. While so many others would have also enjoyed what we learned and the rich conversation, those who came were very glad that they joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After offering our Territorial Acknowledgement, Evan began by speaking about Umbrella’s commitment to supporting those in all stages of addiction, sharing that he, also, was recovering, delighted to contribute to that journey of recovery of so many others. Currently the manager of Training and Education, his association with the Umbrella Society began as a client when a caring…
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Housing, Water, Transportation. . . .CRD’s Gary Offers Some New Twists to On-Going Conversations
July 14, 2023: Ten joined us to welcome CRD’s Gary Holman at this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After his Territorial Acknowledgement, Gary spoke of the progress made in the first two Local Community Commission meetings, gradually adjusting to being one of five making decisions about the majority of Salt Spring CRD services but also appreciating being part of a hard working team. (NOTE: The inaugural meeting, June 20, lasted five hours and was largely focused on administrative requirements such as the formal swearing in and orientation by CRD staff: CAO Ted Robbins, Corporate Services Manager, Kristen Morley, and Salt Spring Manager Karla Campbell. In…
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Welcoming Our Ambassadors!
June 23, 2023: Nine joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming some of the coordinators of our new Ambassador Program, David Norget, Karen Olsson, Grant Fredrickson, and Chamber Manager, Alexander Fischer-Jean. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we began by learning that this exciting new program is designed to transform Ganges into a friendlier space for all, forging those important connections that were damaged by our COVID isolation and fears. This new Ambassador Program illustrates those connections as it is a community partnership between: As five of our guests were Ambassadors, we asked them Why? One began with a laugh: saying popularity. But, we soon learned that all shared…
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Lots of CRD Doings. . . and a Full Plate of Decisions Awaiting the Soon-to-Convene LCC
June 9, 2023: Twelve came to welcome CRD’s Gary Holman to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. In his Territorial Acknowledgement, Gary noted that theland back movement in BC is growing, and there are more examples of publicly-owned land either being given back or being co-managed by First Nations. He noted that First Nations co-management of CRD Regional Park lands are being discussed by the CRD Board, but Gary believes that some legislative hurdles may first have to be addressed. The CRD Board has offered an open invitation to First Nations to join its various committees, but this invitation has not yet been taken up…
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A Party in the Meadow to Welcome Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming and Staff
June 2, 2023: The atmosphere at the ASK Salt Spring gathering in the Mouat’s Meadow (one time location) had a celebratory party atmosphere, markedly-different from our more serious times together each Friday. Energized by enthusiastic cyclists, led by the Island Pathways Cycling Group, there were toddlers and preschoolers on tiny bikes cavorting, smoothies, and a huge carrot cake graciously-donated by County Grocer and proclaiming The Chamber Welcomes ASK Salt Spring. What was different? Once again, our MLA, Adam Olsen, brought a special guest to his regular monthly visit to us: Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI), Rob Fleming. Normally accurately reporting how many gather…
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Are We Actually on the Verge of Crafting a Solution to our Housing Crisis?
May 26, 2023: Thirty gathered to welcome Salt Spring Solutions board members, Elizabeth FitzZaland and Mairi Welman, for a discussion of their recently-released housing paper, Homes for Islanders — An Integrated Housing Solutions Framework for Salt Spring Island (https://www.saltspringsolutions.com/). After their Territorial Acknowledgement, we were all asked: How many of you have read our report? A significant number had, in fact, read it. Mairi then offered the context around the creation of Homes for Islanders. Last year, despite a rather significant effort by the volunteers of Salt Spring Solutions to raise public awareness about the housing issues on our island and actively campaigning for Bylaw 530 approval,…
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Ten Local Community Commission Candidates: Ten Opinions and a Rich Conversation
May 19, 2023: Thirty – including 10 Local Community Commission (LCC) candidates – came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to discuss LCC and CRD issues. Candidates who joined us were: Gayle Baker, Kylie Coates, Ben Corno, David Courtney, Lloyd Cudmore, Nejmah Guermoudi, Eric G. Marsh, Jenny McClean, Earl Rook, and Brian Webster. *** Ben and Jenny needed to leave for work before 1:00.*** (Each of these candidates had an opportunity to review the comments attributed to them and edit as needed. They all understand that this ASK Salt Spring report with their comments will be published on the Exchange.) After her Territorial Acknowledgement, our facilitator,…
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Trash, Effluent, and Biosolids. . . Lots to Learn About this Dirty Topic
May 12, 2023: Eleven welcomed CRD Electoral Director, Gary Holman, to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Gary begin by telling us about three recent decisions by the CRD Board that have implications for Salt Spring. 1) Housing: Some of you may recall that there was a late proposal at the CRD Board to further increase the 2023 requisition by $85 million for regional affordable housing initiatives. The current CRD Regional Housing budget of $40 million – increased to $120 million through leveraged partnerships with BC Housing and CMHC – has all been committed. (This funding created 1,700-1,800 new units, about 350…
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Adam Speaks With Us About Housing. . .Will Provincial Legislation Impact Salt Spring?
May 5, 2023: Seventeen came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Adam Olsen. We were also pleased to welcome his staff, Laura Parker, Outreach Coordinator, and legislative assembly Interns Kayla Brent and Jacob Schoeber. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Adam spoke briefly about interns Jacob and Kayla, telling us that they are integral parts of the BC Green Caucus team, often participating in and contributing to highly confidential conversations. When we began by asking Adam what excites and delights him, he responded that there were only four days left in the Legislative session, beginning the longest break in the year. While he welcomes…