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The Province Comes to Salt Spring – Drawing a Crowd of Islanders
March 3, 2023: A record-breaking 56 gathered for ASK Salt Spring at our one-time location – the Ganges Firehall. And, what a welcome we had from Fire Trustees, Firefighters, and staff – even including a never-empty pot of coffee and a huge and delicious cake shouting Welcome ASK Salt Spring in its icing. (Thanks, Nancy!) Of course, so many came because not only was MLA Adam Olsen our special guest, but Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General (and Deputy Premier) Mike Farnworth, (jhttps://news.gov.bc.ca/ministries/public-safety-and-solicitor-general/biography) joined us as well. Participants expressed their opinions and asked for answers on a variety of public safety issues, including policing,…
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Celebrating an Amazing RCMP and Community Partnership with Sargent Clive Seabrook
February 24, 2023: Eighteen – plus two very well-behaved large dogs – joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome RCMP’s Sergeant Clive Seabrook. After our Territorial Acknowledgment, he told us what excites and delights him. Among the many things that make him begin each day with cheer and hope are: A) Last November marked the beginning of Clive’s third year on Salt Spring. While his focus on community policing and a friendly presence takes time to fully-assess, he is now seeing satisfying statistics. These include: B) Our RCMP force is now fully-staffed and has been for the past seven months. Salt Spring is very fortunate to have…
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Are You Prepared for an Emergency? Probably Not: More Than Likely, You Have Work to Do!
February 17, 2023: Only ten joined us for all or part of our ASK Salt Spring conversation about emergency preparedness. Compared to the 32 who joined us last week to discuss shelter and homes, one must assume that many Salt Springers (like me) prefer not to think of preparing for disasters. But, those of us who welcomed Salt Spring Island Electoral Area Emergency Program Coordinator, John Wakefield, and CRD’s Electoral Area Emergency Services Coordinator, Jane O’Higgins-Wilson, were very glad they came to this information-rich gathering. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, John began by giving us an overview of the scope of our Emergency Program https://www.crd.bc.ca/service/fire-and-emergency-programs/ssi-emergency-program) …
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A Rousing Welcome for Lookout Society’s Shayne and Lee
February 10, 2023: Thirty-two gathered on this lovely springlike Friday to welcome Lookout Society’s CEO Shayne Williams and Lee King, Vancouver Island Director of Operations. The enthusiasm was high as those committed to providing better local housing and support services gathered to welcome Shayne and Lee, enthusiastic new partners in this challenging journey. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we learned what fuels both Shayne and Lee: that commitment to help others on their journey towards wellness. We also learned a lot about the Lookout Society (https://lookoutsociety.ca/). While new to many of us, Lookout Society has been housing shelter-less folks since 1971. Initially…
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Frustration with those Winding, Narrow Rural Roads that Initially Attracted Many of Us
February 3, 2023: Only seven joined this ASK Salt Spring conversation – which was good as it indicated that we did a pretty good job letting folks know that our special guest for this week, MLA Adam Olsen, was not able to join us. Those who came seemed pleased with the BYOC concept: Bring Your Own Conversation. As a result, topics were somewhat random, and the conversation meandered to unexpected spots. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, the first question concerned the HarbourWalk. A CRD project, a HarbourWalk Steering Committee, reporting to the PARC Commission, recently approved the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design and…
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How Can You Help Cyclists Advocate for a Safer Salt Spring?
January 27, 2023: Thirteen joined this ASK Salt Springconversation about cycling led by enthusiasts Bob MacKie, Luke Campbell, and Simon Rompre. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, each of our special guests told us a bit about themselves and their passion for cycling. All are members of Islands Pathways’ (https://www.islandpathways.ca/) Cycling Salt Spring Committee. They are also members of the Salish Sea Trail Network Working Group, an advocacy group also comprised of MLA Adam Olsen, a representative for Elizabeth May, CRD’s Gary Holman, Islands Trust staff, a Transportation Commissioner, and, whenever possible, a Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI). representative. Luke, Bob, and Simon are…
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Welcoming MLA Adam Olsen to Discuss Food Security, BC Ferries, Drake Road, and So Much More. . . .
January 6, 2023: Seventeen came to this first ASK Salt Spring gathering of 2023 to welcome MLA Adam Olsen and his staff, William Kelley and his new Constituent Advocate Jerram Gawley. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we asked Adam to tell us what excites and delights him as our new year begins. He is heartened that Premier Eby appears to be adhering to the scheduled election in October 2024 rather than pursuing an election this spring. With much work to do, Adam is pleased that he – and his colleagues – can focus on their important work rather than launching into yet another campaign period.…
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Will Salt Spring Finally Get its Long-Awaited HarbourWalk?
January 20, 2023: Twenty-one came to this ASK Salt Spring weekly gathering to welcome HarbourWalk enthusiasts Bruce Cameron, Darryl Martin, Kaeli Yarwood, and Robin Willians. They are also core members of the newly-formed Chamber HarbourWalk Committee. (Other members of this committee are Wayne Tepper and Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce President, Dayle Murray.) After our Territorial Acknowledgement, they began by offering us some history and foundational information about our long-awaited HarbourWalk. Darryl began by telling us briefly of his ten-year involvement, both as Chair of the Community Economic Development (now Sustainability) Commission and, more recently, as Chamber President. He spoke briefly about his…
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CRD’s Gary Holman Expresses High Hopes for Affordable Housing, Infrastructure, and Governance
January 13, 2023: After offering a Territorial Acknowledgement, Gary began by outlining a number of community projects in which CRD has played a role that will be coming to fruition in the coming term. Affordable Housing: Leading the list of promising news was affordable housing. Gary stated that he will be focusing his efforts on six properties already rezoned or designated for affordable housing that could be developed during this term. They are: Combined, these six properties have the potential of adding over 200 more affordable units to Salt Spring’s housing stock. Gary reminded us that since most of these projects will…
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Magic With Nejmah – on This Last ASK Salt Spring Gathering in 2022
December 16, 2022: Twenty-two (and pup, Princess) came to welcome Nejmah Guermoudi to this last ASK Salt Spring gathering in 2022. As a participant said near the end of our time together – It was magical. And this magic was largely due to the passion, enthusiasm, and determination of Nejmah and the community she is building. After her emotional Territorial Acknowledgement, Nejmah spoke of the momentum to create a place for all. A Green Ground Community society: (https://www.greenground.org/), Nejmah told us about this local community of artists and creative thinkers she is shepherding, a community that carries complex stories with it, ones often filled…