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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…
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Workforce Housing. . . How Can we “Work as One to Get it Done?”
April 28, 2023: After ourTerritorial Acknowledgement, we dove into a rich conversation about Workforce Housing, with no single special guest but all 18 of us offering differing levels of expertise, passion, and creative thinking. It was a rich conversation! We began by agreeing not to discuss Islands Trust bylaws and initiatives as Trustee Laura Patrick was disappointed not to be able to join us. While we also spoke with appreciation about the recently-released Salt Spring Solutions’ housing study, we also agreed to postpone a more detailed discussion until the ASK Salt Spring gathering May 26, 11-1, when Salt Spring Solutions Directors will join us as our…
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So Adam, Why Doesn’t the Province Give Us Everything We Think We Deserve?
April 21, 2023: Twelve gathered to welcome MLA Adam Olsen and William Kelly to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. In his Territorial Acknowledgement, Adam also spoke briefly of his joy with all the connections he observes at SIMS – the Saltspring Island Multi-Space, the former Middle School. He loves to see all the children activities and is excited by all the different groups sharing space – and making those invaluable connections. Speaking of invaluable connections, Adam told us a bit about his visit with Green Party MLA colleague Sonia Furstenau to Red Fish Healing Centre, offering co-located mental health and addiction programs, (http://www.bcmhsus.ca/our-services/provincial-integrated-mental-health-addiction-programs/red-fish-healing-centre/model-of-care). Seemingly…
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Can We “Work as One and Get it Done?”
April 14, 2023: Only nine joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming CRD’s Gary Holman. In response to my apologies for low numbers, Gary wryly responded that he would take this as an acknowledgement that CRD was, well. . . .quite perfect :). After our Territorial Acknowledgement, which concluded in Gary noting that he was hopeful for the trend of reverting management of large tracts of Crown land to First Nations, we asked him what excited and delighted him. While he would not go so far as characterizing it as delight, it was clear that the just-concluded Fulford Water District meeting was on his mind.…
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Navigating Challenges and Changes at Lady Minto Hospital with Courage and Enthusiasm
March 17, 2023: A total of 15 joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering for all or part of the time to welcome , Erin Price-Lindstrom, recently replacing Sara Gogo, (now leading the Tofino hospital) as the Site Director of Lady Minto Hospital, (https://ladymintofoundation.com/news/the-road-ahead-lady-minto-hospitals-new-site-director-discusses-challenges-and-opportunities/). After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Erin spoke briefly of the challenges and opportunities in her multi-hat position, stretching to include, the operational oversight of our hospital, the outer Gulf Islands, and ensuring critical liaison with Island Health initiatives. Beginning with her first day, in September 2022, this position has been marked by change as well as the recognition that her leadership through much…
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Details of a Worrisome CRD Budget Increase of 5.6% that Could Soar to 7.6%. Why? Keep Reading. . . .
March 10, 2023: Twelve Salt Springers joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome CRD Director Gary Holman. While participants could ask anything, the focus of our conversation was the CRD 2023 Budget. (For details, see below: CRD Requisition Summary 2023.) After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Gary spent a considerable time walking us through some of the most important details of the $7.6 million dollar Salt Spring 2023 tax requisition (excluding fees for some services such as transit, and also data for area-specific water and sewer utilities). Provisionally approved in September 2022, the final budget – with some increases in the intervening months – is…
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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…