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Whatever is Draft Bylaw 530? And. . . Is it Part of the Solution for Salt Spring Housing?
July 15, 2022: A total of 14 joined all or part of the conversation with Trustee Laura Patrick at this rainy ASK Salt Spring gathering in the United Church Meadow. Laura offered a Territorial Acknowledgement in which she reminded us of the personal learning opportunity reconciliation offers each of us. Laura began by highlighting important recent decisions made by the larger Trust Council at its June 2022 meeting: A new standing committee was formed to further explore Trust governance. She was one of the seven Trustees from across the islands elected to serve on this committee. Trust Council also voted (21-2) to formally…
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Bylaws for the Proposed Local Community Commission Released!
July 8, 2022: Twenty-two gathered to welcome CRD’s Gary Holman to this ASK Salt Spring gathering on a lovely summer day in the United Church Meadow. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we began our conversation, almost totally about the proposed Local Community Commission (LCC). The timing of Gary’s visit to ASK Salt Spring was serendipitous as the CRD bylaws laying the foundation of this proposed new governance model for CRD services had just been released, and Gary distributed copies of them at the meeting. (For a paper copy for the proposed LCC bylaws, go to the local CRD office; for a digital copy, see: https://crd.ca.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=31535&GUID=E685D265-40F1-4415-BB04-728D9191CEF4). Gary began…
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Conversation with our RCMP Sargent Clive Seabrook
June 24, 2022: Fifteen gathered in the lovely United Church Meadow to welcome our RCMP Sargent Clive Seabrook. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we asked Clive what was on his mind. He responded with his characteristic graciousness by responding that he was with us to listen and learn and that our comments would help him navigate some of our most important issues. The first question asked Clive to tell us about his stance on Community Policing, characterized by positive interaction, partnerships, and problem solving with the community. (It is often most noticeable when officers intermingle with the community rather than patrolling from their vehicles.)…
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Firehall, Local Community Commission, Warming Space, Parking and Noise. . .a Rich CRD Discussion
June 10, 2022: Only seven joined us for this Zoom gathering to welcome CRD’s Gary Holman. (In hindsight, weather would have permitted us to gather in the United Church Meadow. . .hopefully next Friday!) While offering us a Territorial Acknowledgement, Gary spoke briefly about the recent Provincial denial of a subdivision on James Island:https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/james-island-subdivision-rejected-1.6477735). Gary sees this as a very positive provincial reconciliation decision, reminding us that BC is leading the nation in supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People(https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html) as well as taking additional legislative actions to implement it. (https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022IRR0018-000457). Gary believes that this James Island decision is a…
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Salt Spring Divided. . . Is it the Province’s Responsibility Bring Vision to Solve it?
June 3, 2022: Eighteen joined this ASK Salt Spring Zoom gathering welcoming our MLA, Adam Olsen. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Adam began by telling us about some of the things on his mind. He spoke briefly about the adjournment of the Spring legislative session and his transition to focusing undivided attention on constituent advocacy. He is looking forward to spending time on each of the islands in his riding. He is also looking forward to some travel in British Columbia to better understand some of the larger provincial issues. Adam also spoke of his grave concern about the almost $800 million being spent…
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A Local Community Commission for Salt Spring? Some Answers and Lots of Questions
May 27, 2022: Despite small numbers, a rich conversation made our two hours together fly. After our Territorial Acknowledgment, Gary began by giving us some information about the LCC and the process to bring it to referendum on October 15, 2022. Gary referenced the draft Discussion Paper with recommendations for a Salt Spring Local Community Commission (LCC) that was written by volunteers Brian Webster with able aid from Richard Kerr and Linda Adams, each bringing a wide range of local government and CRD-specific experience to the project. While Gary does not necessarily agree with every facet of the 37-page document, he…
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Welcoming the Whole Gang. . . CRD’s Gary Holman, Trustee Laura Patrick . . and MLA Adam Olsen!
May 20, 2022: Twenty-two gathered to welcome MLA Adam Olsen, CRD’s Gary Holman, and Laura Patrick (one of our two local Trustees for the Islands Trust) to this ASK Salt Spring Zoom gathering. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, each of our special guests took a few moments to share what was on their minds on this lovely spring day. Laura acknowledged that all of our elected officials work together to address the complex issues that face our community. Adding his agreement, Adam spoke of his hope for the opportunity to soon begin meeting together in-person in local town halls with our federal, provincial, and…
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Water Woes
May 6, 2022: Sixteen joined this ASK Salt Spring Zoom gathering focused on North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD). Our special guests were NSSWD Trustees Sandra Ungerson, Gary Gagne, and Chris Dixon. Also joining us was NSSWD Manager, Don Pickle. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, they began by telling us what was on their minds on this lovely spring May day. Gary began by sharing his pleasure that the Board has been reelected. Although happy with the consistency this offers, he also noted that there had been other good candidates and a lot of interest in the election, a satisfying change from some previous elections. He was…
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Respectful Conversations: Is There More That ASK Salt Spring Should Be Doing?
April 29, 2022: A total of 14 joined us for all or part of this ASK Salt Spring Zoom gathering that welcomed Darlene Gage, Ellie Parks, and Bruce Cameron. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, each of our special guests spoke for a few minutes about their experience in community engagement and their interest in respectful conversations about potentially-divisive topics. Ellie Parks, a community developer and social worker, joined us at this ASK Salt Spring gathering in one of her many roles, that of a Salt Spring Island Foundation Board Member. Chairing its Vital Connections committee, the current focus is on the 2022 Vital Signs project (https://ssifoundation.ca/foundation-initiatives/vital-signs/). The Vital Signs report will compile existing data…
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Challenges and Successes: Croftonbrook and Dragonfly Commons
April 22, 2022: Seventeen joined us to welcome Kisae Petersen to this ASK Salt Spring gathering via Zoom. After a heartfelt Territorial Acknowledgement, Kisae spoke briefly about her many roles focused on addressing our serious housing issue. Throughout our time together, we learned that Kisae is Executive Director of Islanders Working Against Violence – IWAV – (https://iwav.org. With many important functions helping our most vulnerable, IWAV is also the major force behind the creation of its three-phased Croftonbrook (https://iwav.org/affordable-rental-housing/), an affordable housing community on five centrally-located acres. Nearing completion of Phase Three, Croftonbrook will soon to accommodate 74 individuals and small families. Severely challenged by…