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Ferries, Bills, Speeches. . .and “When Oh When Will We Get Vaccinated, Adam?”
March 5, 2021: Escaping Zoom Gloom, the spring-like weather enticed many outdoors and away from their computers. As a result, only ten participated in this ASK Salt Spring gathering. While too many missed our rich time of learning and conversation, those who participated were so very appreciative of the wisdom, honesty, and insight our MLA Adam Olsen brought to this conversation. While words cannot hope to replicate this rich discussion, it is hoped that this report will still offer some valuable information to those who missed ASK Salt Spring this week. After a heartfelt Territorial Acknowledgment, we began by learning a lot about the central governance…
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BC Ferries 101
February 28, 2022: Fourteen came to this session, with a focus on BC Ferries. The conversation began by briefly re-visiting Salt Spring’s exemption from the Speculation and Vacancy Tax. The group felt that a conversation about our inclusion should begin. Jessica suggested that the CRD Community Economic Development Commission be contacted to see if they wanted lead this discussion. (I have contacted Chair Francine Carlin concerning this suggestion.) Jessica announced that the Chamber had finally received a long-awaited grant for $80,000. Her goal for the use of this money is to create strong economic alliance in which all groups participating in…
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Bringing Back Zing to our Village: Meet our New Chamber Executives
February 26, 2021: After an acknowledgment of the Coast Salish people upon whose occupied land this meeting took place, the 10 individuals joining this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcomed special guests: our Chamber’s new Executive Director, Jesse Brown, and President, Darryl Martin. At 11:00 the twelve of us launched into a varied and rich conversation. Darryl began by thanking ASK Salt Spring for the opportunity to join this gathering along with Jesse Brown, the Chamber’s newly hired Executive Director. He continued by acknowledging the damaging economic and social realities impacting Chamber businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Darryl identified three priorities of the…
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Housing and Village Solutions on the Horizon? Islands Trustee Laura Patrick is Optimistic
February 19, 2021: Twelve participated in this ASK Salt Spring Zoom gathering welcoming one of our Island Trust’s Local Trustees, Laura Patrick. After a heartfelt territorial acknowledgment, Laura began by sharing her optimism for the emerging alignment of planning initiatives designed to address a number of challenges for Salt Spring. The best solutions to any of these challenges are the ones that simultaneously address multiple issues confronting our island — such as forest health, biodiversity, watersheds/water supply, the climate emergency, land use, housing, small business health, food security, and the spirit and resiliency of our community. Laura was asked a number of questions…
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Gary Holman Seeks Solutions for Accessibility, Safety, and Lighting Concerns in Ganges
February 14, 2022 Thirteen Islanders came to this ASK Salt Spring session with Gary Holman as our special guest. While most came to ask questions, some came to find out What’s it all about? and stayed to participate in the interesting conversations. The first question focused on one guest’s concerns about the inaccessibility of Ganges for those with disabilities. She had come from Vancouver where access was mandated. She wondered if there was a group on Salt Spring addressing these access issues. She was told about the Transportation Commission’s Ganges Accessibility and Safety Plan (GASP) and invited to join the working group. While she…
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Burgoyne Blues, LCC Conversations, and Water Woes. . . Seeking Answers with Gary Holman
February 12, 2021: Fourteen gathered via Zoom to ask CRD’s Gary Holman questions about the issues that matter most to them. After a heartfelt territorial acknowledgment, Gary was asked if he wanted to begin by sharing what was on his mind. While he preferred to spend our time together answering participants’ questions, he did express his concerns about the Lower Ganges Road pathway from Booth Canal to Baker Road that is currently under construction. Gary agrees that the tree cutting was probably excessive and sees this as part of a larger issue – a pathway that appears to have been over-designed to meet…
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Why Ever Would Motorists Get Rebates? And Other Enticing Questions for MLA Adam Olsen
February 5, 2021: Twenty-three gathered via Zoom to welcome MLA Adam Olsen and his staff to listen and learn about the issues that matter most to them. After a heartfelt territorial acknowledgement, we asked Adam to begin by sharing what was on his mind. Seeking to identify those things that excite and delight him, he spoke with enthusiasm of finally being able to be in his legislative office, the lovely old wainscoting making a satisfying background for this Zoom gathering. He also shared his enthusiasm for the new, street-level, Sidney office he will soon occupy. Across from Tanners Books, it is a new…
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Road Maintenance 101
January 31, 2022: A large number of Salt Springers, totaling 29, came to ask their questions and learn from three managers of Emcon, our new roads maintenance contractor. As the first time in the memories of most that our roads maintenance contractor has come to Salt Spring to listen to concerns, there was heartfelt acknowledgment by all of the efforts Emcon is making to reach out to us. Many had specific concerns about their neighbourhood road, ranging from overfull gutters, icy curves, and fast-encroaching invasive species – especially gorse – to the request for information about when to expect their road…
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Just Another Plan? What is Unique About our Climate Action Plan?
January 29, 2021 Seventeen gathered via Zoom, welcoming some of the many authors of our soon-to-be-released Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2.0. We celebrated the completion of this audacious plan, taking thousand of hours of volunteer work researching and writing as well as outreach to over 2,000 members of our community, government officials, and a wide variety of local nonprofits. Darryl Martin (Chair) joined us as well as authors Simon Wheeler, Peter Lamb, and Jim Standen. We learned that the very best way to get a copy as soon as it is available (estimated to be within the next few weeks) is…
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Whatever is “Restorative Justice?” And, How Can it Help Address Safety for All in Our Community?
January 22, 2021: After a heartfelt territorial acknowledgment, 13 ASK Salt Spring participants welcomed Restorative Justice volunteers Darlene Gage and Laura Defoe. Also Zooming about with us was our new RCMP Sargent, Clive Seabrook. We all also welcomed his participation in our conversation. We began by learning about Restorative Justice (RJ) http://www.rjssi.org/and its exciting potential to help address the oft-discussed issues of safety in our community. Based on indigenous principles, RJ seeks a system of restoration rather than punishment. RJ volunteers work to restore a relationship between the responsible person (often seen in our culture as the “offender”) and the affected person (often viewed as the “victim.” We…