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Struggling With a Double Digit 2025 CRD Budget Increase
September 27 NOTE: Those of you who are watching carefully may wonder why Electoral Director/Local Community Commissioner (LCC) Gary Holman is often our ASK Salt Spring special guest. This is a result of circumstances: Chair Earl Rook has been on a family holiday in Europe, Ben Corno’s work schedule has interfered, and Brian Webster is in the midst of apple harvesting. (And I, Gayle, am busy taking notes in preparation for the writing of this report.) That will change as Earl is due back soon, Ben’s work schedule has changed, and Brian’s apples will soon be harvested. So, please plan…
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“Why Not Simply Borrow Creative Housing Solutions from Other Communities?”
September 20, 2024: A small group gathered to welcome Electoral Director/Local Community Commissioner (LCC), Gary Holman, as well as LCC member Gayle Baker. After a lovely Territorial Acknowledgement by notetaker Sheila Dobie, facilitator Grant Fredrickson asked guests what “excites and delights” them. While, with a wry smile, Gary said that he is simply not the “excited and delighted” type, he proceeded to congratulate the North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD) for its intention to relax the water moratorium to allow for some additional hookups in the area served by Mount Maxwell Lake. Gary acknowledged the staff and trustees of NSSWD for…
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A Heartfelt Farewell to MLA Adam Olsen
September 13, 2024: Eighteen joined us for all or part of the time for this very special ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming Adam Olsen for his last time with us as our MLA. (Be sure, he is very likely to join us again in one of his future community roles!) We began with a Territorial Acknowledgement exploring the concept of reciprocity,(https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/reciprocity) a social norm of honest communication in which each can share their needs and is willing to meet the needs of the other person. This is often giving and getting something in return either immediately or in the future. Adam spoke of this as…
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Conversations About Community Policing With RCMP’s Clive Seabrook
September 6, 2024: Ten welcomed RCMP’s Sergeant Clive Seabrook to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, Clive shared some of what “excites and delights” him. Personally, he was buoyed by his recent 20th wedding anniversary trip to Paris, a phenomenal city. Professionally, he is blessed by a career that continues to excite and intrigue him despite its challenges. After some recent gaps in staffing, he is pleased that the Salt Spring Island Detachment is at full strength, with eight officers including himself, a Corporal, six Constables, and two administrative public service employees who assist the officers with a lot of the…
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Welcoming Hardworking Volunteers Committed to Mental Wellness For All in Our Community
August 30, 2024: Ten gathered to welcome David Norget to this ASK Salt Spring gathering. While the group was small (great weather, long weekend, and ???), we laughed about all being family as everyone in this conversation was involved in building community through: United by the strong shared commitment to creating a community of care, our time together revealed a dedicated group of selfless individuals representing hardworking nonprofits (and local government) who see both the benefits and challenges of creating a community that welcomes all, even those who are different from us. David began our conversation with a Territorial Acknowledgement that, thanks to…
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Celebrating Our New Local Radio Station – About to Go Live!
August 23, 2024: A small group (plus another well-behaved pup) gathered to learn all about our community radio CHiR.fm. President of the Gulf Islands Community Radio Society, Damian Inwood, was familiar to many of us as a regular ASK Salt Spring participant, interviewing our special guests after most gatherings. (Interested? Check out ASK Salt Spring Answered: https://chir.fm/answered.) Damian was joined by society Secretary Charley Miller and Treasurer David Crouch. We also owe thanks to facilitator Sheila Dobie and notetaker Julie Thomson for their invaluable contributions to this gathering. After a Territorial Acknowledgement by Damian, speaking of the power of Indigenous communities helping one another in…
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Welcoming Housing Expert Justine Starke and Exploring Options for More Local Rentals
August 16, 2024: Nineteen, and one very well-behaved pup, joined us for all or part of our ASK Salt Spring housing conversation with Southern Gulf Islands CRD Manager – and former Salt Spring Islands Trust Planner – Justine Starke. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we began our conversation with our traditional question, asking Justine what “excites and delights” her. Recognizing that there were so many things that give her pleasure, she spoke briefly about her commitment to diversity, both in our community as well as in our environment. While housing concerns have been a large part of her focus as the CRD Manager for the Southern…
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Salt Spring Lovingly Welcomes MP Elizabeth May
July 26. 2024: Seventeen joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MP Elizabeth May and Ned Taylor, Member’s Assistant. In her Territorial Acknowledgement, she gratefully recognized the many First Nations who honoured and protected land, noting that borders between Canada and the US have challenged free passage, impacting century-old tribal relationships. Giving everyone a chance to introduce themselves, we learned that participants had come to this gathering with a variety of perspectives and interests. When asked what “excited and delighted” her, Elizabeth’s answer was immediate: Her new (still honeymooning after five years) husband John, who had also joined us. Adding to her…
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Salt Spring’s Community Services Team Discusses a Wide Range of Programs as well as Complex Challenges
July 19, 2024: Twenty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming the members of the Island Community Services Team (https://saltspringcommunityservices.ca/contact-us/) that included Rob Grant, Executive Director; Jamie Ferguson, Food Programs Coordinator; Nikky Peers, Youth Program Coordinator and new Seniors’ Community Connector; Kyla Duncan, Clinical Director, and Rob Wiltzen, Operations and Communications Manager. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we learned from each what “excited and delighted” them with many answers focused on the wonders of summer and joys that included water sports, camping, time to romp with an energetic pup, and family time. Professionally, the team expressed pleasure working together meeting needs of those in our community. …
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Salt Spring’s Local Community Commission – Hurtling Forward Despite Hurdles
July 12, 2024: While a small gathering, our time together offered a fascinating exploration of governance issues with our special guest, Local Community Commission (LCC) Chair, Earl Rook, backed up by Local Commissioner Gayle Baker, also notetaker and report-writer. We began with our Territorial Acknowledgement during which Earl lamented all the First Nations sites that have been disturbed, hopeful that we are better-protecting these unique monuments of the centuries that Salt Spring served as an Indigenous homeland to so many bands. When asked what “excited and delighted” him by facilitator Grant Fredrickson, Earl replied that he was thrilled by the positive…