Cheers to the Sooke News Mirror for its election coverage, and I invite you to check out the answers to these three questions (maximum 75 words) from all the candidates online at the Mirror's website. I posted my answers to the Sooke Voice News questions earlier on this blog. Here's the link to the full selection of SVN replies from the candidates.
1. What is your vision for Sooke?
Short-term: Focus on essential needs such as sidewalks, streetlights, parking, road development, business initiatives, and health and emergency services. District campaign to woo targeted builders, businesses and residents.
Mid-term: Steady enactment of fiscally sound aspects of existing community plans, especially those focused on the town centre and community resilience/sustainability.
Long-term: A harbour-facing village known for its postcard beauty, affordability, family appeal, alt.energy initiatives, cultural life, productive farmbelt, home-based businesses, tourism, and diverse hills/harbour recreation.
2. What would you do differently than the last council?
Ensure better communications mechanisms linking council to the community at large and vice versa. Councillors must provide detailed reports on liaison responsibilities and their activities at municipal conventions. Empower and respect professional staff by heeding staff reports more fully. Fewer motions on the fly, hence less need to rescind decisions. Respect the OCP more fully and not mess with Town Centre zoning. Encourage a warmer environment in council chambers.
3. What is the biggest issue facing residents of Sooke? How would you deal with this?
Traffic functionality and pedestrian safety top the list, as per Mayor Milne’s Corporate Strategic Plan priorities. These needs are the starting point for a Smart Growth/Built Green town centre as we reorient towards the harbour. District plans point the way forward. Three-hour parking limits in the core, a solution to the boat/trailer mess, and a contiguous, smooth sidewalk network is essential.
1. What is your vision for Sooke?
Short-term: Focus on essential needs such as sidewalks, streetlights, parking, road development, business initiatives, and health and emergency services. District campaign to woo targeted builders, businesses and residents.
Mid-term: Steady enactment of fiscally sound aspects of existing community plans, especially those focused on the town centre and community resilience/sustainability.
Long-term: A harbour-facing village known for its postcard beauty, affordability, family appeal, alt.energy initiatives, cultural life, productive farmbelt, home-based businesses, tourism, and diverse hills/harbour recreation.
2. What would you do differently than the last council?
Ensure better communications mechanisms linking council to the community at large and vice versa. Councillors must provide detailed reports on liaison responsibilities and their activities at municipal conventions. Empower and respect professional staff by heeding staff reports more fully. Fewer motions on the fly, hence less need to rescind decisions. Respect the OCP more fully and not mess with Town Centre zoning. Encourage a warmer environment in council chambers.
3. What is the biggest issue facing residents of Sooke? How would you deal with this?
Traffic functionality and pedestrian safety top the list, as per Mayor Milne’s Corporate Strategic Plan priorities. These needs are the starting point for a Smart Growth/Built Green town centre as we reorient towards the harbour. District plans point the way forward. Three-hour parking limits in the core, a solution to the boat/trailer mess, and a contiguous, smooth sidewalk network is essential.
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