Here's the first in a series of musings about the points Tom Myrick raises in his letter posted on The Real Sooke News and also published yesterday in the News Mirror. In keeping with my optimistic, sunny side-up tendencies and because it's where Tom began, I'll start with the good, then move on to address his neutral and negative points in the days ahead.
In my opinion, Tom’s bang-on about three of the current administration’s achievements, namely the Church Rd. multi-use trail, Townsend Rd. sidewalks and Knox United’s plan to build a 123-unit residential complex for seniors and those with mobility issues.
Beyond this, however, I’d add a few more feathers in the Milne gang’s cap.
i) the new Town Centre Design Handbook will be essential in giving west-coast character and, dare it be said, charm to downtown’s evolution;
ii) the Mayor’s advisory panels are a smart new mechanism to engage citizen input and provide direction to council (provided they’re listening, of course);
iii) the creation of affordable housing at the Hope Centre, whose genesis predates this council yet was erected under its watch, is a wonderful addition to the town (and both the new Ahimsa Yoga studio and St. Vincent de Paul outlet therein have instantly become favorite haunts for me and my circles);
iv) the enthusiasm and cooperation extended by council and District staff to the pioneering Harbourside Cohousing project, which will set the standard for town core development and models the possibilities for other ventures of its kind;
v) fiscal responsibility, as Mr. Kasper has been noting with due pride;
vi) creation of the new District of Sooke Agricultural Plan (even though it was promptly shelved without addressing its short-term priorities – oh wait, that comment falls in the neutral/negative category
vi) last but not least, gold stars must be extended to elected reps for showing up time and again in that harshly lit council chamber to wade through epic amounts of municipal business, much of it numbingly routine and a true cure for insomnia. Respect to them all for their dedication to public service.
I’ll turn to Tom’s ‘neutral’ comments tomorrow before grappling as best I can – gulp - with the ‘ugly’. Your own feedback is entirely welcome - either in the comments below or let's talk in person next time we meet.
In my opinion, Tom’s bang-on about three of the current administration’s achievements, namely the Church Rd. multi-use trail, Townsend Rd. sidewalks and Knox United’s plan to build a 123-unit residential complex for seniors and those with mobility issues.
Beyond this, however, I’d add a few more feathers in the Milne gang’s cap.
i) the new Town Centre Design Handbook will be essential in giving west-coast character and, dare it be said, charm to downtown’s evolution;
ii) the Mayor’s advisory panels are a smart new mechanism to engage citizen input and provide direction to council (provided they’re listening, of course);
iii) the creation of affordable housing at the Hope Centre, whose genesis predates this council yet was erected under its watch, is a wonderful addition to the town (and both the new Ahimsa Yoga studio and St. Vincent de Paul outlet therein have instantly become favorite haunts for me and my circles);
iv) the enthusiasm and cooperation extended by council and District staff to the pioneering Harbourside Cohousing project, which will set the standard for town core development and models the possibilities for other ventures of its kind;
v) fiscal responsibility, as Mr. Kasper has been noting with due pride;
vi) creation of the new District of Sooke Agricultural Plan (even though it was promptly shelved without addressing its short-term priorities – oh wait, that comment falls in the neutral/negative category
vi) last but not least, gold stars must be extended to elected reps for showing up time and again in that harshly lit council chamber to wade through epic amounts of municipal business, much of it numbingly routine and a true cure for insomnia. Respect to them all for their dedication to public service.
I’ll turn to Tom’s ‘neutral’ comments tomorrow before grappling as best I can – gulp - with the ‘ugly’. Your own feedback is entirely welcome - either in the comments below or let's talk in person next time we meet.
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