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Letters: More squeaks

Another comment on the editorial regarding squeaky wheels

Thank you for rating - or so I’m assuming since you didn’t cite us by name - Transition Sooke among this town’s “squeaky wheels” in your Feb. 4 editorial. That’s quite an honour, especially coming from what in my experience has long been Sooke’s squeakiest of wheels, namely your editorial writer(s).

I’m not so sure we merit being labelled “a force to be reckoned with,” however. We simply utilized the District of Sooke’s delegation process - available to any and every citizen or organization - to invite council to consider a ballot question on an issue of broad public concern.

In the final analysis, 2,618 Sookies said ‘yes’ to opposing increased oil tanker traffic in B.C. coastal waters. It’s regrettable that Councillor Reay waited until she was re-elected to raise talking points that might have generated a spirited debate prior to the vote, but bravo nonetheless for this successful example of local democracy in action. Much respect as well to Mayor Tait’s new administration for promptly crafting a strong new resolution that will take the plebiscite result forward to higher levels of government.

Now that the news cycle on this story has ended for now, we invite the Sooke News Mirror to dedicate some column inches to our Open Space report. It captures a visionary yet practical vision of Sooke’s potential future in such areas as health and social services, the local economy, food security, energy independence, emergency response and collaboration with the T’Sou-ke First Nation. More than three dozen engaged residents participated, including Mayor Tait and councillors Parkinson, Pearson and Reay. Please google “Transition Sooke Open Space” to see the report in full.

Jeff Bateman

President,

Transition Sooke