It’s been a slow summer for news. No new candidates have come forward to proclaim officially that they are running for council or the mayor’s chair. Most is speculation and rumour. Councillors have also been rather silent and well-behaved. What could this possibly mean?
It is now only 77 days until the municipal election and the mood in Sooke is apathetic. Perhaps that will change once they all declare formally. Perhaps not.
This go round there are not any hot button issues to contend with. No one is squawking about the sewers, municipal spending, roads, bridges or connector roads this time. The only thing at the forefront appears to be the proposed multi-use community centre building. Do we need one? Do we have the taxes to cover the costs for construction AND the ongoing operation and maintenance? Who should partner up with it?
Perhaps the district should look at purchasing the DeMamiel Creek golf course giving the citizens much-wanted greenspace, thereby taking the pressure off John Phillips Memorial Park. It would connect up with the bike park and SEAPARC and create a complex recreational site much like the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre. We could do this and it makes sense to gather the facilities in one location.
The question of borrowing $1.5-million will be on the ballot and some serious thought has to be given to it. We gave the hotel $1.5-million but we will have nothing to show for our tax dollars at the end of the five-year term, which is fast approaching. The space is great, but we don’t own it and never will. Council has a history of funding projects where the other party seems to benefit more than the district. Let’s do some serious thinking and use some common sense and come up with the best plan for everyone.