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Editorial: Memories can be rather short

Sooke council blames previous administration for lack of information

First and foremost, it is noted that only three District of Sooke councillors travelled to Niagara Falls for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference. Councillors Rick Kasper, Herb Haldane and Kerrie Reay made the trip. Six on council had indicated their interest in attending earlier in the year.

Kevin Pearson declared he is running for council in November and Rick Kasper stated he would announce his intentions during the nomination period.

 

Issues around the public boat launch continue. How the search and rescue boat came to be tied to the dock at the boat launch seems to stump those on council. Everyone blames a previous  administration, but some memories are rather short. There are three members of council who sat through the last two terms, one on the previous term before that. Sooke council finally came to grips with their responsibilities in ensuring the taxpayers were not being taken, but some commitments were not thoroughly looked into at the time. It is the duty of council to be working for the residents and taxpayers, not siding with developers or commercial investors. Yes, it is important to bring investment to Sooke, but decisions should be made on what is best for the entire community. A naive council can be swayed by big talkers and it is hoped a lesson has been learned over the past six years or so.

Council shouldn’t try to micro-manage the staff, it is not their responsibility. Council is made up of ordinary people with experience in different fields — not all fields.  Decisions, of course, need to go before council, but staff has to be allowed to do the job they are handsomely paid to do. Sooke can’t afford any more severance packages or recruitment costs to replace unhappy staffers.