Monday’s meeting regarding the proposed bike park is going to be a long one and tempers may flare. It’s a motherhood and apple pie issue and, as these things go, the proponents will haul out the kids and youth and they will plead for space to play. Not to say they don’t need it, but we do have the great outdoors where the more skilled can ride and learn, they don’t necessarily need supervision or areas close to town. It’s the younger set who need parental supervision and riding lessons. Mayor Milne’s proposal seems the most reasonable and that’s the one council should go with. Council does not need to be badgered and made to feel guilty if they choose to go with the mayor’s proposed site. It will be interesting to see what happens and let’s hope all sides can come together for the good of all. The election is after all, still more than a year away and there will be lots of time to rally the forces for the votes, this isn’t the issue for that.
• Last week’s trek up the slopes at the Sooke Potholes was a great reminder of just what we have in the Sooke area. Yes, we have the great outdoors, but what we have that’s even better is the great volunteers who actually make things happen in this community. Trekking up to the site of the bake oven one saw a community. Everyone helped each other scale the hill and this resulted in camaraderie and sense of togetherness. That was nice to experience.
• Maybe there is a lesson here. Perhaps council should take the time to do some sort of team-building exercises to learn to respect and help each other. As it is, some stand in isolation with their viewpoints while others band together. Different viewpoints are necessary and deserve a listen but council should be united in the end. A bit of respect goes a long way with council, staff and the community. People don’t forget what they see and hear.