A new year, a new council and a new outlook. While it appears that District of Sooke council is less volatile and confrontational, there still remains at least one councillor who is out of sync with the rest on some issues.
In a soft-spoken way Councillor Kerrie Reay stated her opposition to the opposition of increased tanker traffic along B.C. coastal waters. She said she wanted to hear both sides before voting on a resolution to be submitted to an association of coastal communities. Her comments and opposition sounds like a federal Conservative stance rather than a local one and one has to wonder why.
Of course being reasonable and informed is the intent of every councillor, but when the voters gave the thumbs up to a non-binding question, it should be clear that is what the electorate wants, no matter how small the voter turn-out.
The resolution itself is merely a statement but it does show the power of persistence and good marketing from the group who brought it forward. They spent a lot of money on that campaign and what they showed people is that they have power and a voice and obviously backers with money. They will be paying attention to the actions of council, you can be sure of that, and they will be calling them out if things happen they don’t like. They may be a silent “council” just like the one that used to meet regularly at a fast food outlet.
There is probably no one, whatever their political stripe, who wants to see more tanker traffic in the strait. It’s a given but this issue flexed the muscles of the organizing group and they firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Council needs to make their own decisions without being overly influenced by any one, any group or party. Council should represent all of Sooke, not just the ones with the squeaky wheel.