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LETTER: Sooke residents need to give say on town’s future

As a new Sooke resident, I would like to submit some observances about the community and would welcome feedback.
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As a new Sooke resident, I would like to submit some observances about the community and would welcome feedback.

Sooke is a unique seaside town of 14,000 people and growing. I see this as problematic unless addressed soon.

I hike Whiffin Spit weekly and have met many new residents each time I take this lovely walk. We exchange observances and local issues.

Here is a synopsis of some of the comments I have gleaned from conversations with residents and visitors who I engage on the Spit.

Residential developments are springing up everywhere, but infrastructure is not keeping up with the pace of population growth. Is district council acknowledging future threats and costs that will be associated with a growing community and the increasing use of the current resources we take for granted?

Future threats could be lack of water, sewer and wastewater services, road upgrades, more accidents on roads due to the number of commuters, more homeless people due to lack of jobs, affordable housing and increasing crime.

Lack of amenities, jobs and industry will take their toll on prosperity here as people have to seek work by commuting to Langford and Victoria.

Is council seeking to court new business? A motel, butcher shop and fish market would be most welcome.

Not to discount the hard work that mayor and council are committed to in guiding the future of Sooke, but residents need to speak up as well. The District of Sooke also has an online survey for residents input. I recommend that everyone takes a moment to weigh in.

Diana McCuaig, Sooke