7x2.5oliver katz

C O M M U N I T Y N E W S M E D I A

Black PressWednesday, May 6, 2015Agreement#40110541

Editorial Page 8

Entertainment Page 13

Sports/stats Page 32

36 pages in one section

DUCK RACEThe ducks are get-ting ready to plunge

on May 9 at the Sooke Flats.

QUACK!

3.125x1.2Dimock

Hicks may challenge CRD sustainable strategy

Pirjo RaitsSooke News Mirror

Every man, woman, child and animal in a municipality is entitled to have access to safe drinking water, but resi-dents in the Juan de Fuca are not.

Thats the issue that strikes Juan de Fuca Regional Director Mike Hicks right between the eyes, he said.

At the Committee of the Whole meeting of the Capital Regional District on April 29, dis-cussion ensued on the draft Regional Sustain-ability Strategy. It is a revised and amended version of the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS). The RGS is a strategic planning document that addresses regional issues such as trans-portation, population growth and settlement patterns. What had been looked at, at the meeting, was a provi-sion that no new water servicing would extend beyond municipal boundaries.

In it, municipalities are allowed to change their context state-ments and serve their whole municipality with water, the Juan de Fuca is not allowed the same privilege.

I dont have that right, said Hicks, and it is what he wants.

There are currently about 400 families from the Highlands to Shir-ley who depend on trucked-in water deliv-ery.

The bottom line is I find it unlawful discrim-ination and against Sec-tion 15 of the Charter of Rights, which guar-antees equity and fair-ness to all Canadians, said Hicks.

He said he would be demanding that all areas of the Juan de Fuca be defined by their boundaries and be potentially accessed for water similar to municipalities. Piped water is available in East Sooke, Otter Point and Port Renfrew.

In the Juan de Fuca there are seven Official Community Plan areas, one of which is in the Rural Resource Lands.

I would not demand water for that area, he said.

He said he isnt screaming for more development but urban/rural sprawl should be determined by each community through their OCPs.

He said planning and zoning should not be done through water - which is a god-given

right, and water should not determine density. Hicks wants to pro-tect smaller water sys-tems in the JdFEA, like Kemp Lake, Shirley, Mt. Matheson and others.

Some directors and environmentalists in the CRD feel access to water would increase density and create urban sprawl.

The irony, said Hicks, is that the CRD endorsed a resolution adopted at the Asso-ciation of Vancouver Island Coast Commu-nities conference to support David Suzukis Blue Dot, a movement to recognize every Canadians right to live in a healthy environ-ment.

To pass, the RSS must be endorsed by every single council in the CRD and Hicks is counting on the Dis-trict of Sooke to stand by him.

The bottom line for me is if I fail to get the support from munici-palities, Ill legally chal-lenge the RSS under the Charter of Right, Hicks stated.

The debate will con-tinue next month. The meeting was adjourned as legal advice is being sought on the legiti-macy of the Regional Sustainability Strategy.

Unlawful discrimination states JdF Area Director

Classifieds 27 75

Octavian Lacatusu photo

Following the Yellow Brick RoadThe Wizard of Oz, performed by the Sooke Youth Show Choir proved to be very popular with Sooke audi-ences. On stage singing, Were Off to see the Wizard, are from left ot right: Katya Silvester as Toto, Elena Hoath as Scarecrow, Kiarra Balzer as Dorothy and Mercer Balzer as the Tin Man.

250.642.6361

Sooke is Selling!2015 Sooke Home Sales: 1172014 Sooke Home Sales: 300TAMMI DIMOCK

Personal Real Estate Corp.

OLIVER KATZ Personal Real Estate Corporation

250 642 6480 CAMOSUN WESTSIDE

Sookes Real Estate Review SPRING MARKET ISSUE 24 pages in mailboxes this week

NEW LISTINGS ~ YEAR TO DATE STATISTICS MARKET SUMMARY ~ COMMUNITY CORNER

Council Briefs

Last Mondays April 27 council meeting was as filled up as the agenda itself - here are the highlights.

Food Bank gets fund-ing boost

Kim Metzger and Mike Thomas, the main co-ordinators for the Sooke Food Bank, approached council last Monday with a request for additional funds - Metzger noted that the food bank had nearly closed down in April, but was assisted by the food bank orga-nization in Sidney. Council then carried a motion to cut the cheque for $6,000, until several councillors pro-posed to add an addi-tional $2,000 into the mix. As such, council eventually carried the motion to provide the Sooke Food Bank with a total of $8,000.

Sooke Fine Arts Soci-ety gets green light for mural

Council carried a motion to allow stu-dents and staff from the Sooke Fine Arts Society to paint a mural on the existing pump sta-tion located near the boat launch behind the Prestige hotel. Sarah Bradley, manager for Sooke Family Services, said the mural will be completed by grade 10 students, as well as numerous artists from around Sooke. Some modifications will be needed, such as relo-cating a parking meter sign and a pay box for the parking meter itself. Though the project is not funded directly by the District, coun-

cil suggested possibly helping with purchas-ing the initial base coat.

Enforcement of bou-levards bylaw

Sooke resident Jared Sklepowich brought to council his concern regarding the removal of his personal plants/trees from his front yard by the municipal-ity - whereas others, he says, such as his neighbours, are report-edly left unscathed. The issue stems from bylaw 803-11, which states that no one is allowed to modify, or build upon property owned by the munici-pality. While the mat-ter remains in limbo, Council concluded that anyone who utilizes municipal property for their personal use such as planting trees or personalizing/add-ing to the improvement of their own property, are automatically put-ting themselves at legal risk, as well as risking their plants/trees being removed.

Fire Department Review

The District car-ried the motion to find a specialist - notably someone with expe-rience in fire depart-ments - who can re-

evaluate the Sooke Fire Departments Service Review regarding new equipment and addi-tional staff. The budget for this was set aside to $30,000, though council has yet to determine who it will be that will carry this forward.

New Democrats

deliver One year after

becoming Leader of the Opposition, John Horgan heads a united and energized B.C. New Democrat caucus.

B.C. families need a break, Horgan said. I hear this everywhere I go from people in their workplaces, in their schools and in their living rooms, in every region of British Colum-bia.

In the legislature and in communities around the province, New Democrats have won a series of victories for families struggling to make ends meet under a Liberal government that puts its friends and insiders first.

Our New Democrat team has stood up for the people of British

Columbia and gotten them some real relief, Horgan said. Some people say weve found our stride and were hitting home runs, but I know were just get-ting started. I am deter-mined that we will continue to make a dif-ference in the lives of young people, families and seniors in B.C.

New market season

The Sooke Country Market is set to open for its 21 season on Sat-urday May 9. The mar-ket, which takes place on Otter Point Road across from Eustace Road in downtown

Sooke, is a rain or shine event that operates on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. right through into October.

Sooke region farm-ers will unveil their fresh grown produce, plant starts, seeds and preserves, artisan bak-ers will tempt with delicious home baked breads, pastries and nourishing snacks. Fine artists and craftsmen enhance the festive market with body care products, unique hand-crafted jewelry, knitted creations and unique West Coast inspired art.

Farmers markets have become the sum-mer heart of many small communities, providing a bounty of locally grown food from organic farms and small market gardeners.

2 www.sookenewsmirror.com Wednesday, May 6, 2015 - SOOKE NEWS MIRROR

process

This and ThaT2 www.sookenewsmirror.com WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015 - SOOKE NEWS MIRROR

processShoreline DesignShoreline DesignSpecializing in water accessover steep, rugged terrain

Fully insured Excellent references

Peter Christenson 250.858.9575shorelinedesign.ca

Ask about our loyalty cardsand save up to 20%

778.350.FOOD(3663)

Ask your local participating restaurant for details

When your food andbeverage needs a ride

Dinner & Alcohol Delivery4pm-10pm 7 days a week!

www.foodcab.ca

See our services & prices at:www.sookesoil.com

Come seeus for:

Garden wastedrop-off

Soil & Mulches

Compost & Manure Decorative Rock Sand & Aggregates

Garden waste

Arent you loving these sunny days and signs of SPRING?

Open Mon-Sat 8am-5:30pmSunday 10am-2pm2810 Ramsden Road (in the 3300 block of Otter Point Road, a block west of Sooke Business Park)

Westburn Garden Centre2036 Idlemore Road

Locally owned & operated

250-642-4689

New Arrivals!! Tomatoes Cucumbers Basket Stuffers

Open 7 Days! Mon-Fri 9-7, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4

NEW LATER HOURS!!!

Terri c prices, quality & selection.Stop by, you wont be disappointed