My View

Municipal governments continue to take on greater responsibility as senior governments, especially the provincial government, continue to devolve to the local level what were formerly provincial responsibilities. Municipal governments today seem left to "manage in the middle," a sometimes precarious place where they teeter between increasing public demand on one side and senior levels of government opting out on the other. Not an easy place to be, particularly when local governments sit squarely on the front lines of our communities and are the most visible, closest to us and with the greatest impact on our daily lives. With all of this in mind, it's no wonder that small municipalities like North Saanich need the support and involvement of the community to help get things done.

When ordinary residents who run for and are elected to political office (your local Mayor and Council), they can be your friend, your neighbour, attend your church, share your kids' carpool, belong to your health club, volunteer with you, work with you or belong to your service club --- this is certainly true in North Saanich and these relationships and personal connections are part of what makes this such a great small community. But when these ordinary relationships are tested by extraordinary circumstances, it may be unavoidable that personal dynamics take on a political dimension.

This is especially true in dealing with conflict where emotions can run high and people can arrive "loaded for bear" based on what they believe or think they know to be true about a given situation. Added to the fact that North Saanich residents tend to be passionate about land use and their quality of life, the potential for vocal public reaction to local government is always present. After all, public participation is the hallmark of democracy and in a small community; it's easier to get involved and to make a difference.

But when public participation is expressed by aggressive, demeaning or intimidating behaviour towards others, especially during Council meetings where issues and people often collide, I feel that we all share a responsibility to one another to demonstrate respect and decorum inside the Council Chamber, no matter how heated the argument or strong the disagreement. In fact, the Council Chamber is much like a Courtroom -- the role of Mayor and Council is quasi-judicial and decisions are guided by legislation, policies and procedures.

I am encouraged to see the public attending and participating in Council meetings. I am discouraged when anger and bad manners appear to overshadow the proceedings. All of us, including the public, the Mayor, members of Council and municipal staff owe it to each other to behave respectfully, no matter how much we disagree or how difficult or sensitive the issue is at the time. Eighteenth Century Irish-born novelist Lurence Sterne put it something like this: "Self-respect guides our morality. Respect for others guides our manners" -- worth remembering.

Mark Your Calendars

Please Note

Regular council meetings are on a regular weekly schedule. Please check the District of North Saanich website for exact dates, times and agendas of our meetings.

2011 Neighbourhood Meetings Schedule
Unless otherwise posted, all meetings will be held at the North Saanich Municipal Hall, 1620 Mills Road, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
-- Sept. 6 - Curteis Point/Lands End
-- Oct. 11 - Deep Cove/Pat Bay

Farmlands Trust Society
If anyone is interested, please http://www.farmlandstrust.ca/

Transition News
For more information and details about Transition Victoria and its upcoming events and activities related to community development and awareness, please visit their website at http://transitionvictoria.wordpress.com/

Procedures Positively Impact Council Decision-Making

Residents have asked me what the difference is between a regular Council Meeting and a Committee of the Whole Meeting. As you know, Mayor and Council introduced new procedures (effective May 25/09) that change the manner in which Council makes decisions. Here are the key points to remember:

1) Committee of the Whole meetings occur every other week, are less formal and allow greater public participation and spontaneity during Council debate.

2) Committee of the Whole motions are similar to recommendations; that is, all Committee of the Whole motions are forwarded to the next regular Council meeting for a final discussion, debate and voting.

3) At a Committee of the Whole Meeting, when making motions, a Council member does not need a seconder to validate the motion.

4) The week between the Committee of the Whole Meeting and the regular Council Meeting provides an opportunity for Council members to reflect on their Committee of the Whole decisions/motions, review existing information and/or gather new information about an agenda item and/or conduct follow up with staff and/or concerned members of the public -- provides an opportunity for "sober second thought."

Commission/Committee News

The following highlights my activity on CRD-related Committees and N.S. Commissions that I attend on behalf of North Saanich. Below is my report to Mayor and Council on my Council Liaison activities to March 31, 2011:

CRD REGIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND BOARD (RHTF)
Since my last report in July, the RHTF continues its proactive funding approval of various affordable and lower cost housing applications, in conjunction with non-profit organizations and the Regional Housing Corporation Board. Mayor Chris Causton Chairs the meetings and although we have not met frequently since my last report, we had an "end of the year" meeting the second week of December. Cost of living and government funding issues are always on the minds of members as well as the need to stretch the funding as far as it can go to meet regional needs. Next year may bring changes to funding and I have requested that in North Saanich's case, we refer to our budget deliberations the question of potentially increasing our annual contribution above the current formula, on an ad hoc basis.

HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMISSION (HAC)
At the February meeting, Susan Banas was elected Commission Chair and Ann Aylard was elected Vice-Chair. CAO Rob Buchan attended to conduct an excellent orientation for new and existing members. At the March meeting, the Commission reviewed a draft public education document for prospective heritage registrations, received an update on Hospital Hill, discussed the now vacant First Nations Liaison position, reviewed the new Heritage brochure, talked about the May 15th Open House at the municipal hall and discussed with staffer Jessica Lam the strategic plan and progress to date and for coming years. A new youth member also attended the meeting, Michell Allen, from Parkland High School. Although we did not expect her to attend this meeting, all members welcomed her and it was decided that Susan Banas, Jessica Lam and me would meet later to talk about the role of youth members and the need to involve Councilor Peter Chandler to ensure that youth members feel valued and have meaningful activities assigned to them (that meeting did occur and was most successful). The Commission has welcomed enthusiastic and skilled new members and is now operating at what I would describe as an optimum level. The combination of new members, the commitment of existing members and ongoing staff support has been invaluable to helping provide continuity and focus to the work during the past year.

GREATER VICTORIA LABOUR RELATIONS ASSOCIATION (GVLRA)
Little change has occurred since my last report. I have attended further meetings and thus far, there is labour peace in the region. Mayors John Raans of Metchosin and Barb Desjardins of Esquimalt are Chair and Vice-Chair respectfully. These meetings remain in-camera given the sensitivity of labour relations and contract negotiation throughout the region. I will continue to attend for 2011 as the Mayor's Alternate.

SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

We addressed correspondence on monitoring toxins and pharmaceuticals at Hartland Landfill, on an asbestos exposure control program and an Environmental Sustainability Committee staff report on the Hartland Landfill Environmental Program. I raised the issue of fill on agricultural land, asking if it could be defined as "solid waste." CRD staff indicated and I understand that this is an ALC issue and regulations are within their mandate, in partnership with individual municipalities. There was also discussion about general composting regulations and bylaws related to farms that may be introducing large scale composting as part of their operation. To be continued...

PENINSULA AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION

We discussed updates on a geese management strategy, the Saanich garden and kitchen waste program proposal in light of the CRD's postponing their program and the need for an approach generally that would favour farmers, the Saanich municipality's purchase of Panama Flats, Stanhope Dairy Farms compost operation and recent issues with truck traffic and highlights of the agricultural strategy implementation that involves land base, resource stewardship and education and outreach.

There was also an election of officers for 2011, as follows:
* Chair - Bob Maxwell
* Vice Chair - shared with Jerry Mussio and Flora Wood
* Treasurer - Bev Marley

There were no individual sub-committee reports but there was a lengthy discussion on the need for an organic cooperative approach to manure collection for farm use, given that there is a lack of available composting material as soil amendment. This may also involve the ALC, given that there is a regulation preventing the sale of off-farm compost.

SAANICH PENINSULA WATER AND WASTEWATER COMMISSION
North Saanich resident Geoff Orr was re-elected to position of Chair and Sidney Councilor Mervyn Lougher-Goodey was re-elected Vice-Chair. Councilor Ruby Commandeur was welcomed, replacing Councilor Peter Chandler. At the Water meeting, we discussed the 2011 membership list, line and meter reading, water watch and the regional water supply. At the Wastewater meeting, we had presentations from CRD staffers on emissions responsibilities and carbon accounting, thermal energy recovery and bio-solids management program proposed pilot study. The last issue has raised some controversy and debate related to agriculture and more information was requested from CRD staff by members. We also received a copy of the Saanich Peninsula Liquid Waste Management Plan, originally published in 1996 and amended and consolidated in 2009.

REGIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND
No meetings since my last report.

Tips to Protect Your Home

PROTECTING YOUR HOME

As spring approaches and we spend more time outside and away from our homes, the following are tips that might help to protect you and your home from an unwanted visitor, the break-in artist or burglar. I find these tips useful things to remember and I hope you will too. For more information, please contact your local police department and in our case, the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP at their non-emergency number, 250-656-3931. If your neighbourhood does not have a Neighbourhood Watch or Block Watch program, you might think about starting one.

THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at http://www.faketv.com/)

MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:
1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again... If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

For the Record

"Cairine is a strong voice for environmental protection and land use that respects the rural integrity and quality of life in North Saanich." -- Mark Horne, (Partner, HORNE-COUPAR, Barristers and Solicitors), Member of "One Per Cent for the Planet," and past Vice-Chair of The Land Conservancy "Ours Forever" Campaign.

"Cairine works tirelessly for the benefit of the people of North Saanich, and can always be relied on to listen to the public and fairly represent their wishes at Council." -- Hugh and Christine Richards, North Saanich

DISCLAIMER

The information contained on this blog is for general information purposes and reflects my own opinions and viewpoints only. This blog is to keep people up-to-date on the issues that are important to the residents of North Saanich. It is not intended to endorse, represent or favour any other person or website.

This website has the ability to allow readers to link to other websites which are not under my control and, as such, I have no control over the nature, content or reliability of those sites. Therefore, the inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply endorsement of those sites.

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