Lot sizes supported

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, I attended a Metchosin Municipal Hall public meeting held to update the public on the state of the proposed merger of East Sooke and Metchosin.

During the meeting Mayor John Ranns reaffirmed, his often stated position, that he supports fee simple subdivision for Rural “A” properties in East Sooke, into one hectare (2.5 acre) parcels if the restructuring becomes a reality.

His stated intentions were welcomed by the landowners present from East Sooke, who have long supported one hectare, as a more appropriate lot size for their properties.

Also encouraged were the residents of Metchosin who have been seeking similar parcel size adjustments in their own zoning bylaws.

Considering the prevailing economy and demographics, rural residents will increasingly need to estate plan which will include dividing their real estate to family members in an accessible and affordable manner.

We greatly appreciate Mayor Rann’s straightforward statements on this important issue.

Zac Doeding

Association of B.C. Land Owners

Seaplanes built this coast

In response to the October 14 letter, “Seaplanes are Coming” letter.

Maybe your focus should be on the crowding of grocery stores and roads from tourists coming to the new hotel rather than worrying about the noise of seaplanes. Obviously, you have never lived in remote areas in logging camps where your only way in and out was by seaplanes. Not only did it transport workers on this coast to their jobs, it brought much needed supplies and mail everyone was waiting for. Seaplanes helped build this coast.

To me it has always been a beautiful sight and the sound of it coming into the dock to fly you out of camp after being there for a month was a thrill. Try going to the Queen Charlottes without your ferry from Prince Rupert. Used to be the only way there was to fly over in a Goose or Otter and barge your vehicle.

Are you aware the Dehavilland Beaver is a Canadian legend and is recognized as one of the best bush planes ever built? Coast guards are among the largest modern operators of seaplanes due to their ability to spot and rescue survivors where a helicopter or other plane couldn’t. Take a look at Viking Air in Victoria before you knock seaplanes. They are building new seaplanes, giving Victoria much needed jobs.

Just think, for some people watching seaplanes taking off and landing all day might be a great tourist attraction for Sooke.

Cheryl Allman

Sooke

Services before sports

Good mental health programs are essential parts of a stable society. A close  relative of mine has been seriously mentally ill for almost 40 years so I am very personally aware of the effects of current decisions being made to cut mental health programs.

Quite a few years ago, another decision was made to cut mental health costs.  At that time, the closing down of psychiatric institutions was defended with the arguments that the mentally ill former residents would benefit from living within their community, and outreach support networks would be created to enable them to do so successfully.

Up to now, my relative benefitted from the local mental health services available and the nearby drop in centre. Many others were not so fortunate as the outreach programs were never adequately funded to deal with all those in need. Now further cuts to funding will only compound the already serious shortfall.

Having lived for many years in a country with pitifully few effective mental health programs, I have experienced the dramatic effect a lack of government funding for mental health programs has on all people, not just the mentally ill. 

We already know that most of the people living on the streets are there because of the social and economic marginalization of the poor, mentally ill and addicted. Even less social investment will eventually lead us towards the building of gated communities with guard dogs, and high walls topped by the jagged shards of broken bottles and barbed wire.

As I travelled, I have always been so happy to be a Canadian because I could be proud of the many decisions made in this country to provide services to all citizens. Canada has been a real model to many people in other countries who dream of having a fair and less violent society.

Today, I am very disappointed in the direction the government is taking to dismantle social services at the same time as it invests in the promotion of elite sports events.

 Veronica Diment

 Sooke

High cost of amenities

In your October 21, you state “There’s a little envy each time one drives through Langford...”

First of all, I’m not sure which parts of Langford you regularly drive through — Sooke Road from Colwood to Slegg’s is surely nothing to be envious of. Yes, there are the new subdivisions in Langford which have these good-looking amenities, but then again so do all the new subdivisions in Sooke, so what’s to be envious about there? Or perhaps you’re thinking of the nice sidewalks and boulevards along Goldstream, in the downtown area.

But there is a huge price to be paid for these cosmetic improvements; one that, as far as I can tell, most Sooke residents are not prepared to pay.

 The price for these amenities goes well beyond just the financial costs, because the money for them comes from the rapid and extensive development that is happening in Langford. 

When my wife and I decided to move to Sooke from Vancouver two and a half years ago, we could just as easily have decided to move to any nearby community that met our affordability criteria. But we were looking for something far more important — a small town, with a strong sense of community and close connections with the natural environment. Sooke fits the bill perfectly.

We were very encouraged when the OCP public survey showed that what the vast majority of Sooke residents (including the youth at EMCS) like most about Sooke is that it’s a small town, with friendly people, a sense of quiet, a rural feel and access to the ocean. The youth even went one step further and said that what needs to be retained as Sooke changes are the wilderness, parks, and the small community feel (which they suggest comes about through controlling growth). Everyone was, and still is, concerned about the growth in traffic and associated problems.

 So Langford has a couple of “pretty” streets, massive development that is destroying vast tracts of forest lands and whatever sense of community may have existed previously, and huge increases in traffic — why on earth would any of us be envious of that?

 Rick Gates

Sooke

Which Dale Read?

The letter to the editor entitled “Rethink secondary suite issue” on page 9, Oct. 21, was written by Dale W. Read of East Sooke, not Dale Read of Dale’s Electric in Sooke.

Property rights

I think when you buy a home and property it should be your right to put whatever you wish onto your property within the law.  

The property is yours and yours alone, it doesn’t belong to the public.  You pay the outrageous taxes on the property every year and it is your right to build whatever you wish on your property.  

I find it so ridiculous that the public or the government of this town tries to dictate what people can do on what belongs to them.

If you want a shed on your property go for it, if you want a trailer parked on your pad that is wonderful and your right. Build that suite for grandpa or grandma. Your neighbours have no right to complain past their property line.  Freedom is expected in this country and I feel we should not take that away from people. Our rights are sacred. 

Plus, if we do not allow property owners to actually “own” their property, what right does the government have to tax us?  

Many people are struggling in Sooke to make ends meet while caring for aging parents and children. If building a suite separate from the home on their property is the answer or parking a trailer, that shouldn’t be a problem.  

Allowing detached secondary suites is probably the best thing Sooke can do for it’s citizens.  

Kathleen Guetre

Sooke

Response to Read

In response to Mr. Read’s open letter of October 21, I will try and be as clear as possible. East Sooke residents started a process initiated by former Regional Director Eric Lund  and Mayor John Ranns to look at the possibility of joining Metchosin. There are strong feelings both for and against this idea and I have every intention of seeing this process through to a conclusion.

Two committees have been formed from Metchosin and East Sooke to work with the provincial government in formulating and presenting the facts to the residents of each community. If all goes well, East Sooke will vote in the fall of 2010. If East Sooke wishes to join Metchosin, residents of Metchosin will vote in the spring of 2011. If Metchosin welcomes East Sooke, the union will take place in November of 2011 in time for the municipal elections.

East Sooke contributes 35 per cent of the Electoral Area population and 26 per cent of our taxes. The ramifications for our electoral area will be considerable. Although I personally would be sad to see East Sooke leave our region, I respect their right to decide their future. For my part, I  will do everything in my power to ensure that East Sooke residents receive a detailed, unbiased report, outlining  the pros and cons of joining Metchosin. 

I am committed to a fair process and very conscious of introducing new planning initiatives that would influence this decision either way. I was confident that initiatives such as detached suites would not alter the results. Mayor Ranns confirmed that the passing or rejection of detached suites in East Sooke would not affect Metchosin’s vote.

I will continue to include East Sooke in all planning discussions but will be careful not to cross a line which could impact the vote. I hope this answers Mr. Read’s question and addresses his concerns.

Mike Hicks

Sooke

Town aura trashed

In the October 21 issue, as I read “Our View” on the Editorial page — I found the closing note a little corrosive.

“On another note:  There’s a little envy each time one drives through Langford, envy for their clean, well-maintained image. We need sidewalks, underground power lines and nice boulevards. Let’s get on it, and brighten up our image - a hotel isn’t enough without other amenities. “ 

I’m not sure who penned that, but whoever it was must be either new to Sooke, a yuppie, very young, or some combination thereof.  I’ll now refer to whoever it was as “you.”

 “One drives through Langford” must refer to the author of the above — it certainly doesn’t represent the views of those who love Sooke for what it is, and always have.

Personally, I can’t wait to get back to Sooke after being subjected to Langford in even short bursts. Yes, they’ve gone crazy with “urbanization,” and good for Stewie The Builder. (Mayor Stew Young, of course — he allows everything in Langford.) He’s turned Langford into quite an extension of Victoria.

Sooke, however, has thus far been mainly protected from that level of “evolution.”

This is a rural community. That’s why it’s so appealing.

Sooke already has sidewalks where it makes sense to have sidewalks in this community — in the town core.

You obviously don’t appreciate Sooke for what it’s always been — rural, and beautiful just as such. Progress is a given, but we can’t trash the town aura in the process.

If you want “Los Angeles” boulevards, underground power lines, and sidewalks like the ones you so praise in Langford, then perhaps you should consider moving to Langford.

G.R. Saunders

Sooke

         

  

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