Final Summary Transition Sooke Open Space Meeting
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- Navigate this page:
- Transition Sooke core team
- Expectations of Municipal Officials
- Ways to Improve Communication between Council and General Public
- * Council Staff Connection to Community Groups - Council reps are not
- Recommended actions for all community groups
- * Community Place Oct. 28, Open House, 7 p.m. at the Community Hall Recommendation
- * Non-Profit Coordination through Volunteer Centre - Recommendation
- Points for consideration
- Recommendations 1. Create a Sooke Region Food Security Advisory Committee
- Food Security Coordinator for the Sooke region
- Action: Rosemary Jorna and Mary Alice Johnston to present this idea to Mike Hicks. Other Miscellaneous Points
- Appendix: Participants List
| November 1, 2014
Final Summary Transition Sooke Open Space Meeting Sooke Harbour House, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Facilitators: Christiana and Tony St. Pierre
i) energy independence and collaboration with the T’Sou-ke Nation; ii) council/community relationship (structure, communications, integrity); iii) emergency response services. iv) quality of life (beautification, trails and parks, infrastructure);
v) health, education and social services; vi) jobs and environment; vi) local food economy; A full list of attendees is attached at the end of this document. Invites to the event were extended to Transition Sooke members, election candidates and to the community at large via advertising, social media, the Transition website, word-of-mouth and bulletin boards around town. sincerely, Transition Sooke core team: Darren Alexander, Blake Barton, Jeff Bateman, Yves Bourdeau, Sofie Hagens, Stephen Hindrichs, Andrew Moore, Tony St. Pierre, Michael Tacon and Mark Ziegler. i) Energy independence and collaboration with the T’Sou-ke Nation Recorder: Andrew Moore Ideas Discussed: 1. How is it that the First Nations could live for so many hundreds of years in a sustainable way based on what nature had to offer and yet we, the “newcomers,” can get it so dramatically wrong in so short a period of time? In other words: What can we learn from the First Nations? First Nations
The “newcomers”
2. To increase sustainability, we will have to change our way of thinking and our values. Council needs to always consider following points in its debates and decisions: - Is it a sustainable practice? - What impact will this policy or decision have in the long-term on the next seven generations (140 years)? 3. Artificial municipal borders do not match the reality of how the regional community works in terms of food production, energy, trail networks, shared facilities, shopping and other mutual interests. A more regional approach will require ongoing formal dialogue between the District, the JDF Electoral Area, the T’Sou-ke Nation and the CRD. 4. Lots of local talent is available to further the discussion and play a role in implementing actions regarding alternative energy, green building codes and energy reduction. 5. The next Sooke will be elected for four years, which gives extra time for setting priorities, making plans and taking action. 6. Education on sustainability, ecology, connection to nature has gone backwards. There should be more emphasis on bringing these ideas to the younger generation as they will be our future voters and leaders. 7. Provincial and federal programs exist to promote green energy in Sooke, but residents are unaware of these opportunities. 8. Green building must be promoted as a way of reducing our ecological footprint on the planet. Council members, building inspectors and the public need to be educated on the benefits, the whats and hows. Again, there is a large amount of local knowledge and expertise that can be drawn upon by the District. Recommendations: 1. Regional planning and collaboration is required by all involved parties through regular official meetings between the CRD, JDF, T’Sou-ke Nation and Sooke town council. 2. Working groups and/or a task force needs to be created to focus on sustainability issues. Staff and resources are required, along with strong input from local talent and the First Nation. Seven-generation thinking by this task force is essential. 3. Emphasis on youth education: collaboration with First Nations for field trips, workshops. 4. Council needs to actively promote green energy projects like Solar CRD. 5. Council and staff, building inspectors and the public need to be educated on the benefits of green building. Transition Sooke in association with local experts on the subject could host an educational “field trip” for the inspectors and council. 6. Pre-wiring for solar water heaters in all new dwellings should be added to Sooke’s building code (as is common throughout the CRD). The cost is minimal, the benefits enormous. 7. For the broader public, a “Sooke green building tour” modelled on Salt Spring Island’s bi-annual Eco-Living and Home Tour could be initiated by Transition Sooke. 8. Long term-thinking: Follow the lead of the First Nation and transform Sooke into a model village for green energy and green building. Actions: 1. Andrew Moore and Michael Tacon are part of the District’s Climate Change Action Committee and will continue to promote these ideas. 2. Sofie Hagens will bring forward the idea of organizing a Green Building Tour at the next Transition Sooke meeting. ii) Council/community relationship (structure, communications, integrity) Recorder: Mark Ziegler This morning session stemmed from Herb Haldane’s concern that municipal candidates in Sooke are vulnerable to stereotyping, which is difficult to correct through existing channels of communication with the electorate. The discussion within the breakout group covered much more than this specific topic, with opinions expressed on subjects such as the motivation for individuals to enter public life, citizens’ access to government, the role of government and the adequacy of reporting in our two weekly newspapers. Points are listed in bullet format under the major subject areas. Expectations of Municipal Officials
Ways to Improve Communication between Council and General Public
iii) Emergency Response Services Recorder: Ron Belinksy Key Question: “How do we get the majority of people in Sooke to take emergency preparedness seriously? Recommendations 1. Council liaison required for Sooke branch of BC Emergency Social Services 2. Create a neighborhood “pod” program … effective way for neighbours to know and support one another in many ways, not least to gather resources to survive for 7+ days in event of emergency 3. Coordinate ESS activities with other local groups … * Camp Bernard scout camp (potential emergency centre?) * Red Cross * Religious groups * Fire Department * Mountain bikers (Sooke Bike Club mobile emergency corps) * Trail groups (map of exit routes out of community in event of road closures) * Sooke Food CHI * Transition Sooke 4. District must provide more $$ to ESS for supplies and equipment. Currently $5,000 per year. 5. Develop an effective community emergency plan … * continue training ham radio operators and funding for hand helds ($50 each) * texting and laptop communications * a centrally located alarm warning system (siren)
capability, sidewalks etc. Important to choose the right trees to reduce erosion and ensure the selection of trees makes sense and is sustainable * Directional signs for residents and visitors * Regarding tourism, we need to improve larger parking spaces and generally make Sooke more tourist friendly * Sooke needs a minimum standard for posters and billboarding * Sooke needs a central gathering place (i.e., village plaza) * Community must continue steering the ship re: a new building for seniors, youth, arts, market etc or renovate an existing building. v) Health, Education and Social Services Recorder: Nicky Logins Early morning ideas grouped into one category re: Health, Education, Social Services, Community Place, Youth-eldership (intergenerational collaboration), non-profit coordination * Health & Social Services Saturday, Nov. 1, Health Forum @ Prestige, 10 a.m. to Noon Forum will focus on … * GP for Me program update * Housing for seniors * More affordable housing for all ages. * Issues faced by young families.
i) Send invites and agendas to meetings to council liaisons ii) Follow-up with written reports and minutes iii) Regular one-on-one meetings with council liaisons to offer verbal updates iv) Regular reporting at council meetings through the delegation process
* Business projects * Nature * Arts
- Additional example: Britannia Community Services Centre in Vancouver – a collaboration between Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Public Library and the city’s parks & recreation department. http://www.britanniacentre.org/about_us/overview_and_history.php - Another possibility for Sooke: A revival of the Village Farm/ecovillage concept, which has the potential to be a strong educational and community gathering place with rural, agrarian, cooperative business and tourism focus. * Education - More continuing education and adult learning opportunities are essential in Sooke - Can the relationship EMCS currently has with Camosun College be expanded further into adult education and degree credit programs? - Can a post-secondary satellite campus be attracted to Sooke at some point in the longer term? Camosun, Royal Roads, University of Victoria, Vancouver Island University, etc. Rather than general interest or humanities, the school would have a ‘Sooke learning” focus (i.e., subjects that matter to locals and reflect our history) - Metchosin Walk & Talk series an example of an effective, achievable program * Non-Profit Coordination through Volunteer Centre - Recommendation: Municipal support and funding (in whole or part) for a paid position to manage the Sooke Region Volunteer Centre. An essential role in supporting existing groups and developing volunteerism. - Need to develop more volunteer engagement as we live up to our boast as Volunteer Capital of Canada. vi) Jobs and Environment Recorder: Mark Ziegler This afternoon session stemmed from Mark Ziegler’s suggestion that candidates for municipal office in Sooke should address the need for more quality, well-paid jobs in our community. The ensuing breakout group discussions covered more than this specific topic, including how to deal with environmental footprint concerns such as use of plastics and the dependency of Sooke residents on cars; and on the need for additional solid waste transfer station(s). Points are listed in bullet format under two major subject areas. i) Creation of Quality, Well-Paid Jobs - Sooke can no longer rely on logging and fishing to provide well-paying, long-term jobs. Tourism provides growth opportunities but Sooke needs to become more attractive to tourists; “magnetic centre” in village core, gas stations with room for RVs, better catering to all-terrain vehicle users. Bring the back triathlon. - Concern that tourism is not a good driver for local economy due to seasonal, fickle nature of demand - May be better potential for job growth through addressing needs of retirees, newcomers - Attract teleworkers to beautiful Sooke - Loss of employment opportunities through “leakages”, especially in services sector, e.g. grocery shopping – one person noted (without citing a source of the information) that Sooke moms do 90% of their shopping outside this community. - Challenge to Buy Local campaigns: often cheaper to buy in larger, box stores in Langford. Price premium on many locally produced items discourage purchases by households with tight budgets - Plugging leakages builds resilience - Businesses should be encouraged to hire locally - Satellite college and/or trade school to train youth and the unemployed for existing and upcoming jobs. The Outdoor Adventure College at Cooper’s Cove now has university status - T’Sou-ke model: jobs created through solar power projects - District of Sooke has not taken advantage of CRD funding for local solar power refit programs, unlike Colwood - Council did not approve solar pre-wiring requirement for new homes (cost only $250/unit) - Expansion of co-op enterprises would help; existing Sooke co-ops for food and animal feed - Need to increase local awareness of co-op business opportunities ii) Reduction of Environmental Footprint - Council should adopt principles of sustainability including support for local job creation and environmental footprint reduction. These principles should be linked to and incorporated into OCP - Council should create sub-committee on jobs, energy and transportation - Car use by commuters could be reduced by establishing secure bike lock-up near Sooke Park n Ride; would be cheaper than bike locker rental. - Need for improved public transportation - Teleworking should be encouraged through education of employers, increased band width/high speed internet - Greater reliance on solar energy in Sooke (T’Sou-ke model); Site C Dam is not answer and creates few jobs in province (same as for LNG projects) - Globally produced goods externalize costs such as transportation infrastructure - Plastics use could be reduced if Council were to liaise with local merchants to reduce, eliminate availability of plastic bags for purchased items - Recycling of waste needs to be addressed including opportunities for employment - Do we need a second solid waste transfer station in our community? If so, Council needs to ensure proper zoning - Economics of happiness: jobs to not need to be well-paid to provide satisfaction and meet basic needs. - Paradigm of continuous, endless economic growth is no longer sustainable. vii) Food Security, Sustainability & Local Food Economy Recorder: Mary Coll Food sustainability is … 1) a year-round market 2) a personal responsibility 3) involves a food culture which includes education - We need a strong voice from the community which includes communicating with the CRD - Food is part of the local community economy - Create an advisory committee linking people and the government - Attention must be paid to Sooke’s Agricultural Plan (2013) Points for consideration: * more attention must be paid to local farmers and their continuing value to the community * local food potlucks * medicinal food security * legal abattoir to process local livestock and hunted wildlife * Sunriver Garden workshop venue * Sooke can participate in the “Slow Flower” movement http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/fashion/weddings/the-farm-to-centerpiece-movement.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 * Linking land and future farmers. Example: Haliburton Farm http://haliburtonfarm.org/wp/the-society/about-us/principles-for-haliburton-farm * Protect our farmland with help from people who are familiar with the legalities * Residents contributing to the local food system -letting farmers use their land, planting edible landscaping * Housing farmers beside or with their land * Creating an awareness around the agricultural land committee and its role * Local micro brewery * Breaking the myths about the cost of food and the cost of residential farming * Creation of a chart to show the benefits to the community of shopping at the market * Value of buying local (i.e., example of Sooke Harbour House) * Education re: community food forest * Share our ideas online * need for incubator farms with affordable, long-term leases suitable to the needs of new, cash-strapped farmers (Sooke Farmland Trust) * value of Guy Dauncy’s “community farmland zone” bylaw proposal allowing creation of “farm villages” in the municipality (http://www.slideshare.net/GuyDauncey/farm-villages). * Special events: Sooke Oktoberfest, permaculture work parties and events at Sunriver Garden * Possibility of a once-a-month food security event involving following groups: Sooke Region Museum, Sunriver Gardens, Sooke Garden Club, Sooke Food CHI and Sooke Farmland Trust … objective: to educate new farmers and residential growers * People needing larger food-growing plots after “graduating” from their smaller plots at Sunriver Gardens * Approach schools to serve the community more in terms of food education * Appoint a Sooke region food security coordinator who would communicate with governments (local and provincial) and local people. This paid position would also help with marketing. * Restructuring of how the district operates and relates to the whole local farming issue * Provide financial incentives for decision makers * $10,000 district agricultural plan - can some of that money be put towards hiring a food security coordinator? * Approach credit unions and other financial institutions to support food security * District needs to consult with food community regarding all related decisions it makes. Recommendations 1. Create a Sooke Region Food Security Advisory Committee representing the following groups: Sooke Food CHI, Sooke Farmers Club, Sooke Farmland Trust Society, Sooke Country Market, Sooke Fall Fair, children’s garden club. Sooke Garden Club, local restaurants and Transition Sooke’s permaculture/permablitz working group. 2. Source and secure funding for a Food Security Coordinator for the Sooke region to be the link between this Advisory Committee and the District of Sooke. This individual would be responsible for marketing, stewardship of the District’s Agricultural Plan, and communications with higher levels of government. 3. Sooke needs a voice on Juan de Fuca Electoral District’s agricultural advisory committee. Action: Rosemary Jorna and Mary Alice Johnston to present this idea to Mike Hicks. Other Miscellaneous Points * Food committee needs to be responsible for moving the agenda forward. Elected officials need to be familiar with the food and agricultural related parts of the OCP * The paid food security coordinator should act as the liaison between the food policy committee, district council and the community at large. This position may need to be multi-funded from various sources - foundations, grants and the District included. -30-
Transition Sooke Open Space, Sooke Harbour House, Oct. 18, 2014 Attendees Ron Bilinsky Don Brown Mary Coll Dave Court Yvonne Court Tony Crystall Erin Newell Jonathan Francoeur Tessa Francoeur Herb Haldane Neil Heinrichs Cedona Holly Eric Hurwood Joan Hurwood Sandy Jarvis Mary Alice Johnston Rosemary Jorna Sid Jorna Ellen Lewers Nicky Logins Adam Noseworthy Brenda Parkinson Kevin Pearson Kel Phair Jo Phillips Kerrie Reay Britt Santowski David Shebib Maja Tait Sheila Wallace Ray Yee
Jeff Bateman Sofie Hagens Andrew Moore Michael Tacon Mark Ziegler
Tony and Christiana St. Pierre Directory: 2011 2011 -> Enterprise Network Management iPost: Implementing Continuous Risk Monitoring at the Department of State 2011 -> Voices of the Old Sea Norman Lewis 2011 -> Malevil Robert Merle 2011 -> The Elephant Keeper’s Children Peter Hoeg 2011 -> January 1: Ecstasy zZz January 2: King of Anything Sara Bareillis 2011 -> Tracks, Mixes, Masters, and More!: Analyzing Preservation Priorities for Multitrack Recordings 2011 -> Department of Electrical Engineering 2011 Annual Report 2011 -> Jv packet •Mars Colonization Affirmative •Mars Colonization Negative 2011 -> Asian Pacific Mathematical Olympiad(apmo) 2011 -> Registration Form (Rev. 8-86) omb no. 1024-0018 Download 54.46 Kb. Share with your friends:
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