by Mary P. Brooke      |         November 23, 2009

We can still be a small town but operate with the organization of a larger city was the thrust of District of Sooke Councillor Herb Haldane's presentation to a breakfast meeting of the Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce, Nov.23.

To a group of about 20 Chamber members and guests, Haldane reported on the trip to San Jose, California and also a recent trip to China taken by Mayor Janet Evans, Haldane and a few other Councillors.

"California seaside towns have similarities to Sooke. They have been operating a seaside economy for 200 years," said Haldane. As an indication of how the US economy is faring, Haldane reported that California was recently the 6th largest trading 'nation' in the world, but that currently their position is 20th. 

Closer to home, Haldane feels that the Capital Regional District (CRD) has a tendency to work against (or at least not promote) growth in Sooke. "They want to see the Sooke Hills stay green. People who bought homes in Victoria with views of the Sooke Hills don't want to see houses on those hills," he suggested.  Sooke Historian Elida Peers concurred, saying that the CRD seems to "have elected Sooke as the poor sister to the rest of Victoria".

"We have houses and tourism," was Haldane's condensed summary of what Sooke currently has upon which to build the tax base and business activity of Sooke.

Changing the perception of Sooke among businesses close to home and beyond seems to be part of the "bring business to Sooke" agenda of Mayor and Councillors in their 2008-2011 term. Mayor Evans and District CAO Evan Parliament made a presentation to the Urban Development Institute - Victoria Chapter, on November 18, with that promotional intention; Haldane says the developers in the room expressed some renewed interest in Sooke. As well, Gwen Fisher, president, Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce, says she receives inquiries from new residents as to what sort of businesses they should open in town. At the moment it appears to be wide open territory.

Haldane feels he represents the interests of the 'older' (longer residing) members of the Sooke community, some with families going back three or four generations. Now as a Councillor he observes that "we have two ends of the Sooke community working against each other". He attributes this problem of slower growth and development in Sooke compared to other parts of Greater Victoria.

The breakfast event that was held at the Stone Pipe Grill restaurant in town centre was also attended by Councillor Dave Bennett. In attendance were Janice Booth and Mark Whiteson -- two representatives from WorkLink, who promoted a new program to help older residents (ages 55 to 64) find employment.   MM

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