Reflection on 2010... looking to 2011

As published in MapleLine Magazine: Nov.3, 2010

by Mayor Janet Evans, District of Sooke

As the holiday season approaches it is time to reflect on 2010.

Winter: At the start of the year we were all busy preparing for our display at the Richmond OZONE during the 2010 Olympics. I worked alongside many great volunteers and staff that manned our booth and welcomed thousands of visitors to come to Sooke.

Spring: Sooke participated in Earth Hour and Sunriver Allotment Garden got off to a great start. The Prestige Hotel broke ground, Rotary held their spring auction, the Lions launched hundreds of ducks in the river and the Legion honoured VE Day. I attended the EMCS grad ceremony and congratulated students who took the D.A.R.E. program at two schools in the District. Some Council members attended the Association of Vancouver Island Costal Communities conference in Powell River and I attended the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in Toronto.

Summer: Many activities were held at the new band shell at Ed Macgregor Park – the Symphony Fling, Art in the Park and a rock-blues concert, and Sooke again hosted the fabulous Sooke Fine Arts Show. Mariner’s Village held their open house and Welcome Wagon celebrated their 80th birthday. In July, Sooke participated in the Communities in Bloom program; the work that was done in the community impressed the judges and they were pleased to see businesses and residents awarded for their improvements. Council took a well deserved break in August and I enjoyed a very wet and rough Alaska cruise.

Fall: Sooke was bustling in September with the wonderful Fall Fair, the Chili Cook-off, a book sale, Beach Art at Whiffin Spit and the Cops for Cancer dinner and auction. Council attended the Union of BC Municipalities conference in Whistler, meeting with BC Ministers to talk about infrastructure issues in Sooke. Our firefighters hosted over 100 firefighters from across BC on a live fire training course at the old Manuel Quimper motel. In October I attended the annual Firefighters Appreciation Dinner; the District recognizes the hard work and dedication of our volunteer firefighters and emergency support services personnel. At Thanksgiving I was thankful for the wonderful staff, residents and volunteers who make Sooke such a fabulous place to live and work. Wrapping up October was the Safe Halloween community event at the Sooke Fire Hall. Now we embrace Remembrance Day and have festivities of the holiday season to look forward to.

Coming up 2011: Council and staff have been busy with many Council meetings, committee meetings and public hearings. I also attend the CRD Board, CRD Parks, CRD Planning and Transportation and CRD water board meetings. I am a commission member of BC Transit, SEAPARC, Sooke Regional Tourism Association, and Treaty Advisory Committee, and I am ex-officio on all Council committees. So I have had a very busy enjoyable year and look forward to a great 2011. I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a safe and happy new year. MM

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