MetroCascade Victoria

Cairine Green

Gaps Willingly Filled
Cairine Green on Fri 03 Sep 2010 at 10:14 AM
Special Council Meeting, Sept. 2, 2010A Special Council Meeting was called this week by Mayor Finall to address two unexpected Council resignations and to re-assign Committee/Commission Liaison duties
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Postscript - Sept. 2, 2010
Cairine Green on Thu 02 Sep 2010 at 7:56 AM
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N.S. Residents Deserve Full Term Council Members
Cairine Green on Tue 31 Aug 2010 at 8:11 PM
My ViewThe resignation announcements and parting shots in the press from former Councilors Sheilah Fea and Bob Shaw are, sadly, not surprising to me. Their actions and comments reflect, in my opinion,
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Cmt. of the Whole & Council Meeting Highlights - Aug. 23, 2010
Cairine Green on Mon 30 Aug 2010 at 9:08 AM
SECOND SUMMER MEETINGS HAVE PACKED AGENDAWith only two Council sessions during July and August, the second summer meeting of North Saanich Council saw packed agendas for both the Committee of the W
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First Day of Flavour Trail Huge Success!
Cairine Green on Sun 22 Aug 2010 at 1:12 PM
Over 700 people attended the North Saanich Farm Market to kick off the first day of the North Saanich Flavour Trail, with the numbers up well over 200 from last year. Along with Councilor Anny Scoones
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Food Safety Message -- Keeping It Local
Cairine Green on Fri 20 Aug 2010 at 8:06 PM
Food Safety Message and Canadians - Keep It Local72% of Canadians (up 6% since 2007) cite food safety as a concern, favouring locally grown or produced fare over imported items. So says a recent Ipsos
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More Fire Information
Cairine Green on Wed 18 Aug 2010 at 1:21 PM
The Ministry of Forests and Range and Coastal Fire Centre issued another bulletin this week warning the public of the "extreme" fire hazard due to recent record temperatures and very low daytime humidi
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Too Liberal with BC's Farmland
Cairine Green on Tue 17 Aug 2010 at 8:45 PM
A Vancouver Province editorial about a new report by Nathan Pachal, titled "A Snapshot of the Agricultural Land Reserve from 2000-2009 in the south of Fraser," and the report itself reveal that the big
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A Matter of Public Service
Cairine Green on Wed 11 Aug 2010 at 7:37 AM
The Times Colonist (TC) editorial titled "Public service, not free money" (August 10, 2010) reflects, in part, a sentiment that I have always shared -- that the essence of the work of an elected munici
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McTavish Interchange Project - Update
Cairine Green on Fri 06 Aug 2010 at 8:17 PM
Notice of Highway 17 Lane Reductions and Total Closures during AugustConstruction crews will install bridge girders for the new interchange on the Pat Bay Highway (Highway 17) at McTavish Road this mon
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Creeping Development Not Unique to Our Area
Cairine Green on Fri 06 Aug 2010 at 8:11 PM
I was interested to read this week in the British newspaper The Guardian, an article titled "The Creeping Spread of Built-Up in Britain." It indicates that "thousands of British wildlife habitats, inc
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Smoke Drifts to the Coast
Cairine Green on Fri 06 Aug 2010 at 8:09 PM
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All Hail the Flavour Trail!
Cairine Green on Tue 03 Aug 2010 at 8:53 PM
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Hot Weather "Inflames" Coastal Areas
Cairine Green on Fri 30 Jul 2010 at 2:05 PM
A wildfire risk-advisory, dated July 30, 2010, has been jointly issued by the Coastal Fire Centre, provincial Ministry of Forests and Range and the BC Forest Service. The advisory warns that an extend
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Water Symposium - august 30 to Sept. 1, 2010
Cairine Green on Thu 29 Jul 2010 at 11:08 AM
There is a BC Water Symposium planned for August 30 to September 1, 2010, occurring in three provincial locations across the Province: Victoria, Kelowna and Prince George. I understand that Symposium
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Combined Committee of the Whole and Council Meeting Highlights - July 19, 2010
Cairine Green on Tue 20 Jul 2010 at 9:06 PM
Long Day's Journey Into NightEmergency Programming WorkshopThe day started for five of us at 1:15 p.m., with a workshop on emergency planning/implementation. The workshop was organized by Fire Chief G
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A Steep Hill To Climb?
Cairine Green on Sat 17 Jul 2010 at 9:31 AM
Update on the Public Meeting Held July 14, 2010 - Vantreight Hill DevelopmentReports I have received from North Saanich (NS) and Central Saanich (CS) residents who attended the July 14th public hearing
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Water, Cool Clear Water
Cairine Green on Wed 14 Jul 2010 at 1:22 PM
During spring and summer months, there are always concerns about water consumption and drought conditions throughout the province. I have just received information from the provincial government that p
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Vantreight Farms' Development Proposal - Public Hearing
Cairine Green on Tue 13 Jul 2010 at 2:44 PM
Have Your Say on Development Proposal for Central Saanich and the PeninsulaThis is a reminder to please attend the public hearing tomorrow night (July 14th) on the Vantreight Farms' Hilltop development
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Task Force Recs Will Be Implemented by Government
Cairine Green on Mon 12 Jul 2010 at 2:08 PM
Four More Years -- Local Elections' Task Force Report's 31 Recommendations Will Be Implemented by BC GovernmentYou will recall that I wrote about the Local Elections' Task Force a few months ago, estab
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Committee of the Whole Meeting Highlights - June 28, 2010
Cairine Green on Mon 05 Jul 2010 at 9:21 PM
Development Variance Application DeferredAn application for a development variance permit for a Laurel Road property was referred to the Advisory Planning and Environmental Advisory Commissions for the
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Council Meeting Highlights - June 21, 2010
Cairine Green on Tue 22 Jun 2010 at 4:49 PM
Public Concerns Over The HillAudience members and SEQ residents took the time to write us and to attend our Council meeting over their concerns about the proposed and contentious Vantreight Hill Develo
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Two Events Celebrated
Cairine Green on Tue 22 Jun 2010 at 9:20 AM
Good Weather Brings Out Good Crowd For ParksGood weather was the backdrop to this weekend's North Saanich Parks Commission Open House at Municipal Hall. Taking the opportunity to showcase the new Park
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Committee of the Whole Council Highlights - June 14, 2010
Cairine Green on Thu 17 Jun 2010 at 9:10 AM
Waterfront Property Owner Required To Put Up BondI voted to support the Director of Planning who recommended to Council that the property owner of 11178 Chalet Rd. be required to provide a security dep
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Happiness and Well-Being Survey Released
Cairine Green on Wed 09 Jun 2010 at 9:32 PM
Greater Victoria Happiness and Well-Being Survey ReleasedImplemented by a partnership of eight organizations in Greater Victoria such as the United Way, the University of Victoria, City of Victoria, Co
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Council Highlilghts for June 7, 2010
Cairine Green on Wed 09 Jun 2010 at 9:17 AM
Students Making a DifferenceWhile driving up Island recently, I passed an embankment to my right, just below the Bear Mountain never finished "overpass to nowhere," along Highway 1, and noticed a large
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North Saanich Farm Market Opens for Business!
Cairine Green on Sun 06 Jun 2010 at 6:10 PM
North Saanich Farm Market Opening and Sunshine Bring Out Good CrowdWhat better combination is there than warm sunshine, friendly crowds and fresh market fare? That's exactly what greeted me at the gra
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Council Highlilghts for May 31
Cairine Green on Thu 03 Jun 2010 at 8:23 AM
May 31st Special Council Meeting/Public Hearing on Greenhouse Gas Bylaw Rouses Crowd of OneThere was only one member of the public in attendance at Monday's public hearing related to the new Greenhouse
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Council Highlights - May 17, 2010
Cairine Green on Wed 26 May 2010 at 9:51 AM
PLEASE NOTEDue to the Victoria Day holiday, there was no Council meeting on Monday, May 24th. On May 31st, there will be a Neighbourhood Meeting for the Ardmore/Pauquachin neighbourhood at the Ardmore
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Saturday Forum Examines How We Move
Cairine Green on Sun 16 May 2010 at 1:58 PM
The CRD hosted one of its semi-annual Forum of Councils' workshops on the weekend, a half day devoted to transportation planning priorities and challenges that lay ahead for this region. Titled "The P
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My View
Cairine Green on Fri 14 May 2010 at 6:55 PM
School Cuts Hurt All of Us I was particularly saddened to learn that the Saanich Board of Education was forced it seems, to make "deep" cuts to address over $3M in a budget shortfall, cuts that will no
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Council Highlights - May 10, 2010
Cairine Green on Fri 14 May 2010 at 6:42 PM
Special Council Meeting to Pass North Saanich Financial PlanIn a vote of 5 to 1 (Councilor Fea was absent and Councilor Shaw voted against), Council passed bylaws 1232 and 1233 related to the culminati
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Council Highlilghts for May 3
Cairine Green on Fri 07 May 2010 at 8:22 AM
Parks Commission Newsletter and Plan Generate CommentA member of the public expressed their concern about the recent North Saanich Parks Commission Newsletter that outlines proposed ideas for parks exp
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My View -- "Heed" the Warning
Cairine Green on Thu 06 May 2010 at 2:27 PM
I updated you this week on recent Vancouver Sun articles and investigative reports related to municipal election campaign funding, propriety and the apparent gaps and pitfalls that characterize local g
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Shining A Light on Municipal Elections
Cairine Green on Sun 02 May 2010 at 8:49 AM
I read with interest last week two articles by Vancouver Sun reporters Lori Culbert and Chad Skelton who explore what they argue is a lack of transparency related to municipal campaign financing and th
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April 29 Tri-Municipal Meeting Quiet Affair
Cairine Green on Fri 30 Apr 2010 at 12:27 PM
Apart from two individual presentations, this week's Tri-Municipal Council meeting was a relatively quiet affair. Although these meetings are always open to the public and occur on a roughly quarterly
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School District #63 To Hold Special Budget Meeting
Cairine Green on Mon 26 Apr 2010 at 6:44 PM
School District #63 will be holding a Special Public Board Meeting regarding the 2010/2011 Budget to debate a range of options regarding a process to finalize its budget that best supports students and
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Budget Deliberations Continue
Cairine Green on Fri 23 Apr 2010 at 12:50 PM
Open to the public and requiring a tremendous amount of preparation and staff time, addressing the municipal budget and financial plan is critical and labour intensive work, especially for our new Dire
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Council Highlights - April 19, 2010
Cairine Green on Wed 21 Apr 2010 at 7:15 PM
BENCH PRESSureI was pleased to support and to approve with Council two requests for donations by the municipality of commemorative wooden benches that will be used in separate dedication ceremonies occ
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Budget & Committee of the Whole Meetings - April 12, 2010
Cairine Green on Fri 16 Apr 2010 at 12:10 PM
Great Demand for Grants in AidWith a budget of just under $50,000 for our Grants In Aid program, I participated with Mayor and Council in making our annual decisions about which local/regional agencies
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Neighbourhood Meeting Highlights - March 29
Cairine Green on Tue 06 Apr 2010 at 2:48 PM
And So It Goes with Traffic WoesAbout 40 Dean Park/Southeast Quadrant residents attended a March 29 neigbourhood meeting to share ideas, opinions and concerns about issues important to them. As you kn
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Committee of the Whole Highlights - March 22, 2010
Cairine Green on Wed 24 Mar 2010 at 7:52 PM
Neighbourhood of Learning for New North Saanich Middle SchoolI voted with Council to support the new North Saanich Middle School proposal to build a "Neighbourhood of Learning" that will be shared with
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Fire Hall Referendum Preliminary Results
Cairine Green on Mon 22 Mar 2010 at 12:59 PM
The Preliminary results have been tabulated from the March 2oth vote authorizing the District of North Saanich to borrow an amount not to exceed $1,680,000.00 for the purposes of renovating the existin
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Council Highlights - March 15, 2010
Cairine Green on Fri 19 Mar 2010 at 3:19 PM
Public Hearing Raises Two Questions About Secondary SuitesAlthough I voted to support third reading on the new secondary suites bylaw, I also listened carefully as SEQ residents stated that while they
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Referendum March 20th on Firehall Expansion
Cairine Green on Thu 11 Mar 2010 at 11:30 AM
Cast Your Vote in the Upcoming Firehall Expansion Referendum - March 20th!Please don't forget to vote in the upcoming North Saanich referendum on the proposed Wain Road Firehall expansion. You are bei
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Committee of the Whole Council Highlights - March 8, 2010
Cairine Green on Wed 10 Mar 2010 at 11:10 AM
AREA PLAN FOR AGRICULTURE "GRATEFULLY" RECEIVEDI voted with Council to accept the North Saanich Agricultural Area Plan report, prepared by Derek Masselink and Associates. Preparation of this report, s
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Have Your Say!
Cairine Green on Tue 09 Mar 2010 at 2:31 PM
I may have mentioned before that the Province recently announced the creation of a Local Elections Task Force to investigate and make recommendations for improvement related to the local government ele
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Honouring Our Volunteers
Cairine Green on Sun 07 Mar 2010 at 11:51 AM
North Saanich honoured its volunteers on Saturday, March 6th by hosting a "Volunteer Tea" attended by about 30 people representing our various Commissions, Committees and related volunteer organizatio
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Congratulations to the CRD!
Cairine Green on Fri 05 Mar 2010 at 11:46 AM
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CRD FOR TAKING A RISK AND SHOWING WONDERFUL LEADERSHIP WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT IT HAS ARRANGED TO PURCHASE, WITH THE THE LAND CONSERVANCY, THE WFP FOREST LANDS ON OUR WEST SHO
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Council Highlights for March 1st, 2010
Cairine Green on Thu 04 Mar 2010 at 6:18 PM
PUBLIC HEARING HELD FOR VET CLINICAbout 30 people attended the public hearing held just before the regular Council meeting where members of the public were asked to speak on the issue of the proposed n
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A Big Thanks!
Cairine Green on Wed 03 Mar 2010 at 2:03 PM
CONGRATULATIONS TO ROSEMARY SCOTT, HER STAFF AND THE DEEP COVE MARKET -- CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS OF SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING GROWERS AND SUPPLIERS WHO PROMOTE HEALTHY, LOCAL FOOD, PRODUCE AN
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Saanich Peninsula Hospital Needs Your Support!
Cairine Green on Sat 27 Feb 2010 at 12:08 PM
Please read the following letter sent to me this week:___________________________________________________Subject: It's Our Hospital Campaign Catches Fire in Saanich!Dear Cairine,I am a freelance writer
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Flower Count Event Launched at Vic International Airport
Cairine Green on Thu 25 Feb 2010 at 6:40 PM
Mayor Alice Finall and I were part of a community event to launch Victoria's annual Flower Count, a region-wide flower arranging contest. Communities could choose any theme, had to use the flowers pro
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Agricultural Area Plan Open House Brings Out Nearly 100
Cairine Green on Sun 21 Feb 2010 at 1:50 PM
Saturday's Open House to showcase the new North Saanich draft Agricultural Area Plan was considered a great success with nearly 100 people attending. Mayor Finall and Councilors Chandler, Commandeur (
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Feb 15, 2010 - Council Meeting Highlights
Cairine Green on Wed 17 Feb 2010 at 11:16 AM
New North Saanich Middle School Goes to Third ReadingCouncil voted and unanimously passed third reading of a bylaw to legally establish the new North Saanich Middle School currently under construction
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Celebrated Food Advocate Gives Valentine's Day Message
Cairine Green on Mon 15 Feb 2010 at 1:22 PM
"Deconstructing Dinner" Radio Host Jon Steinman Gives KeynoteSponsored by the North Saanich Food for the Future Society, Valentine's Day at the Chalet Muse Winery was sold out for Jon Steinman, radio b
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Special Council Meeting/Committee of the Whole Highlights for Feb. 8/10
Cairine Green on Tue 09 Feb 2010 at 6:21 PM
PROPOSAL STILL NEEDS "VETTING"Despite a Special Council meeting to expedite the matter and best efforts of Council and the municipality, we were unable to move Dr. Sue McTaggart's application for a new
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Firehall Referendum Gets Spring Vote
Cairine Green on Fri 05 Feb 2010 at 9:46 PM
The District of North Saanich is gearing up for the Fire Hall referendum, with voting at the Municipal Hall scheduled for Saturday, March 20th. Advance polls have been scheduled for March 10th and 17t
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School Property Cannot Be Sold
Cairine Green on Fri 05 Feb 2010 at 9:40 PM
SANSBURY SCHOOL PROPERTY CAN'T BE SOLDI learned this week that local vacant school properties such as Sansbury and McTavish cannot be sold by the Saanich School District after all. As you know, the cl
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February 1, 2010 Council Highlights
Cairine Green on Thu 04 Feb 2010 at 3:38 PM
Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) Presents 2009 Report to NominatorsNorth Saanich VAA Board member Chad Rintoul and CEO Richard Paquette were on hand to report out on activities for 2009. But first the
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Staying Rural Pays
Cairine Green on Tue 02 Feb 2010 at 7:50 AM
It was good news for North Saanich residents this week with the report that we paid the lowest taxes in the region last year at $178 per $100,000 of assessed property value, with Metchosin residents ri
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CRD Reinforces Need for Regional Planning
Cairine Green on Tue 02 Feb 2010 at 7:18 AM
A letter to the editor which I sent to the Times Colonist appears in the paper today, Tuesday, Feb. 2. Here it is in its entirety:The CRD's recent decision on the Vantreight density housing developmen
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CRD Committee Votes to Uphold Regional Growth Strategy
Cairine Green on Fri 29 Jan 2010 at 11:13 AM
I attended, along with residents from North Saanich, Central Saanich and others from around the region, a meeting on January 27, 2010 of the CRD's Planning, Transportation and Protective Services Commi
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Committee of the Whole Meeting Hightlights - Jan. 25, 2010
Cairine Green on Wed 27 Jan 2010 at 8:34 PM
"Life on the Beach" Monday night's second meeting to further consider the Marine Task Force (MTF) Report recommendations had an audience of about 50 residents, attending in part I suspect because of w
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Sansbury and Vantreight Updates
Cairine Green on Mon 25 Jan 2010 at 7:36 PM
I have been asked by Heather Gartshore, interested Southeast Quadrant resident and community volunteer, to post the following information on this blog site. This posting is for information purposes on
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Regional Growth Strategy Public Forum - Feb. 4th
Cairine Green on Mon 25 Jan 2010 at 7:25 PM
Update on the Regional Growth Strategy - Public Consultation ForumWhat do you think makes a livable and sustainable region? Let the Capital Regional District know! Participate at this interactive eve
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Dunsmuir Lodge Update
Cairine Green on Sun 24 Jan 2010 at 4:10 AM
This week's news release about the future of Dunsmuir Lodge was big news for all of us. I have since received calls and e-mails from some North Saanich residents asking what happens to Dunsmuir now, g
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In All Kinds of Weather
Cairine Green on Thu 21 Jan 2010 at 2:25 AM
Mayor Finall acknowledged publicly this week the tremendous effort made by North Saanich Public Works staff to clean up after the major wind storm that slammed our area on the weekend. Major wind fall
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N.S. Council Hightlights - January 18, 2010
Cairine Green on Wed 20 Jan 2010 at 4:05 AM
SECONDARY SUITE PILOT PROPOSAL NOT POPULAR WITH ALL RESIDENTSTwo Southeast Quadrant (SEQ) residents are raising concerns about North Saanich's proposal to pilot secondary suites in the SEQ area. These
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Home Is Where the Heritage Is
Cairine Green on Tue 19 Jan 2010 at 12:15 AM
Between February 15 and 21, 2009, North Saanich is celebrating Heritage Week, with a display planned in the Municipal Hall front lobby, 1620 Mills Road. North Saanich's significant heritage sites and
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Volunteers Answer the Call
Cairine Green on Wed 13 Jan 2010 at 5:44 AM
As you know, at this time every year, Mayor and Council recruit new volunteers to serve on a variety of municipal Commissions/Committees, on the Victoria Airport Authority Board and on the Peninsula Re
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First Full Meeting for New Union of BC Municipalities Executive
Cairine Green on Fri 08 Jan 2010 at 8:14 PM
As you know, UBCM is a provincial working body representing all municipalities and regional governments across the Province. Meeting in convention every year, UBCM brings together locally-elected repr
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Making Meaning from Middle Ground - My View
Cairine Green on Mon 04 Jan 2010 at 6:46 PM
It's the beginning of a new year and a new decade and for many of us, a time to also re-assess. In a recent conversation with a Council colleague from another municipality, we talked about our Council
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Council Highlights - December 21, 2009
Cairine Green on Thu 24 Dec 2009 at 4:21 AM
Short and SweetOur last Council meeting before the Christmas break (Municipal Hall will be closed between December 25th and January 4th) was relatively short, with a light agenda. None of us was compla
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More News About Vantreight Development Proposal
Cairine Green on Thu 17 Dec 2009 at 7:28 PM
A group of concerned North and Central Saanich citizens recently contacted me and asked that I post on this blog site contact information for them and a brief summary about their efforts. They are wor
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Go West To Find Best Municipal Accountability
Cairine Green on Sat 12 Dec 2009 at 1:48 AM
In a recent article written for the Vancouver Sun, David Seymour, Senior Policy Analyst at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy and author of the Local Government Performance Index in 2009 (www.fcpp.o
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What Do Canadians Value?
Cairine Green on Fri 04 Dec 2009 at 6:10 PM
Royal Roads University recently announced the results of its Canadian National Values Assessment, conducted by the Todd Thomas Institute for Values-Based Leadership. The survey of 1,251 Canadians reve
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Affordable Housing as National Policy
Cairine Green on Thu 03 Dec 2009 at 3:20 AM
I wanted to express my gratitude to Mayor Alice Finall who fulfilled my request and, on behalf of North Saanich Council, sent this week to the Federal Government a letter urging Parliament to support a
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Where Do We Grow From Here?
Cairine Green on Mon 16 Nov 2009 at 12:15 AM
In the next few months, a review of the Capital Regional District's (CRD) Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) will be well underway and was, in part, the genesis behind the November 14th CRD-sponsored Forum
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Regional Growth Strategy -- Re-Post
Cairine Green on Sun 15 Nov 2009 at 11:57 PM
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Municipal Spending a Concern
Cairine Green on Fri 06 Nov 2009 at 10:26 PM
I read with interest on November 6, 2009 the Times-Colonist article by reporter Bill Cleverley that suggests that municipalities spend too much, based on a recent study released by the Canadian Federat
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Second Meeting on Marine Task Force Report Recommendations Calls for a Third Meet
Cairine Green on Sat 31 Oct 2009 at 3:47 PM
Citing the need to receive additional information on factors such as environmental impacts, re-zoning and jurisdictional issues related to building private docks on the waterfront, Council voted 6 to
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Heavy Traffic at McTavish Road Interchange Open House
Cairine Green on Sun 25 Oct 2009 at 9:16 PM
It was standing room only last week when I dropped down to the McTavish Road Interchange Open House, hosted for local residents by the Provincial government, as part of its public consultation process.
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The McTavish Road Interchange Project
Cairine Green on Tue 20 Oct 2009 at 1:58 AM
I have been asked by our North Saanich community appointees to the McTavish Road Interchange Committee (Heather Gartshore and Bob Williamson) to post this following letter regarding the project. You ca
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Marine Task Force Report Well Anchored
Cairine Green on Thu 15 Oct 2009 at 4:32 PM
After first receiving the Marine Task Force (MTF) report last year (commissioned by the District of North Saanich in 2007), the former Mayor and Council accepted the report and its sixteen recommendati
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No Price Tag on Democracy
Cairine Green on Wed 23 Sep 2009 at 2:36 AM
In the last few weeks, a story out of Central Saanich suggests that something is not sitting well with some Central Saanich voters as a result of the last municipal election in November 2008. Both the
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Secondary Suites Well Received at Special Council Meeting
Cairine Green on Tue 15 Sep 2009 at 9:17 PM
While we had expected a big potentially vocal crowd at the September 14 Special Council Meeting on Secondary Suites, the majority of 20 or so residents who did attend enthusiastically embraced the idea
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Growing Our Local Farm Market
Cairine Green on Sun 13 Sep 2009 at 7:50 PM
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Special Committee of the Whole Meeting
Cairine Green on Wed 09 Sep 2009 at 2:45 PM
Special Committee of the Whole Meeting to Address Policy UpdatesFollowing the summer hiatus, our first meeting on September 8 was a special Committee of the Whole to continue the policy work began earl
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Busy Agenda for Council Coming This Fall
Cairine Green on Mon 07 Sep 2009 at 5:13 PM
As summer slowly fades to a distant memory (that's a bit depressing), Council is gearing up for a busy fall. This coming week starts with a Committee of the Whole meeting to review all District poli
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My Take on Suggested Amalgamation of Firefighting and Emergency Services on the S
Cairine Green on Mon 24 Aug 2009 at 2:53 PM
First term Central Saanich Councillor and realtor Ron Kubek recently called for amalgamation of fire protection and emergency services on the Saanich Peninsula. He suggests discussions begin soon betw
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Eight Months On and the Clock is Ticking - My View
Cairine Green on Wed 05 Aug 2009 at 4:16 PM
Can you believe that it has been eight months since the last municipal election? It must be true that as we get older, time gets shorter. So with down time this summer, I took the opportunity to look b
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Update on Fire Hazard for John Dean Park
Cairine Green on Fri 31 Jul 2009 at 7:33 AM
In response to recent concerns from some Dean Park residents about the fire hazard in John Dean Park and questions about why the park has not been completely closed, I contacted North Saanich Fire Chie
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Highlights of July 20, 2009 Combined Committee of the Whole and Council Meetings
Cairine Green on Sun 26 Jul 2009 at 6:47 PM
NOTE: In a response to a concern expressed by a North Saanich resident about the irregular start time for the July 20th meetings, because of the lengthy agenda, the administration decided that we must
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Top Marks for Saanich!
Cairine Green on Wed 15 Jul 2009 at 1:47 PM
Again the municipality of Saanich takes a stand on protecting its rural and agricultural spaces by turning down a development that would have removed land from the ALR on Lochside Drive in the Blenkins
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Updates on Activities
Cairine Green on Tue 14 Jul 2009 at 2:42 PM
I just wanted to update you on my activities since the July 1st Sidney Parade:Pedestrian Friendly Dean ParkSuzanne Morphet, Dean Park resident and spokesperson for a residents' group advocating for a "
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Canada Day and Sidney Parade Bring Three Communities Together
Cairine Green on Sat 04 Jul 2009 at 10:25 PM
The Peninsula Canada Day celebration and the Sidney parade were a bit more special this year for Mayor Alice Finall and Councilors Chandler, Commandeur, Green and Scoones who joined the Mayor to walk
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Highlights of June 29 Council Meeting
Cairine Green on Thu 02 Jul 2009 at 9:46 AM
Financial Support Requested by SD #63 to Support Public EducationChair MaryLynne Rimer sent a letter to the three Peninsula municipalities and Municipality of Saanich requesting local government suppor
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Beach Access & Protection of ALR Rural Spaces
Cairine Green on Mon 29 Jun 2009 at 8:12 AM
Beach Accesses Re-visitedTimes-Colonist reporter Jack Knox explored the issue of public beach access in and around greater Victoria in Sunday's edition of the Monitor. He makes some valid arguments abo
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Beach Access & Protection of ALR Rural Spaces
Cairine Green on Sun 28 Jun 2009 at 8:48 PM
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Affordable Housing - Repost
Cairine Green on Sat 27 Jun 2009 at 8:16 AM
Given the recent presentation by Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce to N.S. Council (June 22), I felt it timely to re-post my article on Affordable Housing that I did last fall during the municipal
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Highlights From the June 22, 2009 Committee of the Whole Meeting
Cairine Green on Tue 23 Jun 2009 at 10:18 PM
A Call to Action on Two Important Items:Tod InletI introduced a motion last night, which was supported by Council, that calls for immediate action to clean up abandoned and derelict vessels in Tod Inle
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Addressing Public Concerns About the Role of North Saanich in the McTavish Road I
Cairine Green on Sun 21 Jun 2009 at 8:25 AM
It has recently come to my attention that some North Saanich residents have questions about the role of Mayor and Council in the proposed McTavish Road Interchange project. I understand that they are
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Addressing Public Concerns About the Role of North Saanich in the McTavish Road I
Cairine Green on Sun 21 Jun 2009 at 8:25 AM
It has recently come to my attention that some North Saanich residents have questions about the role of Mayor and Council in the proposed McTavish Road Interchange project. I understand that they are
Topics: politics

Highlights of June 15, 2009 Regular Council Meeting
Cairine Green on Thu 18 Jun 2009 at 12:22 PM
Resident Addresses Councils on Municipal Tax ConcernsA North Saanich resident expressed his concerns to Council about the increase to municipal taxes during the last 5 years, which he asserts amounts t
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North Saanich's Farm Market Makes a Grand Opening
Cairine Green on Sun 14 Jun 2009 at 2:32 PM
The weather couldn't have been more perfect for the grand opening June 13, 2009 of North Saanich's Farm Market, situated behind St. John's Church on West Saanich Road, across from the Deep Cove Element
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Update On Activity In and Around Beach Accesses
Cairine Green on Fri 12 Jun 2009 at 10:01 AM
Given recent public concerns about parties, beach fires, rowdy-ism and drinking in and around North Saanich beach accesses, particularly in Deep Cove, we asked the RCMP to include statistics on beach p
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Tri-Municipal Council Meeting Hosted by Central Saanich
Cairine Green on Thu 11 Jun 2009 at 8:02 PM
This week's Tri-Municipal Council Meeting (between North Saanich, Central Saanich and Sidney Mayors and Councils) was hosted by Central Saanich Mayor Jack Mar and his Council and highlighted by two key
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Highlights of June 8, 2009 Committee of the Whole Meeting
Cairine Green on Tue 09 Jun 2009 at 11:58 AM
CRD Makes Presentation on Services It Provides to MunicipalitiesAt property tax time, it's natural for taxpayers and residents to wonder why their taxes are pegged at a certain level -- what are we pay
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Sandown Back in the News
Cairine Green on Mon 08 Jun 2009 at 8:44 PM
Now that Great Canadian Casino Corporation has announced no more racing at Sandown, speculation about the future of the property has resurfaced, culminating in a CBC radio interview this week with my c
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Sandown Back in the News
Cairine Green on Mon 08 Jun 2009 at 8:44 PM
Now that Great Canadian Casino Corporation has announced no more racing at Sandown, speculation about the future of the property has resurfaced, culminating in a CBC radio interview this week with my c
Topics: politics

Dean Park/Southeast Quadrant Neighbourhood Meeting Well Attended Despite Weather
Cairine Green on Sun 07 Jun 2009 at 10:11 PM
Residents from Dean Park and the Southeast Quadrant made a strong showing at last week's neighbourhood meeting with Mayor and Council, held June 3. Despite the hot weather, residents seemed willing to
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Highlights of June 1 Council Meeting
Cairine Green on Tue 02 Jun 2009 at 11:27 AM
Development Proposals Will Be Presented to CouncilA request by developer Allan Jones, through his agent Roger Tinney, to make a presentation to Council on 4 development proposals, was approved by Counc
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Bike Lane Opening a Huge Success!
Cairine Green on Sun 31 May 2009 at 4:11 PM
I attended the official opening of the new bike lanes which was hosted by the Victoria Airport Authority. It was a great day and a great turn-out by North Saanich and Sidney residents. VAA Board Chair,
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Meeting Hightlights - Week of May 25
Cairine Green on Sat 30 May 2009 at 6:35 AM
First Meeting This Year of Victoria Airport Authority Noise and Environment CommitteeAs your North Saanich Liaison to this Committee, I attended my first meeting this week. Chaired by Terry Stewart, Op
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Highlights of May 25th Council Meeting
Cairine Green on Tue 26 May 2009 at 8:34 PM
As Acting Mayor, I chaired this week's Committee of the Whole meeting where we used the new procedural rules for meetings -- new rules essentially give the audience (the public) greater freedom to spea
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Impending byelection in White Rock sends message
Cairine Green on Tue 26 May 2009 at 7:44 PM
A BC Supreme Court judge has tossed out the municipal election victory of White Rock Councillor James Coleridge after finding that he lied and deceived electors during last fall's municipal election. W
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Meeting focuses on CRD Plan
Cairine Green on Mon 25 May 2009 at 7:52 PM
With a 7:45 a.m. breakfast meeting, it was an early start to the day for elected officials and staff representing municipalities and the CRD who met on May 23 at the Forum of Councils to review and pro
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Grand Opening - You are Invited!
Cairine Green on Tue 19 May 2009 at 7:49 PM
The community is invited to attend the celebration of our new public bike pathway!When: Saturday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m.Where: Pat Bay Park (corner of Mills and West Saanich Roads)
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Voters Missing in Action in this Provincial Election - My View
Cairine Green on Thu 14 May 2009 at 9:50 AM
Well, the BC provincial election is over for another 4 years. The public and the pundits will all have an opinion about the outcomes, how they happened and why. Some candidates will be re-assessing t
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Highlights of May 11, 2009 Committee of the Whole Meeting
Cairine Green on Wed 13 May 2009 at 1:11 PM
BC Assessment Authority Presents Facts about University-Owned Property AssessmentsAs a result of recent community concerns about the Dunsmuir Lodge closure and the Mayor's attempts to be proactive on b
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Plan for East Saanich Road cycle lanes well received
Cairine Green on Thu 07 May 2009 at 1:07 PM
Although I was unable to attend, our Director of North Saanich Infrastructure Services Patrick O"Reilly says that about 60 residents, most of whom were highly engaged North Saanich residents, attended
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RCMP meets with residents about beach access sites
Cairine Green on Thu 07 May 2009 at 12:44 PM
The Sidney/North Saanich RCMP held a community meeting May 6 at the Wain Road Fire Hall after learning of some residents' concerns about rowdiness, partying and late night activity at or near some Nort
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Peninsula Committee Task Force holds First Meeting
Cairine Green on Wed 06 May 2009 at 7:39 PM
I was pleased to attend with Mayor Finall the first meeting of the new Peninsula Committee Task Force, a sub-group of the Tri-Municipal Council comprised of the three Peninsula municipalities (Central
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North Saanich Residents’ Association has strong turn-out to its Annual General
Cairine Green on Wed 06 May 2009 at 7:36 PM
Once again, I attended the North Saanich Residents' Association (NSRA) annual general meeting held this week. Despite sharing the evening with the NHL play-offs and Vancouver Canucks, there was a stro
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New Customer Service Questionnaire for North Saanich
Cairine Green on Wed 06 May 2009 at 7:30 PM
Last year I talked about the possibility of conducting a customer service survey questionnaire to assess the quality of our municipal services, including customer relations. Private and public sector o
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Highlights of May 4, 2009 Council Meeting
Cairine Green on Wed 06 May 2009 at 2:00 PM
Campaign Commitment Fulfilled As Procedures at Council Meetings ChangeA campaign commitment by Alice Finall in the last election to improve communication between the District and residents and one I wh
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McTavish Road Interchange Update
Cairine Green on Wed 29 Apr 2009 at 3:05 PM
At the request of Mayor Alice Finall, planning and transportation representatives from the Provincial Government attended a meeting on April 29th at our Municipal Hall to update Sidney and North Saanic
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Long time school trustee, community activist and friend of many passes away
Cairine Green on Fri 24 Apr 2009 at 9:46 AM
I received very sad news when I learned yesterday that Marika Townshend, North Saanich School Trustee and friend to many passed away after a long illness. Marika was a force in North Saanich and was a
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Highlights of April 20th Council Meeting
Cairine Green on Wed 22 Apr 2009 at 3:08 PM
Interchange Task Force EstablishedCouncillor Ruby Commandeur brought forward a motion (passed by Council) to establish a Task Force to work with the Province on designing and building the new McTavish
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North Saanich's Agricultural Area Plan - A First for the CRD
Cairine Green on Wed 22 Apr 2009 at 1:10 PM
Did you know that 60 or 70 years ago, Vancouver Island grew and provided its residents with about 90 per cent of their food? Today, the Island grows and provides less than 5 per cent. Did you know th
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North Saanich Proposes Tax Increase of About 5%
Cairine Green on Wed 22 Apr 2009 at 1:05 PM
Given the state of our current economy, some residents thought that we should have no tax increase at all this year while others suggested that we should spend our way out of the economic recession. I
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McTRAVISH INTERCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT GETS MIXED REVIEWS FROM THE PUBLIC
Cairine Green on Tue 14 Apr 2009 at 1:23 PM
When the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) first began talking some time ago about the need for an interchange at McTavish Road and the Pat Bay Highway, I could understand their rationale. The intersec
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DEEP COVE/PAT BAY/TSEYCUM COMMUNITY NEIGHBOURHOOD MEETING A FIRST THIS YEAR
Cairine Green on Fri 10 Apr 2009 at 11:55 AM
Community neighbourhood meetings are back and coming to a neighbourhood near you!About 25 residents gathered at the Deep Cove School gym on April 8th to meet informally with Mayor and Council for the f
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AVICC CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS & HIGHLIGHTS OF APRIL 6TH COUNCIL MEETING
Cairine Green on Thu 09 Apr 2009 at 11:50 AM
AVICC CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS From April 3 to 5, 2009 in Nanaimo, I attended the 60th annual meeting of the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities (AVICC). The Association represents approxi
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AVICC CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS & HIGHLIGHTS OF APRIL 6TH COUNCIL MEETING
Cairine Green on Wed 08 Apr 2009 at 2:49 PM
AVICC Conference Highlights:From April 3 to 5, 2009 in Nanaimo, I attended the 60th annual meeting of the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities (AVICC). The Association represents approx
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DON'T CRY FOR ME NORTH SAANICH
Cairine Green on Thu 02 Apr 2009 at 9:23 AM
Budget time is always challenging, especially for a smaller municipality such as ours and particularly in this tough economy. There are many competing pressures and interests when it comes to allocatin
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Sidney Rolls Out the Red & Blue for Anacortes Ferry
Cairine Green on Tue 31 Mar 2009 at 11:58 AM
It couldn't have been a more perfect day as hundreds turned out to the Anacortes ferry terminal this past Sunday morning for a rally to save the threatened ferry run. Mayor Larry Cross and other Sidne
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North Saanich Council Sinks Deep Cove Marina Pub Proposal
Cairine Green on Tue 24 Mar 2009 at 3:09 PM
In a unanimous decision at the March 23, 2009 Council meeting, North Saanich Council denied the proposal to build a pub at the Deep Cove Marina. A controversial issue from the beginning, local resident
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U-Vic Grilled by the Public Over Dunsmuir Lodge Closure
Cairine Green on Mon 23 Mar 2009 at 8:18 AM
"The reality of university politics causes me to long for the simplicity of politics in the Middle East." This quote, delivered by a Hornby Island resident, ended the community meeting today held at Du
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UPDATES for the Week of March 15, 2009
Cairine Green on Mon 16 Mar 2009 at 10:18 AM
CRD Bylaw RepealedMayor Finall introduced a motion on March 9, 2009, that asked Council to consider repealing the contentious CRD septic system bylaw for North Saanich, mentioned in my earlier article.
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My View
Cairine Green on Mon 16 Mar 2009 at 10:16 AM
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 respon
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CRD Septic Bylaw
Cairine Green on Sat 07 Mar 2009 at 7:18 AM
SOME NORTH SAANICH COUNCIL MEMBERS NOT SO PUMPED UP ABOUT PROPOSED CRD SEPTIC BYLAWWe first learned in 2008 about the CRD's proposed bylaw to de-regulate monitoring and maintenance of septic systems to
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Tour of Industry a Success!
Cairine Green on Sat 07 Mar 2009 at 7:12 AM
PENINSULA MAYORS AND COUNCILORS JOIN LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INDUSTRY TOURThe Ramsey Group of Companies, Viking Air Limited and Quester Tangent Corporation are companies and industry leaders located
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Climate Change and Us
Cairine Green on Sat 28 Feb 2009 at 6:26 PM
The Climate Conscious City" - Linkoping, SwedenFebruary 27th found me attending an excellent seminar at Royal Roads University sponsored in part by the CRD. The following is a summary of what I learne
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North Saanich Commission/Committee Volunteers Honoured
Cairine Green on Sun 22 Feb 2009 at 1:09 PM
Nearly 30 volunteers gathered at the Municipal Hall on Saturday, February 21 to join Mayor Alice Finall, Councilors Chandler, Green and Scoones and staff for a Volunteer Appreciation Tea to acknowledge
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"Save the Anacortes Ferry" Campaign
Cairine Green on Sun 15 Feb 2009 at 8:17 AM
SIDNEY RALLY TO SAVE THE ANACORTES FERRY WELL ATTENDEDOn February 13, 2009, I attended this rally at the Mary Winspear Centre, along with Victoria and Peninsula businesses, tourism and Chamber of Comme
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A New year, new mayor and council and new tone set direction for North Saanich
Cairine Green on Fri 13 Feb 2009 at 12:15 PM
I'm pleased to say that post-election activity has been brisk for Mayor Alice Finall and her new Council. The following are highlights of Council events and activities since early December 2008:Mayor a
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Municipal Items of Interest
Cairine Green on Fri 12 Dec 2008 at 1:05 PM
APPLY FOR A "TREES FOR TOMORROW" GRANT - APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 16, 2009The Ministry of Community Development is encouraging local governments to submit applications under the Trees f
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Swearing In of New North Saanich Council, Dec. 1/08
Cairine Green on Tue 02 Dec 2008 at 8:48 PM
December 1, 2008 - Inauguration and Swearing In of New Mayor and Council, with a full Council Chamber of residents and supporters who shared in the celebration.Mayor Alice Finall was greeted with a sta
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Post-Election News
Cairine Green on Sun 30 Nov 2008 at 10:26 AM
The period between the election and inauguration of a new Mayor and Council is a time to clean out and shred mounds of paper collected over the past 3 years, re-arrange e-mail folders, delete and add n
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The OCP Revealed
Cairine Green on Fri 21 Nov 2008 at 4:41 PM
Recent articles in the Peninsula News Review and comments during the municipal election campaign reveal a troubling lack of accurate information about the costs of the OCP review started by former mayo
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Post-election Reflection
Cairine Green on Tue 18 Nov 2008 at 8:29 PM
THANK YOU North Saanich supporters and voters for giving me the privilege once again to serve my community.I was gratified with election results and encouraged to see how overwhelming the mandate is fo
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THANK YOU ONE AND ALL
Cairine Green on Fri 14 Nov 2008 at 5:29 PM
Dear Friends:As the campaign ends, I want to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you for all you have done on my behalf. To my wonderful family, I could not have done this wi
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Things that go Bump in the Night - Endorsing Slates
Cairine Green on Sat 01 Nov 2008 at 9:21 AM
Slate Voting: Things that go Bump in the Night -- By Cairine GreenIn a recent Peninsula News Review article announcing Ted Daly’s intention to run for a third term as Mayor of North Saanich, the arti
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Affordable Housing in North Saanich - Keeping Them Honest
Cairine Green on Sun 26 Oct 2008 at 5:09 PM
By Cairine Green, Candidate for North Saanich Council -- November 2008In this election, the issue of “affordable” housing is a topic of debate. Whether North Saanich can provide housing that youn
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AMALGAMATION ON THE SAANICH PENINSULA - My View
Cairine Green on Thu 23 Oct 2008 at 7:24 PM
For many years, there has been talk of amalgamation within certain communities. Below is my position on this controversial topic: AMALGAMATION ON THE SAANICH PENINSULA: AN UNNECESSARY LOSS FOR RURAL MU
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CRD and its Regional Growth Strategy Review 2008 - A Must Read
Cairine Green on Thu 23 Oct 2008 at 7:34 AM
Further to my article on Regional Growth Strategy, the Capital Regional District (CRD) has released its most recent State of the Region 2008 Review of the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS). I encourage a
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Regional Growth Strategy - My position
Cairine Green on Wed 15 Oct 2008 at 9:03 AM
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My Door-to-Door Campaign
Cairine Green on Mon 13 Oct 2008 at 2:20 PM
As I go door knocking, I've been meeting and listening to residents' concerns and the issues that are important to them. Over the coming weeks, I will be posting comments from people in various neighb
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Letter to the Editor – Times Colonist
Cairine Green on Wed 08 Oct 2008 at 10:26 AM
I have written a response letter to an article in the Oct. 7, 2008 Times Colonist (“North Saanich Councillors OK Pay Raise”).I feel, as a councilor who was at the Oct. 6 council meeting, that my po
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THREE YEARS LATER
Cairine Green on Mon 06 Oct 2008 at 12:23 PM
Lessons Learned As a New Municipal CouncilorBy Cairine Green, North SaanichI guess you can say that I grew up in a political family. My father, first elected Alderman for the City of Ottawa at age 22,
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The Last Three Years on Council
Cairine Green on Sat 04 Oct 2008 at 7:51 AM
The past three years have been productive and challenging. Working with residents and groups, managing differences on Council and balancing community needs with budget pressures are fundamental to this
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It has been a privilege to serve North Saanich these last three years. If re-ele
Cairine Green on Thu 02 Oct 2008 at 8:45 PM
Listen and remain accountable.Respect taxpayers through open government that is financially responsible.Preserve the rural integrity of North Saanich by supporting development that is sustainable, fits
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