We are thrilled to introduce ourselves as Sooke’s 7th Council, elected to serve from 2018 to 2022. On behalf of Council and staff at the District of Sooke, we extend warm greetings from Council Chambers. Our Council is comprised of:
Returning Mayor: Maja Tait
Returning Councillors: Ebony Logins and Brenda Parkinson
Newly elected councillors:
- Jeff Bateman
- Al Beddows
- Megan McMath
- Tony St-Pierre
Council was officially formed at our Inaugural Meeting on November 5, 2018 where we were graciously escorted into Chambers by members of the Sooke RCMP and Sooke Fire Rescue Services. We are grateful for the blessing bestowed upon us by Elder Shirley Alphonse and Chief Gordon Planes from the T’Sou-ke Nation and look forward continuing our meaningful and strong relationship.
A huge thank you to members of our outgoing Council for their service and contributions over the past four years, and to all candidates for their participation in the 2018 election.
We are honoured to serve as your Council and are excited for the years ahead. Council has started our orientation process with both regional and local workshops and will be spending the next few months exploring every corner of our municipality with our staff and community partners.
Our immediate priorities include hiring a Chief Administrative Officer, improving transportation both within and outside of Sooke, and completing a Housing Needs Assessment to name a few. Council will also need to establish the framework of our strategic plan and form the necessary committees to aid us in achieving our goals. Working with other community stakeholders like the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board and SEAPARC, we will continue to expand and progress with plans for new facilities in Sooke.
Sooke is waiting for the provincial response to our health care planning submission, which aims to improve primary health care infrastructure in our community. Further information on provincial funding is expected by the end of 2018.
Through this transition to a new Council, municipal staff have continued to keep the District’s engine running. Work has continued on capital projects and services continue to run smoothly.
Some important infrastructure updates; remediation work on Sooke River Road is nearly complete, which will eliminate seasonal flooding (also known as the “giant puddle”) and improve safety for residents and visitors to the Sooke Potholes. A contract to have road lines and crosswalks repainted within Sooke has been awarded and we are anxiously awaiting the completion of the work. Planning work for the use of “Lot A” on Wadams Way is also underway, with public engagement planned for December 8 from 2:30 – 6:00 pm in Council Chambers.
We are very proud of our staff and volunteers within all District departments and look forward to celebrating many milestones and achievements alongside these dedicated folks.
Speaking of celebrations…. 2019 is Sooke’s 20th Anniversary as a municipality! This is an awesome opportunity for us to highlight the incredible volunteer spirit and talent that we find in arts, culture, sport and recreation throughout our community. Stay tuned for further information on how we will commemorate this momentous occasion all year long.
This is also an exceptional time to shift how we operate in local government and to strive for service excellence. As we realize Sooke’s brilliant potential, we will be breaking new ground, and this is both exciting and hard work. As your Council, we know it will take teamwork and public engagement. Together with courage and determination we can step forward and boldly go where no Sooke Council has gone before.
We look forward to sharing this journey and stories of our success with all of you.
- Mayor Maja Tait, on behalf of Sooke Council
Upcoming Dates:
- Opening of Brooks Park Playground, November 28 at 10:00 am
- Sooke Santa Parade, December 2 at 5:00 pm
- Lot A Planning Charette – Public Portion, December 8 2:30 – 6:00 pm
- Fire Department Santa Run, December 8 at 5:00 pm
- Regular Council Meeting, December 10 at 7:00 pm
- Committee of the Whole, December 17 at 7:00 pm
- Mayor’s New Year’s Levee, January 1 at 10:00 am
- Deadline for Community Grant applications, January 15, 2019
See www.sooke.ca or call the Municipal Hall at (250) 642-1634 for further information