Happy New Year Shawnigan!

New Years has always been a symbolic landmark to observe the past year's accomplishments and to set new goals for the year to come. I love cleansing the past year with something fun and outrageous; this year the shiver should fit the bill, it's a perfect way to start the year with a bang!

Looking back on 2017 I am truly grateful for all my mentors who helped me along the way. A special thank you to Sonia Furstenau and to Ian Morrison (Area Director for Cowichan Lake) who both continue to offer their support and collaborate whenever possible. 2017 was a year of learning, planning and strategizing. Some accomplishments worth celebrating are; I quickly set to task as Area Director after the provincial election, I earned the respect of the CVRD Board and I know they will support me as a Director and us as a community.

In 2018 I will continue to support such groups as the Shawnigan Research Group (SRG) as they tirelessly work towards protecting the community from the looming contaminated soil dump. Work has already begun with the Shawnigan Residence Association (SRA) to help curtail illegal garbage dumping and a focused plan will commence late winter. Milfoil has become one of the communities top priorities and I am currently securing funding to get a proper plan in place. It’s not going to be an easy endeavour, but we all have a vested interest in the health of our lake. As a community we have proven we can do anything.

Just recently I was appointed Vice-Chair to Electoral Services I hope to continue learning in that position and bring together the Electoral Area Directors to strategize on how we can work together tohelp support each others communities even more. As an Electoral Area it is extremely difficult to have funds returned back to the community. Over the next few months I look forward to working with other Directors to ensure more of our community’s needs are met and discovering how we can work together for a more prosperous outcome. They are a great group of people, so I am confident things will only be looking up for all of the Cowichan Valley. On that note; I wish you all a happy, healthy andprosperous 2018. Love it, Share it, Protect it!

Let’s connect:
Sierra Acton
cell/text 250-732-0368
Sacton@cvrd.bc.ca
FB: Sierra Acton Area B
www.iloveshawnigan.com
Next Director’s Meeting February 5th, 2018