introducing area b alternate: heidi goddard

Area B Director’s Update- by Sierra Acton

Love it!
One upside to the fight against the contaminated soil dump was the many new friendships that were created standing on that hill. We were brought together by our love for community, our belief in what was right and our passion to protect this valley for future generations. Those shared values galvanized many new friendships. One of those new friends was Heidi Goddard and she is now my Alternate Director. Heidi and her daughter where literally the ‘poster child’ for the Save Shawnigan Water Campaign: the photo of her standing in front of a truck, in the dark, with a baby strapped to her chest. She is dedicated to her community like so many others that braved those cold, dark mornings. I’m thrilled that Heidi will be filling in for me, when I can’t attend. Heidi is also the Vice Chair of the Shawnigan Lake Community Center Commission.  Heidi is not the only one starting a new role; I was elected to Vice Chair of the CVRD Board on the night of the Board inauguration, which is a new role for me as well. I am excited for the challenge of this new position and the associated opportunity to grow and learn. I will be working with my friend and mentor, Ian Morrison, who is the CVRD Board Chair.


Share it!
Budget season is coming up at the CVRD. This means the Board will be reviewing all of the tax allocations for the various Areas. Certainly with the new Housing and Water functions, I will not be advocating to increase taxes on extra expenditures if they are not a priority. If anyone has input on this topic or anything else CVRD related, please contact me.


Protect it!
This week the courts decided in favour of the CVRD on a crucial zoning issue. Specifically, that a sawmill is not a home based business and that the commercial use of a sawmill is not permitted in an area that is zoned residential. The decision affirms the Regional District’s zoning authority and validates that the CVRD’s decision to pursue bylaw enforcement action in this case was supported by law. Any further commercial activity at the site in question will be in violation of a court order. Unfortunately, going to court is expensive and it ends up costing tax payers a significant amount of money. (Bylaw is very challenging for electoral areas as we don’t have as many enforcement and regulations ‘tools’ as municipalities.)


A message from our Local MOTI Rep on Preparing your home and property for winter, rain and snow storms;
We advises that home owners check culverts, gutters, downspouts and perimeter drains around their house to ensure everything is working properly, and free from debris.

Mainroad Contracting will make every effort to keep roadside catch basins, culverts, and ditches clear.
Residents are requested to help by not depositing debris, leaves or garden trimmings in drainage ditches, and by preventing debris from accumulating against ditches.


Homeowner Drainage Checklist

• Clear your gutters and downspouts. Ensure that they remain clear through the winter.
• Have your drain system cleaned and repaired if necessary. Remember, drain tiles will plug over time with mud, silt or roots, and in some cases, may even fail due to age.
• Ensure that any surface that drains, such as those located at the bottom of driveways and stair wells, are clear of mud and debris and remain clear through the winter.
• Ensure your driveway culvert is clear (that you can see daylight from one end to the other).

Maintenance of culverts located underneath driveways are the responsibility of the individual home owner. If you notice flooding during office hours on any of the roads, please contact Mainroad South Island Contracting Ltd at 250-391-7310 or 1-877-391-7310 (24/7)


Join my monthly email list for updates and community information by forwarding your email address. Have a safe and happy holiday season!


Sierra Acton-Director Area B
Cell/text (250)-715-6763
Sacton@cvrd.bc.ca
iloveshawnigan.com
FB @AreaDirectorAreaB

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