- Flag Presentation
The iconic Oak Bay flag was “returned home” last night in a brief presentation to Mayor and Council. The flag had been flying in Afghanistan during the Canadian and NATO campaign there, in part a result of one of the military members who is a graduate of Oak Bay High School. Accompanying the flag was a photograph showing where in Afghanistan the flag was flying. Mayor Jensen gratefully received the flag, citing how honoured Oak Bay was to have been represented in this way.
- Of Block Parties and Road Closures
A number of requests for road closures to accommodate summer block parties was unanimously approved by Council, but the children’s “Bouncey Castle” attraction was bounced from being approved. Because of potential liability to the municipality if located in the street, the Cavendish road closure was approved without the Castle attraction, which must find a private location away from and off public property.
- Statements of Significance for Heritage Received and Approved
I was pleased as Council Liaison to Heritage, Arts and Culture, to speak to Council on behalf of our Archives and Heritage Commission, supporting submission of a significant body of work, eight Statements of Significance (SOSs) that acknowledge and recognize the historical significance of a number of Oak Bay homes, structures and locations.
These Statements were prepared by the incomparable Jean Sparks, volunteer Archivist, with assistance from the Heritage Commission and municipal staff. I understand that this is the first time in about three years that SOSs have been submitted and we look forward to making submissions an annual event. The eight significant places are: