After a hectic municipal election campaign that wound up on October 20, 2018, election day, Oak Bay voters elected a new Mayor and Council. I was gratified to be among the seven candidates elected and am deeply grateful to Oak Bay voters for their support, awarding me over 3,800 votes and giving me the privilege … Read more
Oak Bay
Green Announces Run for Oak Bay Council Oak Bay Heritage Commission chair and former councillor Cairine Green announced today that she will seek a seat on Oak Bay Council in the October 2018 municipal election. “Oak Bay’s strength lies in the talents of its people and the diversity of its neighbourhoods and natural beauty. I … Read more
Housing Affordability in Oak Bay A two-part public forum on housing affordability in Oak Bay, sponsored by the Community Association of Oak Bay, brought packed audiences to both sessions held February 24 and March 3, 2018 at Windsor Park. The following summary is based on my notes and observations of presentations and one of the … Read more
After I published my first blog article in late June 2016 titled “Crib Notes on Local Government,” readers asked for a sequel explaining just how the public can get involved and engaged with their local municipal council and government. While this may not be gripping material that keeps readers awake at night, it might … Read more
The attached link to the British newspaper, the Guardian, and it’s article on Oak Bay housing, resonates across our region. Thanks to reporter, Ashifa Kassam for her coverage and interest in this blog website and my articles on housing. You can read the entire Guardian article here: Guardian newspaper article on Oak Bay homes going to Washington State.
The first Oak Bay Heritage lecture for 2016. Please mark your calendar and bring a friend or neighbour to hear Oak Bay’s very own Archivist extraordinaire, Jean Sparks. When: February 17, 2016 at 7:00 PM Where: Windsor Park Pavilion Refreshments will be served and donations at the door are always welcome.
Invited by owner and developer Ms. Nicole Roberts, I had the pleasure of touring the new Clive apartment building and I was not disappointed. Ms. Roberts was true to her word — the Clive exceeds the first level of LEED standard for a green and energy-efficient building and is an asset to Oak Bay as … Read more
This week, our local CBC radio show “On the Island,” with host Gregor Craigie, did an interview with a community leader who works for the San Juan Island Housing Trust in Washington State. The Trust is committed to providing affordable and attainable housing by creating a neighbourhood of recycled homes that come from other … Read more
Neighbours Helping Neighbours Build a Disaster-Resistant Community May 3 to May 9 is Emergency Preparedness Week in British Columbia. As part of that week, the Oak Bay Emergency Program (OBEP) will be holding a FREE information session: May 5 – 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Windsor Pavilion, 2451 Windsor Road in Oak Bay This interactive … Read more
It’s that time of year again and for those who are keen to cycle but like the option of “coasting” once in awhile, please come to Oak Bay Avenue and give the new electric Pedego bicycle a try. To enlarge this photo, just click on it.
Today’s local and regional governments are dealing with diverse issues and challenges that are more complex than ever before, often rousing the interests and passions of residents. Local government is now much less about managing “sewers, sidewalks and streetlights,” and much more about addressing the social, economic and environmental health of its residents and communities. … Read more