saanich south
My community office is now showing art by the award-winning printmaker Jennifer Whitford Robins. Drop by anytime during office hours and have a look at her beautiful work.
It is with much sadness that I share the news that Bob Gillespie is gone. He died of natural causes just a few weeks ago, with loved ones at his side. Bob elected to Saanich Council in 1990 and served for 18 years. One of his accomplishments was getting a reduced water rate for agriculture. This is a great help to farmers to this day and he will be remembered as a champion of local agriculture. Accountability was a big issue for Bob. He fought successfully for the direct election of Saanich’s CRD Directors. Saanich became
report
New Art in the Office
Bob Gillespie 1929-2012 the first municipality under the Charter to give citizens a direct choice of regional district directors. Victoria and other municipalities now follow the Saanich model. Bob was admired by many and this is a great loss for Saanich.
Young environmental leaders in Saanich South
I’ve long been concerned about the environment – it is what drew me into politics in the first place. When I speak to young people I often try to inspire them to learn more about environmental issues and do something about the problems they discover. This year, I put my own money where my mouth is and created three $500 scholarships to reward Me and the energetic Kristine Chen, Kaia Bryce & Sierra Kemp “environmental leaders” winners by the awards commitat Claremont, Spectees of their respective schools. trum and SIDES – the three high We can all be proud of these three schools in Saanich South. remarkable young women. They Sierra Kemp, Kaia Bryce and are trying to make the world a betKristine Chen were selected as the ter place and I wish them success!
Lana Popham, Saanich-South MLA Constituency office is at 4085 Quadra Street on the corner of Nicholson 250.479.4154 | lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca
a garden meal
dear
butternut squash soup 1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded 2 tablespoons unsalted butter/grape seed oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic 6 cups chicken stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion/garlic and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash and sauté until slightly golden. Add stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with salt, and pepper. Serve.
inside
saanich south
You’re invited!
I spent a lot of time on the door-step this summer – not to ask for your vote (the next provincial election is not until May 14, 2013) – but to connect personally with you.
Please join me for a delicious ‘locavore’ dinner and a stimulating presentation about the huge impact of choosing to spend more of our money at local businesses.
As your representative in the BC Legislature, I need to hear directly what provincial issues are top of mind. It can be quite a surprise to find your MLA knocking on your door and asking for your opinions so I am very grateful for the time people give me. Thank you!
Watch for our Art Show and Year-End Open House on Friday November 23, 5-8pm at the Community Office. This event also marks the kick-off of our month-long food drive for the Mustard Seed Food Bank.
We’ll start by sharing a gourmet meal featuring the best of local foods. Then Barry O’Neill will present his “10% Shift” concept. Barry is the President of CUPEBC and this is something he is very passionate about. He has gotten a great response to this presentation from Chambers of Commerce, City Councils, Business Associations and Community Organizations across BC.
saanich south community office hours
Regular Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:30 am - 5:00 pm PRINTED LOCALLY ON 100% POST CONSUMER TREE-FREE RECYCLED PAPER PLEASE RECYCLE
If you feel strongly about something happening in BC, or want help with a provincial matter, please get in touch. I am here if you need me.
Young enviro leaders........... 4 A garden meal Butternut Squash Soup – simple & delicious!.................. 4 Art in the Office.................... 4
Tickets are only $10! They go fast! Free child-care available by reservation. Tickets are available at my office during regular office hours. Call or email for more info. Hope to see you there!
Warm regards,
lana popham, mla
MLA report In the community.................... 3 In the legislature...................... 3 Saanich Star RIP Bob Gillespie.................... 4
6-8pm Tuesday, October 23. Salvation Army Citadel 4030 Douglas St (North of Mackenzie)
One request I got a lot was for another printed report – people want to catch up on my work at a time that is convenient to them. Well, here it is!
Finally! Solutions for Sayward & Pat Bay Hwy intersection........ 2
|
saanich south
|
Barry O'Neill & Lana - Making the 10% Shift
www.saanichsouth.ca
OCTOBER, 2012
a true saanich star
Proposed
finally! Safety changes underway at
This Spring the government introduced changes to the "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act" that were strongly opposed by the SPCA. I proposed several changes to the Bill in response. I’m happy to report that in what Rob Shaw of the Times Colonist called a “rare victory” most of these changes were adopted by the government. The SPCA and others then withdrew their objections and the Opposition supported the revised Bill.
Sayward/Pat Bay Intersection For over two decades, people have been asking for safety improvements at the Pat Bay and Sayward Road intersection. According to ICBC statistics, it is the most dangerous highway intersection on the Island. And yet, year after year, accident after accident (there were sixty in 2011 alone), nothing was done.
Pat Bat/Sayward public meeting, February 2012 This problem became one of my top priorities after being elected in 2009. I began by organizing a public meeting on the subject, making sure municipal politicians and senior staff at the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) were there to hear directly from citizens. There was a huge turn-out and a lot of energy in the room. As a result of this meeting a “working group” was created, made up of residents, local politicians, BC Transit and MOT. Over the course of a year we consulted, studied and ultimately we recommended four relatively low-cost changes. I organized another meeting with MOT
earlier this year and we took these suggestions back to the community. And the support was enormous!
Enough momentum was created to push the government into action
On the doorstep of Saanich resident, Surinder Gidda, finding out what matters to residents.
casework update
Sometimes when people run into challenges with provincial agencies and start demanding better service, they are rebuffed, and told: “take it to your MLA”.
An announcement was made earlier this summer that our suggestions would be implemented over the next year. You can see the plan in the graphic on this page.
While this may feel like a runaround, in certain situations my community office can help. We regularly clear up miscommunications and help in little ways that make huge differences in people’s lives.
A ‘congestion ahead’ light has already been installed. MOT is working on the design plans now and intends to finish them early in January. They will then look at property acquisition and release a tender in February for a Contractor to do the work. Construction is scheduled for the summer of 2013.
A few examples? We get quick corrections of erroneous Pharmacare coverage calculations; we successfully appeal to Managers at the Disability Office to reconsider denial of funds for vitamins or supplemental healthcare services; we help people needing Income Assistance navigate through the difficult process; and we assist seniors dealing with the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles regarding the revocation of driving licenses.
Only time will tell if these improvements will suffice. I will continue to work on this file and several other serious road issues in Saanich. I would like to publicly thank the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs for their patient and relentless advocacy work on this problem!
lana popham, mla
At other times, however, the problems are immense and
|
saanich south
| saanichsouth.ca
solutions feel out of reach. Just this summer, six people in distress and pain asked me to help reduce the long waiting times for major surgery. All of them were pushed from pillar to post in their efforts to reduce the wait times…they all hit a wall. I continue to press VIHA for clear answers on how they intend to increase the availability of operating rooms for surgeons with backlogged waitlists. Surgery is expensive and our health-care budget is already stretched, but I refuse to believe that we can’t do better. I won’t stop pushing for improvements that benefit those most in need of care.
In the Iegislature As the Opposition Critic for Agriculture, I take the lead in responding to government actions that impact farming in BC. I do my best to propose positive changes, but I also oppose government mistakes and failures. I’ll give you an example of each.
| lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca
Opposed Earlier this year the government introduced a draft “Animal Health Act” to change the rules for responding to animal disease outbreaks. Regrettably, the Bill had a large number of serious problems. The worst of which was a gag clause that could be used to stop journalists, independent scientists and indeed anyone from communicating information about serious outbreaks of animal disease. I was the first person to raise this issue and the Minister of Agriculture initially tried to dismiss my concerns, calling me “alarmist”. Fortunately, others joined in this fight. After hundreds of letters from outraged citizens and dozens of highly-critical media stories, the government backed down. The Government House Leader admitted the Bill needed more work and it was left to “die on the order paper”. This is a good news story for everyone who values free speech and ‘open government’. page 3
Proposed
finally! Safety changes underway at
This Spring the government introduced changes to the "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act" that were strongly opposed by the SPCA. I proposed several changes to the Bill in response. I’m happy to report that in what Rob Shaw of the Times Colonist called a “rare victory” most of these changes were adopted by the government. The SPCA and others then withdrew their objections and the Opposition supported the revised Bill.
Sayward/Pat Bay Intersection For over two decades, people have been asking for safety improvements at the Pat Bay and Sayward Road intersection. According to ICBC statistics, it is the most dangerous highway intersection on the Island. And yet, year after year, accident after accident (there were sixty in 2011 alone), nothing was done.
Pat Bat/Sayward public meeting, February 2012 This problem became one of my top priorities after being elected in 2009. I began by organizing a public meeting on the subject, making sure municipal politicians and senior staff at the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) were there to hear directly from citizens. There was a huge turn-out and a lot of energy in the room. As a result of this meeting a “working group” was created, made up of residents, local politicians, BC Transit and MOT. Over the course of a year we consulted, studied and ultimately we recommended four relatively low-cost changes. I organized another meeting with MOT
earlier this year and we took these suggestions back to the community. And the support was enormous!
Enough momentum was created to push the government into action
On the doorstep of Saanich resident, Surinder Gidda, finding out what matters to residents.
casework update
Sometimes when people run into challenges with provincial agencies and start demanding better service, they are rebuffed, and told: “take it to your MLA”.
An announcement was made earlier this summer that our suggestions would be implemented over the next year. You can see the plan in the graphic on this page.
While this may feel like a runaround, in certain situations my community office can help. We regularly clear up miscommunications and help in little ways that make huge differences in people’s lives.
A ‘congestion ahead’ light has already been installed. MOT is working on the design plans now and intends to finish them early in January. They will then look at property acquisition and release a tender in February for a Contractor to do the work. Construction is scheduled for the summer of 2013.
A few examples? We get quick corrections of erroneous Pharmacare coverage calculations; we successfully appeal to Managers at the Disability Office to reconsider denial of funds for vitamins or supplemental healthcare services; we help people needing Income Assistance navigate through the difficult process; and we assist seniors dealing with the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles regarding the revocation of driving licenses.
Only time will tell if these improvements will suffice. I will continue to work on this file and several other serious road issues in Saanich. I would like to publicly thank the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs for their patient and relentless advocacy work on this problem!
lana popham, mla
At other times, however, the problems are immense and
|
saanich south
| saanichsouth.ca
solutions feel out of reach. Just this summer, six people in distress and pain asked me to help reduce the long waiting times for major surgery. All of them were pushed from pillar to post in their efforts to reduce the wait times…they all hit a wall. I continue to press VIHA for clear answers on how they intend to increase the availability of operating rooms for surgeons with backlogged waitlists. Surgery is expensive and our health-care budget is already stretched, but I refuse to believe that we can’t do better. I won’t stop pushing for improvements that benefit those most in need of care.
In the Iegislature As the Opposition Critic for Agriculture, I take the lead in responding to government actions that impact farming in BC. I do my best to propose positive changes, but I also oppose government mistakes and failures. I’ll give you an example of each.
| lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca
Opposed Earlier this year the government introduced a draft “Animal Health Act” to change the rules for responding to animal disease outbreaks. Regrettably, the Bill had a large number of serious problems. The worst of which was a gag clause that could be used to stop journalists, independent scientists and indeed anyone from communicating information about serious outbreaks of animal disease. I was the first person to raise this issue and the Minister of Agriculture initially tried to dismiss my concerns, calling me “alarmist”. Fortunately, others joined in this fight. After hundreds of letters from outraged citizens and dozens of highly-critical media stories, the government backed down. The Government House Leader admitted the Bill needed more work and it was left to “die on the order paper”. This is a good news story for everyone who values free speech and ‘open government’. page 3
saanich south
My community office is now showing art by the award-winning printmaker Jennifer Whitford Robins. Drop by anytime during office hours and have a look at her beautiful work.
It is with much sadness that I share the news that Bob Gillespie is gone. He died of natural causes just a few weeks ago, with loved ones at his side. Bob elected to Saanich Council in 1990 and served for 18 years. One of his accomplishments was getting a reduced water rate for agriculture. This is a great help to farmers to this day and he will be remembered as a champion of local agriculture. Accountability was a big issue for Bob. He fought successfully for the direct election of Saanich’s CRD Directors. Saanich became
report
New Art in the Office
Bob Gillespie 1929-2012 the first municipality under the Charter to give citizens a direct choice of regional district directors. Victoria and other municipalities now follow the Saanich model. Bob was admired by many and this is a great loss for Saanich.
Young environmental leaders in Saanich South
I’ve long been concerned about the environment – it is what drew me into politics in the first place. When I speak to young people I often try to inspire them to learn more about environmental issues and do something about the problems they discover. This year, I put my own money where my mouth is and created three $500 scholarships to reward Me and the energetic Kristine Chen, Kaia Bryce & Sierra Kemp “environmental leaders” winners by the awards commitat Claremont, Spectees of their respective schools. trum and SIDES – the three high We can all be proud of these three schools in Saanich South. remarkable young women. They Sierra Kemp, Kaia Bryce and are trying to make the world a betKristine Chen were selected as the ter place and I wish them success!
Lana Popham, Saanich-South MLA Constituency office is at 4085 Quadra Street on the corner of Nicholson 250.479.4154 | lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca
a garden meal
dear
butternut squash soup 1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded 2 tablespoons unsalted butter/grape seed oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic 6 cups chicken stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion/garlic and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash and sauté until slightly golden. Add stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with salt, and pepper. Serve.
inside
saanich south
You’re invited!
I spent a lot of time on the door-step this summer – not to ask for your vote (the next provincial election is not until May 14, 2013) – but to connect personally with you.
Please join me for a delicious ‘locavore’ dinner and a stimulating presentation about the huge impact of choosing to spend more of our money at local businesses.
As your representative in the BC Legislature, I need to hear directly what provincial issues are top of mind. It can be quite a surprise to find your MLA knocking on your door and asking for your opinions so I am very grateful for the time people give me. Thank you!
Watch for our Art Show and Year-End Open House on Friday November 23, 5-8pm at the Community Office. This event also marks the kick-off of our month-long food drive for the Mustard Seed Food Bank.
We’ll start by sharing a gourmet meal featuring the best of local foods. Then Barry O’Neill will present his “10% Shift” concept. Barry is the President of CUPEBC and this is something he is very passionate about. He has gotten a great response to this presentation from Chambers of Commerce, City Councils, Business Associations and Community Organizations across BC.
saanich south community office hours
Regular Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:30 am - 5:00 pm PRINTED LOCALLY ON 100% POST CONSUMER TREE-FREE RECYCLED PAPER PLEASE RECYCLE
If you feel strongly about something happening in BC, or want help with a provincial matter, please get in touch. I am here if you need me.
Young enviro leaders........... 4 A garden meal Butternut Squash Soup – simple & delicious!.................. 4 Art in the Office.................... 4
Tickets are only $10! They go fast! Free child-care available by reservation. Tickets are available at my office during regular office hours. Call or email for more info. Hope to see you there!
Warm regards,
lana popham, mla
MLA report In the community.................... 3 In the legislature...................... 3 Saanich Star RIP Bob Gillespie.................... 4
6-8pm Tuesday, October 23. Salvation Army Citadel 4030 Douglas St (North of Mackenzie)
One request I got a lot was for another printed report – people want to catch up on my work at a time that is convenient to them. Well, here it is!
Finally! Solutions for Sayward & Pat Bay Hwy intersection........ 2
|
saanich south
|
Barry O'Neill & Lana - Making the 10% Shift
www.saanichsouth.ca
OCTOBER, 2012
a true saanich star