PENINSULA
NEWS REVIEW
Young at heart
Country legends on stage
Chester Brown, 94, started curling at 78 and says the sport has kept him feeling great, page 10
Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline tribute artists coming to the Charlie White Theatre this month, page 12
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Friday, February 1, 2013
Left in limbo North Saanich’s heritage commission doesn’t have the members to function Steven Heywood News staff
North Saanich’s heritage advisory commission is being left to languish with only two active members and no plans by the district to seek out enough people for it to be able to meet. At the district’s committee of the whole meeting Jan. 28, council approved a plan to advertise for additional parks advisory committee members — a group that has room for up to three more people but which already has six. A motion to do the same for the heritage commission, however, was defeated in a 4-3 council split. There was also talk of eventually merging the two groups if enough people could not be found. “I think it’s important we do keep the heritage advisory commission,” said Councillor Elsie McMurphy, noting a recent historical plaque presentation to the St. John’s United Church. “It’s a unique role in the community,” she continued. “We need to value our heritage and we need people who want to serve.” McMurphy said she wondered why the majority of council seemed to have the knives out for the heritage commission, adding there were people who did apply to be on the commission and were rejected. PLEASE SEE: District contemplating, page 6
Steven Heywood/News staff
A heron preens near the Sidney marina at low tide.
Full house on housing debate Watchdog hopes North Saanich residents get as much information as possible Steven Heywood News staff
A consultant wants to help North Saanich resolve outstanding housing density issues and is leading a community consultation process which had its first public open house Tuesday. A small group of concerned citizens, how-
ever, feels the process goes too far and assumes most people in the district want higher density housing — a question they think needs to be answered first. At the Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church on Jan. 29, a full house was on hand to hear Ed Grafone of CTQ Consultants Ltd. of Kelowna outline the process of gathering opinions and information to meet the terms
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established by the District of North Saanich. “This is an important issue in North Saanich,” he said. “It’s sensitive, as it could set the stage to change the character of the community. Real discussion is needed on how other forms of housing and how it can be made to fit in.” PLEASE SEE: Consultant to confirm, page 3