SOOKE E D I S N I K LOO
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NEWS MIRROR Sooke is Selling!
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Wednesday, April 9, 2014
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Water woes addressed by water commission JdF residents to benefit from new hydrant Pirjo Raits
Sooke News Mirror
Pirjo Raits photos
The winner of the Business of the Year was Sooke 2 for 1 Pizza, accepting was Andy Carrier, top left, flanked by chamber president MIchael Nyikes, left, and Mike Barry. Right, Frederique Philip accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award from Michael Nyikes. See all of the winners’ photos and top three nominees on the Sooke News Mirror’s Facebook page.
Businesses honoured with awards Pirjo Raits
Sooke News Mirror
The ballroom at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort was full of people from Sooke’s business community for the 2013 Chamber Business Excellence Awards. The April 5 event saw deserving businesses and most importantly, the people behind the businesses, receive awards in different categories. Nine awards were chosen by a jury consisting of Ellen Lewers, Kevin Pearson and Steve Sorensen.
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Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce president Michael Nyikes chose two awards, one for Recognition and one for Lifetime Achievement. The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to the Sooke Harbour House. The award is presented to any long-standing business or individual which the current president feels has benefitted the Sooke region as a whole. When accepting the award Frederique Philip said, “I could cry.”
The President’s Award of Recognition went to Ken Stratford. That award was given to a business or individual who has made impactful contribution to advance the success of businesses and economic development. In the major categories the winners were: Professional Service - Dr. Chris Bryant Inc.; Retail Excellence - Western Foods; Manufacturing Excellence - Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery; Dining Excellence - Point No Point Resort; Sustainability Leadership
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- Juan de Fuca Salmon Restoration Society; Development Excellence - Mariner’s Village. NotFor-Profit Organization Sooke Martial Arts Association; New Business of the Year - TD Canada Trust; Business of the Year - Sooke 2 For 2 Pizza. On accepting his award for Development Excellence Mike Barry said it has been awesome. “I know we’re gonna make it.” He also stated, “there is no place like this (Sooke) and I’ve been all over the world.”
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Water, along with food and shelter, are necessities of life and Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Director Mike Hicks wants to ensure families in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area have enough water. For months, the prospect of increasing potable water costs had been plaguing Hicks and those who depend on potable water delivery. Residents went from paying $140 to $180 for water delivery because their distributor, South Island Water, was faced with increased costs because of time and distance. On Tuesday, April 1, the Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission (JDFWDC) voted, four to two, to pass a motion made by Hicks, which would see the electoral area (and municipalities) allowed to build stand-pipes for dedicated potable water. The JDFWDC considered a staff report which stated water hydrants were not to be used as a source for potable water for potable water delivery trucks. The concern
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was potential damage to the hydrants as well as extra costs related to billing and administration. Hicks said he would use the gas tax monies to build a stand pipe for use by potable water delivery trucks as close to Otter Point residents as possible. “We’ll take on the expense from the gas tax,” said Hicks at the meeting. “If it doesn’t work it’s not the end of the world, but it is the end of the world for 400 families. This is futuristic thinking.” The cost, said Hicks, would be $20-$30,000 at most. “In my area I can’t use the gas tax for anything else,” said Hicks. Currently 400 families from the Highlands to Shirley depend on potable water delivery. Hicks said he believes South Island’s role of delivering water is just as important within the CRD as the system of piped water lines. The motion put forward by Hicks, which passed, reads: “I move that the Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission direct staff to complete the third and final bulk water dispensing station in East Sooke, approve the $50,000 funding
requested in the 2014 capital plan and to amend CRD Bylaw No, 3889 to allow dedicated potable water hydrants or stand-pipes to be built by member municipalities or Electoral areas and administered by the Juan de Fuca Distribution Commission for the exclusive use of fire departments and certified VIHA approved potable water haulers.” Hicks’ motion was backed by Sooke Councillor Herb Haldane, who said, “These people are still getting two, three, four per cent tax increases, now it’s hydro, water and gas going up. I’m with Mike on this… if we can somehow make things more affordable.” Voting in favour as well were Councillors Gordie Logan (Colwood), and Ken Williams (Highlands). Opposed were Councillors John Rogers (View Royal), Lillian Szpak (Langford). At the end of the meeting Teresa Hall from South Island Water said they would lower the rates once the stand-pipe (hydrant) was in place.
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