Paradise found Boating off Oak Bay and in surrounding waters Page A7
NEWS: Mayor weighs in on wastewater measures /A3 BACK TO SCHOOL: RESP tips for parents /A18 SPORTS: Vikes take to the soccer pitch /A23
OAK BAYNEWS Friday, August 21, 2015
www.oakbaynews.com
Political signs ousted in Oak Bay Special Friday morning council meeting to deal with lengthy election campaign Christine van Reeuwyk Oak Bay News
Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News
Oak Bay’s Isaac, 12, takes a cruise on an adapted bike with leader Lucas Dellabough at Queen Alexandra Summer Camp.
Summer camps for all kids Christine van Reeuwyk Oak Bay News
Traditional summer programming doesn’t work for 12-year-old Isaac. Even with an aide, summer camps are limiting for the Oak Bay youngster, financially and behaviourally. “He has lots of stuff going on,” says mom Jennifer (last name withheld at the family’s request). Staff at Queen Alexandra Summer Camps understand the issues, and the youngster himself.
Isaac’s complex, invisible challenges include post traumatic stress disorder, sensory processing problems and severe learning disabilities. That means he doesn’t fit in traditional funding boxes, making it tough for a for a mom living on a fixed, low income to afford a luxury such as summer camp. “QA summer camp is the one thing they look forward to in the summer. This is their version of a wonderful summer experience,” Jennifer said. “I wouldn’t be able to do it by myself and I wouldn’t want to take that [away] from them.”
Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, located on-site at the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health, funds programs for children with disabilities and health challenges around the Island. To date the foundation has donated more than $749,000 to the camp where grants are used specifically for camp leader salaries, transportation and camp supplies. PLEASE SEE: QA camp creates lasting relationships, Page A3
Oak Bay council meets early this morning (Aug. 21) to address its sign bylaw that does not allow for the current 78-day federal election campaign. With the election slated for Oct. 19, campaigning started as soon as the writ was dropped earlier this month. Oak Bay’s sign bylaw states signs can go up no more than 30 days before an election. “There were a few removed the week before last in accordance with our bylaw,” said Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen. “We realized the bylaw didn’t contemplate a 78-day election campaign. It was really designed for your 37-day election campaign.” He called a special council meeting for 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21 to deal with the issue and sort out the enforcement policy. Staff use discretion with signs that warn of deer and support the CBC, which appear throughout the community. “There is a certain freedom of speech element that has to be balanced when it comes to CBC signs, staff has been using their discretion,” Jensen said. “It really is up to staff to do enforcement of our regulations and policy. To give them any specific direction on what they should and shouldn’t enforce is not appropriate. That’s why I’m calling a meeting Friday morning.” Jensen notes that amending a bylaw can usually take four to six weeks and there’s only one council meeting scheduled for Sept. 28 with a committee of the whole meeting slated for Sept. 14. “I anticipate on Friday morning council will look at two things, giving direction to staff in terms of enforcement policy and then the other option we have … would be to look to update our bylaw by bringing forth amendments.” Visit oakbaynews.com for updates to this story. cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
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