SOOKE IS SELLING!
A House Sold Every Day this Year! ARTS
INDEX
Elena Branson, 16 has a big heart for music. As the assistant choir director of the Sooke Youth Show Choir, she brings music magic to the masses. Page A23
News Opinion Community
SPORTS A2 A8 A15
The Southern Vancouver Island Nature Trails Society hopes to increase access to outdoor spaces, including the Sooke Hills. Page B1
TA M M I D I M O C K
Black Press
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
tammidimock .com Personal Real Estate Corp.
Mail Agreement #40110541
250.642.6361
M E D I A
Smoky job Firefighters from Sooke, East Sooke, Otter Point and Metchosin Fire Rescue, fought a barn fire for more than two hours Sunday afternoon near a Church Road neighbourhood after the abandoned structure was spotted ablaze by nearby residents. Sooke Fire Chief Steven Sorensen said even though the old barn had no power running to it and no occupants present, the fire was likely human caused. Octavian Lacatusu Sooke News Mirror
REAY LASHES OUT AT SOCIAL MEDIA CONDUCT Acting mayor and other councilors tired of vitriolic attacks, misinformation Kevin Laird
Sooke News Mirror
Acting mayor Kerrie Reay has taken direct aim at local social media sites filled with vitriolic attacks and misinformation. “I’ve had enough,” she said.
“I am taken aback by the meanness and negativity that has transpired on many social media sites, inaccuracy in articles and comments that encourage and promote more innuendo. Posts that don’t give the whole story, people being selective of what they post distorting the truth.” Reay, who has served as acting mayor for the last two months due to Mayor Maja Tait’s leave of absence, has been at the centre of several controversial issues surrounding the transparency of the hiring of the new chief administrative officer, municipal staffing and
WHIFFIN SPIT
$699,000
the right of delegations to speak at council meetings. She came under fire in the hiring of CAO Teresa Sullivan as chairman of the hiring committee. The decision to hire Sullivan was the decision of full council. Three senior managers left the employ of the district soon after Sullivan joined: two left to pursue other opportunities, while the third left by “mutual agreement.” Why those employees left are protected under the provincial Freedom of Information Act which outlines what information can be disclosed and what cannot
EAST SOOKE
$629,000
BROOMHILL
ity’s procedural bylaw. On Monday, Reay announced the municipality received a legal opinion on the issue and was correct in her interpretation of the bylaw. “It is very clear in the procedural bylaw that all matters coming before council must be within the jurisdiction of the council. It is incumbent of the chair of the meeting to ensure that this rule is followed. To not do so is violation of our procedures bylaw,” she said at council Monday night.
be disclosed. “There has been a huge push on social media demanding that council or [municipal] staff release information that relates to personal information that is clearly protected under this legislation,” Reay said, but to release the information could see the municipality face a fine of up to $500,000. The right to speak at council has also been controversial in recent weeks, where Reay only allowed council attendees to speak to items on the agenda, which is the requirement under the municipal-
$599,000
OTTER POINT
See COUNCILLOR / A6
$399,500
CAMOSUN WESTSIDE
#1 REAL ESTATE OFFICE IN SOOKE FOR 2015
STUNNING UPSCALE OCEANFRONT TOWNHOME 3 BR 3 BATH END UNIT
OLIVER KATZ Personal Real Estate Corporation
ELEGANT COUNTRY ESTATE 5600 SQ FT 5 BR 5 BATH FORMAL LIVING & DINING
UPSCALE 4 BR 3 BATH IN PRESTIGIOUS STONE RIDGE ESTATES
ALMOST 3000 SQ FT HOME OFFERING 5 BR 4 BATH w/SUITE ON 2.17 ACRES
BUYING or SELLING ??? Call 250.642.6480
CRISTINA STAICU Personal Real Estate Corporation