Chris Causton – Corey Burger

Random links o’ the morning

Chris Causton has released a statement through his campaign website on the leave of absence I wrote about the other day.
The Times Colonist reports that police amalgamation is not in the works. This despite the well-publicized issues the Oak Bay Police Department has.
The Oak Bay Police have asked for money to hire an administrative assistant, as a recent recent that they have less admin support than most departments of their size

Saanich allows more urban chickens, in a very special animal-themed council episode earlier this week.
As we debate bus vs rail here in Victoria, Toronto transit riders are getting screwed over by the Ford administration, as the province approves his crazy subway-centric transit plan.
Speaking of rapid transit in Victoria, the date for the open houses has not yet been set, butwhen they are, the dates will be listed on here.

The Mayor says goodbye (sort-of)

With Mayor Causton taking a short break to run for Liberal candidate in the Victoria riding, he took the opportunity to say good-bye Monday night. At what may be his last council meeting ever, he brought up a lot of unresolved business that he wanted to see put to bed.

Unsurprisingly, the first thing he mentioned was the town hall meeting, something he promised to the protesters from the the other day. What he promised was a meeting without an agenda, and he promised that he would facilitate that However, he wanted to have it during April, which means that somebody else will need to chair that. Causton ended up suggesting the acting Mayor — Nils Jensen for the month of April — as a suitable substitute. As for a date, there are a few being kicked around, all in April: 12th, 14th, 19th, or 20th.

Second on his agenda was “improved communication”, which apparently just means the website currently, something Tara Ney is taking over. As an aside, I see a pattern emerging here; prospective mayoral candidates being asked to get involved in high profile issues (although neither have said anything either way).

Lastly was the giant hot potato known as secondary suites. Causton has pushed hard on this issue recently, prompting one councillor to ask “What’s driving this issue?”. My suspicion is that council is going to shelve this until after the election. We are only eight months out (Nov 19) and nobody wants to commit to such a polarizing issue right now.

Thankfully, the Mayor is not shirking all of his duties as he runs federally: the children of Willows in Grade 1 and 2 are going to get a visit by him to, as he put it, “explain a federal election without getting political”, as well as chairing the local Mayor’s lunch and one final Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities’ AGM and conference up in Sidney.

And so we (possibly, although I think not very probably) bid adieu to the Mayor of Oak Bay for the past 14 years. Emperor Frank (of Saanich) he was not, although he is equally long standing. Now the speculation will turn to what councillors are going to run again this year and who will replace him.

Things to do this weekend

The Victoria Francophone Society is hosting St. Jean Baptiste Day in Willows Park this Saturday the 20th. The event runs from 12pm-5pm with lots of free music and dance all afternoon long, kids’ entertainment including giant games, bouncy castles, sumo suits & crafts, as well as poutine & treats on sale for all. Cost is by donation. More info at harbourliving.ca.

The Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria is holding a Father’s Day walk with Sunday the 21st starting at 2pm at the Starbucks in Fairfield Plaza. It is hosted by Mayor Chris Causton and will lead people to graves of notable Oak Bay residents. Cost is $5 for non-members, $2 for members. If you miss this one, there are lots more tours this summer on different subjects.

Belated post on the ducky race

Been a little bit busy recently with real life, so I have been sitting on these pictures of the Bowker Creek Rubber Ducky Race. This is the 11th annual hosted by the Oak Bay High Environment Club, but actually the 12th race ever hosted. The weather cooperated for the event, with a nice light breeze and beautiful sunshine. Given the low volume of water in the creek and the breeze, this meant that the race was actually up the creek, not down it. Of course, what you really came here to see are some pictures:

The youngest volunteer and some of her fellow volunteers — The youngest volunteer and some of her fellows

Urban Raincatcher Gazette with Freya, a volunteer — Urban Raincatcher Gazette display with Freya, a volunteer

NDP MP Denise Savoie chats with with a member of the public

David Lock calls everybody to announce the start of the race

Sonora and fellow student just before the start — Sonora Godfrey and fellow student just before the start

Oak Bay Mayor speaking with with a member of the public — Mayor Causton speaking with with a member of the public

David Lock marshalls his volunteers/students

Oak Bay Councillor Pam Copley speaking with a member of the public — Oak Bay Councillor Pam Copley

Students wait with boxes of ducks for the start of the race

Kudos to Sonera and David for organizing the event and all the people that came out and bought rubber ducks. It was a great event and hopefully this will keep Bowker Creek and all the work that needs to be done in the public eye and in their mind.