October 1, 2011


- ARESST EMAIL LIST REVISION NOW UNDERWAY
SHAUN: "SEWAGE TREATMENT CONCERNS" VIDEO WORTH ANOTHER LOOK!
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ARE THE PRESSING ELECTORAL ISSUES (includes sewage)
UNITED FRONT ON REGION'S NEEDS (says sewage treatment a priority)
TWO MORE ANNOUNCE INTENTIONS FOR SAANICH COUNCIL SEAT (Wergeland sewage mention)
VICTORIA WATER SUPPLY PLAN - PUBLIC REVIEW MEETING 13 OCT
- VICTORIA SEWAGE PUMP PHOTOS NOW ON GOOGLE EARTH AND GOOGLE MAPS

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ARESST EMAIL LIST REVISION NOW UNDERWAY

ARESST folks: 

We are now updating our ARESST email list to reflect changes and additions over the past several months. If we've added you but
you have concerns (like you want a different email used or don't want to stay on the email contact and news list), please let 
me (John) know and we'll take you off. 

This is also in preparation for upcoming Annual General Meeting notification. 

Thanks!

John Newcomb

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SHAUN: "SEWAGE TREATMENT CONCERNS" VIDEO WORTH ANOTHER LOOK!

Shaun notes that the message of the May 2010 for to-day is very similar! This youtube is worth rebroadcasting.
The actors have changed – Barry Penner is no longer Environment Minister. Judy Brownoff is no longer chair of the Core Area Liquid Management Committee.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCs-E_ouF-U

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TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ARE THE PRESSING ELECTORAL ISSUES (includes sewage)
 
Times Colonist
October 01, 2011

The candidates are building their platforms and printing their signs, so it's time for voters to start thinking about the municipal election.

We want to know the issues that will be at the top of your list as you decide how to vote on Nov. 19.

What do you want local politicians to talk about during the campaign? Send us a list of your top five issues.

The most popular ones will be the focus of a special feature in Monitor on Oct. 16. 

Email your list to election@timescolonist.com. Tell us which municipality you live in, and include your contact information, if you wish.

Here is a list of some suggestions. You are welcome to include others.

Transportation:

- Transit
- LRT 
- Bike lanes
- Congestion

Police:
- Community safety
- Cost of policing 
- Police amalgamation

Taxation:
- Tax rates 
- Debt servicing

Infrastructure:
- Recreation facilities
- Parks and green spaces
- Road work
- Libraries

Services:
- Garbage pickup 
- Recycling
- Sewage

Regional planning:
- Growth
- Density
- Official Community Plans 
- Pace of development

Social issues:
- Affordable housing
- Needle exchanges and safe injection sites
- Secondary suites
- Panhandling

Governance:
- Accountability
- Transparency

CALLING ALL CANDIDATES

If you are running for office in the municipal elections, the Times Colonist wants to tell voters about you.

When you have filed your nomination papers, send an email to election@timescolonist.com.

Include your contact information and we will get in touch with you to gather more detailed information.


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UNITED FRONT ON REGION'S NEEDS (says sewage treatment a priority)
Commentary
Times Colonist
September 28, 2011

The Belleville Terminal is a disgrace, a shoddy, second-rate gateway to the region for millions of tourists. Victoria International Airport officials say a $40-million runway expansion could bring 100,000 extra travellers a year and $20 million in new annual spending. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority continues to grapple with the future of Ogden Point, the welcoming point for cruise ships.

And, at the same time, there are priorities from sewage treatment to light-rail transit to road improvements.

This should be the time to invest in capital projects that have a demonstrated future payback. The construction jobs are needed in this region, as Premier Christy Clark has indicated with her new job strategy. Work done now could provide an underpinning for future growth.

So what is preventing progress? The lack of a coherent regional priority list is one problem. Tourism Victoria, rightly, raises concerns about the damage done by the grim conditions at the Belleville Terminal, used by about one million people a year. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce says the airport expansion is its top priority. Road projects are pushed forward in an unco-ordinated way that leads to spending on low priorities like the McTavish and Spencer Road interchanges while more pressing needs are ignored - and makes it easier for governments to ignore requests.

A problem, to be sure. But not a justification for inaction.

Funding for the airport runway expansion, as an example, has been sought since 2007. The airport authority maintains that adding 440 metres would allow larger aircraft to land, resulting in regular flights between Victoria and Europe. Its analysis shows an immediate payback.

The project remains stalled because of a lack of provincial funding. Delays would be understandable if the governments involved questioned the airport's analysis of the benefits. But provincial Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom says the issue is simply money.

If the projected benefits are credible, that position doesn't make sense. The borrowing required, and interest costs, would be justified. (Just as the government has justified spending about $1.5 billion on Vancouver's convention centre and a new roof on B.C. Place stadium.)

An investment in the Belleville Terminal - perhaps as part of a redevelopment project for that stretch of harbourfront - is also overdue. Plans have been floated, and then allowed to fade away, for more than decade. Small improvements have been made. But tourists arriving from Seattle and Port Angeles are greeted grimly, a dreary first impression marking their arrival.

Transportation improvements have also been stalled for years, studied and discussed but not addressed.

The region is being harmed by the indecision and delay, costing needed jobs and opportunity and economic growth. The costs are significant and long-lasting, as competitors make long-term gains at our expense.

It's been suggested that the region is being penalized because voters have elected New Democrat MLAs. We reject the notion that a government would harm the regional economy because it did not like the democratic choices of electors.

It's time to break the impasse. We need a regional economic summit, with all municipalities and players like the airport, Provincial Capital Commission, Tourism Victoria and the harbour authority represented. Leadership must also come from our government representatives, Ida Chong and Murray Coell.

Out of that process should come a clear statement of development and funding priorities to strengthen our economic future.


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TWO MORE ANNOUNCE INTENTIONS FOR SAANICH COUNCIL SEAT (Wergeland sewage mention)

Kyle Slavin
Saanich News
September 23, 2011 2:29 PM

Leif Wergeland will seek re-election to Saanich council in November, the four-term councillor announced Friday.

"We have a number of great accomplishments, and yet there is still so much to deliver on," Wergeland said, focusing on "council's past record of progress" on such accomplishments as the adoption of the official community plan.

The 70-year-old's hand-written press release focuses on maintaining the status quo and not making big changes, as financial challenges – namely sewage treatment and light-rail transit – are on the horizon for Saanich and the Capital Regional District.

"Saanich has a strong proven progress council – now is not the time for significant change in council's makeup," he said.

Wergeland, a semi-retired businessman who now runs the Compassionate Resource Warehouse, has been a councillor since 1996, and a CRD board director since 1999.

Incumbent councillors Susan Brice and Dean Murdock have also officially announced they will seek re-election in November. The News has, however, spoken with all councillors, and Paul Gerrard, Vicki Sanders, Judy Brownoff and Vic Derman will also run again. Coun. Wayne Hunter will run for Saanich School Board instead.

Also on Friday, Gorge Tillicum Community Association president Rob Wickson announced he'll attempt to earn a seat on council for a second time.

Wickson ran in the 2008 election, earning nearly 7,000 votes.

"I believe we are at a crossroads and if we fail to take the right path in solving some of the pressing issues that not only affect Saanich but our neighbouring municipalities and partners, we will end up allowing others to make decisions that affect the quality of life in our neighbourhoods. We can't let that happen," Wickson said.

He detailed the need for regional transportation planning, sustainable land development, vibrant neighbourhoods and affordable accessible housing as priorities.

Wickson, an economist, has lived in Saanich since 1988, and is the past chair of both the B.C. and Victoria Chambers of Commerce.

"It's time for me to move to the next level. It's time for me to participate and bring my experience to Saanich council … in terms of trying to solve some of the riddles and puzzles in our community."

Former councillor Nichola Wade has also said she will run for council.

In Saanich's mayoral race, Mayor Frank Leonard will be challenged by former Saanich South MLA and councillor David Cubberley.



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VICTORIA WATER SUPPLY PLAN - PUBLIC REVIEW MEETING 13 OCT

Opportunity for Public Review – Draft 2011 Strategic Plan 

Integrated Water Services is inviting public feedback on the draft 2011 Strategic Plan for the Greater Victoria Water Supply System. The draft strategic plan sets out guiding principles for the management of the Greater Victoria Water Supply System, examines challenges and opportunities over the coming decades and sets out strategic priorities for action.  

A public meeting will be held Thursday, October 13, 2011 at the Saanich Municipal Hall to hear public feedback on the plan. 


A response form for feedback will be available at the public meeting and will be posted on this site.

Draft 2011 Strategic Plan for the Greater Victoria Water Supply System (PDF):

Appendices for the Draft 2011 Strategic Plan for the Greater Victoria Water Supply System (PDF ): 


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VICTORIA SEWAGE PUMP PHOTOS NOW ON GOOGLE EARTH AND GOOGLE MAPS

I've just uploaded several photos related to Victoria's sewage pumps onto Panoramio, which serves as
a feed to Google Earth and Google Maps. Hopefully, viewers will click to see the commentary and links:

Photos: 

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