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Good morning! 

Langford residents have been frustrated with the city’s recent decision to not fund the Sarah Beckett Memorial Run after a motion was denied in a Feb. 27 meeting. Trying to mitigate the tension, the city has stated that it will provide in-kind funding to show their support for the event. Read all about it and more in today’s edition of the Westshore.

— Emma

NEWS

Langford faces controversy after not funding Sarah Beckett Memorial Run

Langford residents are frustrated after a committee denied a motion that would consider funding for the annual Sarah Beckett Memorial Run. The 5-km run has become an important event in the community, created in honour of Sarah Beckett, an RCMP officer who was killed by a drunk driver while on duty in 2016; funds raised in the event go towards local non-profit organizations.

In a Feb. 27 Community Advisory meeting, members denied a motion that would allow for a last-minute agenda item addition, which was a motion to have the committee consider reviewing a $2,500 grant application for the Sarah Beckett Memorial annual run. The decision came to a 4-4 tie, which counts as a defeat and was not accepted. 

Committee member Chris Foxall had brought the issue forward, and read a letter from Beckett’s husband which asked the other members to consider providing the $2,500 which would be redistributed to other charities that were important to his late wife.

“This is an amazing community event that helps support local, non-profit community organizations while also keeping the memory of my wife, Const. Sarah Beckett, alive,” read the letter. “She has a passion for supporting youth and families in our community, which we continue to honour in this event.” 

Councillors denied the motion, stating that the application date for the grant was Jan. 15 and had been missed, and also that redistributing grant money goes against a city policy that was approved by previous council members in 2015.

The city says it will provide $2,500 of in-kind funding for the run in place of the grant.

“To clear things up the City contacted Sarah Beckett Memorial Run organizers following last year’s ineligible Grant in Aid funding request and instead offered in-kind support to waive rental and permit fees ($2,535) for the Stadium Plaza on May 12,” said Coun. Colby Harder in a tweet. 

Despite the council not approving the motion, Juan de Fuca-Langford MLA Ravi Parmar stepped in to lend a helping hand. In a Facebook post, Parmar shared how after hearing about the unsuccessful motion, he jumped into action and was able to secure the tier one grant through the Government of BC’s support.   

“Last night, I contacted Constable Beckett’s husband to convey that the government recognizes the importance of this event and will ensure it receives the support it deserves this year in hopes they can secure funding from the City of Langford in subsequent years,” said Parmar. “It's an honour to be part of a community that comes together to remember and celebrate the legacy of those who have served us, especially in remembering Constable Beckett's dedication and service.”

The Sarah Beckett Memorial Run is now open for registration.

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NEWS

Langford councillors say recent legislation enables worrisome budgeting behaviour

Langford councillors Kimberley Guiry, Colby Harder, and Keith Yacucha recently published a collaborative commentary in the Times Colonist, warning against an overreliance on development to boost Community Amenity (CACs) and General Amenity Contributions (GACs) rather than raising property taxes. They’re also concerned with the ways that the collection of these development funds will be more tightly legislated by Bill 46.  

Bill 46 titled the Housing Statutes (Development Financing Amendment Act) expands the list of what development costs charges can be spent on. For example, among other restrictions, it removes the ability, for municipal governments, to fund affordable housing through Community Amenity Contributions or CACs.

The Langford councillors say they are worried that the bill will directly impact what amenity funds can be collected through the development process and the flexibility in how they are able to use those funds.“In the past decade, we’ve [Langford] spent more than $10 million of our amenity funds to help offset property taxes,” wrote the councillors in the Times Colonist. 

“We’ve been using millions of dollars from our General Amenity Reserve Fund,” they wrote “and millions more in internal borrowing as a Band-Aid solution to temporarily delay necessary increases and keep taxes low. As a result of this, many of us are disconnected from the true cost of service delivery.”

With Bill 46 in force, amenities charges will no longer be determined on a case-by-case basis through negotiations between the municipality and the developer during the permitting process, but, instead, through a one-size-fits-all approach outlined in the new legislation.

Through the new legislation, up-zoning in rapidly developing communities like Langford, means that municipalities must also make sure they can provide adequate service infrastructure. It’s not clear to these councillors that Langford will have the capacity to do that once development options run out.

Read the full story at The Westshore on how this will affect Langford, as well as how it will affect other CRD municipalities where development is slower. 

Around the 'Shore

🚔 Driver receives ticket after hitting and killing woman in Sooke: Sooke RCMP issued a ticket to a 31-year-old man for driving without due care and attention after he struck and killed a woman on Feb 29. The incident took place around 5:30am when police responded to a report of a pedestrian struck on West Coast Road, between Tominny and Whiffin Spit Roads; paramedics and firefighters attempted first aid on the woman, but she unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. [CTV]

🛻 Dodge truck crashes into Langford apartment building: Residents at 697 Hoylake Ave. were surprised when their building experienced loud noises and shaking after a driver experiencing a medical emergency crashed his pickup truck into the stairwell of the Langford apartment building off Millstream Road on Sunday morning. Responders helped the man and a passenger out, and the driver was transported to hospital soon after. [Times Colonist] 

⚠️ Metchosin local petitions to protect cougars: An online campaign to protect cougars in Metchosin has gained a lot of traction with over 300 signatures since it started on Jan. 20. Helen Davies launched the campaign after her dwarf goat was killed by a cougar with contractors and a young child present; ​​Davies said in the petition that rapid urbanization is responsible and poor land-use practices have affected farmers in the area. [Sooke News Mirror]

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TASTING VICTORIA BEST RESTAURANT AWARDS

It’s time to vote for your favourites

Voting is now open for the Tasting Victoria Best Restaurant Awards, and some Westshore favourites made the top list of nominees. Click here to vote for your favourite restaurants in each of the 18 categories!

Categories range from best date night spot to best cocktails, to hidden gems 💎, and more. Voting will only be open for a couple of weeks, so get started now! Then stay tuned for when the Tasting Victoria team releases the full list of winners!

Community Events

🧸 Victoria Kids Consignment: This March 8-10, head to the Eagle Ridge Community Centre for the Victoria Kids Consignment Sale where you can save money and purchase sustainable gently used items for babies, toddlers, and kids. With different time slots based on your needs, make sure to reserve a spot online because tickets are selling fast. 

📑 Sooke Job Fair: Network and explore job options at Sooke’s job fair. Head to Edward Milne Community School this March 9 from 11am to 3pm and explore a wide range of local opportunities for you to apply for. 

🎨 Celebrate! Art Show: Check out Arts and Culture Colwood Society's adjudicated Celebrate! Art Show in honour of the grand opening of the new Arts and Culture Centre. Going until March 14, the exhibit features a variety of local artists' work, including live performances on select dates; the centre’s operational hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10am to 3pm, and Saturdays from 12pm to 4pm for the exhibition.

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Early morning strolls through the forest at Upper Thetis Lake.  —Sophia Cuthbert, The Highlands

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