It’s not too far into the new year to make a resolution – so why not resolve to get out walking around your neighbourhood? The trails of Reed Road Forest are particularly nice. Everyone flocks to the esplanade but there are also some neat connector trails like Chaster-Sunnyside and the Mahon trail to explore. It’s especially great to get children out walking – they love being outside with their parents and what a perfect opportunity to get off those devices!
Prior to the ECA meeting of Jan. 8, there were two meetings about wastewater held for people from Sunnyside and Langdale and for residents of Woodcreek Park, both at Frank West Hall and organized by the SCRD. It appears that contingency funds have not kept up with replacement costs for aging sewer systems.
Director McMahon’s presentation about the budget, “Five Horsemen of the Property Tax Apocalypse,” complete with chocolates as prizes for skill-testing questions, was sobering. Although the population of the Sunshine Coast grew 20 per cent between 1999 and 2019, the costs of the SCRD went up by 125 per cent over the same period. The explanation for that (the Five Horsemen of the Apocalypse) are rising costs, the uploading and downloading of costs, more regulations and standards, taking on more services, and deferred infrastructure costs. The wild card is climate change and the costs appearing on the horizon related to that. Needless to say, there were many questions and much discussion.
A motion was passed to recognize the late Doreen Bartley in some way, and Taya Docksteader announced that $30,000 was raised by the Elves Club which helped 1,200 people have a better Christmas.
Want to test your knowledge of waste and recycling – try the quiz at sustanetech.com/quiz/
Who to call about snow removal, potholes, other road maintenance: Capilano Highways 604-983-2411 or toll free 800-665-3135, capilanohighways.ca/maintanence (sic). To report illegal dumping, poaching, fisheries offences and other environmental protection issues, call 1-877-952-7277. Septic field inquiries – Vancouver Coastal Health 604-885-5164. And community news for this column: [email protected]
