Brian Webster

I began writing about this campaign back in February, when our local newspaper ran an opinion piece that I wrote about the task ahead for the Local Community Commission (LCC). And I’ve kept doing so as I decided to put my name forward for one of the four commissioner spots due to be filled on May 27. I’ve been writing about the LCC because I really care about it. I started working toward this election back in 2017, when islanders voted again to remain an unincorporated community. I said many times during conversations about the referendum that – regardless of the outcome of that vote – there were ways we could significantly improve decision-making about local government services here on Salt Spring. For an unincorporated area, that’s what an LCC can provide. And in a few days, we will know who will be sitting in those commissioner chairs to start making that happen. Regardless of who gets elected on May 27, we will broaden elected representation, with our local government…

Last week, I wrote about the pressing issue of housing for working people on Salt Spring. I suggested that this is a major issue in our community and requires attention by our new Local Community Commission (LCC) on a priority basis. However, housing isn’t the only important issue in our community, so this week, I want to cover some of the other topics that I believe will need LCC attention early on. Make Smart Decisions on Existing LCC Services The LCC has been delegated authority over 14 of the current CRD services on Salt Spring. This incudes 11 services where the LCC will make all administrative decisions – right up to, but not including final approval of regional district bylaws -- and another three ‘contributory services’ where the LCC will approve each annual budget subject to final sign-off by the CRD board. There are plenty of issues to consider with these services. Some of these issues cross many services and others are super-specific. Here are some of the is…