News LRT on wheels could help air quality Using old railway right-of-ways for bus-dedicated ‘‘light-rapid- transit on wheels” is a viable option for dealing with a need to lessen the Peninsula’s dependence on the automobile, about 60 peo- ple at a Central Saanich Town hall meeting heard March 5. The CRD’s task force on atmos- pheric change kicked off the pub- lic meeting, prior to a discussion about parachuting near Brentwood Bay and a presentation on the municipality’s five-year and 1191- 92 budgets. Mayor Ted Jones said a recent symposium at UVic gave him information about the City of Oltawa’s initiative to use old right- of-ways. Jones said the “LRT without rails” 1s aiming for 40 per cent usage and enjoys a high ridership already. One speaker said super ferries and highway upgrades are not PANORAMA Continued from Page Al Panorama Leisure Centre recre- ation director Monty Holding said a strike would close the leisure centre as only two staff members are non-union. “When the union goes on strike, this place is completely closed. That’s the contingency plan.” However, he hopes the strike will be averted and employees will accept the employers’ offer. He notes the leisure centre can- not offer more than part-time employment to many staff mem- bers because staff are only needed to teach swimming or skating part of the time. Under the present schedule of classes, a Swimming instructor can only work a maximum of 14 hours a week and a skating instructor can only work a-maximum of eight hours a week, Holding said. Beyond those hours, there are no classes to teach. “There is a difference between the needs of a casual employee in recreation and what a casual employees does in a regular eight- to-four job,” Holding said. POLICE Continued from Page Al He notes regionalization has been tried elsewhere in Canada with mixed results. “From this it is always the smaller outlying communities that suffer and I would not be prepared to let this happen in Sidney to supplement the policing in another junsdiction.” Wilson suggests council “take a Strong look at any support you may want to give to the resolutions put forward by the City of Vic- toma.” Council decided to refer Wil- son’s letter to staff to consider when they prepare a “cost/benefit analysis” of a Peninsula police force. needed. Another said he waits one month each year to renew his car’s insurance, resulting in one year less of fossil fuel emissions every 12 years. One taxpayers said: “It’s nice to have champagne taste on a beer budget with someone else’s money,” He complained about a media report about the cancella- tion of the spring clean-up pro- gram because it called council “tight-fisted.” Finance committee chairman Ald. Ian Cameron said he “took it as a compliment.” Another resident suggested companies take away car allow- ances and give out working bus passes. Another said residents of West Saanich Road pay a Hydro sur- charge for Transit service, but have no bus service. Another suggestion was for small feeder buses to link at the highway with an express bus. Former alderman Wayne Wat- kins aid: “The key is conven- ience.”’ He said that taking a bus is very confusing and time-consuming, detailing a one-hour trip from Brentwood to downtown with a 5-7 minute wait at Butchart Gar- dens. “If transit is convenient, rider- ship will increase,” Watkins said. A Hagan Road resident said: “‘If you take the bus you have to be prepared to walk (10 catch it).” CRD coordinator Linda Porcher said the task force aims-to have draft recommendations for the public and the CRD board in May, with final recommendations ready in July. Although most suggestions for improving the atmosphere dealt with altemative transportation, an informal poll showed the majority are in favor of a year-around ban on backyard burning in residential areas, if a chipper service is availa- ble. Fox farm hook-up delayed A committee approval of sewage service to Ken and Wendy Fox’s Silver Rill Cor farm was delayed by Central Saanich council Mon- day. Council voted to delay the sewer hook-up pending a staff report on how many other agricultural prop- erties in Central Saanich could apply for sewer service. Approving the Fox. application means amending the official com- munity plan to allow service to agricultural property. However Ald. Arlene Box said amending the official community plan would not lead to automatic approval of sewer service for all agricultural properties in Central Saanich which border a sewer line. In committee a week earlier, four of the seven council members voted to grant the Fox application for sewer, after learning the prop- erty did not receive septic field. approval from the regional district. A sewer line borders the Fox property. Monday night, Ald. Gary Vali- quette said he would also like a report on how many farms were connected to sewer before council passed a policy in the official community plan which prohibited sewer service on agricultural land. Council calls for consultation Who speaks for the Town of Sidney? It’s a question aldermen want answered in developing terms of reference for a publicity volunteer. Ald. Don Amos wants the mayor and council to approve all public relations activities. Right now, the volunteer can act in consultation or co-operation with the mayor or council. Also, Mayor Marie Rosko has issued press releases on behalf of the Town and been the spokesman for council on issues. “It’s very important that the person fulfilling the role knows the reporting process and who that person is reporting to,” Amos told council March 9. He said there have been prob- lems and “misdirection from time to time” under the current proce- dures, where press releases and the Town newsletter are prepared without council’s sanction. Rosko said the mayor, as Civic head, is the Town’s spokesman, with the right to represent Sidney and speak on issues. Some aldermen agreed that in the case of the fire at the Town Hall on Feb. 26, prompt action was needed and it would have been difficult for council to approve the drafting of a press release. Ald. John Calder said the news- letter is supposed to be endorsed by council, “and that’s something that’s not happening.” Council agreed to ask staff to review the terms of reference and prepare amendments. 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