We have a catastrophe that is now landing at our doorstep here in Oak Bay and across Canada. War-torn refugees from Ukraine, mainly women and children, are landing in Victoria this week. Some of us have offered temporary accommodation with meals in our homes. These are strangers in need and we welcome them to safety.

My grandson, Derek, died alone in his apartment from fentanyl drug poisoning on Oct. 27, 2020.

After an unduly protracted wait, we in Sooke finally have a new library facility. The vastly increased catalogue, new services and increased hours are a boon to anyone who seeks information, entertainment or enlightenment beyond the lame-brained offerings of television or social media.

The draft OCP, produced more than two years and costing taxpayers $400,000, has given us all a chance to have our say. From the first page through to page 136, it is an inspiring document that generates a warm feeling in my heart that the environment and climate change are being seriously addressed.

A front-page article in the March 10 Sooke B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ· Mirror with the headline B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ Sooke GHG emissions dropping, but too slowly B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ is misleading.

Re: SookeB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s traffic problems far beyond what was anticipated ( B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ· , March 31)

Reading all of the complaints and solutions concerning Sooke traffic problems, most readers are misinformed.

Re: Sooke sets aside $2,500 for Indigenous art on fire truck ( B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ· , April 7)

Per numerous scientific studies, it is impossible to provide an adequate buffer zone to preserve Bowker Creek for salmon and wildlife per SD61B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s proposal for the sale and development of the Lansdowne School property.

I am writing to express my extreme disappointment and frustration with councilB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s lack of action regarding the evolving deer problem in Oak Bay. Last night, a massive buck jumped our eight-by-10-foot hedge for the third time, continuing on a destructive rampage through our garden. To date, we have spent several thousand dollars turning our yard into a fortress in an attempt to keep the deer out, but this huge predator will not be stopped.