In its push to promote a challenged official community plan process and affordable housing, our municipal council has distracted the attention of North Saanich residents away from more pressing and immediate concerns that have become all too obvious over the course of the last few weeks: the management of excessive stormwater on our roads and in our neighbourhoods.

Two days ago I went to the eastern end of Cadboro Bay beach. It was deserted as far as the breakwater. I let my old Labrador retriever off leash. As I deposited my dog bag in the bin near the breakwater, a Saanich animal control officer approached me as he had seen my dog without a leash.

IB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™m not interested in the value of my home. I chose what was semi-rural because I donB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t need amenities many younger people demand.

Kudos to the District of Oak Bay for finally adopting most of the public engagement toolkit recommendations contained in the MayorB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Task Force Report on Public Engagement submitted to the last mayor and council along with the recent staff report on the same topic.

Over the last 18 months, overall economic production has rebounded, writes Jock Finlayson

Here are this weekB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s thank yous and gripes about happenings in and around our West Shore community:

During these tumultuous times, it is easy to forget how blessed we truly are

North Island Gazette editor Tyson Whitney watched these B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·˜classicsB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ so you donB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t have to

ItB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s interesting how Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes is stating the CAO position is tied to the election cycle, and as such, is justifying the delay of appointing a new CAO until November 2022.

My son played junior and senior basketball at Parkland Secondary in the B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™90s. He now coaches a high school team and they recently played the Parkland junior team at his old stomping ground. It was fun for me to return to the gym where I spent so many hours watching him play.