June 30, 2009 - Submitted to MapleLine Magazine

March 9, 2009 - Submitted to the Rural Observer

The world economic restructuring we are experiencing is causing governments, businesses and communities to search for new and innovative ways to generate wealth and manage the transformation of how we live together.  In these challenging times the protection of rural values and communities is particularly important.

January 5, 2009

As an elected representative I have the pleasure of meeting many local volunteers driven to community involvement by foresight, perseverance and commitment to cooperation.

When people come up with a good idea, they usually don't wait 40 years to see it come to fruition, but in 1968 a group of local residents bought some land in the heart of Sooke with a plan to build supportive housing for seniors as the community aged and money became available.

January 6, 2009  - Submitted to the Rural Observer

Another year has passed and a new one has dawned with both significant challenges and opportunities.  Two issues of primary importance to us all are the state of the economy and how we govern ourselves.

November 7, 2008

The one thing on everyone's minds these days is the economy.  We see residential construction slowing, house prices falling and the stock market in crisis.  Everyone is wondering how our province is doing and how the government can help citizens through this coming tough economic time.

October 20, 2008 

The recent eviction notices delivered to a Sooke mobile home park by developers has sent a chill through parks across Vancouver Island.  The recent court decision to support Oak Bay Marine Group over long time tenants at Pedder Bay speaks to the disproportionate power relationship between residents and landlords put in place by the BC Liberals.

September 12, 2008 

Politics seem to be breaking out everywhere with the Federal election underway, municipal contests just over the horizon and two provincial by-elections expected in Vancouver this fall.  And if we're not getting our fair share of canned speeches and mudslinging on the CBC, we can always look south of the borders where our American cousins will surely make history by electing either a black president or a woman vice president.

May 5, 2008

Almost daily we are bombarded by conflicting information on what needs to be done to combat climate change. Since Premier Campbell returned from his annual Maui vacation in 2007, British Columbia has been talking up for a full assault on greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing our collective emissions is a challenge of monumental importance. But for citizens to embrace the policies that are being developed they must be fair, transparent and effective.

March 12, 2008

Whenever I start talking about election rules or electoral boundary changes, people's eyes glaze over and they start fleeing from the room.  And that's in my own house!  But like it or not electoral rules, electoral boundaries and governance are important because they play a critical role in determining how we establish the local, regional, and provincial governments that provide public services in our community.  

Another year and another laundry list of promises from the B.C. Government. As you've probably heard by now, the province recently made a sweeping series of promises about how it will tackle climate change and a range of other issues over the next decade. However, while government talks a good game about addressing climate change, and is even prepared to reach into your pockets to fund some token programs, it is real decisions on land use and transportation in our community that make those promises ring hollow.