Judy Brownoff

I’m sitting here at my computer reflecting on how fast 2009 has come and almost gone! Christmas with family and friends is winding down and 2010 looms! This time last year I was adding up my expenses from the municipal election and reflecting on why those costs were ramping up to over $10,000 for running for municipal office?

In 2009 I continued my work on raising awareness how Saanich’s residents are aging: 37% are over 50; 13.5% 60-74 and 9.5% over 75! These residents are active and we need to provide opportunities for that.

The key to create vibrant neighborhoods is for Saanich council and municipal planning departments not to leave any one neighborhood behind.

Municipal investment and planning should be balanced throughout Saanich.

When a council closes its eyes on a particular area that needs their attention, you can end up with more boarded up buildings. Just look at what Victoria has had to deal with.

Our investment in new sidewalks is falling behind.

Saanich council's role is to develop policies, balance the needs and obligations of a growing municipality.

We must ensure local tax dollars are allocated in a financially responsible way, we are all taxpayers. There is a responsibility to ensure that the taxpayers' assets, like recreation centres, sidewalks, bridges, etc are maintained.

A recent letter sent from the Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Division of the Provincial Ministry of Environment stated:

Some Saanich walkways are treacherous terrain.

Walking home from the grocery store shouldn't be a treacherous journey.

For Susan Belford, it was just that.

A back injury left Belford walking "like a peg-legged sailor," however it was the lack of sidewalks in her neighbourhood near Carey Road that caused her the greatest problem.

With grocery bags in her arms, Belford didn't see the pothole on the edge of the road. She took a step, her foot landing directly in the hole, and fell flat on the ground, she said.

A Saanich councillor hopes the region hasn't completely discounted the viability of a light-rail transit system to link area communities.

Coun. Judy Brownoff recently brought forth a motion to Saanich council hoping to update the Capital Regional District's 1996 LRT Alignment Study to "capture opportunities with the E&N project."