Susan has a clear vision for what Sooke can become, and why she’s running for Council

I’m running for Council because I want to help Sooke realize its potential as an attractive, small, safe west coast town. A town which lives up to its “compassionate” designation, in which everyone has a snug, comfortable home. A town that is secure, prepared and resilient; where everyone feels safe and emergencies are answered quickly.

A town where every development receives careful thought, not just about what’s inside the lot-line, but about its impact on the whole town. Are nearby streams and wetlands protected? Are wildlife corridors respected? What will the long-term costs to the District be?

I want to help Sooke’s local businesses succeed and make doing business easier for small local entrepreneurs. I’d love to see more shopping streets featuring our unique small businesses, and a business hub where Sooke folks can share space and work remotely rather than heading into Victoria.

With the newly available hotel tax adding to District coffers, Sooke downtown could become so much more than what it is now. Street trees, wide sidewalks, parklets and more local art could help create a downtown where people want to visit, shop and spend time.

Our agriculture, wilderness parks, mountain bike trails and proximity to stunning coastal sites could make Sooke a popular agricultural and eco-tourism destination.

These things, and more, can happen here if we plan it right and stick to the plan. If we build the local economy, we can take some of the cost burden for services off residential taxes. With the newly approved hotel tax, we can afford small beautification and tree planting projects, which will further stimulate business and promote tourism. If we let it be known to unique island business that we have space for them, our economic base can grow without reliance on big-box stores-- although I’m not averse to one or two carefully chosen ones. Let’s make it easier for light value-added industries to operate here on our employment lands.

More local employment, improved transit and better traffic circulation can also mean fewer cars on the highway and less congestion.

This vision will take more than one term of Council to realize, but a good start is already underway. The District has plans in place and the staff capacity to act. Sooke Together has the vision, skill and experience to build on that work and help make it happen.

Susan Belford

Sooke Together