When I first read the staff-prepared documents on the Sandown land proposal, I couldn’t believe our good fortune as a new council in being presented, right away, with such a good news item which will enhance the present and future well-being of our community. As one of your councillors, I think that this is one of those rare, generational gifts which will continue to bring benefits to the community and its citizens far into the future. Many of you have called, spoken or emailed me to express similar views.
The Sandown lands proposal consists of the land owner, Bill Randall, who owns 95 acres of ALR land (the asset) which comprise the former Sandown race track lands. These lands have been sitting unused for some time. Mr. Randall wants to give North Saanich 83 acres of this land, in exchange for North Saanich re-zoning 12 acres for commercial and business activity.
The businesses which he plans to develop on this re-zoned land will provide increased commercial tax revenues for our municipality far into the future. (Staff have recently produced a 10 year cost and revenue projection for Sandown.) The 83 acre ALR land asset will not be used for socialist experiments, or state farming. It will be a large land asset about which North Saanich will have to consult with residents to determine future good uses.
This is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for North Saanich. A gift such as this proposal from Mr. Randall, is an unbelievable public benefit, not only for North Saanich, but also for the whole Capital regional.
As the council for North Saanich, our role and responsibility is to work together to establish a vision for the future of the district, to set the overall direction of the municipality through our role as policy makers, to truly work to represent the citizens of North Saanich. It takes a lot of courage to work towards a future vision. Often, people confuse what is the business of government.
The business of government is different from the business of business. Businesses seek primarily to grow, increase revenues and maximize profits. Businesses receive revenue from their clientele – the people who purchase their goods or services. Business, particularly small business, is usually privately owned.
Governments are institutions which represent the public, and provide programs and services to their citizens. Governments are responsible for public policy making, leadership and having the visionary ability to think of the future vision for, and the future well-being of the community. Governments have to think of what are public benefits which will enhance the good of the community. Governments receive revenue through taxation, fees for service and licensing.
The Sandown lands proposal is the business of government. The Sandown lands are a public benefit, for which there has also been established a good business case. The land owner receives 12 acres of rezoned land for commercial purposes. The District of North Saanich and its citizens receive not only the large land asset, but also the increased commercial tax revenues, which will continue into the future. These facts, plus the fact that so many people in North Saanich support the proposal, is my reason for wanting to complete the preliminary work and move forward to a public hearing.
On a second issue concerning Sandown: recently, there has been editorializing, in your newspaper concerning North Saanich staff and Sandown. Municipal staff respond to requests from council. It is only since the new council came to power that we have been requesting much more detailed information on the Sandown proposal from staff. The municipal District of North Saanich benefits from a highly trained, professional staff who work tirelessly to serve our needs.
The policies that council sets are the guidelines for the administration to follow as it does the job of running the municipality. Elected officials are not elected to manage or run the municipality. That is the function of the chief administrative officer and the staff.
We are elected as councillors to serve and represent the citizens of North Saanich, and establish policies and programs which reflect their interests and objectives, not our own personal agenda or objectives. Elected officials must work hard to serve and to reflect the wishes of the entire community and the public good. I look forward to the public hearing with regard to this matter.
Celia Stock is a councillor in North Saanich.
