I wanted to express my appreciation to the Sooke Community Grant Review Committee for its well-run meeting on Tuesday October 7, 2014. I was impressed by the committee’s overarching concern about the prudency of spending taxpayer money.
On a regular basis, I have enjoyed raw meat, feminine products and dirty diapers on my front lawn thanks to neighbours who do not know how to secure their garbage. We finally ended up with a new neighbour who was big, black and hairy and seemed to enjoy scouting the street both day and night.
Not only is this a nuisance, but the exposed waste is a public health hazard. I would go so far as to say this situation was in direct violation of Sooke Bylaw 296.
However, it was not until Debbie Read of WildSafeBC and the Sooke Youth Council canvassed my neighbourhood with education materials about reducing human-wildlife conflict that I have enjoyed a nice, natural view from my front window. A job well done to our youth in Sooke.
As a resident and taxpayer, I would encourage our current and incoming council to consider the importance of educating residents about human-wildlife conflict. People move here from Victoria or Vancouver and worry only about keeping cats and raccoons out of their garbage.
Here’s a news flash: Dorothy, you’re not in the city anymore.
Sooke needs to provide much needed financial support for this vital program to ensure all residents are safe and that our children are not exposed to dirty diapers when they are playing outside. It is cheaper to educate than it is to hire more bylaw and conservation officers.
One of the reasons we, and many others, move to Sooke is to live in a safe community and be closer to nature.
Well….perhaps, not that close.
Jennifer Davison Sooke
