• John Treleaven, a director on the board of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, told town council it’s business as usual at the chamber following the departure of Executive Director Chris Fudge a week ago. A search for a new candidate will probably not happen until the new year. Treleaven reiterated the chamber’s financial dilemma with their Pat Bay Highway tourist information centre. With little support coming forward to maintain and operate the facility, he said the chamber might have no choice but to close it down.
• Appointments have been made to the Town’s various commissions, committees and boards — but they won’t be revealed until the council’s Dec. 2 organizational meeting.
• Councillor Steve Price said the new military helicopter hangar under construction at the Victoria airport will act as a post-disaster centre for the Peninsula when it’s complete. He added there will be an open house of the facility when it’s finished in the next year.
• Council will send letters to B.C. Ferries, the Premier and Minister of Transportation outlining its opposition to cuts to seniors’ free fares on the ferries mid-week.
“The impact is very local,” said Coun. Kenny Podmore, regarding Sidney’s high senior population.
He said council needs to ask B.C. Ferries to either reconsider the cut or make the proposed 50 per cent fare for seniors effective seven days a week.
• Sidney council has asked staff to provide options on providing the local museum debt financing options for up to $127,000. Coun. Melissa Hailey said the idea is to take the money out of Town reserve funds, allowing the museum to pay it back over time. The Sidney Museum and Archives is currently expanding both its physical space and collections displays. The issue will be debated during budget talks.