It was clear at the Nov. 12 town hall that Saanich residents are in agreement that Vancouver Island native species are in danger of being strangled into extinction by aggressive invasive newcomers. But it is the method of preserving our natural flora and fauna that is tearing our beautiful municipality apart.
What was once a tranquil ‘Camelot’ sort of place, has become an armed camp of opposition by the secret passing of a bylaw, the EDPA, that brought about distrust of our civil servants, financial ruin to some property owners, the ridiculous exemption of weed-choked parks and blackberry infested boulevards from any involvement, while promoting penalties for invasive species found on EDPA mapped properties.
The new invasive species bylaw is even more destructive and dangerous. It offers no incentives, no help in any way but penalties far beyond ability to pay for non- compliance, fascist-style snooping of one neighbour against another. Most hurtful of all is the complete lack of respect that an elected council holds for its citizens and the citizens contempt for the stupidity of the planning department and anesthetized councillors, except for Coun. Plant and Mayor Atwell who tried to pass a motion to find a better way to preserve our natural vegetation.
This Christmas let Saanich deck its municipal halls with Kinnikinnick instead of invasive holly and ivy and let us begin to work together for a responsible EDPA.
Mary Spilsbury Ross
Saanich