Good morning Westshore! I’ve been working on today’s main story for a while, and I’m very excited to deliver it to you. Ever since Scott Goodmanson was elected as Langford’s new mayor, I’ve been asking myself where he came from and what made people vote for the untested newcomer. Today you can read on and find out.
Reporter, The Westshore
FEATURE
Scott Goodmanson: the mayor from thin air
How did this landscaper become the new mayor of Langford? (📸 Zoë Ducklow)
For those who are politically informed, you can be forgiven for having never heard of Scott Goodmanson before this fall. He came out of the political blue and surprised even himself when voters chose him to be the next mayor of Langford.
We wanted to find out how this mild-mannered landscaper snatched the election to become the mayor of BC’s fastest-growing city.
As it turns out, the answer has its roots in a mobile home park in Langford where former mayor Stew Young lived in the 1980s. The park was an idyllic forested community on Florence Lake, until development up the steep slopes of Skirt Mountain denuded the forest and exposed the park to falling trees and intense winds.
Goodmanson was the one who listened.
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COUNCIL PAY
Colwood pay increase repealed, consultant to propose new remuneration scheme
(📸 Zoë Ducklow)
As promised, Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi introduced a motion to repeal the planned increase to council remuneration that the previous council approved for January.
Instead, council will hire a consultant to come up with a new recommendation for council remuneration increases.
When he was still a councillor, Kobayashi disagreed with the recommendation, saying it was too much of an increase over too short of a time period. He also had issues with the process the five-person committee used to make its recommendations—it didn’t account for pay from committee appointments, and excluded some municipalities from its comparison that Kobayashi thought would have been a better benchmark.
Council voted unanimously to accept the repeal, and directed staff to hire a consultant.
The previous council, of which only three were re-elected, would have seen their pay almost double.
Metchosin made one huge improvement after our report card
Last month we graded each of the Westshore’s councils for howdigitally accessible they are—Metchosin came fifth. Our main complaint was that council and committee meetings were lumped into one video since they’re normally held back to back on the same night. Committee meetings weren’t delineated in the video, making it awkward to find the right meeting—especially since all the councillors were on each committee.
That’s now changed! Videos for each committee and councilmeeting are separate, and we’re grateful for it. Now the only thing to be fixed is the terrible squeak from microphones being too close.
Around the 'Shore
**🍎 Langford duo trying to address “inherently broken” grocery industry with local delivery startup.**BCause is trying to make it easier for small and medium sized producers to get their products distributed. Big grocery stores make it difficult for those local producers, BCause founders say. [Goldstream Gazette]
🩺 Looking for a family physician? Care2Talk provides a network of healthcare practitioners available to you and your family. Whether you need a doctor, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist, Care2Talk is there to help. Sign up today.*
🔥 A building fire on Metchosin road caused extensive damage, but no injuries have been reported. [CTV]
🏋️ ♀️ Get a headstart on your resolutions with Westhills YMCA/YWCA! All memberships are 10% OFF for Langford residents. Visit their website today to learn more!*
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TOGETHER WITH DINE AROUND 2023
Tantalize your tastebuds with local treats
Clear your calendars - Dine Around Victoria kicks off with the Dine Around Gala on Jan. 19, 2023!
Hosted at the Crystal Gardens, the Gala will feature mouthwatering bites and sips from over 50 local restaurants, wineries, and breweries, lively entertainment, and lots of socializing and fun!
The restaurants, wineries, and breweries will put their best foot forward to impress and delight guests, while building excitement for the endless dining experiences that await during the two week Dine Around program starting January 20 to February 5, 2023.
Plan your Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria adventure here!
Community Events
🥐 Have you voted for your favourite restaurants yet? The Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards voting period is well underway. Click here to vote.
⛸ The outdoor skating rink at City Centre Park is decked out as a winter wonderland, and open for skating. There are fire pits, snacks, hot drinks, and skate rentals available. Every day from Nov. 25 to Jan. 2, registration is recommended though drop-in is allowed.
🎒 Choir concert benefiting The Backpack Project. Choral Evolution, a pop choir founded during the pandemic to bring the joy of singing back to their lives, will donate all profit from the Dec. 9 concert to the Victoria-based mutual aid initiative for community members who live without homes. They focus on necessities like tents, sleeping bags, clothing, food, water, and medical supplies. Tickets are $25, Gordon United Church, 7pm, Dec. 9.
What’s Offshore?
Esquimalt Lagoon looking towards Washington State, taken on Dec. 5, 2022 (📸 Zoë Ducklow)
🚢 #1 HL Samcheonpo (built in 2016) is a bulk carrier from 🇰🇷 INCHEON, South Korea ➡ 🇨🇦 DELTA, BC. It arrived Sunday afternoon.
⛴ #2 Seaspan Thames is an eight-year-old container ship that just arrived from 🇺🇸 TACOMA, WA ➡ 🇨🇦 VANCOUVER, BC. It sails under the Hong Kong flag.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EMOTIONALLY ALIGNED COUNSELLING & COACHING
It’s time to get your life back
The holiday season can bring forward a lot of heavy topics and feelings. If anxiety, depression, stress, or even anger are making your life difficult, know that things can get better. Dealing with, and learning how to manage, all your difficult emotions can greatly improve how you feel about yourself and your life.
Emotionally Aligned Counselling & Coaching works with you to get you out of your rut and enjoying life again.
Westshore Snaps
A cheeky Christmas display in Sooke looked even merrier with a dusting of snow. — Ruda Hlousek, Sooke
📸 Snapped a photo you’d like to share? Send it with a caption and don’t forget to add where you live.