I didn’t have many chances to visit the legendary Westshore Speedway after I moved here, and before I got a chance to really know what I’d be missing, it was gone. Fortunately the racing track had decades of races and community-building, and we were able to catch a little bit of it before saying a final: ready, set, GO!
Reporter, The Westshore
AUTO SPORTS
Westshore Speedway in photos
Long time driver Jim Steen on the last day at the tracks. (📸 James MacDonald)
If you ever went to the Westshore Speedway, you know the delightful assault on your senses it was. The sound is foremost ear drum-splitting loud engines ripping back and forth. On one occasion I saw a jet engine that had been fitted into a go-kart—it might be the loudest thing I’ve ever heard. The fire that belched out of its exhaust pipes warmed our faces all the way at the top of the grandstands.
Hot, buttered popcorn smells good anywhere, but the hint of burnt rubber wafting over made it ever better. Best of all were the sights, though. So for the last day of races at the legendary track, we sent a photographer to soak up the last of the spectacle on Sept. 17.
(📸 James MacDonald)
MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2022
Westshore candidates have a higher rate of home ownership than average—but are younger than candidates elsewhere in Greater Victoria
Westshore voters have 83 candidates to choose from, and we’re wrangling the data to help make sense of the choices. With our sister publication, Capital Daily, we sent out a survey for all candidates and have compiled the results into an online database—check it out if you haven’t yet.
(If a candidate you’re curious about doesn’t show up, it means they haven’t answered the survey—so bug them to do it. If you’re a candidate who lost the link, email me.)
Among the 100-plus candidates across Greater Victoria who have answered the survey, the Westshore has the youngest and oldest candidate: Steve McAskill in Colwood is 19, and incumbent Sherrie Epp in Metchosin is 73, though about 10% didn’t answer that question, so it’s possible there are more candidates 73 and older. The median age among residents in the Westshore is just under 42.
Among the 42 Westshore respondents, only two rent the homes they live in—and one of those is 19-year-old McAskill. Everyone else owns at least one home, and four candidates own two houses.
Westshore candidates have a much higher percentage of home owners among them than the people they hope to represent. Averaged over the six municipalities, 70% of residents own their homes, and 30% rent. Langford has the highest proportion of renters, at 35%, and Highlands has the lowest at just 11%.
Three Westshore councils recently voted to increase remuneration for council, effective after the election; during those debates, one of the repeated arguments in favour of increasing pay is that it makes the job of being a councillor attainable for people with lower incomes. So we asked for candidates to disclose their household income. Almost half (45%) declined to disclose, but of those who did answer, most of them said they make $70,000 or less. Eight earn between $70,000 and $100,000, and seven make over $100,000 as a household. The average household income in the Westshore is $96,000.
We also asked candidates, regarding the current council, how well has council performed on a scale of one to five? Highlands had the most positive response: an average of 3.75—though, the respondents so far are all incumbents, rating their own work. Langford got the lowest average score of 1.86. In that case, the seven respondents so far only includes two incumbent councillors. None of the Community First Langford slate, led by Mayor Stew Young, have answered the questions.
Local Truth and Reconciliation Day events
🧡**South Island Powwow******|****The largest event for the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is the South Island Powwow, hosted by the Songhees First Nation at the Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. Through song and dance and Indigenous cultures, they will recognize survivors and their families in the spirit of reconciliation. Doors open at 10am | Opening ceremony at 11am | Grand entry at noon, and again at 6pm, each followed by intertribal dances.
🧡 Sooke Truth for Reconciliation | All are welcome to the Orange Shirt Day event at 12:30-1:30pm outside the lower entrance at the Vancouver Island Regional Library (6671 Wadams Way) in Sooke. Wear orange and bring a chair. The library will be closed, but has approved of this event.
🧡**Xe Xe Smun’ Eem-Victoria Orange Shirt Day:**Every Child Matters Ceremony | Eddy Charlie and Kristin Spray will host a ceremony to honour survivors. There will be performances, guest speakers, and a moment of silence. The event is outdoors, rain or shine. Centennial Square, Sept. 30, 10am-12:30pm.
🎬**Truth Before Reconciliation****, a live event with music, film and discussion** hosted by the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour (SNIWWOC). The film is “Healing Nation” by Symbia Barnaby. SNIWWOC will be hosting an open discussion after the film with Barnaby to discuss the legacy of displacement, familial trauma and the power of healing through storytelling. Vic Theatre, Sept. 30 4:30-7:30pm. Tickets online, suggested donation $15.
📙**Navigating a Path Forward with Truth as the Inspiration******|****Conversation with curator Monique Gray Smith and CBC host of The Next Chapter, Shelagh Rogers, about the importance of the truth and how it can be an inspiration in our path forward. At the Victoria Events Centre, or via live streaming. Sept. 30, 7pm. Tickets are $19.62 for in person, and free for livestream.
🚴🏾 ♀️**Truth and Reconciliation Day Ride** | Capital Bike is hosting a bike ride to honour survivors of residential schools. It’s a family-safe route that follows an accessible path from Songhees Park to Royal Athletic Park. The ride starts at 10am with a send-off from Diane Sam of the Songhees Nation, and will arrive at the Royal Athletic Park in time for the South Island Powwow’s Grand Entry Ceremony at noon. Capital Bike will have a secure bike valet at Royal Athletic Park.
Around the ’Shore
🚨 A 27-year-old Colwood mother has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for two counts of sexual assault of a minor, and one count of internet luring. The judge sentenced her to the maximum of two years less a day for both counts of sexual assault, and 18 months for internet luring. Each sentence will be served consecutively. The assaults occurred in Colwood in 2020 when the victim was 15, though the woman claimed she thought he was older. During the trial she argued the 15-year-old boy is the one who lured her into committing the crime, but Justice Ted Gouge rejected that accusation. “The responsibility for preventing sexual activity between adults and youths always lies upon the adult,” he wrote in his decision. He declined to show leniency for the impact her incarceration will have on her son, who is six years old. “It is important that the message be clear. The message is: If you are an adult, and you have sex with a child, you should expect to go to jail for a long time.”
🌊 Sooke’s new draft of an Official Community Plan has officially been postponed for the next council to take up. The draft was first presented in April, and a spirited community debate has ensued over the past five months. At the end of a five-hour public hearing on Sept. 27, council unanimously voted to close the public hearing, but not receive the document for a third reading. The next elected council will decide how to proceed. Once a public hearing has been closed, council members cannot receive new information from the public on the issue. Catch up on what the fuss has been all about.
🏡 Willow + Glen is a community of beautifully curated residences nestled between nature and urban amenities. Discover Langford’s newest collection of townhomes by Abstract Developments.*
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📷 Clockwise from top left: Alexander Iziliaev, Rachel Neville, Tatiana Wills, and Ivo Roberto Baelli
TOGETHER WITH DANCE VICTORIA
A season of firsts! Dance Victoria’s 2022/23 season on sale
Four dance companies visit Victoria for the first time with Dance Victoria’s Dance at the Royal Series: BalletX, BODYTRAFFIC, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Malpaso Dance Company, plus Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Nutcracker!
Tickets at DanceVictoria.com or 250-386-6121
All-Candidate Events
**VIEW ROYAL:Tonight, 6pm, online:**Hosted by WestShore Chamber of Commerce over Zoom.
HIGHLANDS: Tonight, 7:30pm, in person: The Highlands District Community Association is hosting an all-candidates meeting at the community hall, and an online meeting on Oct. 4, 7:30pm, over Zoom. Email hdcacontact@gmail.com for the meeting link. Mayor Ken Williams is unopposed and will be acclaimed, but there are nine candidates for the six councillor positions.
SOOKE:Oct. 1, 2pm, in person: Hosted by the Sooke Chamber of Commerce, Edward Milne Community School Society, and Sooke Multi-Belief Initiative, from 2-4pm at Edward Milne School
**SOOKE: Oct. 2,2-6pm, in person:**Speed dating style Sooke candidate mixer hosted by Transition Sooke at the Sooke Community Hall
COLWOOD: **Oct 4, 7:30pm, online****:**Hosted by the Citizens Environment Network in Colwood (CENiC)
COLWOOD:Watch the debate Westshore Chamber of Commerce hosted on Tuesday.
LANGFORD: Watch the debate that Westshore Chamber of Commerce hosted last night.
METCHOSIN: Oct. 4, 6:30pm, in person: Hosted by the Association for the Protection of Rural Metchosin at the Metchosin Community Hall
**SOOKE SCHOOL BOARD:**Belmont zone candidates (Colwood, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin):Oct. 6, 6:30pm, in personat the Belmont Secondary School theatre
SOOKE SCHOOL BOARD:Milnes Landing zone candidates (Sooke, Port Renfrew):****Oct. 5, 6:30pm, online
What’s Offshore?
Esquimalt Lagoon looking towards Washington State, taken on Sept. 27, 2022 (📸 Tom Gierasimczuk)
🚢**#1**The Potinais a Bulk Carrier built in 2011 and is sailing under the flag of Liberia. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Himeji, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver and was scheduled to arrive on Monday but is delayed.
🛳️ #2 The FPMC B Foreveris a Bulk Carrier built in 2010 and is sailing under the flag of Liberia. It is sailing from 🇹🇼 Mailiao, Taiwan ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver and was scheduled to arrive last week.
🚢 #3The Polymniais a Bulk Carrier built in 2012 and is sailing under the flag of Marshall Islands. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Nagoya, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver and was scheduled to arrive last week but seems to be delayed.
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TODAY’S PARTNER: GUSTAVSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
The 2022 Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates Nature’s Path co-founders
The Gustavson School of Business hosts the business community at a black-tie gala celebrating Ratana and Arran Stephens, recipients of its Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Tickets and details 👉🏼 Oct. 19 | Victoria Conference Centre
Westshore Eats
🥑 The Westshore has partnered with Tasting Victoria, Vancouver Island's largest food-themed Instagram account, to curate a must-try recommendation on the Westshore.
🇲🇽 Tasting Victoria recommends: La Taquisa
🌯 Did you know this Langford staple won a Tasting Victoria award last year? They were voted one of three best Mexican restaurants in Greater Victoria. The owner, Sindy Bueno, is from Guadalajara, Mexico, and the restaurant uses her family recipes. Their fillings and salsas are made from scratch, along with their fresh pressed-to-order corn tortillas.
🌮 Must-try item: Traditional Mexican mole and their Baja-style tacos.