Thank you Councillors Brown, Daly, McBride and Mearns for saving North Saanich three quarters of a million dollars.
In 2012, when North Saanich was first offered a land swap deal at Sandown, Mayor Finall called it “one of the most exciting proposals ever brought to North Saanich.” Coun. Stock called it a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and Coun. McMurphy, “the potential for a tremendous gift”. They were ready to accept the deal as offered.
So we owe a very large thanks to Coun. Brown, Daly, McBride and Mearns for looking that particular gift horse in the mouth. Their business and political acumen and careful consideration of all details and outcomes for Sandown meant they didn’t rush to a quick approval of that flawed plan. They didn’t have stars in their eyes like some others and turned it down.
They were vilified by many for their rejection of the first offer but stood by their decision because they knew it wasn’t the best deal for North Saanich and they were proved right.
The proponent is now paying to fix the flaws they pointed out. Because of their perseverance against tremendous pressure, they saved North Saanich residents the $750,000 we would have had to pay to fix them ourselves had we accepted that first deal.
Mike Stanlake
North Saanich