Sechelt council has given final approval to $285,000 in grants from the Community Forest Legacy Fund.
In a unanimous vote at the Oct. 16 council meeting, grants were confirmed for the Pender Harbour and District Health Society, which will get $40,000 to help buy a handicap-accessible van; the Roberts Creek Community Association, which will get $100,000 for repairs to the Roberts Creek Community Hall; the Sunshine Coast Arts Council, which will get $100,000 for repairs to the Arts Centre in Sechelt; the Rotary Club, which will get $35,000 to install defibrillators and life-saving equipment in several locations; and the Siyaya Reconciliation Movement, which is being granted $10,000 for its totem pole project.
Drag race days
The Sunshine Coast Drag Racing Association (SCDRA) has been given the OK from Sechelt council for five events at the airport during the 2020 season.
Richard Austin of the SCDRA told council that the two main events last year – in May and September – drew more than 600 spectators and more than 60 racers. Up to 50 SCDRA volunteers helped make sure the races went smoothly.
Austin said the SCDRA wants to try holding three public events this year, as well as the “test and tune” sessions for members, in the hope of attracting more racers.
“With having another public race we figure we can get more people to participate in the test and tunes as well,” Austin said.
There will be a total of five events in 2020, with the option to use Sept. 5 as a rain date if any of the three public races have to be cancelled. The dates approved by council are:
• Saturday, May 23 – test and tune.
• Sunday, May 24 – drag racing for members and public.
• Saturday, July 4 – test and tune.
• Sunday, July 5 – drag racing for members and public.
• Sunday, Aug. 9 – drag racing for members and public.
At the recommendation of the district’s airport advisory committee, all the events will have to wrap up no later than 6 p.m.
Food bank donations
A seemingly innocuous motion to donate money to the food bank on behalf of Sechelt council, and challenge other local governments to do the same, sparked some unexpected debate at the Oct. 21 meeting.
Coun. Alton Toth had proposed a donation of $10 for each council member and employee of the district, to be drawn from the budget for council expenses and activities.
But Coun. Matt McLean objected on the grounds that making a donation, without the sort of accountability that comes when organizations apply for grants, is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
McLean’s objection led to a discussion that saw the motion changed to match donations made by council members and staff up to a maximum of $10.
“I’ll happily provide $10 of my own money. I support the food bank, but not providing that money from the taxpayers’ purse,” said McLean, who was the only one to vote against the idea.
