Made by Serif
RANDALL GARRISON
COUNCILLOR
ESQUIMALT, B.C.
Two recent international events have had a very big impact on me. One is the tragedy of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico along with the application by Enbridge, Inc. to begin bulk crude oil tanker traffic in BC waters. I have introduced a motion to put Esquimalt Council on record in favour of a permanent ban on coastal drilling and on bulk crude oil tanker traffic in our waters. We must protect the integrity of our rich and diverse marine ecosystems both for their own sake and to protect the livelihoods of many who depend on those resources.
The other international event brought home to me the great privilege we have of living in a peaceful democracy. In May I served as an Observer for the Philippine National elections where we saw widespread fraud, intimidation, and violence. My group of three international observers was caught in the midst of a gun battle at the polls in Tugaya, Lanao del Sur resulting in three killed.
For 2010 Esquimalt has been able to hold our tax increase to 3.9%, despite the 2%
increase required for policing. This will make 2010 a very tight budget year, but
one that will still avoid reductions in services and prevent the lay-
Cheers, Randall
My committee assignments are as follows:
Environmental Advisory Committee
Heritage Advisory Committee
Island Corridor Foundation
Commuter Train Steering Committee
CRD Climate Action Committee
My top priorities for Council over the next year are:
Working to launch Phase One of our Esquimalt Village Plan and to encourage other developments which will bring more residents and customers for local business to our downtown core;
Beginning serious work on our plan to meet the science-
Working to complete an improved network of bicycle and pedestrian routes in our community.
