Aug 17 - Mayor says she's not responsible for firefighter suspension

Good morning !

A clear majority of you feel Josh Montgomery, that Vic firefighter, should not have been suspended for writing to the premier out of concern for his neighbours, about a homeless services centre being set up in North Park.

More than 900 voters (49%) said he shouldn’t have been suspended.
An additional 600+ voters (35%) were more emphatic, wondering whether opinions are allowed to be expressed anymore.
As of yesterday afternoon, only 64 (3%) said they thought Montgomery deserved his suspension.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 23 / 13

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 21 / 12

Monday: 🌤️ 22 / 12

7-day forecast

NEWS

Mayor says suspending firefighter is not her doing, and the premier should keep out of it

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto wanted to make two things clear during a brief media availability in front of City Hall yesterday: That she wasn’t involved in the decision to suspend a Victoria firefighter who sent a letter critical of the city to the premier, and, secondly, that the premier shouldn’t be involved, either.

“First of all, I will say that I am extremely disappointed that any provincial premier would feel it appropriate or necessary to make a comment on what is clearly an operational personnel matter of a local government, particularly as I believe he has said since he is not in complete possession of the facts.”

Josh Montgomery was suspended a day without pay—he served that yesterday—after writing a letter calling for David Eby to override a City of Victoria decision to open a homeless services office (which the letter misidentifies as a consumption site) in North Park.

“Premier Eby, I implore you to take immediate action and stop the relocation of this unregulated consumption site to 2155 Dowler Place. The safety of first responders and families must be the province’s utmost priority. The current approach taken by the City of Victoria is not only reckless but endangers lives and erodes the public’s trust in our local and provincial leadership.”

Some supporters of Montgomery had claimed the city and province influenced the suspension. Eby responded through the media, opposing Montgomery's suspension.

“No one should face consequences for writing to me and if that’s the reason he was sanctioned, then he deserves an apology and back pay from the person responsible.”

That didn’t sit too well with Alto, who insisted she only found out about the suspension through media reports. 

“I had nothing to do with any decisions made by the fire department, either operationally or with regard to personnel,” Alto said. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Road closures for Tour de Victoria today. [Various times]

Road closure: Caledonia between Blanshard and Cook will close tomorrow, Mon., and Tue. from 7am-noon.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.

NEWS

Sooke Harbour House reopens

After four years of closure, tinged by a slew of legal issues, Sooke Harbour House (SHH) has reopened under its new ownership.

Reporter Tori Marlan extensively covered in her award-winning writing for Capital Daily how US fugitive Timothy Durkin managed to take ownership of the hotel in 2014 by defrauding an investor of $1M. In 2020, a judge ordered Durkin to pay $4M in damages to the former owners of SHH—a payment he still has yet to make. While charges against him in the US were dropped, a court ruling in May could still lead to his deportation, though this is currently on hold.

Before the Durkin saga, the hotel long had a reputation for fine dining and beautiful Island views. Once a humble bed and breakfast, the owners before Durkin transformed it into a popular destination spot with an internationally renowned, locally sourced restaurant.

The fallout from the legal issues led to SHH being purchased by IAG Enterprises. With the Durkin problem no longer looming large over the hotel, IAG looks to turn over a new leaf and last summer announced plans to reopen SHH with a new team. A delay in renovations left locals wondering if the hotel would make the promised comeback, but on Aug. 4, the hotel’s bistro held a surprise reopening. Guests can now make reservations for overnight stays. 

Get more details on the reopening here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐌 Slow climb: Banded snail inches up a plant stem. [Photo]

🍻 A new brew that took two: Limited edition rosehip saison is a collaboration between downtown mainstays Whistle Buoy and The Courtney Room

💰 Record-breaking philanthropy! The Victoria Foundation's flagship Community Grants Program distributes over $6.1 million to 252 non-profits and charities in 2024. Click here for details!*

🤝 Now hiring: Display Technician at The Butchart Gardens.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Gordon Head housing project headed to public hearing this fall
Saanich residents can soon weigh in on Abstract’s plan for 70 apartment units and 23 townhouses, which also promises nearly $300K toward active transportation and affordable housing. Mayor Dean Murdock said the project doesn’t meet all Official Community Plan conditions—concerns include size and impact on parking—prompting a hearing. [Times Colonist]

HarbourCats sign head coach Todd Haney through 2030
Victoria ballclub is now out of the WCL playoffs, but has locked down the coach that took it to the championship game last year and in 2019. Haney, a former major-leaguer, has fostered a potent offense with a league-leading home run total and team records for stolen bases.

Campbell River man stabbed several times; police say witnesses no help
Police found the wounded man, 31, in the downtown core early Friday morning. They believe he will survive, and that he knew his attacker, but say they received little help from the several people present at the pre-dawn scene.  [CR Mirror]

🗓️ Things to do

🚲 Tour de Victoria: Take part in this cycling event on Saturday with eight distances to choose from. Begins at the Legislature. [Info]

🎈 Mayfair Summer Block Party: Enjoy live performances, check out the market, and bring your kids for face painting and bouncy castles in the Mayfair Mall parking lot. Today. 12-4pm. [Info]

🍽️ North Saanich Flavour Trails: District of North Saanich and Destination Greater Victoria will celebrate local farmers, fishers, chefs, brewers, and more at McTavish Academy of Art. Today. 8:30am to 3pm. [Info]

🎥 Free-B Movie Fest: Bring a picnic blanket to the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park to watch The Last Unicorn. Tonight. 9pm. [Info]

🎙️ Tia Brazda: The jazz vocalist will perform at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm. Show 7pm. [Info] 

🎻 Choral Summer Intensive: The Emily Carr String Quartet will join Victoria Conservatory singers for this concert at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Today. 7-8pm. [Info]

⚽ Pacific FC vs. Atlético Ottawa: The boys from the nation’s capital come to Langford third in the table with 29 points, nine more than sixth-place Pacific FC. Starlight Stadium. Today. 3pm. [Info] 

🎸 Figrin Sam, Christian Petersen, and Sunshower: Dance to indie music at the Little Fernwood Gallery. Today. 7-10pm. [Info] 

🎵 Colwood’s Music in the Park: Majesties Request will perform at Lagoon Beach. Today. 5:30-7:30pm. [Info] 

😂 Chris Griffin: The Calgary comedian and talented storyteller has won two Vancouver Comedy Awards. Hecklers. Today. 8pm. [Info] 

🎶 Music in the Park: Slim Shady and the Atomic Cocktails will perform roots and folk tunes at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. Today. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info] 

🏄‍♂️ Surf rock, indie, jazz, funk, psych, and more collide as Neighbourly, Mother Sun, and Post-Modern Connection play Upstairs. Tonight. 7-10pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Specialized gym to remain open; Saanich swimmer forced from Georgia Strait, still raises big money for charity; And more. [Aug. 16]

BC’s housing crunch means redefining affordable and middle income. [Capital Daily]

We’re No. 26 in worldwide cities’ cost of living index. [Yikes]

Big Wheel Burger receives Biosphere Certification, becoming North America’s first restaurant to receive the certification recognizing sustainability. 

Unionized workers at Hotel Grand Pacific in strike position. [Times Colonist]

Saanich recreation: Fall general program registration is open.  

Victoria’s Official Community Plan: Give input on Places & Spaces around the city. 

That’s it!

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