Oak Bay council has a lot on its plate these days.
From the costly sewer separation project in the Uplands to coming budget – or estimates – meetings and the innumerable other issues requiring thoughtful discussion and decisions, council must make tough choices affecting local residents.
These are not big-picture policies formed in Ottawa but rather the “on-the-ground” decisions that affect many of us in a very direct way, every day.
No decision will make everyone happy, and most definitely, many decisions require due time and process to ensure the best choices are made.
Having said that, council’s decision to delay yet again its discussion on the community’s deer challenges will likely be frustrating for many.
Certainly an issue that has consumed much of council’s time, it was hoped that discussion would lead to some resolution as to council’s deer management philosophy. Should they actively work to manage the deer or not?
Included in that discussion was also the potential to apply for provincial funding toward the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society initiative that includes a variety of components, including immuno-contraception as a way to reduce deer populations.
Faced with a full slate of topics already for its Feb. 15 meeting, when council was intending to tackle the deer discussion, they opted Tuesday to instead move the item to March.
It’s time to get the discussion moving, whatever the decision.