Sechelt Has Never Looked Better!

by John Henderson – Mayor, District of Sechelt

Many people have come to me over the summer to say “Sechelt has never looked better!” I appreciate receiving such positive messages. It is a real pleasure for me to pass on these compliments to our staff members who work so hard every day to deliver services that our visitors and residents enjoy Sechelt’s Community Update, included in this issue, highlights some of the projects the District has undertaken to improve how our community looks and functions.

Did you know that September 15 to 21, 2014 is “Drive Electric Week” in Sechelt and in a number of other communities in Canada and the United States? This initiative brings attention to the convenience, clean-air and cost-savings benefits of using electric vehicles (EVs). More and more EVs are in use every day on the Sunshine Coast.

I am pleased to confirm that Sechelt is about to be the beneficiary of a Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) Station. This is the newest charging technology enabling an 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes for most EVs. It will make Sechelt an even more attractive place for owners of most EVs to visit. There are online applications that show the EV charging infrastructure – literally, this facility is putting Sechelt on the map, for Nissans, Mitsubishis, BMWs and newer Teslas!

Thanks to the generosity of Trail Bay Developments, the unit is located in the north west corner of the Trail Bay Mall parking lot. It is one of the first to be installed as part of the Green Highway portion of BC’s Clean Energy Vehicle program. On behalf of our community, I want to thank the Provincial Government and BC Hydro for their support in providing this important and innovative facility to Sechelt.

I want to end this article with a plea to all the younger people in our community. All of us older folks are lucky – we did crazy things as teenagers, and sometimes when we were older, too. Over the past few months, I’ve heard about several near misses and, unfortunately, some tragedies – culminating in the loss of young Summer August two weeks ago. Kids, live life to the fullest – but, please, please be ready to say “this is crazy” and stop doing those things that can get you into trouble. Finally, my best wishes to all to enjoy autumn in Sechelt, including the Sechelt Arts Festival, which begins October 16.