Dean Murdock Saanich Councillor

Saanich contributes $100,000 toward Juno music award bid
By Kim Westad, April 24, 2012

Saanich will contribute $100,000 toward a regional bid to host the Juno music awards in 2014.

The council voted unanimously in favour of the contribution.

“It’s the largest municipal council contribution to the bid, a reflection of Saanich being the largest municipality in the region,” Coun. Dean Murdock said Tuesday.

Saanich and Esquimalt make financial commitment to Juno Awards bid
April 23, 2012 CFAX 1070

Saanich Council has voted to commit $100 000 to Greater Victoria's bid for the 2014 Juno awards.

Saanich Councillor Dean Murdock says their financial commitment comes after the bid committee approached municipalities for financial support

We need to get moving. Traffic snarls on our major roads are an everyday occurrence. Gridlock costs commuters time that could be spent at home with family. It costs businesses money when customers are too frustrated to drive to their store.

Solving our traffic woes has long been a priority for residents and municipal councils across this region. It now seems that we might actually get moving.

Saanich Council supports report on Douglas Corridor traffic improvements
CFAX 1070 March 26, 2012

A report authored by engineering staff on traffic improvements proposed for the Douglas Corridor received unanimous support from Saanich Council Monday night.

Saanich Councillor Dean Murdock says council wants to ensure that this issue is a priority.

"I hear from commuters that travel along Douglas and all our major corridors, that we can't wait for a rapid transit system to begin addressing traffic, we have to start implementing changes now, to get people moving"

Setting sights to prepare for Saanich’s future
By Kyle Slavin - Saanich News

Saanich has a long way to go to achieve some pretty lofty goals in the next quarter century – but Saanich council and staff members are confident that they're doable.

By 2036, Saanich hopes to see the number of residents growing their own vegetables increase by 66 per cent, according to the municipality's 2012 draft strategic plan, released last week.

On Wednesday, results from the latest citizen survey came out, which show nearly one-third of residents already grow a portion of their food.

Saanich budget discussions focus on engineering-related spending Tuesday
CFAX 1070 March 6, 2012

Saanich continued budget discussions Tuesday night, with a focus on engineering-related spending.

Saanich Councillor Dean Murdock says the replacement of the Craigflower Bridge was one item discussed.

"that's a project that will get underway this year, it's valued at about 10.8 million dollars, and that's almost entirely covered by gas tax revenue that was given to Saanich and View Royal for the replacement of the Craigflower Bridge"

Councils debate state of bus service in Saanich and Victoria
CFAX 1070 February 29 2012

B-C Transit provided an update on its planning for a light rail rapid transit line to a special joint meeting of Saanich and Victoria Councils...but most of the politicians seemed more interested in what can be done to improve bus movements right now.

Mayor snuffs questions about Cedar Hill Golf course at budget meeting
By Kyle Slavin, Saanich News

Mayor Frank Leonard slammed the brakes on the roller-coaster issue that is the Cedar Hill Golf Course after the contentious topic arose again at parks and recreation budget meeting Tuesday night.

The Saanich mayor made it clear to vocal residents and councillors who wanted to talk about the municipally-owned course's ongoing financial struggles that the conversation they wanted to have wasn't going to happen.

Rezoning rules must apply in PCC selloff, ex-members say
By Kim Westad, Times Colonist February 25, 2012

Two Provincial Capital Commission board members who resigned after the province announced it will sell off undisclosed "surplus" properties say they expect any buyers to follow the same rezoning rules as any other purchaser.