Sharon Jackson For 5th Term on Council

The world's most wonderful granddaughter

I have been in council since 1996. I had no idea back then that a dozen years later I would be back here once again asking for your support.

12 years ago I was working for the Cowichan Valley Arts Council and living on Wharncliffe with my family. I am now a grandmother and have started a new career as a website designer after returning to school in 2005.

To me, being on council means developing partnerships, not only with individuals but with other organizations and levels of government in order to work together to give us not only the services but the living environment that will truly make this the best small city in Canada.
Re-elect Sharon Jackson for Duncan Council

Re-elect Sharon Jackson for Duncan Council

So how will that come about? It will happen by continuing to do what we have started, by working in a conciliatory manner with our neighbouring areas, by standing up for what we believe is important and what we believe our citizens want, by trying to create an environment where the tried and true is valued, but the new and the innovative is welcomed.

Being on council also means respecting other people on council, even if we do not share opinions. Council must represent all kinds of people living in our small city. It also means respecting the people who do the work of the city both at city hall and in public works. Without them, our words are just hot air- they are the ones that make our decisions a reality.

If you elect me once again, I promise that I will continue to give you the same honest and outspoken representation that I always have. It will be a privilege to serve you for another term.

My Focus for this term:

Food Security
Improved Council Communications
Completion of Boundary Restructure
Tree Bylaw
Continued Downtown Revitlization
Improved Relations with the Cowichan Tribes
Resolution of flooding issues in Centennial Heights and Centennial Park Neighbourhoods
Affordable Housing
New City Flag Competition

Tree Bylaw- Coming up soon

We will also be looking shortly at a Tree Bylaw for private land. I feel strongly that unless a tree is a weed tree, unless the tree is destroying infrastructure or unless the tree is diseased, it should not be removed. Trees impacted by the bylaw will be named species (and will probably not include trees such as alder). A tree by definition has a dimension of (for example) 12" at chest height. So saplings and squirrel planted trees will not be included. If you have an opinion on this, I would be glad to hear it. You can email me about this at " "

About Urban Farming

I want to promote urban farming and food security in Duncan by permitting a 4 hens on single family lots. People who want to keep chickens will likely have to apply for a chicken permit and prove that they belong to the chicken fanciers' club in order that they will learn how chickens should be kept to protect their health and well-being.

I am very interested in the whole topic of Food Sustainability of Vancouver Island. Check out this new web site: Vancouver Island Diet- to do with the 100 mile diet, eating locally and supporting local growers, food producers, and fishers.

In the neantime, dig up your front lawn and plant vegetables. Make a "Lasagne Garden." Cowichan Green Community can tell you how.

Here is proof that I am the best candidate for Duncan City Council!! (This is funny)

Community Volunteer Work

It is my practice to create volunteer websites for non-profit groups. Please check these out and support them if you can. If you need a free website, your organization must be focused on the preservation and betterment of the natural world, whether it's through developing renewable energy sources, or selling earth-friendly products. Or if you are helping people to help people and are a non-profit, you are eligible...though for-profits are not excluded. Think you're a good fit? Contact me.

Cowichan Community Kitchens Website
Duncan Market in the Square Website
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of BC Website
Vancouver Island Diet- response to the 100 Mile Diet Website
.Serenity House Website, A sanctuary for at-risk young parents and their children.

I also volunteered with the North American Indigenous Games, not only to help at events, but on their web site as well. Coming soon to this list will be Cowichan Cat Rescue.

Battery Hens vs. Free Range and Free Run and Organic Eggs

Duncan council was rebuked this year for passing a motion to support the use of free range and free run eggs at all city catered events. A group of farmers, represented by the owners of Farmer Ben's Eggs disagreed with the ruling. But the fact is that policies such as these are being enacted all over the western world. It seems to be the wave of the future that at the very least, battery cages will be replaced by "enriched cages" that give the hens room to move, scratch and perch. Click here to read the Vancouver Humane Society's response to the Egg Producers' presentation.

Chickens in the City!

Compass Group, the world's largest food service provider has gone "cage free" as has Denny's Restaurants, Burger King, Carl's Jr. and Hardees (in California) as well as 300 universities and institutions across Canada and the US, including the US House of Representatives. Safeway has committed to doubling the amount of cage free eggs it sells.

Free range and free run eggs taste better and look better. The problem arises with the cost to low income or fixed income people and families as battery produced eggs tend to cost less. That is why it is good to have these discussions about the care of animals, the food we eat and the food we can afford to eat.

Keep those cards and letters coming. I have received several letters on this issue as well as many comments in person when I am in public. I have also received 7 postcards from chickens. Mind you those postcards are more about "Chickens in the city." (see Urban Farming above).

They are very funny. Click here to see the chicken postcards. No matter what, people in the Cowichan region are passionate about their chickens!

Zoning changes to support the new Official Community Plan

These changes are being considered now by council. You can see a copy of the OCP by clicking here.

Animal Control Bylaw-Passed March 24th

The public responded overwhelmingly on two proposed leash free areas in the city- Rotary Park, with the exception of the top of the dyke and Centennial Park. As a result of input, the new proposed policy is that Rotary Park including the dyke will be off leash and Centennial Park will be a leashed area. This will be monitored on an ongoing basis.

I had thought at first that Centennial could be leash free too, but after talking to numerous park users who are fed up with irresponsible dog owners not cleaning up after their dogs, I changed my mind. The gardeners there are trying to grow food and are having to clean up dog dirt every day. Some young men came to the park with retrievers and were encouraging them to go after the ducks. The population has dropped from 18 to 2. This cannot continue.

Dogs must still be under the control of their owners whether they are on a leash or off. If your dog won't come when called, don't even think about taking it off the leash until it will.