Subject: CRD Notice Of Public Hearing
Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Premier Of British Columbia

The Honourable Gordon Campbell

My wife and I bought property, 19 KM. West of Sooke, now called Shirley, in 1980. We paid Property Taxes, and continue to do so, on property "Zoned Rural Residential" , raised two sons, and were quite happy. We attended a Juan De Fuca, CRD, Land Use Committee, last night. This " Public Hearing" was to "Hear", anyone who had concerns about lands Zoned Forestry.

As a legal description, of our property was published in the local paper, (SOOKE MIRROR), my wife and I felt we should attend.

This Hearing was dominated by the NDP, including MLA John Horgan, and the Dogwood Initiatives Group, (Car Pooled out), as reported in the Times Colonist, to disrupt the process, in their continuing battle, with Forest Minister Rich Coleman, over the removal of Western Forest Products, Lands from Timber Forest Leases.

The Public Hearing, was with regard to proposed bylaws:

1. CRD Bylaw No. 3495 - cited as the "Sooke Land Use Bylaw,

Amendment Bylaw No. 91, 2007"

2. CRD Bylaw No. 3500 - Juan De Fuca Subdivision Bylaw No. 189,

Amendment Bylaw No. 6, 2007"

Our land has been "Zoned Forestry", and any subdivision of properties in the Juan De Fuca, area will now be of a minimum, LOT SIZE OF 120 HA. (300 Acres). Under existing Bylaw there were to be minimum LOT SIZE OF 4HA. (10 Acres)

For 27 Years we have held the belief that we could some day subdivide a lot for a family member, i.e.. Son or Aging Parents. This was our dream and our long term investment plan. Now we and many others out here will be Downzoned, with Severe Financial, difficulties.

These CRD Bylaws have been through two "Readings" at the CRD Board. If they go through another reading, and pass, it will be up to The Provincial Government to Enact into law. If this happens there will be extreme financial loss to many families, that will then be Downzoned.

My wife and I are Pleading with you to intervene, and help us! We used to have a Liberal MLA, Brian Kerr, now we have, NDP MLA John Horgan, and he is leading this assault! The MP for this area is Dr. Keith Martin and he is aiding and abetting the NDP. The NDP are fighting the last Provincial Election, which they lost, and if this comes to fruition, they will have won. The rest of us are just Collateral Damage, nothing personal, just Politics.

Please Help Us!

Robert