Today I had the pleasure of visiting Semiahmoo Family Place at their Bakerview Park location, where I was warmly welcomed by Executive Director Alyssa Roberts for a tour.

Alyssa shared the incredible range of programs they offer to support families in our community, including parent & tot drop-ins, early learning and play-based programs, parenting support and education, food security initiatives, and community outreach services. Everything they do is centred around creating a safe, welcoming space where families can connect, learn, and thrive.

What really stayed with me was the chance to speak with a few parents during my visit. I asked them why they come to Semiahmoo Family Place, and their answers were powerful. They described it as a lifesaving place—a place where they can access food support, let their children play in a safe environment, and simply have a moment to breathe and recharge.

Spaces like this are so important for the well-being of families in our community. Thank you to the entire team at Semiahmoo Family Place for the meaningful work you do every single day 💛

#CommunitySupport #FamiliesFirst #WhiteRock #SouthSurrey #SemiahmooFamilyPlace

Our new wayfinding signs along White Rock’s hillside walkways were born out of the Marine Drive Waterfront Enhancement Strategy (2019) and the draft Economic Development Strategy, which called for better signage to improve navigation and support tourism. Rather than commissioning another study, the Public Art and Culture Advisory Committee (PACAC) formed a Wayfinding Working Group in 2024 to act on these recommendations.

By summer 2025, new wayfinding signs were installed at key entrances, including Helen Fathers Centre Street, Cypress Street, Foster Street, and Vidal Street walkways, helping residents and visitors move easily between Uptown and the waterfront.

Why it matters: Clear, attractive signage improves the visitor experience, encourages tourism, and makes the city more walkable. These visible improvements show that we don’t just plan, we execute. By taking action on strategies that were already in place, we deliver results that residents can see and enjoy.

Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the City of White Rock or any other member of White Rock Council.

#WhiteRockBC #Wayfinding #PACAC #CommunityFirst #eforwhiterock #elaineforwhiterock

At the Mar 30, 26 council meeting, we debated whether to amend the sign bylaw through a short‑term fix or do the work properly with a full review.

Sign bylaws are technical. They affect land use, safety, accessibility, enforcement, and legal fairness. Staff made it clear that without proper analysis, the unintended consequences are unknown. We also had quotes to do a comprehensive review; the option to do it properly was on the table.

My concern was simple: piecemeal changes can create future problems for businesses and residents alike. Doing it right the first-time matters.

This clip shows that debate and the decision that followed.

Watch the council record and decide for yourself.

Full Council meeting: https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=74d515f3-d165-4c25-ae00-5048597c5f18

Disclaimer: The views expressed are my own and are shared for transparency and public information. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of White Rock or other members of White Rock Council. I encourage everyone to watch the full meeting for complete context.

#CityCouncil #GoodGovernance #DoItProperly #PublicProcess #LocalGovernment ResponsibleDecisionMaking

Car show discussion - why process matters

At the March 30, 2026 Council meeting, a proposal was brought forward by Cllr. Chesney to add a car show as part of the Sea Festival, with specific directions on date, location, parking, and road closures.

Before approving a significant event change like this, a few members of council raised a simple and important point: Council needs the details first - including costs, logistics, parking impacts, liability, and operational considerations. Staff advised they can bring a report back by the next Council meeting, and Cllr. Chesney eventually agreed to withdraw his motion for now so Council can make an informed decision based on that information. Good ideas still need good planning. That’s how responsible decisions get made.

Watch the council record and decide for yourself.

Full Council meeting: https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=74d515f3-d165-4c25-ae00-5048597c5f18

Disclaimer: The views expressed are my own and are shared for transparency and public information. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of White Rock or other members of White Rock Council. I encourage everyone to watch the full meeting for complete context.

#WhiteRockBC #WhiteRockCouncil #GoodGovernance #DueDiligence #CityPlanning CommunityEvents ResponsibleDecisionMaking

As Vice-Chair of the Public Art and Culture Advisory Committee (PACAC 2025), I helped drive a project to add three new murals along our waterfront. PACAC carefully reviewed submissions from talented local artists and recommended designs to Council, which approved the installations in 2025. The murals now brighten the West Beach parkade and the East Beach Balsam Comfort Centre.

PACAC also ensured there is a clear framework for public murals, building on Policy #708 (Public Art) and its mural guidelines. This gives artists, residents, and the City a transparent process for proposing and approving future mural projects.

Why it matters: Public art brings colour, character, and a sense of place to White Rock. These murals celebrate our community and local talent, creating landmarks that residents and visitors can enjoy. They also bring vibrancy to the city, attracting people downtown, which supports local businesses and the economy. By establishing a clear process for future murals, we ensure every project meets high artistic and community standards, supports local artists, and enhances the beauty and vitality of our waterfront.

Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the City of White Rock or any other member of White Rock Council.

#WhiteRockBC #PublicArt #PACAC #WaterfrontMurals #eforwhiterock #elaineforwhiterock

Budget update ✅
At the March30, 2026 council meeting, Council had an important and thoughtful discussion about the 2026 budget — balancing affordability for residents while making sure we don’t cut essential services that protect the City (and taxpayers) in the long run.
✅ Council voted to keep two key positions:

Health & Safety
FOI / Privacy

These roles aren’t “nice‑to‑haves.” They help manage legal obligations, workplace safety, and risk — areas where cutting now can lead to much higher costs later.
✅ To help manage the tax impact, a few items were removed from the operating budget and instead funded on a one‑time basis from the operating contingency, rather than added to ongoing costs.
✅ As a result, the proposed average property tax increase for 2026 is 5.04%, which works out to:

Less than $240 per year for the average single‑family home
Less than $95 per year for the average strata unit

🔜 Next step:
Council will consider the 2026–2030 Financial Plan Bylaw at our next scheduled meeting, reflecting the proposed 5.04% average property tax increase for 2026.

Responsible budgeting means being mindful of taxes and making smart decisions that avoid bigger costs down the road.

Watch the council record and decide for yourself.
▶Full Council meeting: https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=74d515f3-d165-4c25-ae00-5048597c5f18

Disclaimer: The views expressed are my own and are shared for transparency and public information. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of White Rock or other members of White Rock Council. I encourage everyone to watch the full meeting for complete context.

#WhiteRockBC #WhiteRockCouncil #WhiteRockBudget #ResponsibleBudgeting
#FiscalResponsibility #CommunitySafety #TaxTransparency #LocalGovernment

As a former member of the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee (2018‑2022) and one of the creators of our city’s Cultural Strategic Plan, I’m proud to now serve on Council and help turn vision into action. One of the key items from that plan was the Culture Crawl.

What started with just a few venues has grown dramatically. By 2025, the Crawl featured 28+ locations with close to 40 activities across White Rock and South Surrey.

Why it matters:
Arts and culture aren’t just extra; they’re what make a community vibrant and connected. The Culture Crawl shines a spotlight on local artists, fosters creativity, and brings visitors into our city in the shoulder season. It was born from our Cultural Strategic Plan, and thanks to consistent execution, it’s now a major piece of White Rock’s identity. I’m honoured to be part of the team delivering it.

Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the City of White Rock or any other member of White Rock Council.

#WhatWeDidFriday #CultureCrawl #ArtsInWhiteRock #WhiteRockBC #CommunityFirst #eforwhiterock #elaineforwhiterock

I proudly supported the return of White Rock’s Friday Night Market. Local organizers brought the idea to Council in 2024, and after a successful trial, we continued it in 2025 with five monthly events from May to September, transforming Memorial Park (by the pier) into a lively marketplace with food trucks, local vendors, live music, and a beer garden.

Why it matters: Events like the Night Market make our city more vibrant and fun. They stimulate the local economy, giving entrepreneurs a platform and drawing customers to nearby restaurants and shops, and they create a community gathering space that was much needed, especially after the pandemic years. On warm summer Friday evenings, thousands of people (residents and visitors alike) strolled the waterfront, enjoying diverse foods and entertainment. That’s good for business and for community spirit. By supporting and permitting innovative events, we’ve energized public spaces and reinforced White Rock’s reputation as a lively seaside destination.

Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the City of White Rock or any other member of White Rock Council.

#WhiteRockBC #FridayNightMarket #LocalBusiness #CommunityVibes #eforwhiterock #elaineforwhiterock

A few residents have reached out after reading the Peace Arch News article about council’s discussion on White Rock’s sign bylaw so I want to add some important context.

This discussion wasn’t simply about a “simple signage change.” It came up because council considered changing the sign bylaw during a delegation, and staff cautioned that making one-off amendments to an outdated bylaw can create unintended consequences.

I initially supported retaining a consultant because updating the sign bylaw is a Council strategic priority and staff does not have the capacity to do this work internally.

After a few councillors raised concerns about the cost, I amended my motion to ask staff to bring back a detailed breakdown of the consultant quotes. In my experience, when people see what is actually involved - research, consultation, legal review, and drafting - it provides a much clearer basis for decision‑making than reacting to a headline number alone.

Staff also noted that while business groups like the BIA can help gather input, this is ultimately a Council bylaw and updating it properly requires due diligence.

I’ve included a short clip from the meeting so you can hear staff’s advice directly. Residents deserve the full picture, including staff’s professional advice and the risks of piecemeal changes. I encourage anyone interested to watch the council discussion directly and decide for themselves.

Watch the council record and decide for yourself.

Full Council meeting: https://pub-whiterockcity.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=8c1c8a40-fad5-456f-8008-9bfa919b2b13

Sign bylaw portion starts at 1:48:40

 
Disclaimer: The views expressed are my own and are shared for transparency and public information. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of White Rock or other members of White Rock Council. I encourage everyone to watch the full meeting for complete context.

#WhiteRockBC #WhiteRock #bylaws