Photo: Seaside Magazine, 2017

Central Saanich doesn't have a great many old heritage homes. Our community was much less developed than places like Victoria, Oak Bay or Esquimalt, so the buildings that remain are particularly important.

Years ago, when Matt Peulen and Stride Properties came before Council with a development near Stelly's, I pushed to preserve Verdier House rather than see it disappear with the development.

The house was retained and still stands there today.

Twenty-one years on Council has given me a long view of decisions like this. Development proposals come and go, but what we decide to keep can be with the community for generations.