Everything is Connected
Context: January 21, 2026 Council Meeting The reflections below are drawn from the January 21, 2026 Regular Council Meeting of the Town of Diamond Valley, which I attended in person. Council meetings are where much of the Town’s long-term direction quietly takes shape — not only through motions and votes, but through what is acknowledged, […]
Context: January 21, 2026 Council Meeting Observations from Council: Read More »
A Sustainability-Focused Synopsis Why Planning Matters in a Sustainability Context At the municipal level, planning is the bridge between long-term sustainability goals and day-to-day decisions. It is where climate risk, water security, housing form, infrastructure capacity, and fiscal reality are meant to converge before capital dollars are spent or land is committed. A review of
Diamond Valley — 2025 Council Record on Planning Read More »
Big Picture Summary The Dec 17 agenda is heavily budget-centred, and as such it represents one of the most consequential sustainability decision points of the year. Overall, Council is making several strong moves toward fiscal and infrastructure resilience, particularly around water, waste, and flood mitigation, while simultaneously reducing soft capacity (community programs, communications, outreach) that
Dec 17 Council Agenda — Sustainability Lens Assessment Read More »
A public-facing review of how Council’s decisions align with sustainability, community resilience, and long-term stewardship.Based on the December 3, 2025 Regular Meeting Agenda Package 1. Overview The December 3 Council Meeting focused heavily on financial housekeeping, governance, and core municipal services—with several items that connect directly to Diamond Valley’s sustainability trajectory. Although no major environmental
Council Meeting Sustainability Analysis – December 3, 2025 Read More »
Understanding where we are — and where we’re headed On November 19, Diamond Valley Council held one of the most important meetings of the year: the first full review of the 2026 budget. Over the coming weeks, this budget will shape our town’s future priorities — from water security and infrastructure repairs to long-term financial
What We Learned from the November 19 Diamond Valley Budget Meeting Read More »
Every decision we make as a community—about water, buildings, energy, or even the air we breathe—shapes the world we leave for future generations. Over the past several years, local projects like rainwater harvesting, xeriscaping, and Repair Cafés have shown what’s possible when residents take sustainability into their own hands. Now, it’s time to bring these
Introducing the Sustainability Plan: Building a Healthier, Smarter Community Together Read More »
I attended the candidates’ forum last week to hear firsthand how each candidate envisions leading our community into the future. While it was encouraging to hear water conservation, responsible development, and fiscal management come up time and again, much of the language sounded familiar. Yet, in between the well-rehearsed phrases, there were subtle shifts that
Every spring, the pattern repeats itself. As soon as the rains begin, messages and calls pour in: “Do you still have any rain totes left?” Too often, people miss the chance to set up in time. By the time they realize the value of capturing rainwater, it’s already slipping away. The Rain Tote Project by
Behind the Rain Tote Project: A Sustainable Life Initiative Read More »