In the lead-up to the civic elections, we posed the following basic questions to candidates:
Describe yourself and your experience:
I moved to Cedar five years ago, after having searched for a rural property around Nanaimo for more than 10 years. My wife, Kathleen and I run a small purebred North Country Cheviot sheep farm in Cedar. I also operate a business management consulting practice for nonprofits, First Nations and family farms. My career experience spans multi-nationals, small business, nonprofits, social enterprises and First Nations governments.
Supporting our current Area A Director, Alec McPherson as the Alternate Director for the past term, I have experience with the Regional District of Nanaimo board of directors. I’ve also been a sitting member of the RDN’s Agricultural Advisory Committee for the past four years.
I was a two-term Alderman (City Councilor) in the City of Airdrie, Alberta before moving my family to Vancouver Island in 1991. In Airdrie, I served on many community organizations both at the board level and as a volunteer and spearheaded the creation of a 20-acre regional park in the heart of that city.
Why did you decide to run for a seat at the District table?
I love where I live and I want to maintain and enhance the quality of life in our small part of the world. I believe that my previous experience as a City Councillor in a central Alberta City coupled with my role as the Alternate Director for Electoral Area ‘A’ for the past four years makes me uniquely qualified to represent the people living in the area. I think its extremely important to have someone who can hit the ground running instead of taking a year or two to learn how to do the job.
My career focus has been on financial accountability, social responsibility and community planning and development so I come at challenges from a unique perspective: watch the finances, do good and make sure the whole community sees some tangible benefits.
What do you think are the most important issues in your electoral area?
I am concerned that urban planners may not understand the needs of rural communities. I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves to work on the Electoral Area ‘A’ Official Community Plan update planned for 2019. I am excited by the potential to work with community members to integrate some innovative ideas into our community plan that take advantage of our region’s rural roots. At the same time, I want to look at how public transportation can be made to operate effectively and efficiently in our low-density, rural neighbourhoods.
I also think that we need to make our road system safer for our kids, for seniors out for a walk and for all ages who like to go for a ride on their bikes. Enforcing the law on our roads is not the responsibility of the regional district, but I think we can make our case to the RCMP and to the provincial transportation ministry to make our roads safer and to enforce speed limits and safe driving practices.
Do you live within the electoral area?
Yes, I live in the eastern part of electoral area ‘A’.
Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?
Yes, my website is located at www.electwilson.ca and my Facebook page is www.facebook.com/electwilson. I am also on Twitter at www.twitter.com/elect_wilson and on Instagram atwww.instagram.com/electwilson.
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Clarke Gourlay – Electoral Area G (Dashwood, Englishman River, French Creek)
Describe yourself and your experience.
I have been a resident of Area G (French Creek) for over 18 years. Together with my wife Nancy, I founded and act as general manager of Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and Morningstar Farm. I am also an active partner in Mooberry Winery. Through these businesses I have for years played an active role in the wider Oceanside region by welcoming both residents and visitors to the farm, by providing year-round employment for a fantastic, diverse team of employees and by producing quality local food and drink.
I hold an MA in Leadership and Management which, together with my years-long leadership in our business has sharpened my skills to serve well on the RDN. I have also recently served for four years as a Commissioner of the Agricultural Land Commission, during which time I worked with land planners, regional governments and private individuals to promote the agricultural uses of land within the Agricultural Land Reserve.
As a volunteer I have also served on the executive (treasurer) of the Alpine Club of Canada – Vancouver Island Section; as a board member and past chair of a local church; and as a board member of the newly formed Medair Canada, an international humanitarian aid agency based in Switzerland, with which I worked during my earlier career.
In my free time I don’t just sit on boards! I am also active in the Vancouver Island climbing and mountaineering community, and have developed a life-long commitment to environmental care through my active participation in the parks and backcountry regions of Vancouver Island. While I have climbed some of the world’s iconic mountains, it is the many mountains of Vancouver Island that call me back over and over.
I have a mother, wife, children and grandchildren all living in Oceanside, making me keenly aware of issues relating to seniors, young families, school children and local business.
Why did you decide to run for a seat at the District table?
I am running as Area G director principally because I believe I can serve my Area well. As director I will have influence not only in Area G, but in all of Oceanside and indeed all of the RDN. I have both the education and practical experience to represent the people of my community and to lead within the context of the RDN. As a local elected official, it will be my goal to maintain and further strengthen the communities and rural areas that make up the RDN, both for those currently resident, as well as the future generations. Let’s build a strong community for today and the future.
What do you think are the most important issues in your electoral area?
We have three broad issues we are facing in Area G, and I have made campaign commitments around each one. They are: 1. Thoughtfully managing growth (population growth, housing and appropriate zoning); 2. Support for the successful use of agricultural lands and existing commercial and industrial nodes (economic development); 3. Increased access to natural places (parks and recreation, trails, beach access and transit). See more at https://www.clarkegourlay.ca/platform.
Do you live within the electoral area?
Yes. I have lived here for eighteen years, first in a rental home, then for nearly fifteen years in my own home.
Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?
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Ceri Peacey – Area F Candidate
Describe yourself and your experience.
I am currently working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Professional, providing contract vocational rehabilitation, facilitation, adult training and coaching services I am also currently serving as an elected Trustee/Director for the North Cedar Improvement District since 2016, having served in the capacity of Chair of Operations and Chair of Finance. Previously I served as Secretary of the Cedar School and Community enhancement Society. I’ve been on the Board of Directors and President of the Nanaimo Disability Resource Centre until September 20, 2018. I am also the Secretary and Restorative Justice Coordinator and Facilitator with Warmland Restorative Justice Society.
I was born and raised in Cedar, attending local schools and what is now Vancouver Island University. I have worked previously in Alberta as a Systems Analyst/Developer, Business Analyst and as a Manager in Materials Management for what is now Telus. Upon my return to Vancouver Island, I worked for a business and property development company. I have worked throughout Vancouver Island in Food Services, having cooked in and managed various restaurants and locally owning Cedar’s Own Bakery & Pizza.
Why did you decide to run for a seat at the District table?
It’s all about Community, Collaboration, Communication and Compassion. It’s about managing the changes and challenges our communities face and increasing our community engagement, involving as many of our community members as possible in contributing ideas and making the decisions. I am confident my experience with the North Cedar Improvement District and other community organizations provide me with the skills to engage the whole community in working toward appropriate and sustainable solutions.
What do you think are the most important issues in your electoral area?
- My passion is community engagement, trying to involve the whole community, identifying their interests and priorities, bringing us together to build a better community.
- One of the priorities that community members have already identified to me is to implement the development of curbside pickup for ALL recycling and solid waste, making sure this project is environmentally sustainable and accessible for all.
- Another priority identified by some in our community is the updating of our Official Community Plan, through the Regional Growth Management Plan. I would hope to work with community members to not only update but to make the OCP and any changes relevant, cost efficient and more easily understood and implemented. I would hope to reduce regulation in as many areas as possible.
- Community members in Cassidy, South Wellington and Yellow Point have identified the need for improved transit opportunities. It appears that currently there are more barriers to transportation for those wishing to commute between our communities, for employment, appointments or shopping.
- Water security and environmentally sensitive, cost effective sewerage options have been identified as concerns by a variety of community members. I look forward to meeting with the community members to encourage easily implemented rain harvesting and alternatives to existing practices of sewage systems.
- I look forward to further and increased collaboration with Snuneymuxw First Nations. Our community has worked closely with SFN on local partnerships and I would want to improve and grow those opportunities.
Do you live within the electoral area?
Yes. I live in Cedar.
Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?
Webpage: CommunityChanges.Solutions
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Twitter: Community Changes @OurCommunityNow or Community Changes @AreaASolutions
FaceBook: Sharon Thomson Community Changes Solutions
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Stuart McLean
Why did you decide to run for a seat at the District table?
Electoral Area B (Gabriola & Surrounding Islands)
Vanessa Craig
Howard Houle – Incumbent
Electoral Area C (Extension, East Wellington, Pleasant Valley)
Maureen Young – Incumbent – Acclaimed
Electoral Area E (Nanoose)
Bob Rogers – Incumbent – Acclaimed
Electoral Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington)
Leanne Salter
Electoral Area G (Dashwood, Englishman River, French Creek)
Duane Round
Lehann Wallace
Electoral Area H (Shaw Hill, Deep Bay, Bowser)
William Veenhof – Incumbent
