Listen Live

HomeUncategorizedSCRD candidate profiles

SCRD candidate profiles

In the run up to the civic election we asked SCRD candidates some basic questions:

Describe yourself and your experience.

Why did you decide to run for a seat at the council table?

What do you think are the most important issues in the SCRD?

Do you live in the electoral area in which you are running?

Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?
We have posted the answers to the questions, verbatim, in the order they were received, below.

- Advertisement -

===============

Lorne Lewis – Electoral Area E (Elphinstone) – Incumbent

Describe yourself and your experience.

I have been elected for 4 terms (since 2005) I have taken advantage of most educational opportunities offered elected officials and have achieved levels one, two and three certificates in Local Government Leadership. In the past I chaired the Property Assessment Review Panel for nine years… I have a very good understanding of taxation. I have a long record of volunteerism in my community. I was part of those opposing restructuring in 2006, I sat on the Local Board of Health in 2007, I am currently a library Trustee and Gibsons and District Public Library, I sit on the Gibsons Volunteer Fire Commission, I Chair the Policing and Traffic safety Committee and have done for years and am the SCRD’s representative to Metro Van’s First Nations Relations Committee. I have served on the executive of our community association for several years in the 1990’s, and was a member of SD46 Healthy Schools Committee in the 1990’s. I bring a lot of varied experience to The Board Table

Why did you decide to run for a seat at the BOARD table?

I feel that the experience that I bring to The Board (as a four term incumbent) is very valuable that this time. I am responsive to community needs and am dedicated to serving my community.

What do you think are the most important issues in your electoral area?

Water is by far the most important issue that we face. I have advocated for expanding our water system to include more sustainable and more diverse options including both storage and supply. I have opposed, and will continue to oppose, the Chapman Infrastructure Improvement Project as an environmental misadventure. I believe It will damage the lake if it proceeds. There are safer, more sustainable options available that would make our water supply system more reliable and more diverse.

Our landfill has roughly seven years remaining of useful life left and it is very urgent that we find a new site for a landfill in the next very few years so we can offer uninterrupted solid waste service.

Our housing is at a crisis level as well. The SCRD should always be aware of opportunities to enable more density in our housing supply. To provide capital to construct an affordable housing supply is well beyond the means of an Electoral Area such as Elphinstone.

Do you live within the electoral area in which you are running to represent?

My wife (Anne) and I have lived in Elphinstone since 1980.

Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?

Not currently up to date. People can call me at 604-886-9472  or 604-741-7668

===================

Donna McMahon – Candidate Electoral Area E (Elphinstone)

Describe yourself and your experience.

A native of North Vancouver, I moved to Elphinstone in 1996 and have lived there ever since. My employment has included two years as a reporter for The Local Weekly newspaper, three years as Executive Director of the Gibsons Chamber of Commerce, eight years as a business plan writer for Business Plans Canada, and eleven years as the administrator for the Sunshine Coast Film Society. I have an extensive portfolio of community volunteer activities. I am member of the Loans and Investments Committee at Community Futures Sunshine Coast, a founding member of the Coast Community Investment Co-op, a fundraising volunteer for the Coast Car Co-op, a member of the Sunshine Coast Trails Society, and a former Chair of the Gibsons Public Library board. A full list of my community involvements is on my website.

Why did you decide to run for a seat at the council table?

I’m running for Area E Director because I can’t sit on the sidelines any longer. The next four years are crucial for regional government. Major decisions must be made about our water supply, garbage and recycling, and we’ll be living with those decisions for decades to come.

I’ve been following local issues and politics for a long time. As a reporter for The Local Weekly, I attended SCRD, Sechelt and Gibsons council meetings–in fact, I’m the only person on the coast who attended all three governments for the last two years. I also did extensive background research to make sure that my reporting was thorough and accurate. So I’m completely up to speed. I know the issues. I know the people. And, as a professional communicator, I have the skills to keep residents of this area in touch with what their government is (or isn’t) doing.

What do you think are the most important issues in your electoral area?

Without question, the top regional issue is water. We need a new water storage reservoir as soon as possible, but it will likely take years to design and build. Therefore we also need strategies to cover the intervening time, including bringing new wells online and working with water users to make more efficient use of water during the summer. The other key regional issues for me are garbage (our landfill has only 7 years before closure) and open government (SCRD meetings should be filmed and made available online).

The top issues in Area E are roads and traffic, affordability and the logging of Block 1313.  For more information about these issues, please see my website. I also invite voters to raise their concerns with me.

Do you live within the electoral area in which you are running to represent?

Yes.

Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?

www.votedonna.ca

https://www.facebook.com/VoteDonna.ca/

====================

Steve Baker – Candidate for Director, SCRD, Area D – Roberts Creek

 

Why did you decide to run for a seat at the council table?

I have been enjoying the Coast my entire life through vacations and family.  The Coast and, in particular, Roberts Creek has continued to be an important part of my family.  One of my sisters has lived in Roberts Creek for her working life and continues to while retired.  As such, I have always had a keen interest in this community and have watched it grow into a strong, vibrant community.

With the incumbent Director, Mark Lebbell, choosing not to run, I wanted to offer my experience to maintain good representation at the Sunshine Coast Regional District for Roberts Creek.

What do you think are the most important issues in your electoral area?

Watershed protection has always been an issue for the Coast and it continues to be an important issue for everyone on Coast.  Water management also continues to be a critical issue with many years of stage 3 and 4 water restrictions.  Moving forward for a long term solution for maintaining a year round water supply is essential for our community and, in particular, for farmers and gardeners.

Affordable living, which includes affordable housing, is critical to the Coast.  For Roberts Creek, the 2014 census reflects approximately 20% of Roberts Creek at low income levels.  When considering policies and decisions affecting the community, the District needs to ensure additional services are affordable for everyone.  User fees for services need to be respectful of income levels and not imposing additional costs for low income families.

Working with other communities to affect affordable housing initiatives is essential for providing stable housing for all income levels.

There are many other issues within our community and through out the Coast that affect everyone and the District needs to ensure the Coast remains viable and affordable for residents.

Do you live within the electoral area in which you are running to represent?

Yes, in Roberts Creek.

Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?

CONTACT INFO

(604) 657-0154

https://www.facebook.com/pg/stevebaker.scrd/about

Website:  http://www.stevenbaker.ca/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-baker-67b53322/

Email:  [email protected]

=======================

Catherine Fuller – Candidate for Electoral Area D (Roberts Creek)

Describe yourself and your experience.

I am deeply invested in Roberts Creek and the Sunshine Coast. I have lived in this area for 30 years; was married here; raised my children and now my grandchildren are growing up in The Creek.

I have avidly followed local politics ever since I moved here. Most of my adult life has been spent in the communications industry: reporter, editor and columnist. When I first arrived on the Sunshine Coast, I worked for the Coast News and covered all government bodies for several years. While the faces and some issues may have changed, it gives me a thorough knowledge of jurisdictions, how various levels of government work and what an SCRD director can and can’t do.

I know how to collect and organize facts, to see where there are gaps in information and/or logic. And most importantly – I know how to listen.

 

Why did you decide to run for a seat at the council table?

I am running for the position of Director for Roberts Creek (Area D) because we are at a critical juncture on the Sunshine Coast and the decisions that are made by our government over the next 10 years will determine what will happen to the Sunshine Coast for decades to come.

My perception is that the outgoing SCRD Board lacked basic common sense in several crucial decisions. I know I can bring clear common sense and a keen, analytical mind to the table.

 

What do you think are the most important issues in your electoral area?

Water. Water. Water. And of course, water. We need both immediate relief from our annual drought problem and a long term plan that will ensure we don’t find ourselves in the same situation 10 years down the road.

Solid Waste Management. We have 7 years left before our current landfill site needs to be retired. Everything to do with solid waste management becomes very controversial. We need to formulate an intelligent plan and start the community consultation process.

Shelter. Homelessness and lack of affordable rentals are my main concerns. We need to do everything within our jurisdiction to alleviate the inaccessibility of rental housing, while minimizing development impact on our infrastructure.

These three issues must be at the top of the list when we start working on the 2019 budget.

Do you live within the electoral area in which you are running to represent?

Yes

Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?

www.IAMinRC.ca

==================

Dave Brackett – Candidate for Electoral Area F (West Howe Sound)

Describe yourself and your experience.

I have lived on the Sunshine Coast in Gibsons for 38 years, Area E for 11  years and in Area F for the last 5 years.

I am about problem solving and getting things done in a positive way. I have experience in Management 1996-2002 overseeing up to 80 plus employees. I dealt not only with day to day operations, but managing the people and their differing personalities to establish an environment of respect and self worth. From October of 2002 to the present, I have been negotiating Contracts of Purchase and Sale for Residential and Commercial Properties. This entails negotiating a Contract with differing views on price and conditions and in the end everyone being satisfied with the outcome.

Why did you decide to run for a seat at the council table?

 One reason is to bring new ideas to deal with affordable housing  on the Coast. I have four children and would like to see them and others be able to stay in our community as do a lot of parents. There is also a need for  Job creation on the coast that support young families and the cost of living in the community. We need to find middle ground so that not every attempted project is looked at in a negative way. I believe the majority of people agree with this but they are mostly silent. Decisions need to be made for the good of the community. Lack of supply of housing leads to bidding wars and higher prices. We need to have a  steady growth to counterbalance rising costs that  raise the Property Taxes to uncomfortable levels. If the Local Governments budgets goes up 3% and the housing is not growing at the same pace, the tax payer will pay more. We do not need to add 10 or 15% per year but just enough to cover the demand and keep housing price at reasonable levels. The Coast needs to plan for growth and not fall so far behind that we end up with large increases in value that push more and more young people out of the market and leave them with a sense of helplessness. We need to attract and be open to new businesses coming to the coast keeping our environment in mind.

What do you think are the most important issues in your electoral area?

Area F is more complex as it encompasses  Gambier, Keats and the Paisley Islands. The issues on the Islands differ from the rest of Area F. I have been told that they do not feel a connection with the SCRD. I hope to sit down with some residents and  find out what would change this and then go about coming up with solutions. A shortage water from July to September seems to be addressed by the current council who has come up with options, some taking longer than other to implement. I would like to finish what they started in a timely matter. Grantham’s area would like their hall renovated so that it can become a useful part of the community again. I would like to see how viable that is and look for ways to come up with the necessary funding if possible. The land fill is a close to capacity and a solution needs to be addressed soon, if it is to be in place in approximately 7 years

 

Do you live within the electoral area in which you are running to represent?

Yes. For 5 years.

 

Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?

No.

=====================

Andreas Tize – Candidate for Electoral Area D (Roberts Creek)

Describe yourself and your experience.

My name is Andreas Tize and I have been living on the Coast for 4 years now. I am 40 years old, married, and have a 7-year old daughter. I have a background in working for, running and selling a Tourism Company in Vancouver for 10 years. I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management and a Masters in Planning from the School of Resource and Environmental Management at SFU. I enjoy sports, play hockey, coach at the Gibsons Crossfit Gym and the Jackrabbit program on Dakota Ridge, and I’m a member at the Roberts Creek Volunteer Fire Department. 

Why did you decide to run for a seat at the council table?

I had applied to be on the Planning Advisory Committee for Gibsons at one point and when no candidates were stepping up to run for my area, one of the councillors in Gibsons approached me to see if I was interested. I decided to run after talking to him and the incumbent, who is retiring. I believe that I am the best person to work in the group dynamic present at the SCRD, as I have a lot of experience working in and with teams. I have some conflict resolution training and I believe that I can be a positive force in building a working dynamic on the SCRD board. I also feel it would be good to have somebody a bit younger on the board that has a different view point and is an active participant in some aspects of the community that the older candidates may not be as interested in. Since I don’t have a huge history here in the Creek I am looking forward to connecting with the knowledgeable people in the area to tap into their expertise, which I think is an advantage over those who feel like they already know it all and may not be as open to input.  

What do you think are the most important issues in your electoral area?

Water, landfill and affordable housing are the key issues. Please check out my website at https://andreastize.com for a more detailed run-down on these issues. 

Do you live within the electoral area in which you are running to represent?

Yes, I live in Roberts Creek and love it here. 

Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?

https://andreastize.com

=======================

Mike Price – Candidate for Area A (Egmont Pender Harbour)

I moved to Pender Harbour in 2014, after retiring for the second time, and relocated to Garden Bay. Currently I am a member of the PH Rotary Club, PH Legion, co- chair of PH Days, and recently stepped down as Director of PH Advisory Council. My son Nick Price resides and works in PH, plus he is also a Captain in the PH Volunteer Fire Department.

My boat ‘Beluga’ is moored at the PH Resort & Marina.

On September 1st 2018 I temporarily relocated to Sechelt due to the fact that there was no long-term rental accommodation available for me in Pender Harbor.

When the incumbent Director, Frank Mauro, announced he was stepping down nobody I knew showed any interest in running. Given my background I thought that I could give back to the community that welcomed me by representing them on the SCRD Board.

I have had the experience of setting up then running as the General Manager for its first 8 years, the 4th largest Water & Wastewater Utility in North America. Supplying water to 3 million people does give me a good insight into the SCRD’s water woes!

Prior to amalgamation of Toronto I was the City Manager for the City of Scarborough and in that capacity, as City Manager plus Works & Environment Commissioner, I supported a 15 member Council representing 500,000 residents, thus I’m fully aware of the local municipal process and all the downloading that comes from federal and provincial governments.

There are several key issues that residents in Egmont and Pender Harbour are concerned about most, but the top six I hear about are under provincial or federal jurisdiction.

The top three SCRD issues in my mind are:-

  1. The divisive issue around the OCP Section 4 and inclusion of the SLUP could sour even more the tenuous relationship between PH and the Sechelt Nation.
  2. Lack of long-term rental accommodation in Area A for both seniors and service industry workers.
  3. Lack of employment opportunities cause younger generation to leave Area A after graduating.

 

Adequate drinking water supply in Area A is currently not an issue.

My website is mikeprice.ca

My Facebook site is

Elect Mike Price for Director – Area A on SCRD

================

Hans Penner – Candidate for Area D (Roberts Creek)

Describe yourself and your experience.

Charlene and I first moved to the Sunshine Coast in 1978 and to Roberts Creek in 1980. Our four children were all born here.

For many years I have been actively involved in advocating for community interest issues. Some examples include promoting the Gibsons and Area Community Centre, protecting the Chapman Creek Watershed with the Concerned Citizens group in 2007, forest and biodiversity protection with Elphinstone Logging Focus, participating and making contributions in the development of the Roberts Creek Official Community Plan. My work in these groups involved attending many meetings of Town Councils, SCRD Board meetings, and meetings with the MLA and government officials. I also prepared briefs, made presentations, wrote many letters and terms of reference for scientific studies and archaeological assessments. Overall I have become very familiar with how governments at various levels operate and what it takes to get something done.

Professionally, I have a background in community planning,  project management and highway engineering.  I have been employed as a planner for the District of Sechelt,  as well as the Manager of Technical Services and District Technician for the BC Ministry of Transportation.

 

 

Why did you decide to run for a seat at the council table?

I am candidate for Regional Director for Area “D”, Roberts Creek, in the October 20th Election.

 

The primary reason I once again agreed to be a candidate is that in the last four years, very little progress has been made on the major issues which prompted me to be a candidate in 2014. On the contrary, clear cut logging, which could have been prevented, has occurred in our primary source of water, the Chapman Creek watershed. Severe water restrictions have become the norm. This needs to change.

 

I strongly believe in a constructive two-way dialogue between voters and their elected representatives. In my view this needs improvement.

 

What do you think are the most important issues in your electoral area?

 

Important matters that will receive my immediate and sustained attention, as they have as a concerned citizen for many years, are the following:

 

  • Protection and supply of our drinking water   – Fresh, clean water is a primary health need.  Chapman Creek watershed is our main source of water. Consideration should be given to increasing our water supply by including East Gray Creek in the Gray Creek Watershed Reserve and providing a water main connection to the existing treatment plant.

Development of a Reservoir should be fast tracked – we can’t wait many more years for this essential part of water infrastructure.

There is still uncontrolled road access directly into our drinking watersheds.  Gates need to be installed to prevent contamination of our drinking water by illegal dump and garbage sites.

 

  • Transportation –Highway 101 and all other roads in Roberts Creek are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.  We pay taxes to maintain and rehabilitate these roads, yet while traffic volumes have doubled in the last twenty years, almost nothing has been done to improve the safety and capacity of these roads.  The Highway has become a deterrent to bicycle and pedestrian use.  Flume Road and Joe Road intersections are accidents waiting to happen. We need turning lanes at all intersections, re-alignment to improve sight distances and wide paved shoulders to safely accommodate other users besides cars.

Ferry service is an essential part of transportation on the Sunshine Coast and should be managed as a component of the highway system. More frequent affordable sailings and better connection to public transit are improvements urgently required to support our community and local economy.

 

  • Parks and Forests – According to the Ministry of Forests there is less than 3.7% of old growth forest left on the lower slopes between Sechelt and Port Mellon.  Establishing the expanded Mt. Elphinstone Provincial Park and protecting the ancient forests on Dakota Ridge and Bowl, must be done now, while there is still some natural forest left.  I welcome working with Sechelt and Squamish First Nations regarding the future of these lands.

The immediate priority is to prevent the proposed sale for clear cut logging of the Clack Creek block in the heart of the park. This is scheduled to occur within the next 3 months.

 

  • Affordable Housing – The primary reason for the high price of housing is the high price of land.  To help create affordable housing, options to consider should include:

 Higher density to allow developments such as co-housing, co-ops, multiple family dwellings, second dwellings, and suites.

– Rezoning suitable properties close to schools with good transit access

– Working with the Provincial Government and First Nations to provide land for affordable housing with the land remaining publicly owned.

Local governments also need to advocate for the re-establishment of a provincial housing corporation to build affordable housing including rental accommodation, as was done in the 1970s.

 

  • Planning – I support the OCP as a guide to development in Roberts Creek.  Land use zoning and re-zoning should not be done on an ad-hoc basis.  First consideration should always be the existing zoning on which the neighbourhood is based.  Another consideration is the suitability of the property for the proposed use.  Existing non-conforming use is not a good reason for re-zoning.

 

Do you live within the electoral area in which you are running to represent?

Yes, I live in the area I am running to represent.

 

Do you have a website or Facebook page where people can get more information about you and what is it?

Yes, I have a website. The address is:  www.hanspenner.com

=================

The following candidates have not responded to our request for information:

Sunshine Coast Regional District

Electoral Area A (Egmont Pender Harbour)

Sandy Hegyi
Leonard Lee

Electoral Area D (Roberts Creek)
Barbara Hague

Electoral Area F (West Howe Sound)
Mark Hiltz

==========

 

- Advertisment -
- Advertisment -
- Advertisement -

Continue Reading