At its last council meeting of this term, Sechelt councillors had a chance to make some closing remarks on Wednesday night.
And although most were heartfelt, emotional at times and generally positive, one councillor took the opportunity to make a few parting shots.
Attending the meeting by conference call, Coun. Doug Hockley said he wanted to acknowledge the many improvements made to the District of Sechelt in spite of the three-year oppositions of councillors Alice Lutes and Mike Shanks.
“I want to express my disgust of the obnoxious displays by councillors Lutes and Shanks in the video I saw of the election night party of Bruce Milne,” Hockley said. “They both showed their true colours. On the whole, though, my experience has been good, staff have been excellent, and so have the majority of the people of Sechelt. But I wouldn’t run again for anything in the world.”
For their part, Lutes and Shanks, who both spoke before Hockley, said it was an interesting three years with several challenges.
“I learned a lot and I thank you all,” Lutes said. “I wish good luck to those who are leaving and even more luck to those who are staying.”
Shanks said he appreciated all the perspectives that were brought forward.
“Despite our differences, I bear no animosity to anyone on this council,” he said. “I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours.”
Darnelda Siegers, who was also re-elected, simply thanked staff, council and the community.
“I look forward to what we can create in the next four years,” Siegers said.
Coun. Chris Moore thanked the public at large for voting him in three years ago.
“I was honoured then and I’m still honoured to work in these council chambers,” Moore said. “On the whole it has been a delight. I have been challenged at the highest levels. Typically I felt good every day with what we were trying to accomplish. I do respect the fact that we had some big differences, but I respect the service that we all brought to the table.”
Moore said he was very proud to be a part of creating the water resource centre and the good work of the airport advisory committee.
He then thanked staff and his family and friends.
“To the staff, I have enjoyed working with you all and being part of a bigger team. I wish you all the best of luck,” he said. “I want to thank my wife and my friends for the support. It’s been great — thanks, guys.”
Tom Lamb also thanked staff, his family and friends for the opportunity.
“We’ve had a great three years. I have enjoyed the staff, met lots of great people and learned a lot,” he said. “I wish the next council all the best.”
Mayor John Henderson then had the final words. At times he was emotional in his address, fighting hard to hold back the tears.
He thanked staff, who he said is a “team that is the envy of many communities in B.C.,” all of council for their hard work and dedication and for the courage to stand up despite opposition to their agenda.
“It takes courage — the courage it has taken to deliver on the agenda we set out on when we were elected three years ago. We were elected to be an innovative council to move Sechelt forward, and we have done that,” Henderson said. “My request to this community is a fundamental one. There is so much rabble that we all can buy into. We have had to put up with a lot of crap from people who did not focus on the facts, and that is very disappointing for me.”
He said this council’s success should be evaluated in 365 days.
“Most of the projects that we achieved are in the early stages. They take time. In 365 days from today, we will have a whole summer with the Davis Bay Wharf. The waste water resource centre will be fully functioning. Hopefully these land swaps will go through. We will have the protection of Chapman Creek,” he said.
“There are citizens who haven’t believed in us, but for those who haven’t agreed, at least they had the courage to say so in a respectful way and I appreciated that. It’s been a real honour to represent this community, and I thank you.”
