Sechelt Mayor John Henderson reported to Sechelt's business community last Friday about the ups and downs he's experienced since coming into office in November 2011.
He spoke to about 40 business leaders during Breakfast with the Mayor held May 3 at Pebbles Restaurant, hosted by the Sechelt and District Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Sound Attraction.
"Good morning everyone, Mayor Spenderson here," Henderson said to laughter from the sold-out crowd. "We took office about 17 months ago and I want to acknowledge my council. It's been a very, very full 17 months. We inherited some things, we suffered some things with natural events and, of course, we've gone on and made some decisions that we are clear that that's why we were elected, to get into action and make some decisions."
He pointed to positives like the on-going work to market and expand the airport, council's new business development committee dubbed Sechelt Innovations Ltd. and improvements to sewer pipe collection systems in Sechelt.
Then Henderson addressed the more negative aspects of the past 17 months, highlighting the three lawsuits launched against the District after zoning amendments were made for Target Marine Hatcheries.
"Finally we had a judgment about a month ago from the courts that Target Marine is done. We won, we won soundly and so that hopefully puts behind us that uncertainty," Henderson said. "And the issue with that, when talking about business here today, the biggest issue is that other business people see what's going on and they say 'wait a minute, if I try and do something, am I going to get sued three times?' So the judgment was very resounding and I hope that sends a message that when council makes a decision, it's valid and we can get on with it."
He spoke about Sechelt's staff turnover, saying most left for promotions elsewhere and noted the sinkhole issue at Seawatch has now been settled and the developer is fixing the problem.
Regarding the golf course, Henderson said he hopes the good weather will improve business for operator Brian Hall and noted the District is "moving on" from the takeover last year.
As for the one-way option for Cowrie Street, Henderson said he was surprised at the fallout that came from the idea.
"I don't think any of us realized when we said 'why don't we try one way for Cowrie?' that we'd get such enthusiasm," he said, noting the rationale was that more parking spaces could result in more sales for local businesses. "We've got to be careful that we don't make decisions on emotional 'oh, it won't work or buses can't turn' or whatever. We've got to be sensible for sure, but we've also got to recognize that our job is to make decisions that will make Sechelt better. So we're working on that."
Henderson addressed the negativity in the community toward him and some of council, which was heightened after the decision to build a $24-million wastewater treatment plant on Ebbtide Street.
"I don't know what it is about our community, and I have to say we're not different. Most of the mayors have the same comment that there is negativity in a small group and it dominates the community and it becomes bullying," Henderson said. "This is our chance to celebrate what we have and not put up with what amounts to bullying."
He noted Maple Reinders Inc., which holds the contract to build the new sewage treatment plant, will be marketing Sechelt at various trade shows where the new technology will be showcased in the coming months.
He also announced that the District has hired someone to head up Sechelt Innovations Ltd. and reach out to find businesses that want to locate in Sechelt.
"In the next few weeks you'll all get an invitation to an event where the working title, I think, is 'Fans of Sechelt.' What we want to do is bring a group together in a room and really talk about this issue of how do we go out and target," Henderson said. "Our focus is going to be to find Mr. Smith or Mrs. Jones and drag them and say 'come on up here, let me show you how good Sechelt will be for your business.'"
President of the Sechelt and District Chamber of Commerce Christine Stefanik noted the business community and the District of Sechelt have to "keep moving forward" together.
"We have a lot of challenges, as we all know for business owners, but we have to work together," she said.
She also encouraged council to communicate more with business owners in the future.
"In a community where misinformation gets carried and carried, I would encourage yourself and council to continue having events such as these, and I know your schedules are full, so that we can, when asked, give the right information," Stefanik said.
