At his last meeting as chair of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board, Bruce Milne advised the incoming rookie elected officials to work together and rely on the experience of others.
After thanking outgoing directors and staff, Milne told the newly elected directors, “We didn’t solve all those challenges. Some of those challenges we kept especially for you who’ve just been elected, so we’ll pass those on with ribbons and bows, and you can take a look at those challenges and find your own way through those.”
He also advised them to focus on problem solving over conflict.
The public does not “want to see boards fighting among themselves or councils fighting among themselves,” said Milne before adding that despite “long divisions,” staying civil was one of the major achievements of the Sechelt council this term.
Milne also acknowledged the lack of political veterans at the board by singling out Sechelt mayor-elect Darnelda Siegers as “the elected official on the Sunshine Coast with the most experience – seven years in local government and 30 months on this board.”
“I want the newly elected board to keep that in mind when you’re sorting your way through,” Milne said. “Experience is really important, and at the moment, you don’t have any. So look to those who do.”
Lori Pratt, who was elected as director for Halfmoon Bay, is outgoing Board of Education chair for School District. No. 46 and served on that board for 10 years.
Milne also acknowledged shíshálh Nation director Keith Julius as the other director providing continuity at the board.
During his report, Julius thanked the outgoing board before welcoming the new directors. “It’s going to be a great honour for me to sit with the new team and do the best we can for our swiya,” he said.
Milne served three terms as mayor of Sechelt and served two years as chair of the SCRD board, once in 1998 and again after he was appointed to the board in 2017. “I’ve appreciated every minute of it. Thanks,” he said to applause.
Other long-serving directors also bid farewell staff and the board.
Frank Mauro, who has been a director for Area A since 2011 and among other roles, served as board vice chair and chair of the corporate and financial services committee, acknowledged that “we leave an organization to the new elected officials that is financially sound and with a large support staff,” before thanking the board for their camaraderie.
Garry Nohr, who served on the board since 2005 as director for Halfmoon Bay and as chair from 2011 to 2017, brought water into his farewell speech, urging new directors to bring First Nations into the district’s water function. Afterwards, during cake cutting and farewell celebration, he told the “new people” to remember that picking a chair would be one of the most important things they do and to give it very careful thought.
Elphinstone’s outgoing director Lorne Lewis also served since 2005 and was the only incumbent rural director to run in the last election. He did not attend the meeting. His alternate, Laurella Hay, gave her thanks to Lewis.
Area F’s Ian Winn, Roberts Creek’s Mark Lebbell and Jeremy Valeriote representing the Town of Gibsons all served one term at the board. Each thanked staff and other directors.
