Editor's note: Between now and Nov. 11, Coast Reporter will run submitted 300-word profiles from all candidates for the Nov. 19 municipal election. This week we profile the 14 candidates for Sechelt council.
Warren Allan
As an incumbent who strongly believes in the legitimacy of our official community plan for planning our future growth, and in considering the interests of the community as a whole, I hope to continue to represent residents in ways that respect, value and enhance our quality of life. I will continue to vote on issues based on whether or not it I believe they are in the interests of the greater community, and that our community as a whole will benefit, not special interest groups.
It is time for a Sechelt bypass. We need to approach the Minister of Highways with a consistent message over the next three years that we are ready. I will ask council to make this a priority.
I want to reduce the tax burden on residential taxpayers. It is time to develop the airport industrial lands into a business park with serviced lots that will attract businesses here.
If we are serious about pursuing new commercial and industrial opportunities in appropriately zoned locations, we need to take a serious look at how our airport or a new marina could contribute to new jobs, new businesses, and new tourism opportunities for all of us.
We need to work with Target Marine to find a more appropriate location for their proposed fish processing instead of in its current location beside residential neighbourhoods. Target Marine has a number of viable options and alternatives, those neighbourhoods that surround Target Marine and that would be impacted by its proposal to establish a fish processing operation beside them, don't.
I grew up here in the 60's and have two children. I am a professional real estate appraiser, and am actively involved in the arts community as a musician and I enjoy sailing.
Mary Bittroff
As a Sechelt councillor, I pledge to work cooperatively to build a strong vibrant rural community with positive actions through: supporting environmental values and standards when considering issues, consulting with citizens before our council deliberations and then proceeding to responsible decisions, analyzing OCP implementation for best practices of development that effectively help with affordable housing, job creation, community facilities and opportunities to attract young families to live here and enjoy Sechelt, simplifying requirements for small businesses and working with other levels of government cooperatively requiring that items brought for council decisions contain cost projections so we are fiscally responsible, protecting charities from taxation such as Camp Olave, supporting community facilities that foster family activities in sports, arts and culture and bring new life to Sechelt, casting my votes in council on the long term good for Sechelt and the environment.
We came here to live in a beautiful environment that was affordable, friendly and appreciative of volunteer efforts, families and healthy living. I want to retain those values into the future and not squander our chances with short-term thinking and negativity. We need development of our airport, completion of a thorough plan for sewers for all of Sechelt that includes a treatment plant and concentration on bringing vibrancy into our downtown.
I have resided in my own home in Davis Bay for over 12 years and am a retired high school teacher. I own Buddies at the Bay and understand the current lack of support that drives businesses to other communities. I served seven years as a school trustee here and in Delta and have volunteered on many charities and committees.
I ask for your vote to help Sechelt be more welcoming and helpful for individuals and businesses.
Norm Blair
I believe most people work hard each day to provide for their families leaving the decisions of the development and progress of the community to the elected officials. As a member of council, I will commit a similar work ethic to my duties as a representative for the taxpayers of the District of Sechelt. I am privileged to be part of the passion that is deeply rooted throughout our community, a passion that is daily transmitted I many ways. It is because of the people of this community that I have decided to run as a candidate for council.
There comes a time when talking has to give way to action.
The District of Sechelt has a number of decisions to make as the community looks to the future. The next elected council has to consider the fact that less than one per cent of the GDP for the province of B.C. comes from the lower Sunshine Coast.
There is also a demographic concern as the 20 to 40-year-age-group is in a steep decline. I believe a long-term plan that focuses on infrastructure combined with attracting growth in the areas of education, technology and agriculture will bring strong and lasting development opportunities.
I was fortunate enough to move to the District of Sechelt with three preschool children in 1990. Since that time my involvement with many local organizations has provided me a wide and broad view of opinions.
Of all the assets I can bring to the decision making table it is my connection to the community that I value the most. The interactions have and continue to give me a balanced perspective. I look forward to representing the citizens of the District of Sechelt. Please visit www.secheltnorm.ca for more information.
Stan Dixon
Stan Dixon has put his name forward because he cares and loves Sechelt and the people living on the Sunshine Coast.
It's important to know the social, economic and spiritual well being of the community so that our growth and stability within the District enhances us in a positive manner.
People want honesty and Stan is a man of integrity. The youth want leadership and courage in their representatives in local politics. Stan has those qualities and a positive image of common sense decisions for a better future. He will represent you in a manner that will enhance the District community. He will make sure good initiatives are brought to council chambers for discussion. He understands the role of District staff and he will help and invigorate his associates and staff to be productive employees.
He invites anyone to call him on issues that need clarification. He will investigate to be sure the political process will prevail for the District of Sechelt to benefit from any initiatives and ideas. Stan has always had a deep interest in the youth and public recreation and team sports and he requires your support to develop adequate facilities and areas for organized community recreation, within Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast. The new and renovated hospital will be complete with in a year, so as your councillor Stan will make sure the District of Sechelt bring in to our community the best utilities to help our community and beyond for the next 100 years or so. He knows the provincial government procedures that gives you the opportunity to witness Mr. Dixon negotiating at that level for Sechelt community developments.
He is very knowledgeable in working with seniors and elders and learnt to listen to their experiences.
Vote Stan Dixon for council on Nov. 19.
Doug Hockley
I'm running for a seat on Sechelt council because, in my opinion, the residents of the District are in dire need of a cohesive team of elected officials.
I believe it is necessary to overhaul our approach to making Sechelt an attractive, economically viable place to live and work. It is imperative that we elect a team that is not mired in mediocrity and divisiveness.
If elected I will be focussed on retaining, enhancing, securing and encouraging job creating diverse enterprises with energy efficient residential and commercial developments.
I retired here in 1996 after 35 years with BC TEL and I know my managerial experiences will be an asset that I can bring to the council table.
One thing I will have as a result of being fully retired is time to thoroughly investigate issues brought forward to council.
I have done voluntary committee work within the District of Sechelt in the past: advisory planning involving the official community plan, Greenways and recently the Mayor's Economic Development Task Force.
Since our arrival on the southern Sunshine Coast I have wondered why it is that Gibsons and Pender Harbour have captured their waterfront potentials and Sechelt hasn't? I'll work to develop ours.
My platform is available to anyone through my email address: [email protected].
I want voters to know up front that I totally support Target Marine's application and, if elected, I will do my utmost to ensure they get the required approval to move ahead.
In closing, change is as inevitable as the next incoming tide and I am a proponent of quarterly town hall meetings in order to track our progress. My request of you is to vote and motivate others to do likewise so that we can improve upon last elections 38 per cent turnout.
On Saturday, Nov. 19, elect Hockley.
Alice Janisch
I ran for a council seat in 2008 in part because I wanted Sechelt to have a more coherent approach to what Sechelt will look like in the future. It will take time, but it will never happen if it is never begun.
I often say that democracy is messy. And it is, but it is the best system that we have. On a fractious council one cannot always be happy about outcomes. However, I am pleased with some results. When the Ministry of Transportation tried to add a third lane to the highway through Davis Bay that would have destroyed the seawall walk, I opposed it from the beginning because it would have resulted in loss of enjoyment by residents and tourists. If we are really interested in economic development, we should not support something that turns tourists away. After several months of disagreement enough votes were found to defeat the MOT plan.
There are bypasses of Roberts Creek and Halfmoon Bay. I want to be part of the government that lobbies the Minister of Highways for a Sechelt bypass.
Another good result was defeating the attempt to tax the Girl Guides - as I recall, $70,000 to $80,000. Currently, they pay property taxes, but it is a fair amount based on an updated assessment.
I believe that a good government balances the interests of differing groups, addressing issues without harm to either.
I came to Canada during the Vietnam War. I was educated at Washington University in St. Louis, the Graduate Library School of the University of Chicago and Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, in Toronto. I was a Bay Street lawyer in Toronto. I did the right thing when I escaped from Toronto eight years ago and came here. I love living here.
Terry Karkabe
Once upon a time local government was the collective endeavor of friends and neighbors agreeing to work together for mutual benefit and the realization of common interests. It seems to me that that's still the ideal state of affairs. Unfortunately as the population grows it becomes harder to include everyone affected in the decision making process. It's a generic problem affecting towns and cities everywhere in this country. Conflicts exist at all levels between people from all walks of life. A modern council needs to be aware of, and able to mediate, those many factions. A modern day council needs to focus on the common good without losing sight of the individuals at the extremes. That's not an easy task but it's doable. I'm a well-trained mediator (years practicing divorce mediation makes a great training ground) and I have an intimate understanding of what it takes to find common ground and mold opposing opinions into a workable solution. We have some situations that appear to need that skill. Target Marine is one such issue while a new sewage treatment plant is another. It takes willingness and common sense to pull the pieces together and reach decisions that, while they will never please everybody, will be of the greatest benefit to the community. By all reports, the current council lacks either the skill or the will to reach those critical decisions. Together we must plan our future development. We need affordable housing for seniors and working people employed at less than stellar wages. We need businesses that will provide serious employment opportunities, and on and on. We could talk about and study these things until our grandchildren grow beards and have children of their own but I think we might better roll up our sleeves and get the job done now.
Tom Lamb
I have lived in Sechelt my entire life. Growing up, I attended Sechelt Elementary School and graduated from Elphinstone Secondary School.
I have three great children, the oldest of which is 23-years-old and a self-employed machine operator on the Sunshine Coast. My brother and sister also live on the
Sunshine Coast. This personal attachment to Sechelt adds to my desire for a successful community.
I have been self-employed for more than 30 years and at present have 12 employees working for me. I have decided to run for the position of District of Sechelt councillor as over the years I have watched council miss what I thought were some great opportunities.
We live in one of the most spectacular places on earth. We need to have an "open for business" attitude in Sechelt in order to make it a place where people will want to stop and have a look. It is essential that we improve our infrastructure, sewer and water system for the future needs of our community.
We need to create a solid foundation for economic growth that will support the youth of today and tomorrow. Strong leadership that can make good, timely decisions and make the best use of our tax dollars are crucial to help us attain these goals.
Alice Lutes
My name is Alice Lutes and I am seeking re-election as councillor in the District of Sechelt for a second term.
As a long time resident of the Sunshine Coast, I was born in Port Mellon, I have a great love for this place and the people who live here. It has always been important to me to be involved and to keep our community moving forward. I have always had a passion for politics, and through my work with members of the union, I realized that a lot of the things I care about had little to do with the work site.
Some of the issues that I was moved by were more community, provincal or federal issues, so it seemed like a natural transition to move from union work to municipal politics.
I have found (that) working in our community trying to support families and working people has been a difficult, but rewarding opportunity.
I am very passionate about our needs such as affordable housing. Many of our young people leave the Coast because of the lack of livable wage jobs and the high cost of housing. We need to work to change that situation. We need to encourage support from senior levels of government to help employers offer apprenticeships in our community. We need to encourage our local governments to deal with the local Credit Union to enhance the funds available to our citizens for residential, business and personal loans. We need to actively promote "local purchases" not just by government, but by all of us. Spend local and our economy will grow.
It's time we all work together to build a strong community. On Nov. 19 "Look for Lutes"
Chris Moore
I have always been drawn to public service. My mother had great love of politics and instilled in me the need to be of service. With respect to our upcoming election, I was compelled to seek nomination as a result of the current council's paralysis on moving forward on the Target Marine fish processing approval. This issue was hugely symbolic to me in terms of Sechelt not embracing employmentopportunitieswhen we sodesperatelyneed them.
This is especially true for the younger members of our community. Council's lack of a positive response to Target Marine points to a larger malaise of not recognizing the warning signs of declining school enrollment, residential versus commercial tax inequities and a declining downtown core. It is my contention that Sechelt can be a world leader in attracting a new generation of businesses instead of doing what we've been doing - chasing them away.
My platform is essentially one of partnership - partnership with local government/business/non-profit. The time is upon us to do it differently, and to develop and foster new ways of working together. I believe that through integrity and transparency, this collaborative partnering will create no limits to what Sechelt can and will do in the future.
The time is past, where confrontation, lack of respect, secrecy and isolation rule the day. We are in new times and now is the time for the work to come from the heart.
I am interested in all things, but have a special affinity towards tourism, industrial/commercial development and social enterprise.
I am a family man who loves the outdoors rain or shine. I have been a captain in the Whistler Fire Dept. and president and director in a variety of societies and association over the years as well as a business owner.
Anita Paulin
People are concerned about preserving the paradise we live in. I want to collaborate with citizens of Sechelt to encourage sustainable development that supports ahealthy balance between business and residential living.
I want to have the opportunity to work on council as an active, informed team player to make wise and efficient decisions for the betterment of Sechelt as a whole.
I am looking at the big picture - how to make Sechelt sustainable for future generations.
We need timely, informed, solution-baseddecisions made by a council of team players that listen to our citizens. Our 93 per cent residential tax base needs to be decreased so that we are not taxed out of our homes in the future.
I will look for solutions to affordable housing, job creation and for ideas to make Sechelt more accessible for our seniors, disabled and families.
I am married to my husband Bob, and we have three children and are blessed with nine grandchildren.
I have been involved in starting a business from the ground up and helping to make it successful; worked in real estate sales and development and was reputed for my contract writing and negotiationskills.
I did mediations, arbitrations and business practices investigations as a volunteer for the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.
I volunteered for seven years as a senior mediator with the Victim Offender Program in Langley, as well as some contractual mediations for them.
I am currently serving my third year on the Sechelt advisory planning commission.
I served two years as vice president of the Sechelt Branch of St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary.
It wasalso my pleasure to volunteer with Girl Guides for seven years as a leader, District Commissioner and Area Secretary
See more about me at www.anitapaulin.ca.
Mike Shanks
My name is Mike Shanks. I am applying for a jobof councillor on Sechelt council.
If I get the job, I will do the job and make the difficult decisions in the best interest of Sechelt.
Moving here in 1975 with my family, I have always been involved in a variety of community organizations and municipal/neighbourhood committees. Over the last 25 years I have gained the experience and knowledge that comes from serving on council for 16 years.
Having attended most council meetings these last three years, I have found reasons to run for council once again.
Firstly, I believe that I can be instrumental in re-establishing integrity and mutual respect between fellow councillors and senior staff to create a positive team to conduct municipal business.
Secondly, the campaign promises of some incumbent councillors for fiscal responsibility, consultation, integrity and impartiality did not materialize on many occasions and this has to change.
My platform and issues of interest include: resolving the biosolids/sewage treatment plant issue, expanding our commercial/industrial tax base to create new jobs and give our residents tax relief, complying with our "Vision Plan" for higher density in our downtown core, creatingincentives for revitalization and new development proposals, establishing an affordable housing society to administer funds taken in lieu of housing units within new developments, using the Sechelt airport expansion as a catalyst for Coast-wide economic development and finally, in view of the recent UBCM convention criticism of expanding municipal budgets, a detailed review of Sechelt's budget is required.
With my previous experience/knowledge serving on Sechelt council, being aware of currentissues confronting the new council, I feel well qualified to adjudicate and serve the communityinterests of a growing Sechelt.
On Nov. 19, I ask for your support.
Darnelda Siegers
In my conversations with people one thing has really stood out - no matter what demographic you belong to, you want to be heard and you want someone to take action.
During this campaign, I've attended meetings and gone door-to-door meeting constituents, occasionally speaking my vision but, more importantly, hearing yours.
There are many thoughtful, intelligent community members here whose understanding of this region and its needs must be heard and, even more importantly, acted upon by council.
What I've heard is we love living here and we share a vision of what Sechelt could be.
We want our community to be a vibrant focal point for the whole of the Sunshine Coast. How do we make it happen? Each of us brings a piece to the table and, if we listen, collaborate, and take action, together we can create that vision.
One example - in August of next year, our new state-of-the-art hospital is slated to be completed. They will need more health care workers. What else they need is probably not what you'd expect - daycare for the children of nurses who work 12 hour shifts. Other ideas are continually coming forth as I hear from you.
So, my name is Darnelda. A few years back, I reinvented myself as a mortgage broker and relocated to my dream destination, the Sunshine Coast. I have always been involved in the communities I've lived in. Read more about me at www.SIEGERSforSECHELT.com.
If you have a burning question, concern, or an idea, write to me, ask me or talk to me.
I will take action.
Do you feel my passion for this paradise we call home? I say what I mean and I mean what I say.
On Nov. 19 vote for me and, together, let's make Sechelt more of what it can be.
Keith Thirkell
This election is not just about a single issue. This election is about the future of Sechelt and how it grows and develops while respecting the values of our neighbourhoods.
It's about how our community changes and how we take charge of the direction of that growth. It's about honest leadership. It's not just about leadership for the few, but leadership for all. Being on council is not about getting elected once every three years, but being accountable to you every day of that three-year term. Council works for you.
Sechelt is a caring community and we care about each other.
As our Vision Plan, and recently adopted official community plan go into the future, your council needs to be cohesive and steadfast in its commitment to maintaining the values expressed in those documents.
Over the last six years I have helped Sechelt stand up to outside pressures. I helped protect Davis Bay from becoming a high speed corridor, I helped write the blasting bylaw in my first term on council which protects public safety and I have helped keep your property tax increases among the lowest in the province while supporting key areas of our districts' character like affordable housing, the arts, culture and heritage.
We need balance on council and I offer that. Where growth makes sense I will support it, where it doesn't I will speak up and I will always listen.
My ear is always open.
