Mail-in ballots
Mail-in ballots may be an option at the local government elections taking place Oct. 20, 2018, after directors voted to have Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) staff to prepare an amendment to the election procedures bylaw.
The change could make mail-in voting possible for people with physical disabilities, illness or injuries, those living in remote places, and those who expect to be absent on voting and advance voting days.
The staff report noted “staff traditionally receive several requests for mail ballot voting opportunities.”
The Islands Trust would be “very excited” for mail-in voting, said Angie Legault, senior manager, administration and legislative services. “We are currently the only regional district in the entire trust area that doesn’t offer mail-in ballots and they are anxious for us to adopt such a change.”
Bruce Milne, SCRD chair and director for the District of Sechelt said directors should be “quite clear in their minds that this will skew the results and the wealthy people in your area are finally allowed to vote. It might actually change the results.”
Frank Mauro, director for Pender Harbour and Egmont, said he would not support mail-in ballots because it “opens the door for low-level engagement.”
Lorne Lewis, director for Elphinstone, and Mauro voted against the recommendation. Mark Lebbell, director for Roberts Creek, Garry Nohr, director for Halfmoon Bay, and Ian Winn, director for West Howe Sound, voted in favour.
Hillside project
Development at the SCRD-owned Hillside commercial industrial development generated an operating surplus of just over $700,000 after the sale of Lot B at the end of 2017, and directors voted Feb. 22 to create an operating reserve bylaw for those extra funds.
Staff recommended using the reserves to pay for one-time expenditures, including the maintenance of a dike, and that ongoing base operating expenses be funded through taxation.
The SCRD purchased the land that became Hillside for $2.53 million in the early 1990s.
Special board meeting held March 1
The SCRD board was scheduled to hold a special Infrastructure Services Committee meeting, followed by a special board meeting March 1 (after Coast Reporter’s deadline) to discuss project timelines and priorities related to the regional water plan.
The meetings are in advance of a March 6 meeting with B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman on the Chapman Lake drawdown project.
The request for the special board meeting came from Mark Lebbell, director of Roberts Creek, to make it clear “that board members attending [the March 6 meeting] reflect the will of the board.”
