There are four hats in the ring for the race to become the District of Sechelt’s next mayor.
John Henderson
A resident of Sechelt since 2003, John Henderson served as mayor of Sechelt between 2011 and 2014. Currently, he is a co-founder of the Sunshine Coast Electric Vehicle Association and a member of the Sunshine Coast Highway Society, as well as a past chair of the Sechelt & District Chamber of Commerce.
In 2014, Henderson lost his re-election bid to Bruce Milne when Milne was voted in with 54.93 per cent of the vote to Henderson’s 31.75 per cent.
Of his current candidacy, Henderson says he is running because “Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast face a number of important issues – things like water, housing, safety, transportation and more. I have a track record of completing projects and building empowered and effective teams. I will bring my experience and expertise to ensure we implement practical and affordable solutions. I also want to hear about the ideas and solutions from our community. Overall, I am committed to creating a strong, positive future for Sechelt.”
Allan Holt
Holt previously ran for the mayor’s seat in the 2018 election, and came in third place. He did not respond to Coast Reporter’s request before deadline.
Jeri Patterson
After getting her start at Sechelt Elementary, Jeri Patterson graduated from Elphinstone Secondary in 1975. Since then, she has worked both nationally and internationally, as her healthcare career took her through B.C., the States and Japan before travelling globally.
Although now considered retired at 65, Patterson said via email that she remains active in community activities and politics, which she discovered through her photography work.
“One of my many passions is the care, and wellbeing of animals. I am passionate about garden based food production. I advocate for seniors, disabled and others publicly, and via a network established primarily with the provincial and federal governments. I support Medical research and funding for treatment of ALS, Cancer, Chronic pain, and diabetes.,” she writes.
“I am an observer, and if requested, or required, I am a participant,” she added.
Incumbent runs again
Incumbent mayor Darnelda Siegers announced her intention to run for re-election in March. When Siegers became mayor in 2018, she was elected with 60.44 per cent of the vote.
Coast Reporter will publish more information on candidates in the coming weeks. Find all of Coast Reporter’s election coverage at www.coastreporter.net/2022-civic-election.
Have questions for candidates? Email them to editor@coastreporter.net.
