A 43-year-old federal public servant is the latest candidate to come forward in Gibsons.
Aleria Ladwig, who’s lived in the town for the past 10 years and works as an ecosystems officer with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), is hoping to win a seat on council.
Ladwig said her combination of work with DFO and four years on the town’s Advisory Planning Commission (APC) has given her a background in the workings of the municipality and experience building consensus within groups of stakeholders with different approaches to issues.
“Through the APC, I’ve reviewed multiple development proposals. I have seen the town’s community vision interpreted in many different ways. This has led to frustration for developers and confusion and debate among all of us… Communities that clearly define and retain their unique heritage become more interesting tourist attractions and more vibrant communities to live in,” Ladwig said in the release announcing her candidacy.
One of the development proposals that’s been through the APC this term was the George Hotel and Residences.
In an interview for Coast Reporter Radio, Ladwig said she supports that type of project, but is less enthusiastic about the final shape the George has taken.
“I do support a small hotel in Gibsons Landing. I think a small hotel, a little resort, a little conference centre, something like that, that could serve as a cornerstone for our harbour would be exciting and vibrant and an addition to the Landing,” she said, adding that her personal preference was for the original design unveiled in 2012 over the one that was eventually approved by council. “But I also understand that council is in a difficult position in that we have a very small tax base. We’ve got a community that’s not much larger than four kilometres square and we’re in a tax crunch and this is an excellent opportunity.”
Ladwig’s job with DFO requires some commuting to Vancouver, and that experience has led to her interest in pursing a passenger ferry service. She said the Town is off to a good start with its pitch to the province for a subsidy, similar to other commuter transportation initiatives like the West Coast Express on the Lower Mainland. The transportation minister is currently waiting for a business case from the Town.
“It’s right on the edge of being financially feasible, but it’s not quite feasible… It wouldn’t take much [of a subsidy] to really make this business float,” she said.
Pushing for highway improvements is another issue where the Town would have to lobby the province.
“If I’ve learned anything working in government over the last 20 years, it’s that the squeaky wheel does get the grease and I think the Sunshine Coast needs to start squeaking on this issue,” Ladwig said. “I would love to invite the minister of transportation to the Sunshine Coast. We’ll set up a meeting in Sechelt and just drive down our highway to that meeting and see if she thinks that our road is running efficiently and safely, because it isn’t.”
Ladwig said she’s getting support during her campaign from Coun. Charlene SanJenko, who announced recently she won’t run again. She also said she backs Coun. Silas White, who is so far the only mayoralty candidate. “I think we’d be hard-pressed to get somebody better.”
Ladwig has set up a campaign website at electalerialadwig.com, and is planning a launch event on Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. at the Gibsons Public Market.
Our full Coast Reporter Radio interview with Ladwig will be in the episode available Friday at www.coastreporter.net/audio
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