Dave Brackett, Area F
Realtor Dave Brackett, 58, said he has entered politics for the first time after being encouraged to do so by Area F residents.
Residing in Area F, Brackett said he wants to make housing more affordable. “Being in real estate for the last 16 years, I think I’ve seen things that could be improved at the government level,” he said, adding that SCRD directors need to work with municipal governments to coordinate housing policies.
He supports the SCRD’s four water projects “on principle” and says he is “not an expert on this yet” and one area of concern will be the environmental impact of installing a large raw-water reservoir.
He said he would like to explore taxes for disposing waste at the Sechelt landfill rather than tipping fees, which he said promotes illegal dumping.
Email: [email protected]
Mark Hiltz, Area F
Former president of West Howe Sound Community Association, Mark Hiltz has been living in Area F for 26 years. He said he decided to run for Area F director after Ian Winn announced he wouldn’t try for a second term.
Before retiring in 2015, Hiltz, 57, worked for the Town of Gibsons and the District of Sechelt in various roles, including as an operator of drinking and wastewater systems, as public works and parks crew, records manager and freedom of information coordinator.
He sees water security as a priority and that includes diversifying the water supply by building a reservoir. Hiltz is also concerned with preserving community assets such as Granthams Hall, parks, docks and the landfill.
Website: www.scrdhiltz.ca
Lorne Lewis, Area E
Lorne Lewis has been a director for Area E since 2005 and the realtor is running again in part because he is the only incumbent rural director who won’t be stepping down. “I really don’t think that having five rookie electoral area directors is going to be a good thing,” he said.
He also wants to resolve longstanding issues, such as preserving DL 1313 as a park and finding a solution to the water shortage.
Lewis has consistently opposed the Chapman drawdown for ecological reasons, has acknowledged “things are taking too long,” and said a reservoir should be built instead, along with groundwater investigations.
He is a critic of the Gospel Rock Village development and supports local community efforts to bring safety improvements to the section of Highway 101 between Lower Road and Henry Road.
Donna McMahon, Area E
Improved communication is a major priority for business plan writer and consultant Donna McMahon, a 22-year resident of Elphinstone who has worked as a journalist, executive director for Gibsons Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers for a number of economic, arts and environmental organizations.
McMahon, 59, does not support the Chapman drawdown and wants a new reservoir “as soon as possible,” according to her website. She favours increasing supply through wells and wants to see improved water policy through municipal collaboration.
The preservation of DL 1313, road improvements such as paved shoulders along Reed Road, and encouraging secondary dwellings to improve affordability are other priorities.
Website: donnamcmahon.ca
Steve Baker, Area D
Steve Baker, 61, has worked as a negotiator for CUPE Local 15 in Vancouver, has held senior roles with Vancouver parent advisory councils and was president and treasurer of the provincial NDP riding association for Vancouver-Hastings.
Now retired, Baker resides in Roberts Creek and has lived on the Coast for six years. He grew up visiting the Coast. He is president of the Sunshine Coast Dart League.
Of primary concern to Baker is preventing use-based billing for water. “We continue to have a tax base that should be providing the resources we need,” he said.
Baker also wants to address illegal dumping, improve access to transit, promote alternative transportation, improve highway safety, affordable housing and access to community services and public meetings.
Website: www.stevenbaker.ca
Cathrine Fuller, Area D
Cathrine Fuller, 67, was the first to declare her candidacy for Area D, where she has resided for more than 30 years. She has worked in media and communications and wants to improve transparency at the SCRD.
Issues of concern for Fuller are water and waste management and sustainable development. She is “unequivocally opposed” to the Chapman Lake drawdown because it is too risky and calls the timeline “simply ridiculous” because of the provincial approval required.
Fuller wants to update the existing solid waste management plan, find a site for a new landfill and collaborate with municipalities on managing waste.
She wants to improve affordability by supporting the construction of secondary dwellings and cluster housing.
Website: www.iaminrc.ca
Barbara Hague, Area D
This will be the second time Barbara Hague, owner of Sharkey’s Fish Locker in Roberts Creek, runs for director for Area D. She also ran in 2014, on a similar platform.
She is a captain and has worked in the commercial fishing industry for 40 years. Her platform focuses on economic development. Her goal if elected is to not raise taxes and to create living-wage jobs. She said low-cost housing “is a must” and wants to support tourism and arts and culture. Other priorities include keeping “fish farms out of the water,” protecting the watershed and supporting First Nations. She also plans to improve roadways.
“I believe that running both our commercial fishing company and Sharkey’s has honed both my managerial and office skills,” reads her release.
Hans Penner, Area D
Hans Penner, environmentalist and former planner for District of Sechelt, ran for Area D director in 2014 and is running again because “not much has been accomplished along the lines I was promoting last time.”
Penner, 66, has lived in Roberts Creek since 1980 and has a background in community planning, project management and highway engineering.
He wants to increase the water supply by adding East Gray Creek to the Gray Creek watershed, by fast tracking the construction of a reservoir and by evaluating the use of district wells. He wants to protect the watershed, promote conservation, and allow the use of residential grey water. Another objective is to improve road safety in Roberts Creek by lobbying the provincial government to add turning lanes and widen shoulders.
Website: www.hanspenner.com
Andreas Tize, Area D
Andreas Tize, 40, moved to Roberts Creek four years ago. He has a background in resource and environmental management and tourism. He is a volunteer firefighter and works as a small business consultant.
On water, Tize tentatively supports SCRD’s current approach. “I think we’re going to have to see once all these studies come in,” he said, adding the four projects under way “may end up happening.” He is in favour of pay-per-use with meters because “what gets measured gets managed,” according to his website.
He wants to tackle the expiring Sechelt landfill by encouraging recycling and composters. He supports the SCRD’s “closed door” approach to cannabis sales and production and wants to improve affordable housing by boosting supply, such as apartments.
Website: www.andreastize.com
Sandy Hegyi, Area A
Sandy Hegyi, 64, has been living in Pender Harbour for seven years and moved to Sechelt from Vancouver in 1999. He worked in the film industry as a chief lighting technician for 35 years, and as a project manager for a company that supplied temporary power to clients such as Coca Cola and the City of Vancouver.
Hegyi works at the Harbour Authority of Pender Harbour and coordinates with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on issues such as pollution control, seafood poaching and vessels of concern. He wants to see improved collaboration between the community and SCRD on the Pender Harbour Official Community Plan (OCP). He supports the SCRD’s four water projects. His other priorities are finding affordable accommodation and finding “outside the box” solutions to public transportation.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SandyHegyiSCRD
Leonard Lee, Area A
Born and raised in Pender Harbour, Leonard Lee, 69, is president of the Pender Harbour Chamber of Commerce and has been an outspoken critic of the Pender Harbour Dock Management Plan (DMP). His background is in logging, fishing, mechanics and IT.
He wants to address SCRD’s communication with Pender Harbour residents on both the OCP and DMP and look into incorporating Pender Harbour. He also wants to increase the availability of long and short-term rentals, address illegal dumping, support non-profits, improve roads and infrastructure and promote economic development. He sees the water shortage as “solvable” and supports the SCRD’s approach except for the Chapman drawdown, because of the potential negative ecological effects, particularly on salmon.
Website: www.lenleeareaa.com
Mike Price, Area A
Originally from Ontario, Mike Price moved to Pender Harbour four years ago. Now retired, the civil engineer was general manager for the water and wastewater utility for the City of Toronto.
Price supports the SCRD’s approach to water. He wants to support community input on the Pender Harbour OCP and address the lack of local transportation in the area, including cycling and pedestrian paths. He also wants to increase the availability of youth activities, improve beach access and signage, support economic development, increase long-term housing and address illegal dumping.
He supports the Pender Ocean Discovery Station, and wants to encourage dialogue between shíshálh Nation and Pender Harbour residents. Price recently moved to Davis Bay.
Website: www.mikeprice.ca
