Sunshine Coast Regional District directors have chosen their alternates, all of whom have been sworn in.
Leonard Lee, director for Pender Harbour/Egmont, chose Marianna Katalin Bekei prior to the election. Bekei has worked in sales and as a transportation manager and has family roots in Garden Bay. “I think she is perfect as my alternate and as our next director, if she chooses to move in that direction in the future,” Lee said. He listed her entrepreneurial background and knowledge of local issues as reasons for his choice.
Lori Pratt, SCRD chair and director for Halfmoon Bay, chose Linsey Hulls, a real estate agent with RE/MAX City Realty based in Area B. Pratt is also a realtor. Pratt said Hulls “loves supporting her community and is keenly interested in being involved at the SCRD.”
Roberts Creek’s new alternate is Tim Howard, appointed by Andreas Tize because of “numerous recommendations in the community,” and because of his profession. Howard is a lawyer specializing in Indigenous and environmental law. “He also has a lot of experience in local activism,” said Tize, such as with Transportation Choices, a non-profit that advocates for alternatives to single-occupancy car use.
Donna McMahon, director for Elphinstone, chose Stephanie Grindon. “She’s interested in politics, she’s lived on the Coast a long time, she’s got positive energy and enthusiasm. She runs her own business,” said McMahon of her choice. Grindon owns and operates BioScapes Gardening and was active in the pro proportional representation campaign during the electoral reform referendum.
In West Howe Sound, director Mark Hiltz chose Doug Marteinson, a resident of Granthams Landing who works in the private sector as a team builder. “He is passionate about Coast-wide collaboration,” Hiltz said.
The municipalities also have alternates. Sechelt’s two alternates are Coun. Alton Toth for Mayor Darnelda Siegers and Coun. Brenda Rowe for Tom Lamb, also a councillor. Siegers said the choices were “fairly easy to determine” since they were the only councillors with “the flexibility in their work or school schedules to attend daytime SCRD meetings.”
Gibsons Mayor Bill Beamish chose Coun. David Croal as his alternate. “He has lived and worked on the Sunshine Coast for many years and is very knowledgeable about Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast in general,” said Beamish, who also noted Croal’s involvement with marine search and rescue in Gibsons.
Alvina Paul, a council member at shíshálh Nation, is Keith Julius’ alternate representing the Sechelt Indian Government District. Paul has a background in banking and has worked for shíshálh Nation in a variety of roles. She was elected to council in 2017.
Alternates typically fill in when directors are absent from meetings and they are qualified to vote. Unlike directors, alternates are appointed. Directors are not required to make their choice before civic elections.
