Voters in the Sunshine Coast’s two municipalities will be offered a degree of continuity in the October’s election. That’s the takeaway from announcements this week in Gibsons and Sechelt.
Sechelt Mayor Bruce Milne ended weeks of speculation by issuing a media release confirming that, “after much consideration and wide consultation,” he will be seeking a second consecutive four-year term as mayor.
Critics may scoff at Milne’s claim that council “accomplished everything they were elected to do.” Milne and this council have been regularly knocked in print for being too slow to approve major development proposals, too bureaucratic, and fixated on the arts at the expense of more pressing matters. However, it’s entirely possible that a strong, silent majority is aligned with council’s priorities and satisfied with its cautious approach to large-scale development, believing that, in Milne’s terms, it “protects the values of Sechelt.” We saw a glimpse of this in the aftermath of the SSC Properties saga, when an initial wave of attacks on council was met with a much heavier wave of return fire.
With administration stabilized and impressive permit and licensing numbers to counter the anti-development image painted by his detractors, Milne can face voters with a record that is not flawless but is certainly formidable.
In Gibsons, first-term councillor Silas White’s bid for mayor is not exactly a pitch for the status quo, but it does come with the endorsement of the current mayor and the rest of council, so it has the status quo’s blessings
White had a setback early in the term when he had to recuse himself from deliberations on The George, declaring a conflict of interest due to the project’s impact on his view. It was a disappointment to those voters who expected White to play a major role in negotiations with the developer. That early glitch, however, seemed to be quickly forgotten and since then White has demonstrated the leadership qualities singled out by Coun. Stafford Lumley at White’s campaign launch Tuesday: hard work, guided by compassion and a genuine willingness to listen. White’s track record, his vision of Gibsons as a caring community and his pledge to plan collaboratively “while enhancing everything we love about Gibsons” will resonate with voters.
It’s more than three months to go before the election and impossible to predict what kinds of challenges and possibilities could be waiting in the wings. But at this stage we’re glad to see some continuity in the race.
