Tell us a bit about your background:
I'm an economist by background and worked for 25 years as a consulting economist on initiatives such as regional land use planning that doubled parkland in BC, and the Nisga'a Treaty. I moved to SSI in 1989 after contracting and working as construction labourer on my small home.
Except for four years as MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, I've lived full time on SSI for about 35 years. I've served on a number of boards for local non-profits, including SSI Conservancy, Abbeyfield Society, SSI Ferry Advisory Committee, Islands Trust Advisory Planning Commission. I've served four terms as SSI CRD Director and created 11 new CRD services, including several water districts, transportation and transit, contribution services for the arts and Search and Rescue, and the Local Community Commission.
What brought you to the island?
I have always wanted to own land. After completing post-grad courses at Simon Fraser University, I got my first professional job in the Economic Development Ministry and moved to Victoria.
After several years, I left the Ministry, bought and lived in a sailboat at Canoe Cove, and began looking for land around southeast Vancouver Island and the gulf islands. I found a mostly wooded, 10 acre ALR parcel in SSI's south end, sold my sailboat, and bought the property in 1978.
I worked for several years on SSI as a construction labourer, firewood cutter, and very briefly as a tree planter, but needing a higher income to build a permanent home, I joined an economic consulting firm in White Rock. I moved back to SSI in 1989, continuing to work as an independent consultant, and started getting involved in community affairs.
What one thing about the island would you tell someone who has never visited?
Be sure to visit the very special parks, beaches and arts facilities on the Island.
If you could change one thing about Salt Spring, what would you change?
The notion that governance is an obstacle to make progress on SSI. We have demonstrated time and time again that we can achieve great things by working together as a community.
What do you think is the most important community issue on the island right now?
How to address our affordable housing issue on SSI while respecting the Preserve and Protect mandate of Islands Trust. I believe these are complementary, not conflicting goals, if we prioritize our scarce water and infrastructure for non-market forces, and direct new development to villages and near public transit, as required by our existing OCP and Trust Policy.
What is your favourite spot/place to visit on Salt Spring Island?
Ruckle Park.
Which elected position are you seeking?
Island Trustee
Why should Salt Springers vote for you?
I'm the only Trust candidate with experience in local, regional and provincial government. As a community activist and elected official, I've played a key role in many of our island's successes, such as protecting Burgoyne Bay and Grace Islet; initiating the Trust NAPTEP property tax break for land protection; securing the Ganges fire hall property, and land for our library and liquid waste facility; securing SIMS as our first recreation centre, and funding for our new fire hall and Lady Minto emergency room; opting SSI into CRD regional housing grant programs; establishing The Cedars transition house for women; development of Drake Road supported housing; establishment of 11 new CRD services, such as transportation and transit, the Local Community Commission, and funding for the arts and Search and Rescue.
How do you plan to engage the community in your work?
Our community of course includes the broader public. But in my view, it also includes the Trust's advisory committees, many non-profits, our remarkable Foundations, and other local government agencies. All of these organizations rely on volunteers and donors to do their important work.
Collaboration with these organizations is essential to preserve and improve our quality of life here. The Trust has legal obligations regarding transparency and accountability, and a responsibility to ensure the public has meaningful opportunities to participate in land use decision-making.
I believe the public needs to be better informed about existing Trust-wide policies and SSI's OCP reviews, and the rationale for making significant changes. I will reverse any recent measures to reduce public communication and input.
Is there a really good interview question we should have asked you?
Why are you running for the Trust and not CRD?
How would you have answered your question?
I made it clear in the 2022 election this would be my last term as CRD Director. Also, I promised, and did establish the LCC which now has delegated authority for most local services on SSI. Now, these services are overseen by 5 elected officials, including the CRD Director, not just one person.
However, during this term, I became increasingly troubled by challenges facing the Trust. I'm concerned about recent vague legal interpretations of the Trust mandate. Its foundational Policy Statement and SSI's OCP are both being reviewed and are therefore potentially at risk.
The possible election of a non-supportive Provincial government heightens my concern. I believe I can play a role in ensuring that the socio-economic needs of islanders, like affordable housing, are addressed without weakening the Trust or its mandate.
