Community People Profiles for Elections is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island who are running for local office. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island and as they run their respective election campaigns.
This weeks featured local election people profile is: Ken Lee
Here’s a bit about Ken:
I retired to Salt Spring from Ontario in 1991. Born in the UK and emigrated to Canada after graduating from Cambridge University in 1957. Served 2 years during National Service as RAF aircrew – stationed for a year in Winnipeg. Worked as a Geologist with Shell Canada in Alberta for 5 years. Secondary School Principal for 30 years in Ontario and at CFB Baden Soellingen in Germany. Father to 2 children and grandfather to 4 all living in BC
What brought you to Salt Spring Island?
My 2 daughters were attending UVIC, had a summer house-sitting job in a waterfront cabin at the end of King Road, and invited me to visit. It was a case of love at first sight especially after a delicious swim in Weston Lake.
What one thing about Salt Spring would you tell someone who has never visited the island?
I have often described Salt Spring Island to my friends as the “England in Zermatt” – the softness and beauty of the English countryside surrounded by spectacular snow-capped mountains
If you had a magic Salt Spring wand, what island thing would you change?
The way we govern our ourselves here, so that we can stand up to those arrogant off-island bureaucrats in Victoria. VIHA, CRD, Ministries of Transport and Education and Canada Post and BC Ferries.
Which well known person, living or dead, do you think would be a good addition to the island?
Michael Moore - I have always admired his direct approach to solving the kind of problems we face here. I would love to witness his reaction to being told by the CEO of BC Ferries, as I was, that he is a “rich pampered whiner”!
Which elected position are you seeking?
School Board Trustee
Why should Salt Springers vote for you?
I have always championed Public Education and see it under threat today, not only in BC, but also the other Provinces. If elected, I am prepared to work hard to address the abysmal state of Negotiations between the Province and its School Trustees, Teachers, and excluded Staff - but mostly the totally unacceptable plight of our parents and their the children, including my own grandchildren, caught in the middle.
As a previously elected School Trustee 1993 - 96 I became involved in both Curriculum design and teaching methodology, with a particular interest on the Arts Programs, at our beautiful newly opened High School.
During my 23 years on the Island I have always got directly involved with what I consider to be the important issues on Salt Spring such as initiating and negotiating Broadband internet service (Shaw Cable) for 900 homes in the Beaver Point Road area where I lived, and the battle with Texada Logging to preserve our precious south end forests.
Is there a really good interview question we should have asked you?
Are you in favour of Incorporation?
How would you have answered your question?
Yes, 100% - having served as an elected Alderman in Ontario, on a Town Council representing a rural community of about 6,000 people
Editorial note: We will feature all local candidates running for all elected positions equally who are interested in being featured on the Salt Spring Exchange. We have attempted to contact all candidates. If you are running for election and you would like to be featured in the Salt Spring Exchange people profile for elections, please contact us.
