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: Peter Grove

Here’s a bit about Peter:

I am a member of the SS Sailing Club, the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, Community Theatre, Salt Spring Island Conservancy, Artspring, Salt Spring Literacy, the Chamber of Commerce, the Salt Spring Forum, All Saints Anglican Church, the Community Economic Development Commission and am a POD, emergency leader.

Last but not least, I am an Islands Trust Trustee, on the point of completing my first three year term, and on the eve of the election for the next term. My work as a trustee has been enormously satisfying and absorbing. It has involved me with many vital aspects of our community and has allowed me to connect with many people. I have developed a deep love for our island and its people; we live in a very special place with an extraordinary community, and I am proud to play my small part in protecting and enhancing what we have. Please refer to my website at http://www.petergrovefortrustee.com

What brought you to Salt Spring Island?

I have been sailing the local waters since the early 1970’s, first landing on the shores of our island at the then public marina at Scott Point. Mary and I moved here permanently some 8 years ago from Vancouver, our children having become independent, responding to a desire for a rural lifestyle. Our community, of so many interesting, welcoming, and engaged people, has led us to conclude that we certainly made the right decision in moving to Salt Spring.

What one thing about Salt Spring would you tell someone who has never visited the island?

I believe Salt Spring is among the few places left on earth where compromise and consensus can prevail, a place where the needs and desires of the community take precedence over the inclinations of any one individual.

If you had a magic Salt Spring wand, what island thing would you change?

I would give Ganges a much needed face lift. Of course the Boardwalk must be completed. Traffic and parking need to be dealt with effectively. Live/work zoning and buildings to be encouraged. The waterfront to be cleaned up. Having said that, I don’t really think we need a magic wand; we will get there with hard work and dedication.

Which well known person, living or dead, do you think would be a good addition to the island?

In 1837 Charles Darwin sailed halfway around the world from England to the beautiful and unique Galápagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. While he was there he developed theories of natural selection and other important scientific works which continue to help us understand the complicated world in which we live.

If Charles Darwin could, by some magical means, visit our own beautiful and unique Salt Spring Island in the Salish Sea, who knows what groundbreaking theories he might arrive at? He is

Which elected position are you seeking?

Islands Trust Trustee

Why should Salt Springers vote for you?

• Three years of experience as Trustee
• Strong financial background as a Chartered Accountant
• Many years of experience in business, administration, education and human resource management
• Many years of experience as a mediator and facilitator, specializing in family and business dispute resolution
• Many years of experience as decision maker through arbitration work
• A proven ability to work with individuals, groups and the community, facilitating communication, encouraging collaboration and cooperation for the benefit of our community.
• A deep love for Salt Spring Island and our community

Is there a really good interview question we should have asked you?

What do you plan if elected for a second term?

The answer:

To continue to help preserve and protect our environment, our seashores, our lands, our watersheds, lakes and streams. This will be achieved as part of the Trust’s responsibilities for land use planning and decisions, protection of our watersheds (supporting the work of the Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Authority) and through advocacy. We live in one of the most desirable places in the world and I am proud of the part I am able to play as a Trustee in protecting and enhancing this special place.

Preserve and protect our community, finding ways to support the island's economy and the need for employment and housing for young families.  I will continue to support affordable housing projects and opportunities for growth in those sectors for which Salt Spring is already well-known, including farming, local markets, the arts, home-based business, health care, elder care and tourism.

Continue to help move the development of Ganges village forward, including completion of the boardwalk.  We are currently in the planning stages of this exciting project and I am keen to continue my involvement.  I would intend to work closely with community groups and representatives to develop the ideas that will shape the future of Ganges core and to try and bring new life to Ganges by improving the current zoning restrictions.  This would include simplifying the existing complexity of multiple zoning, which has been complicating and inhibiting opportunities, and implementing multi-use zoning to encourage appropriate residential and commercial development.

Work with the Fulford Study Group to re-visit and update as necessary the 2011 report on recommendations for Fulford Village, with consideration for implementation, particularly in light of the BC Ferries plans.

Implement the Industrial Advisory Planning Commission's recommendations on industrial land use and zoning, working toward simplification and rationalization of zoning regulations and the provision of sufficient suitable industrial and commercial land to meet our island's present and foreseeable needs.

Pursue Governance issues subsequent to the Minister's response to our island's request for a full incorporation study.  Whether improving on our present system of governance or embracing a new model, I can help lead the process in such a way that we can move forward successfully, as a community, in a collaborative and constructive manner.  This will include advocating to move the Islands Trust head office to Salt Spring from Victoria.

Build greater community resilience in the face of climate change.  This includes facilitating community discussion and planning to support reduced reliance on fossil fuels, increased implementation of alternative energy sources and the encouragement of rainwater collection.

Develop a long-term sustainability strategy for Salt Spring Island cooperatively with the CRD and its regional growth plan.  I believe that we need a clear vision of our island's future needs, including infrastructure.  My mandate will be to promote long-term liveability by addressing social, economic and environmental needs with optimal solutions.

Pursue the re-designation of Salt Spring Island from "urban" to "rural" within the CRD so that we will be eligible for enhanced levels of federal and provincial funding.

Continue to actively advocate for appropriate and affordable ferry services, particularly in light of the recent report from the Union of BC Municipalities, which clearly states the devastating effect of recent fare increases and service cuts on our island economies and on the province as a whole.

Continue to advocate to the provincial and federal governments for a resolution to the issue of abandoned and derelict vessels on our shorelines and in our waters.

Implement a quality management programme for the Trust’s operations in order to ensure that our resources and tax money are put to the best possible use.

Support Marine National Conservation Area plans as they materialize.

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.