This is the third in a series of candidates that are running in the Oct. 15 civic election. Today, we look at candidates running for the District of Sooke council. Candidates B次元官网网址 listed in alphabetical order B次元官网网址 were asked to provide their occupation and top three issues (up to two words each), and platform (up to 100 words).
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Rob Anderson
Occupation: Helicopter pilot and funeral assistant director
B次元官网网址 Density
B次元官网网址 Fiscal Responsibility
B次元官网网址 Business Development
I was raised in Banff and witnessed the pitfalls of poor town planning and growth management. Sooke is a community with incredible potential, but understand that growth needs to be managed carefully. We need to limit high-density housing to keep Sooke, Sooke. Instead, we should explore other options to provide affordable housing, like developing tiny homes. Serious consideration must also be given to attracting businesses to provide decent-paying jobs and local employment. Councillors need to represent their constituents and support district efficiency. Finally, I pledge to utilize your tax dollars efficiently and for the benefit of all.
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Steve Anderson
Occupation: Painting and drywall management
B次元官网网址 Public discussions
B次元官网网址 Ecologically-minded growth
B次元官网网址 Economic savviness
As a service to fellow Sooke citizens, I want to take the time to listen closely, with comprehension, to the concerns of all Sooke people, taking the time to ponder and discuss all issues deeply, and all potential options until the best solutions are found. I believe in deep critical thinking and unstifled discussion instead of easy, quick fixes. I want things done correctly, not just B次元官网网址済ood enough.B次元官网网址 I will stand firm for locally controlled economic sustainability, health/social wellbeing, ecological protection, and fiscal responsibility. IB次元官网网址檓 available to chat anytime at 250-920-6428.
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Lorien Arnold
Occupation: Designer
B次元官网网址 Small business
B次元官网网址 Urgent care
B次元官网网址 Youth issues
One pillar of my platform is providing opportunities encouraging young people to stay in Sooke. Another is to focus on the townB次元官网网址檚 many intrinsic attributes and sustainably and capitalize on them to keep our small business community thriving. The third is to ensure that the good health of our population is maintained through health care infrastructure and physical activity for youth and seniors. If our community continues to trend toward being just a bedroom community, we will lose out on opportunities that can allow for a flourishing, sustainable and engaged community.
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Jeff Bateman
Occupation: Writer/editor (retired)
B次元官网网址 Population Capacity
B次元官网网址 Traffic Congestion
B次元官网网址 Affordable Housing
IB次元官网网址檓 seeking re-election to continue the work of the last four years. IB次元官网网址檝e grown more comfortable with the heavy workload and the process. I believe weB次元官网网址檙e on the right track. We must adopt the new OCP, then create a new zoning bylaw and town centre plan. In inflationary times, we must deliver municipal essentials first (roads, wastewater, police, fire, etc.) and proceed where possible with short-term actions identified in our master plans. Recognizing SookeB次元官网网址檚 population limits given our two-lane highway, building out the bypass, advocating for better health care and creating affordable housing is critical.
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Al Beddows
Occupation: Retired electronics communication manager
B次元官网网址 Traffic congestion
B次元官网网址 Manage growth
B次元官网网址 Climate action
We are going through a turbulent time; good governance is needed. We need to manage growth, balancing housing needs with climate change concerns. Our infrastructure has not kept pace with growth, and we need to disperse traffic off Highway 14 by implementing a transportation master plan (Throup Road Extension). We need to look at the big picture by focusing on the needs of Sooke as a whole. We need sensible, realistic goals. I bring to council a balance to all the competing demands of building a community and keeping SookeB次元官网网址檚 character.
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Susan Belford
Occupation: Retired mediator
B次元官网网址 Transportation
B次元官网网址 Housing
B次元官网网址 Local Economy
These linked issues affect community resilience in the face of climate change. Recent housing development did not create affordable homes, and it outpaced local economic growth, forcing more residents to commute for work, causing congestion and increasing emissions. ItB次元官网网址檚 time to slow new development temporarily and focus on building the infrastructure residents need to live, shop and work in town. Priorities in the future should be fully implementing SookeB次元官网网址檚 transportation master plan, supporting SookeB次元官网网址檚 business community with needed commercial and industrial spaces, and creating a range of low carbon, truly affordable homes for the many Sookies in core housing need.
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Karine Bordua
Occupation: Privacy consultant.
B次元官网网址 Land Use
B次元官网网址 Fiscal Responsibility
B次元官网网址 Community Engagement
In a short time, Sooke has changed dramatically. Its increased population creates pressure on an already precarious infrastructure. We need an easy-to-read land use plan that protects farmland and supports economic growth and landownersB次元官网网址 ability to add housing to their properties while addressing high population density concerns. We need creative, cooperative, and inclusive solutions that support existing businesses, attract new ones, and increase employment opportunities and family resiliency. Above all, we need transparency from council regarding fiscally responsible plans that not only promise but ensure the limited and predictable impact on Sooke residents.
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Owen Brandon
Occupation: Owner of Orange Taxi
B次元官网网址 Road Congestion
B次元官网网址 Housing
B次元官网网址 Street Lighting
An economy based on pot shops and tattoo shops is not exceptionally bright. We donB次元官网网址檛 even have a MacB次元官网网址檚 store here. The business mix has residents heading into Langford and Victoria to spend their money. If Sooke is to attract high-tech and manufacturing businesses, the housing crunch must be solved by council. No company will bring value-add jobs to Sooke if their employees canB次元官网网址檛 find a place to live. We need more buses and bus lanes that reach to Victoria. We have to cap Airbnb, which takes away more and more housing.
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Herb Haldane
Occupation: Carpenter
B次元官网网址 Affordable living
B次元官网网址 Traffic issues
B次元官网网址 Property rights
My platform is quite simple. I want to see young people and their families succeed. I want to truly find more affordable living in our town. I want to tackle the housing crisis and make it possible for home ownership while working and raising a family. Bring back pride in ownership of a home. Successful young people and families make better citizens, and better citizens make better communities. My generation needs to leave the world better than we found it, and I want to help our town succeed.
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Robin Holm
Occupation: Project manager
B次元官网网址 Climate action
B次元官网网址 Equity/Inclusion,
B次元官网网址 Resident Wellbeing
The land is the foundation our community is built, and the health of our environment is central to the health of our residents. We are facing an urgent need to change our relationship with our environment, and leadership at all levels of government is needed to transition towards a more sustainable, livable future for us and our planet. Thoughtful planning and decision making is key so that Sooke continues to be a beautiful home for all who live here.
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Dana Lajeunesse
Occupation: Mechanical engineering technologist
B次元官网网址 Economic Development
B次元官网网址 Transportation Infrastructure
B次元官网网址 Attainable Homeownership
Economic development remains high on my list of priorities. We need to create an environment that welcomes investment, which leads to another of my key urgencies: we need to invest in our transportation infrastructure. This element has been neglected for the past several years, given the recent accelerated residential growth weB次元官网网址檝e experienced. And the third thing and one that I feel is often overlooked when discussing economic vibrancy is arts and culture. A healthy and diverse arts scene helps to attract and maintain residents, aka workers, which creates a wholesome appetite for commerce.
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Megan McMath
Occupation: 911 call taker and fire dispatcher
B次元官网网址 Traffic
B次元官网网址 Health Care
B次元官网网址 Community Safety
A 30-year resident, I previously worked for E-Comm 911, Victoria Fire, and the Sooke tourism sector. IB次元官网网址檓 currently a 911 call taker and fire dispatcher, supporting 18 fire departments, including SookeB次元官网网址檚, and am a Capital Region Emergency Service Telecommunications board director. In my second term as councillor, I will bring my education/experience forward to continue advocacy work on an alternative route into Sooke, justice reform around prolific offenders, and improving local health care issues. I will help implement the Community Healthcare Support Network to equip Sooke with tools and templates to attract, support, and retain family doctors and healthcare professionals.
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Adam Noseworthy
Occupation: Building contractor
B次元官网网址 Food Security
B次元官网网址 Health/Wellness
B次元官网网址 Waste Management
With rapidly rising inflation, supply, demand and transportation issues, food security is at risk globally. We should enhance SookeB次元官网网址檚 resiliency, overall wellbeing, our immune systems and our economy by increasing our access to local, clean, organic produce and products. We should adapt by supporting local farmers and encouraging new ones. We all deserve access to health care in our own town. We should look to build offices and help startups for both holistic and allopathic practitioners. IB次元官网网址檇 like to explore recycling and composting initiatives. I trust the people of Sooke to make the right decisions for our community. Electionsforchange.ca.
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Trevor Paul
Occupation - Provincial government employee
B次元官网网址 Increasing sidewalks
B次元官网网址 Alleviating traffic
B次元官网网址 Protecting parks
I am running for council because Sooke needs a voice that will represent the best interests of families. More than 80 per cent of our streets have no sidewalk, and itB次元官网网址檚 unacceptable. I will make sidewalks a top priority for council. As someone who commutes daily for work, I know that traffic congestion on Highway 14 is untenable. As a councillor, I will push to explore unique, short-term solutions while planning for longer-term infrastructure. Finally, I am firmly against the paving of John Phillips Memorial Park and will move to quash any development proposal in our green space.
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Kevin Pearson
Occupation: Retired
B次元官网网址 Traffic/Infrastructure
B次元官网网址 Housing Affordability
B次元官网网址 Process Application/Timeline
My focus will be on improving the infrastructure in order to reduce the time people are spending in vehicles currently. We have exceeded our capacity. Creating opportunities for more affordable housing for all age groups is a priority as people want to age in our community and young families start their lives here. This will require such amenities as a senior centre and access to medical treatment 24/7. Last but not least is an improvement to the timelines of applications, reducing and creating predictability will improve costs and therefore improve affordability.
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Maria Powers
Occupation: Life coach
B次元官网网址 Health care
B次元官网网址 Local Business
B次元官网网址 Seniors
I am concerned about the lack of health care in our community. Everyone should have easy, quick access to doctors and treatments. I believe that we need to focus our downtown core on local business so that there are not so many people driving into Victoria for work. This will help to reduce the traffic on Highway 14 and reduce emissions. I am also concerned for our seniors and the lack of activities and social gatherings for them. We need to get the bus back and a centre where they can gather and socialize.
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Anna Russell
Occupation: Management consultant
B次元官网网址 Growth/Infrastructure
B次元官网网址 Parks/Greenspace
B次元官网网址 Climate Action
B次元官网网址 Protect what makes Sooke special: our small town feel, parks and wild spaces, farmland and ocean views;
B次元官网网址 Seek a better balance between development and the needs of local residents;
B次元官网网址 Work towards truly affordable housing and traffic solutions;
B次元官网网址 Deliver results on our made-in-Sooke answer to the climate emergency;
B次元官网网址 Support a green, caring, and local economy .
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Britt Santowski
Occupation: Executive director, Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce
B次元官网网址 Affordable Living
B次元官网网址 Small Business
B次元官网网址 Climate Change
I have lived in Sooke since 2005, and IB次元官网网址檝e raised my child here. I have two degrees (BA, MA, English), and IB次元官网网址檝e worked as a motorcycle safety instructor, a cartoonist and a journalist, I founded Sooke PocketB次元官网网址 and operated it for five years. I also co-teach a tourism course at RRU, since 2018. IB次元官网网址檓 focussed on affordability for renters, residents, and entrepreneurs. More jobs in Sooke means less commuting. I have strong communication skills, excellent political savvy, and a genuine passion for the future of Sooke as a vibrant community where its residents can live, work and play. BrittForSooke.com.
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Tony St-Pierre
Occupation: Farmer
B次元官网网址 Housing Affordability
B次元官网网址 Local Economic Development
B次元官网网址 Food Security
In the past four years, the district has moved forward on its transportation master plan, increasing the supply of affordable housing and a new library, improving sewer infrastructure, and improving access to health care. This was possible by having many partners working together at all levels of government and a council that maintained a willingness to learn along with a high degree of civility and respect despite its relative inexperience. I hope to use this experience to address ongoing challenges, such as improving our development process, completing the OCP and continuing our communityB次元官网网址檚 journey on the path of low carbon resilience.
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Jeff Stewart
Occupation: Store manager, Western Foods
B次元官网网址 Fiscal Responsibility
B次元官网网址 Traffic solutions
B次元官网网址 Affordable housing
My main objective is to deliver value to Sooke residents for their property tax dollars, using fiscal restraint, transparency and a common sense approach to local government spending. Property taxpayers are not an infinite resource. I believe it would be responsible for delivering SookeB次元官网网址檚 2023 budget with a zero percent tax increase in light of rising costs, interest rates, and inflation.
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Stephanie Welters
Occupation: LPN orthotech and business owner
B次元官网网址 Infrastructure
B次元官网网址 Traffic
B次元官网网址 Parks
Infrastructure needs to catch up and maintain with development. Sooke is the second-fastest growing community in the CRD in terms of population, and we need realistic and feasible plans to keep our infrastructure up. SookeB次元官网网址檚 number 1 emission by a significant margin is on-road transportation. We should be looking at immediately opening auxiliary routes within the town itself to alleviate the burden on Highway 14 and get people home and off the road faster. I would also like to see revitalization and better utilization of our green spaces and increase them.
B次元官网网址 For election night results, and more coverage in the lead-up to the vote, go to sookenewsmirror.com.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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