ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 resident mayoral candidates are in stark contrast for the way they look at the running of a municipal government.
Incumbent Carol Hamilton, with one term as mayor under her belt, is anxious to continue helping hone the inner workings of city hall and build on her councilB次元官网网址檚 accomplishments of the past three years. She lists among them the shepherding through a new strategic economic development plan and breaking away from the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 sewage treatment debacle to pursue a separate solution for Colwood.
Challenger Robin Stanbridge readily admits his political inexperience, but is prepared to fight the election based on his desire to change the system of government to one closer to the system of B次元官网网址渄irect democracy.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not going to compete with Carol Hamilton for the position of a normal mayor,B次元官网网址� he said during an interview inside Royal Bay Bakery, not far from his Portsmouth Drive home. B次元官网网址淭he loudest way to make a statement (for change) is to elect someone who isnB次元官网网址檛 a politician.B次元官网网址�
Clearly aware and perhaps even a bit sensitive to comments from the community about B次元官网网址渟talled developments and half-built centres,B次元官网网址� Hamilton defended the current administration.
B次元官网网址淚 will say that those (development scenarios) are not council-orchestrated failures or involvement. We donB次元官网网址檛 control the background of those situations that lead into things,B次元官网网址� she said over coffee in her family room, decorated with sports memorabilia.
B次元官网网址淎ll we can do is remain supportive and open to dealing with whoeverB次元官网网址檚 coming along to complete the project.B次元官网网址�
While the failure of the Capital City Centre project at Colwood Corners led to plenty of community finger-pointing at council, its sale is expected to be completed later this year. ItB次元官网网址檚 one of a number of developments that are helping make this an B次元官网网址渆xciting timeB次元官网网址� for the city and its residents, she said.
Hamilton listed such others as the initial 100-home phase for the Royal Bay development on the gravel pit, the Westridge rental/commercial development and Holiday Inn Express on Wale Road, and the opening of DennyB次元官网网址檚 in the former White Spot on Island Highway as signs that Colwood is open for business.
Stanbridge, a designer by trade and university educated in fine arts and philosophy, calls himself a creative person who is looking for a more B次元官网网址渆legant solutionB次元官网网址� to the running of government. Among his ideas is involving residents more in problem solving, rather than spending money on consultants or hiring more staff, and calling on people with expertise in certain areas to contribute their time and knowledge in return for a reduction in their property tax.
A tech savvy individual who owns a handful of cell phones, he envisions expanding web-based connections with residents so they can readily access academic information on issues of importance to the municipality.
Speaking of which, Stanbridge touts an initiative called zero sewage discharge that would, he said, eliminate the need to discharge any liquid into the ocean and eliminate pharmaceuticals from the waste stream.
B次元官网网址淢y idea is to take the leftover savings from the sewage budget and build an underwater marine viewing area so people can begin to celebrate and enjoy the marine richness of this area,B次元官网网址� he said.
Hamilton has been closely following the actions of the Town of Sechelt in creating a sewage treatment system and looks forward to working with other B次元官网网址渨est sideB次元官网网址� municipalities on the merits of building a treatment system that would service Langford, Colwood, View Royal and Esquimalt.
The previous idea for a regionwide system went round and round with little real progress, she says. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e sat at that board for the last three years and seen us not gain any headway.B次元官网网址�
Voters wonB次元官网网址檛 see any lawn signs with StanbridgeB次元官网网址檚 name on them sprinkled around the city, nor will they find his photo or campaign platform listed in any advertising B次元官网网址� he has vowed not to spend any money on his campaign nor accept any donations. He is making himself available for any media interview requests, however, and attending public meetings to discuss his beliefs.
David Shebib of Saanich is the third name on the ballot for mayor of Colwood, but as published previously in the Gazette, he is running in all 13 municipalities.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
