ItB次元官网网址檚 double or nothing for former Sooke councillor Herb Haldane as heB次元官网网址檒l appear twice on this fallB次元官网网址檚 civic election ballot.

Haldane, a house builder and longtime Sooke resident, will file to run for both Sooke councillor and director for the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not a politician. IB次元官网网址檓 practical and pragmatic and I think I represent regular people,B次元官网网址� said Haldane, a two-term Sooke councillor before losing to Maja Tait in the 2014 mayoralty race.

The civic election is Oct. 20.

Haldane, 54, sat on the sidelines for the last four years waiting for his chance to get back into local politics. He regularly attends Sooke council meetings.

He said the council is divided on issues and many recent decisions have been done for political reasons.

B次元官网网址淭he tail wags the dog up there. ItB次元官网网址檚 worse than its ever been,B次元官网网址� Haldane said.

Haldane questions many of the councilB次元官网网址檚 decisions, including spending on projects not tendered properly and which do not follow district policies and bylaws or even the expectations of the provincially-mandated Local Government Act.

And he puts most of the councilB次元官网网址檚 failings on the back of the mayor.

B次元官网网址淪he (Tait) hasnB次元官网网址檛 looked after how business is done up there on any level, hasnB次元官网网址檛 delegated any responsibility to any councillors or staff and has no committees involving the public,B次元官网网址� Haldane said. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 let staff do whatever they want, however they want, and when they want without delegating authority.B次元官网网址�

Haldane, who has a reputation of a bully (a notoriety he dismisses and says heB次元官网网址檚 blunt in his assessments and B次元官网网址渢ells it like it isB次元官网网址�), said he hopes to fix whatB次元官网网址檚 wrong at municipal hall.

He would like to see more transparency brought to the council and the re-establishment of the development and finance committees (both started under former mayor Wendal Milne).

Haldane would also like to see more done to create affordable housing in Sooke, and other social issues.

Over in the Juan de Fuca, Haldane will run against incumbent Mike Hicks.

He said Hicks has done a B次元官网网址渞easonable job.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淢ike was acclaimed last time. In a democracy, we need need choices and someone needs to run against him,B次元官网网址� Haldane said.

B次元官网网址淗e has a pretty good following and I donB次元官网网址檛 have any false hopes that IB次元官网网址檓 going to turn out to be some savior in the end.B次元官网网址�

And Haldane would like a seat at the CRD, pointing out regionally the only way to make change is at the CRD board table.

B次元官网网址淭he CRD is a bunch of dinosaurs thatB次元官网网址檝e been there for 20 years. They have no fresh ideas, no practical ideas. So, the only way to change as a region is by getting some new people on there,B次元官网网址� he said.

So, what if Haldane is elected to both positions?

HeB次元官网网址檒l take both on and rely more heavily on his alternate director for help with his CRD duties, but admits heB次元官网网址檒l be putting more effort to get elected as a Sooke councillor.

He said heB次元官网网址檚 finding support for his council run.

B次元官网网址淚 think IB次元官网网址檒l get lots of support from people who just want somebody up there whose willing to say what needs to be said.B次元官网网址�

But heB次元官网网址檚 also pragmatic to understand he might not win either election B次元官网网址� and thatB次元官网网址檚 OK too.

HeB次元官网网址檒l continue to sit on the Sooke Community Association board and volunteer at the legion and with other community groups.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going to stay engaged,B次元官网网址� Haldane said.