New village council sworn in

The newly elected members of the Tahsis village council were sworn in on Tuesday. They are from left to right Councillor Bill Elder, Councillor Sarah Fowler, Mayor Martin Davis, Councillor Lynda Llewellyn, Councillor Josh Lambert. We wish them the best in their work.

Tahsis had highest voter turnout in municipal elections

https://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/news?newsid=7436&fbclid=IwAR3cL6y_nxlP4cmf4pdGTI1OrwwXeVr2z39imMeLZp6wt3RZX7DG6EnnEHs

Municipal Election Results

Highlights indicated elected.
MAYOR
Martin Davis         112 Votes             50%
Brenda Overton       68 votes             30.4%
Dave McIntosh         40 votes            17.4%

Coucillor
Josh Lambert             176 votes               78.6%
Bill Elder                   171 votes               76.3%
Lynda Llewellyn        163 votes               72.8%
Sarah Fowler              123 votes               54.9%
Doug Elliot                   84 votes               37.5%
Jeff Lancaster               53 votes              23.7%
Carol Finnie                  44 votes              19.6%

Ride to the poll on Saturday

If you need a ride to vote on Saturday, email me olson.stephanie2009@gmail.com and we will find a time that works.

Election night party

Notice of Election by Voting

I've worked an election before and know that even if you know the person, you must ask them for proper ID as listed on the second page. Please make things go smoothly by bringing the required ID. Click to enlarge image.

Statement by council candidate Josh Lambert

1. What made you decide to run in this election? Several members of the outgoing council have suggested that I should run for council during the time I’ve lived in Tahsis, as have neighbours and several of my fellow candidates. I decided to run for council because I have invested my life into Tahsis with our project up at Tahsis Farm, and committing my future to Tahsis like this means I care deeply about the decisions that will shape the village’s future. I’m running for council because I want to do everything I can to ensure that the village remains stable, and sees an appropriate amount of growth in terms of economic prosperity and year-round population. 2.What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office?   I grew up in Sooke, another Vancouver Island fishing and logging town with a similar story to Tahsis. I have a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from the University of Victoria, with a double major in anthropology and environmental studies. I also have a diploma in the humanities and a diploma in intercultural education and training. Doing thorough, complete research into a problem before deciding on the best all-round solution is my approach to life. University gave me formal training in terms of research skills and communication, and taught me to work well on complex research projects in groups of 4-6, which sounds a lot like council. My degree also instilled in me a healthy respect for our colonial past and present important for contributing positively to the progress made by the outgoing council on building a relationship of mutual respect with the Mowachaht Muchalaht and other First Nations around us. From 2014-2016 I built a successful business in a rural oceanfront community that provided a destination and draw for tourism. My dad and a family friend and I bought an old disused restaurant building and renovated it into an oceanfront pizzeria and gallery. One take-home insight from this experience was that people want a reason take a long drive to a beautiful place - we created that from a derelict building, a great pizza recipe, and a bit of love. Whether it’s increasing tourism, or inspiring young families to move to Tahsis and build our community, bringing new people in year-round to a place that’s a little far out is a challenge I’ve explored before. Since moving to Tahsis I’ve started working in the forestry industry, thanks to my wonderful partner Carla who convinced me to try tree planting. This has been a great opportunity to be a part of the industry that Tahsis was built on. I’d like to find ways to make sure Tahsis benefits from the logging that’s still going on around us, and ensure industry is paying its fair share to maintain and improve our roads and infrastructure. I consider myself to be a good listener, an objective thinker, and an empathetic and inclusive person who considers the needs and perspectives of others. 3. What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it? The most important issue I see facing Tahsis is population. Tahsis has a lot of buildings and homes that sit empty, either all winter or year round. If our community is going to thrive and grow, we need to encourage more year-round residents, particularly young people and families. More year-round residents means more businesses, better health services, and more possibilities. I believe Tahsis is well positioned to attract the growing demographic of people who are able to work remotely, who seek an affordable lifestyle and good work-life balance. I think it’s important to work toward creating new jobs here in town, but I think that the low-hanging fruit in terms of economic development is to simply continue making the town more attractive to new residents who bring their own source of income with them. My priorities for making Tahsis more accessible to new residents will be to increase available rental housing, clean up derelict properties, improve access to fresh food and encourage local food production, and find ways to continue to improve the road into town and ensure good road conditions as often as possible. To increase rental housing, I will look into options for taxing empty homes, but also ways to reward and encourage owners who choose to make their property available for rent. I believe in positive reinforcement. I see derelict properties in two categories: Tahsis residents who aren’t able to maintain their homes, and non-resident owners leaving their properties empty. For residents particularly, I would like to explore positive solutions - how can the village and the community help and encourage people to repair and maintain their homes? I’m willing to show up with tools. For empty commercial properties providing an eyesore instead of a service, tax increases or fines might be appropriate, but positive incentives should also be explored. Ensuring that public trails are properly maintained is a third priority in this area. I’d like to imagine that Tahsis could be the village that feeds itself. At Tahsis Farm, our food goals are to be as self sufficient as possible, and I’d like the same thing for Tahsis. Food security is increasingly important to younger generations, and Tahsis’s slight isolation means a captive market for anyone producing food here in town. Aside from Tahsis Farm there have been several proposals put forward for small farming projects, and I would look for every reasonable way the Village can support those if I am on council. Finding ways to make Village-owned lands available for use or sale for prospective farmers or gardeners is a part of this. Regarding the road, our village sees a fair amount of industrial traffic that comes from outside, passes through, and leaves again. On council I will explore ways to ensure that industry pays its fair share for our infrastructure, so that Tahsis citizens are not subsidizing logging companies based outside of town. Perhaps Village roads should not be free for outside industrial traffic. I believe strongly that communities are built and grown by word of mouth and personal connection. Bringing more young people looking to start their lives into our village, even just to visit or work for a summer, spreads awareness of this place we love and inspires people who want to come be a part of it with us. Employers like Westview Marina and Nootka Reforestation have been a big part of this, and it’s one of the goals of our project up at Tahsis Farm. On council I’ll look into innovative ways the village can contribute to this, through opening up accommodation options, opportunities for artists and gardeners, supporting local music events, improving access to surf breaks and trails, internships, educational partnerships, and other ideas. 4. Any additional comments you would like to make? When I first came to Tahsis it felt like a place full of possibilities. The outgoing council had a part in enabling that feeling, and my greatest fear with a changing council is that Tahsis could no longer be open to possibilities, or that the new leadership might drastically change course in some way. If I’m elected, I promise to work toward positive, stable growth and progress, but also to do my best to make Tahsis a place where things are possible.

Non-resident property elector consent form

Non-resident property owners in Tahsis can vote if they are BC residents, Canadian citizens and 18 years or older. Only one of the owners of a property can vote and must do so in person in Tahsis. The following form must be filled out by property owners in order to designate a voter on behalf of your property. If you have any questions, phone the village office 250-934-6344.

Statement by council candidate Jeff Lancaster

1. What made you decide to run in this election?

I have run for office because as a resident of Tahsis I want to be part of developing Tahsis economy and give back to the township that I have been a part of for 9 years.

2. What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office?

My background as a welfare worker in the downtown eastside of Vancouver coupled with my university education in business administration with a major in marketing. I would be of asset to the the Tahsis community and to the Tahsis office.

3. What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?

The development of local economy is paramount to me. I wish to develop local economy through the implementation of a computer voting application. This application gives every resident the ability to vote on any and all council issues 24/7.

Statement by mayoral candidate Brenda Overton

1. What made you decide to run in this election?

My response to your first question is as to why I decided to run? Or stand? In this election is 

pretty simple, my 7 years foundation of learning making mistakes and the final 3 years seeing the successes we have accomplished I.e. the relationship with Mowachat/Muchowlat 1st nation is why our Coast Guard made Tahsis its home. The ATV trail from Tahsis to Zeballos with both Mowachat/Muchowlat and Ehattesaht/Chinehkint 1st nations partnerships that benefit all communities, since I arrived all I heard was Tahsis is never going to get anything done on Head Bay road, perseverance added 13 km of chip seal, building relationships with ministers and stakeholders got that done and I don't believe we stop there. The the 3 million dollars we've acquired to address our infrastructure.  We have become the top most 40 places to live. With my experience and love of Tahsis how could I walk away without sharing my knowledge and contacts and great relationships that have added so much to our Tahsis? 

2. What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office? 

As to your second question, my experience,  15 years managing my husband's contracting business, volunteering has given me community knowledge and social conscience, my 7 years on council, various boards, being part of a team that has brought around 6 million dollars in grant money, Tahsis has never seen that. Since the passing of our Mayor, I have taken over her duties and appointments with Hospital and Solid Waste, Regional boards where I  speak for Tahsis best interest.

3. What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?

I believe replacing infrastructure and building a viable economy is our major concerns. Without water and sewer we have no Tahsis, I will continue to access grant funding, build a viable financial reserve to maintain and replace our sorely neglected infrastructure.  As for our economy, I want to hear from my community as to what they would like to see in their Tahsis.  

Statement by mayoral candidate Martin Davis

1. What made you decide to run in this election?

I truly believe that I have the skill set, knowledge and experience necessary to create positive change in Tahsis.  The decline in our infrastructure and the steep tax burden on the citizens of Tahsis needs to be reversed and this will only happen by bringing in investment and creating an environment where more people are willing and financially able to live in Tahsis full time.  Many ideas need to be explored or just restarted such as establishing a community forest around town, bringing in investment in our dormant shellfish aquaculture leases, broadening our tourism base, and making village-owned lands available for sale in order to increase our food security.  I should also say that many people have been lobbying me to run again as they also feel that I am qualified to actually bring progress to Tahsis.

2. What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office?

I have experience on Tahsis council which has given me a strong grasp of the issues here.  I have learned through experience what works and doesnt work for this community.  My work experience includes decades in the forest industry, management planning and environmental studies for government and industry, running a sewing business here, and bat research.  For the last four years I have been coordinator for a bat research program across western Canada (Batcaver.org) with an annual budget of about $250,000.  This includes planning, coordination, funding, logistics, field work, data analysis, writing reports, and media releases.  Through my environmental research, I have successfully lobbied to protect rare ecosystems in BC.  Weymer Creek Provincial Park and BC's first Wildlife Habitat Area just across the inlet from Tahsis are direct results of my work. I have developed many contacts in the BC government over the years and will be meeting soon with Premier Horgan regarding the McKelvie logging issue. I am the president of the Tahsis Heritage Society which runs the museum and I am also a director of the national Canadian Cave Conservancy. So, I have strong organizational skills and lots of experience with running meetings, lobbying and dealing with bureaucracy.

3. What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?

I would have to say economic development, because we cant fix our infrastructure or stave off bankruptcy without more investment in this town.  I have suggested a few ideas for this in the first question but would also like to hear input from community members regarding this. Raising our profile beyond Tahsis will go a long way toward achieving economic self-sufficiency.

4. Any additional comments you would like to make?

Community building is from the ground up and the best I can do to serve this community is to use leadership to cut through the bureaucratic inertia that has stymied our efforts so far.  Another community building effort I would like to see is establishing a local radio station to showcase our talent, engage the students, and use for announcing community events and safety issues.

The McKelvie Matters campaign which I cofounded is important to our future as we are talking about maintaining our access to safe water, reducing flood risks to town, saving our last unlogged watershed, protecting salmon and endangered species.  We also want to eliminate the risk of slides from the planned roadbuilding and logging directly above town, which puts the safety of our school and town at risk from rockfalls.  The fact that the logging has been delayed a year and that Premier Horgan has agreed to meet with me and discuss these issues is a positive first step, but as mayor, I could be much more effective in representing our concerns.

I love living in Tahsis and to this end have built many trails in the area, including the Leiner Boardwalk Trail.  Anything that can be done to bring the great beauty of Tahsis to tourists is worthy of consideration.

I am a strong believer in community self-reliance and security.  This means producing more local food, shellfish aquaculture, locally milled lumber, enhancing our planning and response to natural disasters, and improving our services to seniors so that they can live their lives in our village with dignity.

Statement by council candidate Lawanda (Carol) Finnie

1.  What made you decide to run in this election?

I decided to run in the election this time mostly because so many here in town want me to , and I thought if so many others think I might be able to make a difference, well maybe I can or will at the very least give it my best. This is my home and everyone here is important to me .

2.  What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office?

I do have a college degree in business administration,  and ran my own business in the lower mainland for 13 years, with as many as 12 employees at any givin time. I was asked even then to run for MLA for New Westminister but was way to busy to take on such a job at that time. 

3. What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?

Here in Tahsis we are facing many different issues so it is difficult to put my finger on just one at this time, there’s everything from the water and sewer, roads,  sidewalks, school, community center just to name a few. All I can promise at this time is that I would do my best to meet all and any concerns from the public, I will always be willing to listen to new ideas in order to serve all of you.

Statement by council candidate Bill Elder

1.  What made you decide to run in this election?

A man I hold in high esteem felt I would be a sane voice and asked me to consider running. I have had discussions with many people and decided I have something to offer Tahsis. I have through my union experience been given a firm foundation in the political arena. 

2.  What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office?

I served on union committee for over 20yrs in every capacity, trustee, Supervisor for 16 + years, my wife and I raised 6 children here in Tahsis. Education I received and resolves in all aspects of this journey will be an asset when it comes to Village issues. I am honest to a fault and I am forth right in speaking, never afraid to tackle issue.

3. What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?

 I find this an impossible question. It is not I who picks the " most important issue" . This is the people of Tahsis decision, they will decide what that issue may be and direct council to act upon those wishes. Once that position is made then it is up to council to expend their resources to achieve that goal. I would hope that the proposed logging in our valley and watershed is one issue, the other I would hope would be some type of industrial employment, another the TFL in which Western holds. 

4. Any additional comments you would like to make?

 There are many issues facing Tahsis, some the out going council have addressed. It is for me, if elected to learn what they did or did not do and proceed from there. I do not believe in spending money we don't have, raising taxes to pay for everything is NOT an option.

Try and make Tahsis an even better place to live. All people, all businesses must be on an equal basis.

Whom ever gets elected will be new to Tahsis council. They will need the town people's patience and understanding, They have alot to consume in a short period of time without any prior council leadership.

Statement by council candidate Lynda Llewellyn

1. What made you decide to run in this election?

I started attending council meetings in January to see how the process worked and to understand what is involved in being a councilor. After much thought, discussion with my husband and encouragement within the community I decided to run in this election. 

2. What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office?

I have a lot of years experience in the non profit sector as a volunteer and as an employee. That experience taught me a lot about how funding works and how little discretionary money is available. How funding works at the municipal level is very similar to the non profit sector. I have volunteered on planning committees for both International and National Conferences. I have written funding proposals. I have worked in both an MLA's office and and MP's office. I have years of experience with public speaking and speak with passion when I believe in my subject...and I believe in Tahsis as a home and as a tourist destination. 

3. What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?

While to road is an ongoing issue it is just a piece of the puzzle to attracting people to Tahsis to visit and perhaps make it their home. Home should, in my opinion, be some place you always feel safe. Tahsis is relatively crime free so that feeling of a safe place exists here. However during the recent wildfire scare I became aware of a different threat to my feeling of safety. As I looked around at all the dry brush and grass around empty homes and lots I realized how quickly a fire would spread if it entered our village. I hear all the time accidents happen...my response is...almost all accidents are preventable if we are proactive. Besides being a fire hazard a lot of the brush around town is a great hiding spot for cougars and bears. I would like to work with my fellow council members, the fire department  and the village staff to see if there is not some way to clean the worst of these hazards before the next fire season hits us.  I am open to hearing what the community feels is the most important issue so we can make Tahsis the home town we can all be proud of for years to come.

4. Any additional comments you would like to make?

Since arriving in Tahsis a little over a year ago I have come to think of it as my home town. I have become involved with many groups and activities and even thrown 2 deck parties for the whole village. I joined the Literacy Society, the Seniors Society and the Community Garden Society and have volunteered with each of these groups. I have met a lot of people in Tahsis and I am sure we can work together to continue to make Tahsis a wonderful place to call home.

Candidates' forum

Statement by mayoral candidate Dave McIntosh

1 What made you decide to run in this election?

 In recent years the Village has taken a turn for the worst. It looks neglected, run down with no changes in sight.  We have to do something to attract new interests and to draw a wide variety of new business opportunities. We have not had a new residence built since I was last in office. Fair business practices have been over looked due to hasty decisions. Bylaws have been altered with out proper public consultation, and with out consideration of what and how big brothers (other larger cities ) have dealt with these problems to create a wise and informative solution. We are one of the very few Towns to show a zero growth line. We need to grow a larger tax base in order to stay alive. We were lucky to obtain a grant to repair some of our infrastructure, but you cannot depend on that forever. We have to work hard  and make changes for the better if this town is going to survive. We have one of the highest tax charges per invested dollars, with the least returns. Taxes continue to rise with little to show for improvements. This is one of the last generations with the highest disposable incomes that we will ever see for a long time. We have to get on board this gravy train. If we miss it, we will not have a sustainable tax base to keep this town vibrant and viable. We have all the things we need to turn Tahsis around. All that is missing is little vision, foresight and knowledge on how to do it.

 I honestly feel that I have what it will take to do it.

2 What part of your background would make you a good person in this office?

  In the past I held the Mayors seat from 2005-08  in Tahsis. I am very familiar with the vast number of Acts that regulate the functions of a municipality, on the Local Government level plus Provincial and Federal mandates. I feel comfortable working with executive staff to create interesting scenarios for bettering Tahsis. I have owned my own business in the lower mainland for many years. I worked in the mills in Tahsis  for many years doing maintenance, leading up to Charge hand position. I have conducted many services in Tahsis to aid citizens and continue to do so. I currently work for a firm located in Vancouver that carry out Federal Government contracts of varied natures. For the last five years as project superintendent, I have worked with both large, and small crews, sub contractors, different levels of DND and DCC.  I am use to being in charge and am comfortable making informative decisions. I am a grade 12 graduate with many post secondary training skills that apply to the day to day operations of  the Village . I am not afraid to work long and hard and apply all my skills to make things better  for both citizens and The Village of Tahsis.

3 What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?

  I feel that the most important issue facing Tahsis is viability. It is going to take a lot of objective management to make this town sustainable. There are going to be changes that some people will not like or understand why, and changes that will guide people to a better direction of improvement. I hope to work with staff to create a smooth, harmonious and intriguing change for the betterment of Tahsis. It is important that we keep our school, rec-centre and social structure alive. We have the means here right now to do it, so lets get started. 

4 Any additional comments you would like to make?

  I have been a resident of Tahsis for over thirty years. I have two grown children and three grand children. I have worked at, and with many different occupational positions in Tahsis and have never regretted the day that I moved here, Other than the road from time to time. My son served in Afghanistan and Bosnia with the Canadian Armed Forces, and is currently with the BC Sheriffs department. My daughter is the Corporate Executive officer of Cactus Club Restaurants. And the grand kids are there to keep challenging my skills and youthfulness. They all love to come to Tahsis for what ever activity  they can jump into, and never question why I am here. They too know a good thing.  

I hope this questions and answers notice will give an idea of where I stand and where I would like to see the Village of Tahsis end up.

Thank you to All my friends in Tahsis

Dave McIntosh

Mayoral Candidate

                                           

Statement by council candidate Sarah Fowler

1. What made you decide to run in this election?

 Why I am running for council is simple. To serve the needs of the members in this community. Humblest offerings of my compassion and fellowship here in Tahsis. With respect and integrity in  pursuit and practice of our objective, participatory local democracy.  Residents, citizens and neighbours share public spaces and values of accountability. I engage in public debate as needed but I live to serve.  My pledge is to ask for help, because it takes strength to do so and we are stronger when we pull together. I need you to tell me where you are at with respect to perspective.  As I understand it people have changing needs. But what are the needs versus the wants. They change everyday but also maintain a constant hum like a waterfall. We all have a unique understanding. Unity is a collection. A diverse spectrum of views, each sharing the knowledge and experiences we have to contribute.   It is in the spirit of collaboration and leadership that I seek office, to strive for strong ethics built on first principles.  When I first came to the village seven years ago, like many before me, I was inspired by the potential. The magic of the first white Christmas, where the fire department drove the old pumper and the lions club gave out mandarin oranges and candy.  Since then I have developed a deeper sense of the work, burden and sacrifice involved in the day to day operations in a pioneer outpost village. This summer I hosted my own visitors and made social efforts in volunteerism.  Win, lose or draw I make my personal investments and continue to support those who ask me to do so; to the best of my ability.  

2. What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office?

What I have to offer?  I started my political career on the phones, volunteering at sixteen years old to do polling in my home riding in London Ontario.  Later I studied Canadian politics at Carleton University in Ottawa. At twenty years old, I got a job as an administrative assistant working at the west block of the House of Commons. While working for the minister of immigration I sent congratulatory letters to new Canadians who lived in the member of Parliaments constituency. During this time I managed correspondence of the office and was invited to the prime minister's garden party. The liberal I worked for was in the true grit band with Jean Chrétien.  After my time on Parliament Hill I came to a more practical, less bureaucratic democracy.  Fundraising for charities and non-governmental advocacy groups, I travelled to Africa in 2006 to make a film. This experience is one that helped me to understand that the appetite for exploitation will never rest. Developing long term vision is a way I learn to avoid conflict. Diverse interest from business to stewardship. From there I found the forestry people who replant trees for the timber companies which led me to where I am now. Promoting our rainforest community to others, advocating for social programs in the hinterland.  Strategic planning and leading deliberations. My twenty ninth birthday here in Tahsis opened a chapter where I embark on nurturing and parenting. Adopt financial plan and broadly allocate resources.  Blunt decision making, simple calm and effective listening are important to me. I have been involved in the salmon enhancement, community garden and literacy society meetings.  My resolve to work through conflict with appropriate disagreement tactics and have humble and open discourse.  Hopeful but realistically looking forward to bring my skills as a communicator to rally for ecological conservation and sustainable future.

3.What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?
This is a matter of perspective.  I care about people and specializing the social services to best fit needs that arise. Make policy for the Universal improvement of humans. Maintaining the community resources. Keeping places like the school, clinic and recreation centre from being closed and making sure they are being used to their fullest potential. Tahsis has a lot to offer for such a small town and I would like to explore ways we can encourage more people to live here. Building on what we have, keeping this town alive and active. We need to bring more people to Tahsis in order to keep our facilities open. To keep our Schools open we need more families and less empty houses. To keep our clinic open we need to be considering having old age care homes for the aging baby boom generation. To keep the recreation centre open we need more people living in Tahsis who will use these facilities. Maintaining this communities infrastructure is the most important issue facing Tahsis and people gathering together is the way to address this. 



Be the change, in Tahsis.  

In solidarity, 
Sarah

Statement by council candidate James Brown

During this municipal election, each candidate has been asked to answer three questions in order to better inform voters of where they stand. This is the first post and others will follow every couple of days. According to Elections BC, these do not qualify as campaigning because they endorse no one candidate.

1. What made you decide to run in this election?

Wasn't the plan... though over the years and just recently many citizens here asked me to. With consideration, I've applied with confidence, knowing I'd serve well because of my keen research skills. I'm looking forward to reading thru thick government papers to trace out the facts that matter most to citizens here. Fact-finding, fact-checking missions are something I enjoy. I have no particular platform, though instead am interested in learning what matters most the citizens in town here and working to addressing those issues. Through this, I'm hoping to help forge a stronger dialogue between this community, our neighbours, local Nations, and government bodies.

2. What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office?

I'm headed into my 8th year in Tahsis. This has become my home. My post-secondary background, 7 years in two Liberal Arts colleges, served as a guide to help me find great insights into the fields of history, law, as well as applying pure math & logic to political discourses. The laws of nature and societies are closely connected, and tracing these connections was once my main point of study, and still one of my past-times. My background in music, as represented through the local music organization that I run -- Nootka Sounds -- is the artistic application of these skills. Such projects help keep my body & mind in shape. I read The Guardian, CBC, Al Jazeera, The Tyee, and other news sites and message boards on a daily basis, while not forgetting to keep up with everything local that I can learn about through our variety of resources we have. I understand how social media alone serves more as an echochamber of ideas, while at the same time my understanding of how to use such tools & outlets on an in-depth basis will be an asset in helping the public communicate with the office. There's a huge talent pool in Tahsis! My impression is that we needn't so much go calling for the opinions and employment of outside experts as much as we have -- we have all the resources we need right in town here! The strength of the people in this community is tremendous -- this is a hard-working town with a real unique, compelling energy. I'd like to see this energy applied in sensible, agreeable ways that give considerations not only to the moment, but also to all our futures.

3. What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?

Environmental considerations as well as the subject of growth. Running in-depth investigations and very careful considerations on how to best proceed in addressing these issues in harmonious, sustainable ways is certainly the biggest challenge we face not only locally, but as a whole civilization. I recognize that Tahsis holds a very special potential on this earth, what with the futures we face. It's important to trace what has happened throughout time by examining historical and ongoing case-studies to trace patterns. The future is very hard to predict, though history provides us with many clues we can use to help guide us. Before addressing anything directly, it's important to build models based on real-world case studies. Studying facts on issues and presenting these to the public for consideration is my ideal approach.

4. Any additional comments you would like to make?

It is with my great hope that this next election will present us with an opportunity to develop this community in ways that will help us find peace and happiness with ourselves, our neighbours, and our surroundings. This may sound like a lot of hippy nonsense, which is why I work so hard at researching scientific foundations and matters of law in order and apply reason as a basis for feelings. I've been wondering that maybe music and politics really aren't so different. Strong connections between logic, the natural world, and feelings creates some of the most compelling music -- surely considerations for reaching such balances in society help make for the strongest communities as well.

Campaign signs are okay

There was much discussion as to whether or not campaign signs could go up now or had to wait til after September 22. Here a response that Dave M. got from Elections BC.

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Williamson, Daniele EBC:EX <Daniele.Williamson@elections.bc.ca>

To: 'davebmack@yahoo.ca' <davebmack@yahoo.ca>

Sent: ‎Tuesday‎, ‎September‎ ‎18‎, ‎2018‎ ‎09‎:‎05‎:‎53‎ ‎AM‎ ‎PDT

Subject: Campaign Signs - Elections BC

Good morning Dave,

Thanks for your call. As per our conversation, according to the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA), you may set-up your campaign signs now.

Under LECFA, campaign signs, advertising, and promotions displayed prior to the campaign period during the election period, from January 1, 2018 – September 21, 2018 11:59:59 PM, do not require an authorization statement.

Authorization statements are only required on campaign signs, advertising and promotions when displayed during the campaign period. The campaign period begins on the 28th day before General Voting Day. For the General Local Election on October 20, 2018 the campaign period is September 22, 2018 12:00 AM – October 20, 2018 8:00 PM.

Authorization statement must include:

-              the  name of the financial agent

-              the words “authorized by” in front of the finical agent`s name, and

-              B.C. phone number, or B.C. mailing address, or email address 

Example of a candidate authorization statement: Authorized by Susan Wong (555) 555-5555

Every candidates, endorsed or unendorsed, must include an authorization statement.

Candidates who are acting as their own Financial Agent are still required to include the authorization statement.

There are no size requirements for the authorization statement; however, the authorization statement must be clear and readable.

The sponsorship information must be in English or understandable to readers of English. If the advertising is in another language the authorization statement must also be understandable to readers of that language. 

Certain jurisdictions have bylaws regarding when campaign signs can be displayed; please consult with the local jurisdiction.

If your signs will be placed on or near a highway, please contact the Ministry of Transportation at 250-387-3189.

Some election advertising is exempt from an authorization statement, examples include (but are not limited to): clothing, novelty items, small items like key chains, some advertisements on the internet (if the ads link to another webpage where the authorization statement is clearly visible). For more information, please see 40-48 of the Elections B.C.Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in BC for Candidates and their Financial Agents.

If you have any further question, please let us know.

Best regards,

Daniele Williamson

Compliance Specialist

Local Elections Campaign Financing

Elections BC

Candidates list

No need to guess who is running for council and mayor. This link:

https://localelections.ca/election_candidates/130_2018_candidates.html

is the official registry of who has submitted their papers.