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NEWS GAZETTE
ELECTION 2014: We hear from candidates for council in Metchosin, Highlands and View Royal /A3, A5 ARTS: Four Seasons unveils The Secret Garden /A9 SPORTS: Belmont volleyballers ready for Islands /A26
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
www.goldstreamgazette.com
Final chance to beat rush to the polls
View Royal, community say so long
Advance voting is available again today Angela Cowan News Gazette staff
Town’s retiring mayor Graham Hill flourished once he found his voice
“For me, what we see when you look at his support; yes, he has his support on the political side, and dealing with the chief, but he also supports the guys on the ground level. He still comes by for a coffee and a chat. He kind of touched the organization on all levels.” Speaking to firefighters is one thing, but speaking to regional public bodies and residents with deep concern over their way of life is quite another.
Today (Nov. 12) is the second and last opportunity for voters to beat the crowds and cast their ballots early in the 2014 municipal elections. Advance voting stations are at the municipal halls for Langford, Colwood, Metchosin and View Royal. Highlands has its advance station at the community hall. The stations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The first advance voting day last Wednesday (Nov. 5) saw less than a thousand people cast their ballots throughout the West Shore. Langford, Metchosin and View Royal all had similar turnout, with 134, 114 and approximately 150 voters, respectively. Colwood had the highest response just by sheer numbers with roughly 200 residents heading to the first polls, and Highlands turned out 70 early birds. Getting out to the advance polls can be a good way to beat the crowd and can offer a less stressful experience for those who may have mobility issues and need a bit more time.
PLEASE SEE: Hill enjoyed politics’ give and take, Page A34
PLEASE SEE: Advance polls, Page A10
Don Descoteau News Gazette staff
Not long after he became mayor of View Royal in 2002, Graham Hill had occasion to attend a volunteer firefighters association banquet. Upon being introduced, the fledgling politician was booed, a reaction to the municipality’s moves to change the way the fire department operated. Hill was shocked at the reaction, but recognized he had a steep learning curve to understand the culture of the town and its various enclaves. “We had made a statement of what View Royal was going to be by investing in equipment and training,” the soon-to-be “retired” mayor recalled during a sit-down interview inside a busy Four Mile restaurant. Plans to move what was then perceived as a club-like volunteer department toward one with a more professional feel was not well received at the time. How times change. When Hill and partner Gery Lemon
Photo contributed
View Royal Mayor Graham Hill offers up a hearty salute, wearing the personalized fire helmet bestowed upon him by members of the View Royal Fire Department earlier this fall, when Hill was made an honourary life member of the department. attended the annual banquet of the same organization earlier this fall, the mayor was made an honourary lifetime member of the department and given his own firefighter’s helmet. The department’s current fire inspector, Lt. Robert Marshall, wasn’t at the original gathering, but has been around the department almost as long as Hill has been mayor. Marshall said the mayor has been “an outstanding supporter of this organization,” not least of which was through the public information sessions and subsequent referendum for the new public safety building.
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