A8 • www.goldstreamgazette.com
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - GOLDSTREAM
Welcome to the first of three issues featuring Q&As with municipal candidates. Today has Langford and Colwood. The Nov. 11 issue features Metchosin and View Royal candidates. The Nov. 16 issue features SD 62 trustee candidates.
NEWS GAZETTE
Civic elections Nov. 19
COLWOOD COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Name
Judith Cullington
Cynthia Day
Age
54
50
Occupation
Sustainability consultant.
Office worker.
Political experience
Colwood councillor since 2008, alternate CRD director for Colwood.
Four terms Colwood council. Serving on 12 committees including parks, finance, heritage, disability issues, Family Court and Youth Justice.
Community/ volunteer activities
Served on Colwood parks committee since 2004, on Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative since 2001. Founded Urban Forest Stewardship Initiative and Colwood Association for Smart Growth.
Pacific Centre Family Services Association, Scouting, committee’s and citizens groups.
Which municipality do you live in?
Colwood, 17 years.
What are the top problems or key concerns in your municipality?
Teresa Harvey
Owner, principal consultant, Acion Consulting.
Gordie Logan
Shari Lukens
Duane MacNeill
40
48
49
Supervisor, Vancouver Island Health Authority.
Project management, advocacy work with BC Family Compensation Act.
Purchasing manager for Wholesale Security.
Councillor for 12 years. Chair of CRD emergency services telecommunications. Chair protective services committee.
Some federal and provincial campaigns.
Past president Victoria Multicultural Society. Volunteer advocate for families with children and young adults with developmental disabilities.
Member of the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation.
Various non-profit organizations and other volunteer work.
Colwood, 25 years.
Moved to Colwood this year.
Colwood, 16 years.
Colwood, 2.5 years.
Colwood, 24 years.
Until recently, unfair sewer taxation was a major concern. The promise of ‘zero tax increase’ is unrealistic and insulting to the public’s intelligence. Creating a diversified tax base. Creating opportunities for youth.
Reinvigorating democratic process, increase voter turnout and ensure accountability. Water and sewers need to remain public utilities to ensure citizens retain control over taxes. Citizen involvement needs to be encouraged.
Government must be transparent and fiscally responsible. Excessive tax increases must end. Building community infrastructure. Protecting natural heritage while balancing economic growth.
Taxes, beautification, sewers.
Colwood still has a reputation of being difficult to do business with. Reducing transportation demands. Taxes and fiscal responsibility.
Erratic and excessive taxation. Local development in crisis. Lack of information available to the citizens.
How would you solve them?
Let people know taxes should rise reasonably with the cost of living, while keeping expenses in check. At budget time, provide good information and let the public say what services they want cut or kept. New developments will create commercial space, attract businesses and create jobs. Solar Colwood is creating new jobs/skill sets for the future-focused economy.
I want to bring video back to council meetings, linked to our agendas on our website. This could be done within the existing budget for producing minutes with time savings for staff. Sewer costs will have to be reviewed carefully to ensure that new entrants to the system are paying enough to keep the system sustainable.
Make sure that citizens have access to information that is complete, accurate, and timely. Get Municipal Auditor General to review our finances. Seek ways to reduce taxes. We need better financial management. We need to streamline our development process. We need to address issues such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, inadequate street lighting.
To keep taxes to a minimum, we need to increase our business tax base. An increased tax base through development increases our ability to afford beautification. With the recent successes on the sewer front, we are well on our way to fixing the system. The city needs to reach out to neighbourhoods interested in hooking up, reducing existing users sewer fees.
Work with City staff to improve our internal systems and eliminate red tape. Encourage new development in line with OCP, which enables people to live, work and play in their neighbourhoods. We need to get our priorities straight, and that starts with more dynamic public engagement and improved transparency for the taxpayer.
Erratic taxation, double digit, then zero in an election year does not inspire investment and puts a heavy burden on the citizens. I would not support any tax increase in the first year and not more than cost of living in the following two years. Citizens need full disclosure on how our money is spent. City hall should not be working behind a veil of secrecy.
What would you do on council to improve your community?
Continue to build productive partnerships with community leaders and businesses. Continue to implement the official community plan. Provide greater accountability by webcasting council and budget meetings. Continue the Solar Colwood program to reduce energy bills for homeowners and businesses. Work to create an arts and cultural centre with the new Royal Bay school.
I will work hard to bring good information to the table and listen to what people want for their neighbourhoods. I will continue to help our community volunteers as an active participant in committee meetings and community events. I will respect all points of view and listen to those affected by council initiatives.
I will investigate public and private partnerships to reduce costs. I want to enter into a dialogue with Colwood’s citizens where we both have a chance to engage, listen to and understand each other through social media, an interactive website and meetings. We need to explore ways to work with the business community to ensure that the jobs we have remain, while we create an attractive environment to entice new employers to move to our community.
We need to talk about our community like it is the best place on earth – literally. As a councillor, I’ve always boasted about the natural amenities that are offered. We need to continue to develop in a way that is sustainable, and give residents access to services within their own backyard. A positive attitude goes along way.
Review City administrative systems and processes to ensure they meet today’s customer service needs. Implement a new City website that is inviting and easy to navigate. We can use this powerful technology to help educate the public about council objectives. Actively engage our people — fostering a more open, inclusive and united civic culture, where we can share and celebrate our successes and work together to overcome our community’s challenges.
Focus on smaller issues by neighbourhood, ensuring local concerns such as lighting, pathways, bicycle routes are actually done. We are out of focus with residents and this must change.
How do you normally get around (car, bus, bike, walk, other)?
Bike, bus or car-pool as much as possible, or use my small fuel-efficient car.
I take the bus downtown when I can. I use the car the most, so I try to minimize trips by combining chores.
Car, public transit, walk and run.
Walk and scooter.
Car, bike and walk.
Motorcycle 365 days a year, except in snow, then I hitchhike.