David Hocking
Running for: Councillor
Occupation: Semi-retired, consulting
How long have you lived on Bowen?: 20 years
Who inspires you? (Alive, dead, fictional, local, national, international - anyone): My grandchildren, David Attenborough, Monty Python
Please list any current and past committees you've been a part of and how long you served on each (in list form).: Municipal current: Advisory Planning Commission (3.5 years), Transportation Advisory Committee (3.5 years), Environment and Climate Action Committee (3 months). Past: Sustainable Community Working Group (2 years), Sustainable Community Advisory Committee (5 years). Other community committees e.g. current: Defend Island Forests Steering Committee. Past: Bowen Island Conservancy
What are your priorities if elected (beyond housing or transportation.): Protecting Crown Lands by removing logging threat; clustering homes in new developments; completing community centre, firehall and health centre while living within our means.
Housing is emerging as one of the top issues of this election - what would you specifically do to address the lack of affordable and/or rental housing?: Townhomes, duplexes, apartments on leased or sold Community Lands through two approaches: facilitate partnerships with non-profits, BC Housing and developers to build mix of subsidized and market homes. Refine zoning, set standards, call for expressions of interest to Bowen developers, assess options, opportunities; address issues, barriers. Housing agreements to maintain affordablity.
How would you address the animal control issues of deer and skunks on-island?: Skunks, very challenging. Laws prohibit killing or relocating beyond 500 metres. Learn to coexist? Deer: consider contraceptives like in Victoria's Oak Bay?
What ideas do you have for managing Bowen's tourism tensions?: Tourists are great. Tourists with cars-clogging Cove not so much. Encourage walk-on visitors and offer incentives to patronize businesses. Increase ferry traffic marshalling. Implement wide information campaign on ferry line procedures and etiquette for all visitors – and hope it helps.
Air BnB - yes or no? Why?: There are two valid, opposing arguments: 1. Air BnB is eliminating some long-term rentals. 2. Air BnB provides critical mortgage helper for some. We need more data to sort this out. We also need to regulate to ensure personal safety and issues like water/septic capacity.
In a campaign (so far) characterized by candidates agreeing with one another-what do you feel is at stake in this election?: Ability to deliver results. Many things are easy to promise, tough to deliver, e.g. housing and protecting Crown Lands. Need knowledge, experience, teamwork skills.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/davidforbowen/
Website address: https://www.davidhocking.ca
