1. What triggered you to make this step and run for municipal office?
Running for Council and Islands Trust seemed natural this time around, having been deeply involved for over 15 years in community life already. Also our son had moved on to university so I have more time. I’m keen to continue.
2. What common ground do you share with the other candidates running in this election?
I expect all candidates share a love for our beautiful island. It’s the diversity of perspectives that I am interested in. Like stone soup, let’s put a nice chunk of Bowen shale in the pot. Then add our official community plan, a heaping tablespoon of respect, six cups of community engagement, lots of other ingredients and whatever each councillor can contribute. That’s how to make good governance soup.
3. What are your top three priorities for Bowen?
My top priority is to preserve and protect the quality of life on Bowen Island.
To do this, we need to manage growth well. I can support and have supported projects on a scale appropriate to our island, balanced with parks and trails for visitors and citizens to stay in close touch with nature. Development should not result in increased taxes and water rates. And let’s let community projects into the queue so people in all walks of life can benefit from the changes.
The Islands Trust is another priority for me. They are showing real leadership on BC Ferries problems and other real and potential issues. They protected Fairy Fen as a nature reserve—they listen and work with community partners. And synching our municipal maps with their online GIS MapIT system would be useful for everyone, in my view. Working together with other island communities is another benefit. I’d like to ensure that Bowen makes the best use of the Trust’s services and initiatives.
4. Tell me about the community work you have done that you are most proud of.
Community work I am most proud of … well, I chaired the recent official community plan steering committee, and am very happy with the work we did in leading such an open collaborative process, with over 700 participants in all. A solid plan resulted, pointing the way to a sustainable future. Let’s use this plan. It’s a fine way of respecting the input and aspirations of Bowen Islanders.
Then there are the fun and productive years of protecting public beaches, creating and connecting trails, the bike park, dedications for the golf course and parks. Quarry Park, was a highlight that I was able to work closely with developer John Reid and others to establish and restore. Parks are for everyone, and forever.
More recently I was founding chair of the Greenways Advisory Committee; such a talented and dedicated group of volunteers. Islanders recognized the need six years ago for a committee that could work towards a connected system of these, including wildlife corridors, using trails to link everything up. By working closely with developers and the municipality, and thinking carefully about where and how connections could be made, we maintained the green oasis and “Island of Walks” that Bowen is. We have a twenty-year track record on greenways in the broad sense, and I want to
And did I mention helping to produce berries and vegetables on Collins Farm? More for the soup.
Education is a passion for me too, and while my professional life has moved on, I have kept my hand in leading the odd program for BICS, IPS, the Learning Centre, continuing education and recreation, events, and producing self-guided materials including the award-winning Teaching Trails learning excursions kit for BICS teachers. Connecting with Bowen Islanders of all ages, and introducing them to this remarkable place that we get to call home is a delight. I have also had the privilege of working with some of Bowen’s excellent film makers on education projects beyond Bowen.
In my work in environmental education and heritage interpretation, I sometimes help communities and park agencies decide where to put viewpoints, interpretive signs and trails, and where to offer learning programs. Currently I am contributing towards an education plan for the greenbelt that runs through the city of Ottawa, for example.
5. How will you work to make council open to the concerns and ideas of all Bowen Islanders?
I want to listen, and I want to act on what we hear. Look for more workshops and outreach techniques if I am elected, such as the ones that resulted in such a high level of input to our official community plan update, which contains the concerns and ideas of so many of us. I will invite everyone on Bowen to refer to this plan, so that community wishes are clear. And I will aim for a cross-section of citizens on municipal committees and working groups, respect for volunteers, and transparency.
6. What do you love most about living on Bowen Island?
What do I love most about living here? It has been a wonderful place to raise our child, and it’s full of friends and characters, nature and special places. I love that Bowen Island is quirky, close and caring, lively and yet a retreat, healthy, rare, delightful and authentic. It’s a beautiful soup.
