Unofficial Results

"I agree with all those who believe the Islands Trust is one of the best ideas our provincial government ever had. I fully support its mandate to preserve and protect one of the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family. We're an innovative, creative community of many strengths. Let's keep it that way."

The vitriolic attacks on our trustees have to stop. When I returned from the Middle East in 2007, I was looking for a peaceful, laid back, island paradise – but our local government scene was fast becoming divisive. In the same way that I have been able to re-invent myself from university professor to cheese-maker, Salt Spring can re-invent and return itself to its earlier image as a diverse, inclusive and safe community. I have the willingness to serve, and I would be really grateful if you would help me return our island to the peaceful and model refuge it was and deserves to be.

Working Guy
I am a working man, and if elected plan to continue to work part-time as a cheese maker. I am acutely aware of the need for affordable housing and green transportation. I believe that our youth should be listened to more, and our elders' wisdom appreciated. I believe that local food production should be promoted and that there is an undeniable linkage between our agricultural community and one of the larger employers on the island: tourism. I have worked in the Saturday market and know all about the hard work it takes to pack on Friday afternoons and set up at the crack of dawn on Saturday. I believe that Salt Spring needs a permanent covered market and I will facilitate any local initiatives on that front.

Environment and Economy
There is no economy without a healthy environment. I agree with the Islands Trust mandate to preserve and protect all of our values: our environment, our jobs and our people.  We must adopt some form of Riparian Areas Regulation; this is a provincial requirement. I will not prejudge the outcome, but rather plan to apply my knowledge of international relations, diplomacy and conflict resolution to our community's debates on balancing development with environmental protection.  I am confident that by engaging in a respectful dialogue process and by listening to one another's concerns we can build a broad community support on this and other pressing issues.