Juan de Fuca: All Candidates Meeting Sept 30, 2018

Race for Juan de Fuca Regional Director sees Hicks and Yates address land use issues

by Mary P Brooke – West Shore Voice News

Monday, October 1 ~ JUAN de FUCA. At the All Candidates Meeting for Juan de Fuca Regional Director held on Sunday, September 30, about 60 people in attendance had an opportunity to hear from three-term (10-year) regional director incumbent Mike Hicks and candidate Daniel Yates.

Hicks said there have been “many positive changes” in the Juan de Fuca District under his leadership, including purchase of the lands from Sandcut Beach to Jordan River, building the Juan de Fuca Services Building, being part of the artificial turf field installation in Sooke, being part of the golf course purchase by SEAPARC (shared Sooke and Juan de Fuca), and acquiring use of a portion of William Simmons Park in Otter Point.

Hicks was also a catalyst toward success of the Sooke library land deal between the District of Sooke and the Vancouver Island Regional Library board

Hicks also highlighted his continued support of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society in their pursuit of lighthouse ownership and development of the CRD-park that surrounds the property.

In typical Hicks style, he came right to the point: “Land use issues have always been at the root of our residents’ discontent”. He was pleased to report that JdF has an elected Land Use Committee rep from each community (Kemp Lake, Shirley, Otter Point) and that each community now has its own Official Community Plan.

Hicks was pleased to remind the politically-aware audience that the CRD Regional Growth Strategy was amended in Juan de Fuca’s favour earlier this year, regarding water rights.

“I have always tried to understand what my constituents want and have tried my best to build it, support it, or change the system to make it happen,” Hicks claimed. He said that a good working relationship with the Premier (who is MLA for the riding) and the mayor of Sooke have facilitated Juan de Fuca’s success in recent years.

Daniel Yates grew up in the Kemp Lake area when there was no bus and few services. Now at age 35, he has a world view that watches out for ‘the little guy’ in communities and small business. “The free market applies to everyone except individuals,” he pronounced. He said that “local government truly supports those who support the backbone of this society.”

Yates said that bylaws are a general guideline and supports in principle the use of variances so that people can use their own land effectively.

“We have a community full of capable people,” said Yates, adding that he would strive to find common goals. He hopes that more young voters will turn out for the election on October 20.

All Candidates Meeting September 30, 2018 hosted by OPSRRA. From left: Neil Poirier (SD62 trustee incumbent), Britt Santowski (SD62 trustee candidate), Daniel Yates (JdF Director candidate), Margot Swinburnson (SD62 trustee incumbent), Mike Hicks (JdF Director incumbent), Allison Watson (SD62 trustee candidate), Bob Phillips (SD62 trustee incumbent). [West Shore Voice News photo]

School trustee candidates for Milne’s Landing Zone (SD62) were also part of the meeting. While Director candidates spoke first, the visual mix (from the audience perspective) was a blend of Director and trustee candidates. See separate article about the trustee speeches [link to come].

School trustees for the Milne’s Landing Zone of SD62 (i.e. Sooke and Juan de Fuca voters), are Bob Phillips (incumbent), Neil Poirier (incumbent), Britt Santowski, Margot Swinburnson (incumbent), and Allison Watson.

The meeting was hosted by the Otter Point, Shirley and Jordan River Resident and Ratepayers Association (OPSRRA), moderated by OPSRRA President Bill Dushenko. There was full audience participation for questions. The meeting lasted over two hours, the Juan de Fuca Services Building in Otter Point.