Wed November 9, 2011 Comox Valley Record

Page 1

November 9, 2011

A division of

Vol. 26 No. 89

Record Staff

Affordable housing is a hot topic in Courtenay, and the three men vying for the mayor’s seat in the Nov. 19 municipal election had a chance to address this issue Monday night. About 250 people attended the Courtenay all-candidates’ forum at the Florence Filberg Centre featuring mayoral candidates Greg Phelps, Larry Jangula and Bill Bate — along with the 16 men and women running for a seat on council. Jangula, who has served as a councillor for nine years, is seeking the mayor’s seat for the first time. “Our city is now facing many important issues that require thorough and careful consideration; those decisions will affect our community and taxpayers for many years to come,” he said. “The city needs civic leaders that are capable of making these challenging decisions in the best interest of all of our community and not just a few. “This needs leaders who will go the extra mile to understand the issues and the impact of their decisions on our community, all the time making sure that everyone is included in the process. I believe I am one of those leaders that is capable of meeting those challenges.” Challenger Bate has lived in the Comox Valley for 32 years. “I’ve witnessed some of the same changes that many of you have,” he said. “The lines between the communities have become so blurred that it’s become difficult to tell where one begins and the other ends. We appear to be growing together, but are we really working together for the greater good? Our economic advancement and environmental sustainability depend on our focusing on shared goals and a mutual respect.” Bate believes the mayor and council and the administration

they oversee are supposed to reflect the positive in the city, but too often, there is divisiveness and indecision. Phelps is seeking a second term as mayor, and he highlighted a number of achievements in the city during his time as mayor — including the widening of Cliffe Avenue and refurbishment of the Native Sons Hall, hiring more police officers, increased support to arts and culture and the Purple Ribbon campaign. “As we get set to vote on Nov. 19, there’s really only one question: has Courtenay improved in the past three years,” he said. “Absolutely. Let’s keep up the momentum with leadership skills and a philosophy that values diverse opinions and collaboration. I offer progressive leadership that will keep the city moving ahead.” Affordable housing came up often during the forum, and candidates were asked what they consider to be affordable housing and what would they do to promote affordable housing when a developer brings forward a proposal to the city. “Affordable housing and where that line exists for all of us is quite different,” said Bate. “What an exact number, an exact line in the sand would be, it’s different to each and every person.” He believes that to attract people to the area, the City needs to create more incentives where there are additional opportunities. “To have city-based housing would be an alternative, but, of course, there are a lot of costs associated with that,” he said. Jangula felt the question should be put to the Valley’s federal and provincial representatives rather than municipal representatives. He pointed to a housing development in the Dingwall area that was started by a partnership between the federal and provincial governments and is run by the Lions Club in which people’s

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Housing hot issue for mayor hopefuls Lindsay Chung

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Comox By The Sea returns ■ INSERT

RUTH REMEMBERS

THE COMOX VALLEY Child Development Centre Telethon Sunday at the Old Church Theatre raised more than $80,000. More photos, page 15. PHOTO BY MARK ALLAN

Mayoral hopefuls split on water meter issue Erin Haluschak Record Staff

Splitting on the issue of water meters, Comox Mayor Paul Ives and first-time mayoral candidate Bernie Poole debated their strategies for the future of the town Thursday during the all-candidates’ forum at the Comox Community Centre. Emphasizing infill development, sustainable infrastructure and a commitment to streamlining the building permit process, Ives said he hopes to continue collaborating with council and outside partnerships that have given the town a variety of benefits over the past term. “We have a new fire truck, a new cultural centre and a new park, all through partnerships which have been key,” he said,

and noted the completion of the Official Community Plan, bike lanes on Comox Avenue and the Community Centre expansion. “Our volunteer water meter program is a $1.5-million dollar project that will be completed early next year and we’ve been able to meter 1,400 homes — 30 per cent of the town,” he said. “And that will pay dividends, and we’ve funded that through a regional district grant, as well as gas tax money.” Relying on his more than 30 years of experience in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Poole said despite his lack of council experience, he is prepared to tackle the duties of mayor and fairly represent the wishes of the majority. “I’ve had somebody ask me ... where’s your experience? Thirty-

“My RCAF wartime experiences were the adventure of my life.” That’s what Comox Valley activist Ruth Masters told Hazel Lennox in Lennox’ Us Dames Have Come a Long Way book. Given the amazing adventures the feisty and fun-loving 91-year-old Masters has lived, that’s quite the statement. But she has the keen memory and photo albums to back it up. Continued in our Remembrance Day special section insert

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