Get to know: Candidates for qRD Area D

Sandy McCormick

A description of who you are:

Retired journalist, loving Grandma, avid beach glass collector and craftsperson, writer, bridge-player, gardener, photographer, passionate about community, founder Texada Artists Studio Tour, former chair, Texada Recreation Commission.

Your political experience and why you want to be an RD Director in the 2022 to 2026 term:

qRD director, eight years, sees all issues through “Texada-colored lenses,” knows the community and has the experience to maintain rapport with qRD colleagues to win majority votes in Texada’s favour.

From Volunteer Powell River Youth CAN: How do you think opportunities can be improved for young people in your area?

Improving youth recreation opportunities: recently-installed disc golf course, enable long-discussed skate park to happen. More housing to attract needed business operators to live here and hire youth.

From the Seniors Association: How to make your area more attractive for tourism?

More accommodations are needed. Promote predator-free wilderness. Improve trail signs and maps. More “events” to attract visitors. Public electric vehicle charging stations. Reliable island-wide internet.

From qathet Climate Action: How will you support real action on the climate emergency?

Initiated motion for public electric vehicle charging stations in rural areas, two supported for Texada. Initiated consideration of on-demand transit in rural areas. Lobbied for restored bus to/ from Lower Mainland.

Tom Read

A description of who you are:

Full-time Texadan since 2000. Entrepreneur for 15 years mainly in local woodproducts manufacturing, real estate sales and farming. Also did Home Support and numerous community volunteer commitments.

Your political experience and why you want to be an RD Director in the 2022 to 2026 term:

Lifelong political activist, mainly at local level, with volunteer service on numerous committees. Have attended countless Regional District meetings since 2001. Why run for Director? I love my community.

From Volunteer Powell River Youth CAN: How do you think opportunities can be improved for young people in your area?

Provide a stable foundation: attainable housing, work that pays a living wage, and diversified arts, culture and recreation. This also works for almost any age group.

From the Seniors Association: How to make your area more attractive for tourism?

Tourism provides a crucial livelihood for many residents. To keep it that way we need maintenance of our basic infrastructure: water and sewer systems, roads, parks and emergency services.

From qathet Climate Action: How will you support real action on the climate emergency?

I propose forming a qathet Citizens Assembly chosen by random selection (like jury duty) to explore and help enact local policies, programs and projects adapting our community to climate disruption.

Rebecca Hathaway

A description of who you are:

My work experience is in emergency services. When life changed, we wanted a small town community. We found that on Texada. I’ve really enjoyed volunteering in the community this summer.

Your political experience and why you want to be an RD Director in the 2022 to 2026 term:

I’m not a politician, but I have been a public servant for 20+ years. I want to connect with people and continue to fight for what’s important to them.

From Volunteer Powell River Youth CAN: How do you think opportunities can be improved for young people in your area?

Firstly, listen to what young people want. I’d advocate for a program where skilled community members can invest in young people and share those skills so youth can gain experience.

From the Seniors Association: How to make your area more attractive for tourism?

Texada is BC’s best kept secret! We could do more to share our natural treasures; beaches; hiking and biking trails, creative artists and community events put on each year.

From qathet Climate Action: How will you support real action on the climate emergency?

It’s a big topic in our household, specifically the science. We can all reduce our use of single use items, e.g. how many unwanted ketchup packets get thrown away!