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Belcarra Candidates
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Five candidates vying for four spots in Belcarra
CAROLINA CLARK
*CAROLINA CLARK
Age: 36
Years as a resident of the
village: 8+ Occupation: Local small business owner
Most recent volunteer/
civic work: I was part of the Zoning Bylaw Committee prior to being elected to council in 2018. Since being elected I served in some committees outside of Belcarra such as Childcare Taskforce, Metro Vancouver Electoral Area, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, Metro Vancouver Board and Metro Vancouver Water Committee. Email: carol_sambudio@ hotmail.com Phone: Not given
Why are you running for public office?
It gives me great pleasure to be able to help serve my community.
What is your No. 1 issue and why?
Belcarra is a very small community that relies on residential property tax dollars and different Federal and Provincial grants to survive so maintaining and replacing existing infrastructure while delivering an acceptable amount of services can be a challenge.
My goal is to continue to plan for the long term sustainability of the Village and to make cost effective improvements on our water system, as well saving as much as we can to pay for the Fire Halls that will need replacement in the near future.
JOE ELWORTHY
Age: 70
Years as a resident of the
village: 26 Occupation: Electronic Electrician / 43 Years CMBC / Current PBC Director
Most recent volunteer/
civic work: PBC Health Foundation, volunteer work Email: joecath@telus.net
JOE ELWORTHY
Why are you running for public office?
Having recently retired, I now have the time to giveback to the community by offering to contribute my skill set as a Belcarra councillor. I participate regularly at council meetings and diligently review the agenda items, reports and presentations, expressing my views as a resident. I have sophisticated and verifiable knowledge, in the essential board skills of financial literacy and planning; strategic planning; relationship building; tecnology; legal and regulatory; respectful communications and labour relations. My career experience is complimented by continuous education (ICD Courses) that I believe will be of value, given the opportunities and challenges we face.
What’s your No. 1 issue and why?
The overarching issue Belcarra faces is the availability of financial resources, required to implement a strategic plan, enabling us to continue to be a viable and “independent” municipality. Many projects are at the “decision-making” stage, while others require further cost/benefit analysis. A sound financial plan/budget is required to fund many of these projects. Tough decisions will be required, based on sound data, and research. Reasonable and responsible decision-making based on a financial plan, with a projected long term, is required. Together, we have the spirit and talent to succeed in achieving our goal of a healthy, caring, and inclusive community.
B E L C A R R A M A Y O R A L C A N D I D A T E S
COLM COLE
COLM COLE
Age: Not given Years as a village resident: 27 Occupation: Physician
Most recent civic/volun-
teer work: Not given Website: coleformayor.ca Email: drcolmcole@gmail. com Phone: 604-937-1999
Why are you running for public office?
I believe that we as a village need to address some of the very significant challenges we face. I am invested in and passionate about Belcarra; I am well-educated with a fair, sound, inclusive and balanced approach to business and corporate initiatives. I feel, with my background as a leader in health care and with a medical, educational and business background, we can address these challenges as a group. Emergency preparedness, fiscal responsibility, and infrastructure improvements are the main issues that concern me. More input from the Village is required where each citizen can easily contribute expertise and opinions through polls while reaching a consensus. I feel I can provide that leadership moving forward, together, for a prosperous, liveable, progressive and prepared Belcarra.
What’s your No. 1 issue and why?
The need to bring fiscal responsibility to the Village. Belcarra has very high municipal taxes, significant debt and few assets. Our taxes on a per capita basis are 40 per cent higher than neighbouring jurisdictions while only minimal services are provided. This is the result of incurred debt that continues to rise. Belcarra ranks 157th worst out of 162 B.C. municipalities for finances in comparing debt to assets. There is an urgent need for a formal Belcarra financial sustainability study (not just an audit of the Village financial statements). While we are a beautiful Village “Between Forest and Sea,” we are also a Village “Between a Mountain of Debt and a Sea of Red Ink.” We need to examine every expense, lower our debt levels, and generate more revenue so that future infrastructure needs can be met. From financial soundness the significant costs of emergency preparedness such as the fire-fighting water supply, the need for a new firehall, and infrastructure improvements, such as the Farrer Cove road, can be more easily addressed.
*JAMIE ROSS
Age: 63 Years as a village resident: 33 Occupation: Retired educator. cnsultant
Most recent civic/vol-
unteer work: Mayor of Belcarra Email: jamiebelcarra@ gmail.com Phone: 778-980-2501
Why are you running for public office?
I am seeking re-election to continue the work
JAMIE ROSS
begun with village council. As mayor, my focus was and, if elected, will continue to be an open, respectful and collaborative approach to community governance.
What’s your No. 1 issue and why?
Most important for the coming council will be asset and infrastructure maintenance and development. These are the lifeblood of any community. These plans will be built on our sound financial base and wise forward planning. Other key efforts for council will be aging in place, support of the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department, improved safety for our roadways and trails, and completion of important projects already in process.
JANET RUZYCKI
JANET RUZYCKI
Age: 62
Years as a resident of the
village: 12 full time but part time since I was 3 days old Occupation: Retired
Most recent volunteer/
civic work: Member of the Belcarra OCP Committee, “Pets and Friends” Pet Therapy volunteer at Eagle Ridge Manor and Run for the Cure Fundraiser Email: ruzyckijanet@gmail. com Phone: 604-250-6900
Why are you running for public office?
I have the energy and capacity to work on behalf of our community. As a member of the OCP committee, I had the opportunity to get a clear understanding of the
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top priorities for our community and it would be satisfying to help tackle them. The world is changing and the challenges for municipalities are increasing. I believe we need fresh thinking and energetic individuals to help our village evolve in a positive way.
What’s your No. 1 issue and why?
My No. 1 issue is the financial sustainability of our municipality. I clearly share this with many of our residents and we need to determine a path forward outside of simply relying on property tax increases. At the current rate of tax increases, we risk taxing individuals out of the community and that is not acceptable.
BEN SHOOLESTANI
BEN SHOOLESTANI
Age: 38
Years as a resident of the
village: 6 Occupation: Projects Risk Specialist and Cost Risk Analysis Lead for BC Hydro Site C Clean Energy Project
Most recent volunteer/
civic work: Councillor for the University of British Columbia (UBC) Graduate Student Society, Councillor for UBC Student Sustainability Council, Councillor for UBC Civil Engineering Graduate Student Society, and Volunteer Coordinator for International Conferences. Website: BenforBelcarra. ca Email: info@benforbelcarra.ca Phone: 604-690-4801
Why are you running for public office?
I will be my villagers’ strongest friend, most reliable partner and best advocate on council. I will help council successfully plan and achieve my villagers’ top priorities: fairness and equality, transparency and accountability, lower taxes and fees, public safety and welfare. I will fight to end the ongoing abuse of power and favouritism, such as removing council from port applications and licence renewals. I will help the Village optimize spending and manage risks. I will strive to provide a reliable water supply system for firefighting, street lights, sidewalks, garbage pickup, wastewater management system, resident parking, beach and dock access.
What is your No. 1 issue and why?
“Fairness and Equality.” Former Mayor Belenkie and Coun. Begg resigned because council members with conflict of interests failed to recuse themselves. Belenkie said the residents would not launch a public petition because they “aren’t comfortable putting a target on their back from the councillors who remain in power.” I strive to end favouritism and abuse of power, and ensure every voice is heard.
*LIISA WILDER
Age: 64
Years as a resident of the
village: 19+ Occupation: Retired real estate paralegal; business owner
Most recent civic/vol-
unteer work: Four years as municipal councillor; director and team member of local community recreational association Email: liisawilder@shaw. ca Phone: 604-341-0383
Why are you running for public office?
I‘ve enjoyed the challenge these past four years as a first-time councillor and look forward to being
LIISA WILDER
able to continue our work and serve the residents of our village in the upcoming term.
What is your number one issue and why?
Did not answer
A N M O R E A N D B E L C A R R A
What you need to know to cast your ballot
In Anmore and Belcarra, local eligible voters in both villages will be choosing a mayor.
However, only those in Belcarra will be choosing their next council — four seats from five candidates — as several hopefuls withdrew from Anmore’s race, which led to the acclamation of the remaining candidates.
Polly Krier, Kim Trowbridge and Paul Weverink, as well as newcomer Douglas Richardson, officially make up the Anmore village council of the next four years.
On Sept. 9, Kerri Palmer Isaak was also acclaimed to her position as the villages’ trustee on School District 43’s (SD43) board of education after no challenged her at the 4 p.m. nomination deadline.
There are three ways to cast your ballot in Anmore and Belcarra during the 2022 campaign period:
Anmore councillors will soon be able to work in their new town hall after ground was broken for the project earlier this year. TRI-CITY NEWS FILE PHOTO
MAIL BALLOT
• Eligible voters must fill out an online application form or apply in-person at their respective city
halls to receive a mail ballot • Completed mail ballots must be received by the
Chief Election Officer before 8 p.m. on Oct. 15 • The last opportunity to request a mail-in ballot is noon on Oct. 15 ADVANCE POLLS
• They were held on Oct. 5
VOTING DAY
• In Anmore, you can cast your ballot between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the gymnasium at Anmore
Elementary School (30
Elementary Rd.) • In Belcarra, you can cast your baallot between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at
Belcarra Municipal Hall (30 Bedwell Bay Rd.)
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Anmore and Belcarra residents looking to vote in the 2022 municipal election have to meet certain criteria to do so.
They must: • Be a Canadian citizen • Be 18 years of age or older on election day (Oct. 15) • Be a B.C. resident for at
least six months immediately before the day you register to vote • Be an Anmore or Belcarra resident
WHAT DO I NEED?
It’s required to bring one or more pieces of identification to a polling station that confirms your identity and place of residence, which will ensure your eligibility. • If you’re already a registered voter, you’ll only need one form of ID. • If you’re not registered, you’re asked to bring two pieces of ID, including one that must have a signature. • Acceptable documents include the following: • BC Care Card • BC Driver’s Licence • BC Identification Card issued by ICBC • BC Services Card • Canadian Citizenship
Card • Birth certificate • Credit or debit card • Current property tax notice issued by the municipality • Social Insurance Card • Secure Certificate of
Indian Status (Status
Card) • Utility bill (phone, hydro, gas, telephone, cable service, etc.) • Valid passport • Vehicle insurance documents issued by ICBC • Ministry of Social
Development and
Economic Security
Request for Continued
Assistance Form SDES8
For more information, you can go to the villages’ websites at anmore.com and belcarra.ca.
