Why I’m Running

My connection with Denman goes back many years, through family, frequent visits and eventually making this island my home. After a 35-year career in television news and many years representing media workers and advocating with governments, I came to Denman looking forward to a new chapter in my life. I didn’t come here simply to retire from public life. I want to contribute to the community and help protect what makes this place so special.

For many months I have been attending Denman Local Trust Committee and DIRA meetings, learning more about the issues and the work of our local government. Since August, I’ve also been spending Saturdays at the Denman Market, talking directly with Islanders about the October 17 election and what they want from their next trustees.

Those conversations have reinforced my decision to run and helped clarify what I believe I can bring to the position.

Preserve and Protect — and Keep Denman a Living Community

I strongly support the Islands Trust mandate to preserve and protect these islands. I think anyone seeking to become a trustee should.

But preserving Denman also means sustaining the community of people who live here. We need affordable housing, a viable agricultural community, opportunities for younger people and families to remain here, and thoughtful land-use decisions that protect our environment and rural character.

I support the current housing review and the proposed updates to Denman’s Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw. They are the result of several years of work and considerable community involvement and have now reached an advanced stage. I believe the next Local Trust Committee should respect that work and see it through to completion.

Supporting the Rules We Make Together

One issue that has come up repeatedly in my conversations with Islanders is confidence in our local land-use rules and their enforcement.

Property owners have every right to bring forward new ideas and proposals. But when development moves ahead without the necessary approvals, or enforcement is too slow to keep pace, it undermines the public process and the work that has gone into creating our Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw.

That should concern all of us.

Experience I Bring to the Trust

My career in journalism taught me to ask questions, understand complicated issues and communicate them clearly. My years representing media workers as a local union president gave me experience in negotiation, governance and working constructively with people who don’t always agree.

I’ve also seen here on Denman what persistent community advocacy can accomplish. I became involved in the later stages of the CityWest high-speed fibre project for Denman and Hornby, helping advocate for the additional government support needed to complete the project. It was a good example of how focused community advocacy and working constructively with different levels of government can help move an important local issue forward.

I would bring that same practical approach to the Islands Trust: do the homework, listen, work constructively with others and keep Islanders informed.

I have the time and flexibility to make the work of trustee a priority, and I’ve tried to demonstrate that throughout this campaign by showing up, listening and participating.

Denman is a remarkable place with a community that cares deeply about its future. I would be honoured to do my part to help preserve and protect it.