McLennan, Patterson also to seek seat
Sylvie Paillard
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Local businessman and community leader Greg Gardner announced his intention Thursday (May 4) to run for council in the upcoming District of 樱桃视频by-election on June 24.
Gardner said a key factor for his decision to run is his concern over the manner in which the 樱桃视频Oceanfront Development Corporation is handling the development of 樱桃视频waterfront.
"My understanding of the history of it is the District of 樱桃视频allocated $1 million to allow SODC to take us through a master land use planning process and I've seen a document dated October that said that process was supposed to be completed Jan. 31 and my understanding is it has not been completed," said Gardner. "SODC has spent approximately $1.2 million on that process. My concern is that I believe that there has been minimal exposure to the community of 樱桃视频about the results of their analysis to date."
Gardner said that he wants to see an expansion of the public process so that the community has an opportunity for meaningful input into the planning of the land's use."It's important because this is not a privately-owned property, which may be stating the obvious, but it is a publicly-owned piece of property and it's more important than even other publicly owned pieces of property because it is key to the development of 樱桃视频as a whole," he said. "It is probably the most significant piece of property in 樱桃视频because it is on the waterfront. I think that it's being handled as if it were in private development and I think that it should be a public process."
Gardner said he believes the community must respect its heritage while moving forward with well-balanced development that includes residential, commercial, industrial, park and natural habitats.
Gardner has also vowed to delay the development of his Brackendale property in order to minimize any conflict of interest.
"If I'm elected I will not take it to council for rezoning or subdivision while I sit on council," he said. "I'm told that legally there are ways to deal with issues of conflict, if there are discussions dealing with those issues. However, I'm going to take the further step of not taking it to council because I wouldn't want there to be perception of bias that might affect council's effectiveness."
Gardner graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and a Law Degree. He practiced law in Vancouver for seven years prior to moving to Squamish. In 1994 he purchased the local GM dealership and moved to 樱桃视频with his spouse Lila Gaudry and their two sons. He is the founding president of the 樱桃视频Community Foundation, and also co-chaired the local Olympic bid task force. Gardner is also a director of the West Coast Railway Heritage Association and a past president of the 樱桃视频Rotary Club. As a result of his community work, he was named Business Person of the Year by the 樱桃视频Chamber of Commerce in 2004.
Gardner said he believes his varied educational and professional experiences will be an asset for Council.
"I believe the relationships I have developed over the years with a wide cross-section of our community will allow me to build bridges and help guide the community in a respectful and inclusive manner."
Another contender coming out of the gates is local accountant Larry McLennan, who came within 27 votes of winning a council seat last November. This is the third time McLennan has thrown his hat in the ring for a seat at council, although he withdrew the first time he ran in 2002.
McLennan cites municipal financial management as his main concern. He said he'd like to see an expansion of the tourism sector with the District finding ways to get involved in outdoor recreation and helping to establish festivals in climbing or windsurfing. He said he'd also like to see infrastructure improvements to seniors' centres and expansions to include an arts centre and more amenities such as the ice rink.
"But before we can get to any of those we have to get our municipal finances back on track so we're not running under a deficit position," said McLennan.
The race to the council seat will also include local political pundit Terrill Patterson. Patterson was unavailable for further comment by press time.
Other contenders from previous municipal elections have stated they will not run.
Former councillor and mayoral candidate Paul Lalli has said he will not run because he is vying for the role of Conservative Party candidate in the next federal election, which is expected to be held within two years.
Bryan Raiser, who placed eighth last November, only 10 votes behind McLennan, said that in order to keep his job as a municipal employee he wouldn't run this election.
Former councillor Dave Fenn, who lost in the fall 2005 election under the 樱桃视频New Directions slate, said he wasn't ready "right now" to add his name to the race.
Candidates have until May 19 to submit the paperwork at city hall declaring their intention to run.
