The following is a Q&A that was distributed to all Gibsons candidates.
Candidate name
Silas White
Age
45
Occupation (s)
Award-winning book publisher and editor of primarily Indigenous authors; local government consultant in housing/homelessness, economic development, water stewardship, public engagement and Indigenous relations.
Which position are you running for?
Mayor
If not incumbent, list related municipal committee / civic group experience.
4 years on council, 9 at school board (6 as the chair), 2 at SCRD
Live in Gibsons? For how long?
18 years
What are your priorities if elected?
Action on housing, OCP update, provincial advocacy (on BC Ferries, highway safety, bike lanes & congestion, healthcare, mental health, addictions treatment), fiscal preparation of Town needing to pay for policing.
Should Gibsons facilitate creation of more affordable housing? How?
Council/staff assistance to local nonprofit projects already under way, but seem stuck: 75 units of seniors housing at Kiwanis and 40 units of affordable housing on Shaw Road. Update OCP to align to housing needs including more rentals and tiny/mobile/auxiliary homes.
What should council be doing to protect the Town’s water supply?
Work to protect aquifer recharge area. Demand sufficient co-management between Gibsons and SCRD for (Gibsons/Elphinstone) Aquifer 560. Encourage SCRD water conservation (metering) ASAP. There is no need for Stage 3!
Should Gibsons prepare for climate change? If so how?
Gibsons is preparing with its Natural Assets Strategy and Coastal Resilience Project. But we must engage all residents, nonprofits & businesses in climate-ACTION-oriented dialogue sessions throughout the year. There is great expertise in our community, to work together on action.
How can council mitigate the many upward pressures on property taxes?
No more administration, reports, consultants and expensive legal advice to support "over"-governance by councils with too much time on their hands. Less reports/meetings & more action/focus on core services.
How would you balance pushback on development with need for housing?
It is human nature to dislike change, but the status quo of housing affordability (& diminishing workforce) is change we all don't want. Gibsons already has two approved projects (no pushback!) at Kiwanis and Shaw that could have major impact.
What do you wish we'd asked you?
What else I do?: raising two great daughters in this awesome community; supporting our homeless & hard-to-house residents; playing guitar, sometimes at open mics and sometimes in a loud band...
Website
Who else is running for Gibsons council? See profiles for David Croal, Annemarie De Andrade, Desmond Delaney, Stafford Lumley, Blake MacLeod, Bob Morris, Greig Soohen, Christi Thompson, Leslie Thomson and Phil Yeung.
