Halfmoon Bay will see the only race for the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) board this election season.
While Candace Woods and Kelly Backs had been poised to face off for the Area D (Roberts Creek) director's chair, ahead of the Sept. 16 deadline for withdrawal, the two jointly announced Woods was stepping out of the race.
"Kelly and Candace have found much common ground and will work side by side for the good of the Creek and the Sunshine Coast in general," said a news release from Backs. "Bringing skills from work with Greenpeace, as well as with the bylaw office of the City of Vancouver, Candace has a lot to offer and will become a familiar face at the Field Rd. offices. Kelly’s straight-shooting style and friendly nature will create an atmosphere of teamwork on the board, to help foster a positive and collaborative working environment."
The release said that both would be attending upcoming all candidates forums – Woods the SCCA forum Sept. 27 and Kelly the Cover the Coast all candidates meeting Oct. 6.
SCRD communications manager Aidan Buckley confirmed that Woods was the only candidate to withdraw ahead of the 4 p.m. deadline Friday.
Woods' departure leaves just one race for SCRD voters: That between Justine Gabias, a Halfmoon Bay market gardener, small business owner and visual artist and Patrick Dickie, a Welcome Woods resident recently retired from the SCRD with a background in recreation.
Other positions to be acclaimed are: Pender Harbour-Egmont (Area A) incumbent Leonard Lee, Elphinstone (Area E) incumbent Donna McMahon and West Howe Sound (Area F) newcomer Kate Stamford.
Advanced voting will take place between Oct. 5 and 11, and general voting day is Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For electors voting by mail, the deadline to apply is Oct. 13 at 4 p.m.
Coast Reporter will publish more information on candidates in the coming weeks. Find all of Coast Reporter’s election coverage at www.coastreporter.net/2022-civic-election.
– With files from Connie Jordison and Keili Bartlett
