A veteran local government administrator, who’s worked for both Sechelt and Gibsons, is hoping to take a seat at the council table this fall.
Bill Beamish, 72, has announced his intention to run in Gibsons where he and his family have lived since Beamish first came to the Coast in 2002 to take the job as chief administrative officer with the Town.
Beamish was with the Town from 2002 to 2007. His work as a consultant since then has included two stints as interim CAO for the District of Sechelt.
His work in other jurisdictions saw him help craft a resolution on behalf of the Village of Queen Charlotte opposing the Northern Gateway pipeline and the bulk shipment of crude oil in coastal waters, which was endorsed by the Union of BC Municipalities.
He also worked with the Peace River Regional District on the impact of the Site C dam on local communities and municipal infrastructure, and he’s just returned to Gibsons from Tuktoyaktuk where he planned and implemented a community-based climate monitoring project.
Beamish told Coast Reporter he thinks the current mayor and council have done a good job, and he wants to run to support that work. “I think that for me [running] is an opportunity to provide some additional expertise and experience as well as to continue with the vision and path that this council has set.”
Beamish said the coming term offers a chance to focus more on regional issues.
“I think regional issues right now on the Sunshine Coast need to be addressed cooperatively with the other communities and the regional district,” he said. “We have common issues of transportation, common issues of homelessness, common issues of water… I think we need to start sharing our expertise and knowledge on those issues and working toward solutions on that level.”
Beamish also told Coast Reporter that he intends to back Coun. Silas White in his bid to become the town’s next mayor.
