Seniors issues were the focus of an Oct. 4 all-candidates meeting that included live audience questions asked of the 11 individuals seeking seats on Gibsons council. An estimated 100 attendees were at Harmony Hall for the Gibsons Seniors Society event which also livestreamed to an online audience of about 20.
When asked “what they would do for seniors if elected," the priorities ranged from “getting shovels in the ground for the Kiwanis project,” to improving other community housing options, advocating for better service from BC Transit and BC Ferries, to keeping tax increases in check and having more transparency in Council decisions.
The idea of “mini-bus” system within the Town received discussion, with several of those running for office stating that would be the best way to improve transportation within Gibsons.
Suggestions on ways to helping seniors stay active in the community and with Town operations as well as promotion of connections with young people and other community services to help seniors with technology challenges also came forward.
Debate between the hopefuls followed mayoral candidate Phil Yeung’s suggestion that the Town should develop a water reservoir. That view was challenged by fellow mayor candidate Silas White stating that the Gibsons aquifer serves as a natural reservoir and councillor hopeful Blake MacLeod who raised environmental concerns about building dams.
