Nohr leaving the door open for another run at SCRD director

Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Halfmoon Bay director Garry Nohr may not be retiring after all.

Nohr told Coast Reporter this week that, despite announcing this would be his final term, he’d rather put his name on the ballot than see a candidate run unopposed in Area B.

“I would hate to see somebody get in by acclamation and not have to do the work and go around and talk to the people,” Nohr said.

Nohr said his original decision was cemented in the summer of 2017 when he suffered a heart attack, but he no longer has health concerns. “I got a clear bill of health from my doctor just recently. I’m supposed to be good for another 20 years. I don’t want to do this for another 20 years, though.”

Constituents also told Nohr they want to see an SCRD veteran take on many of Halfmoon Bay’s outstanding issues, he said, adding that voters he has spoken with “are very concerned about somebody new coming in.” But if more than one candidate does come forward, he will rescind his offer.

Nohr was elected director for Halfmoon Bay in November 2005 and served as chair of the SCRD board from 2011 to 2017.  He ran unopposed in the last election.

His priorities include finding a solution to long-term and emergency water supply, waste management, roads, and raising money for the replacement of the hall at Coopers Green Park.

Last week, Lori Pratt, school board chair for School District No. 46 (SD46), announced her intention to run for director of Halfmoon Bay, and left open the possibility of also running to be an SD46 trustee.

She has since announced she will run for school board only if no one else in her electoral area comes forward as a candidate. “My intention is to run for the regional district and actively look for someone to run for the school district,” Pratt said. “It’s a long time between now and [the election] and I’m really hopeful that we can find some great candidates.”

Nohr said he reached out to Pratt to forge an agreement that would see the two elected as director and alternate; however, Pratt said there will be no such arrangement.