As B.C.’s 2022 municipal election inches closer, news of who will be running (or not) is slowly trickling out.
In his April newsletter Andreas Tize, the current director for the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s (SCRD) Area D (Roberts Creek), said he will not be running for the position again. The primary reason he cited is to spend more time with his 11-year-old daughter. He also anticipates his business will keep him busy in the summer, and hopes to travel with his family in the winter, he wrote on his blog.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience, am incredibly grateful to staff, community and the board for creating an overwhelmingly supportive environment and I will dearly miss many aspects of the job. I have learned so much in the last 4 years, and I do hope that I may have the chance to represent this fine community again in the future,” he wrote.
His post also outlined the variety of issues the SCRD board has “had to stick handle” — from droughts to the pandemic, “ferry fiascos” and catching up on infrastructure planning.
“I hope that someone with an open mind and a deep love of this community can step forward so that I can endorse them,” Tize wrote. “If someone would like to speak with me about the job, what it entails and whether this is something they would like to do, I am always available.”
The last municipal election for the region, in 2018, marked a complete turnover for the SCRD board. Tize was the youngest director voted onto the board at the time, taking over for Mark Lebbell. He beat second-place Hans Penner by 125 votes.
Tize’s announcement comes after Darnelda Siegers confirmed she plans to seek a second term as the mayor of the District of Sechelt. Siegers is also the board chair for the SCRD, and previously served two terms as a Sechelt councillor.
Since Sechelt councillor Matt McLean also recently announced that he will not seek re-election, there could be at least two elections by vote coming to the lower Sunshine Coast this year.
The 2022 municipal election day is Oct. 15. According to Elections BC’s website, the pre-campaign period begins on July 18. The nomination period will be between Aug. 30 and Sept. 9, and a declaration of candidates will follow if there is a sufficient number of them. The date when the public will find out whether candidates will be elected by voting or acclamation will be Sept. 19.
With files from Sophie Woodrooffe
