Area B, Halfmoon Bay and Area D, Roberts Creek will be the only Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) jurisdictions where ballots will be cast for area director in the Oct 15 local government elections.
Area D Candidate Woods
In Area D, Kelly Backs (profiled in an earlier article) and Candace Woods have declared as candidates.
Woods described herself to Coast Reporter as “a recent transplant to the Coast”, purchasing a home in Roberts Creek in 2017 and moving there in 2021; drawn to the area by its rural atmosphere and beautiful trees.
A photographer and small business owner, she holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has worked with the City of Vancouver and in the provinces film and television industry.
She stated she was motivated to put her name forward by the feeling that some areas of the Coast are changing quickly and that some of those changes may not be in line with the needs of the community.
“The issues that are important to me are a secure water supply for all communities, affordable housing, food security, sustainable development that is in line with the community’s needs, supporting local businesses, and pressuring the provincial government to pay more close attention to our municipal needs.
“Like my fellow Creekers I care about connecting with people and maintaining a sense of community, protecting natural spaces and coexisting with wildlife, sustainable mindful growth and growing my own food.”
Her promise to constituents, if elected, is to provide “a listening ear, open honest dialogue, a passion for research, and that your sentiment will be strongly relayed and action will always be pursued.”
Area B Candidate Dickie
In Halfmoon Bay (Area B) two hopefuls are vying for the area director’s chair.
Candidate Patrick Dickie told Coast Reporter via email that he has lived on the Coast for 31 years, with the last 24 of those being enjoyed as a resident of Halfmoon Bays' Welcome Woods neighbourhood.
“I feel very fortunate to have raised a family in this beautiful place… If elected I will work collaboratively, respectfully, and inclusively in making decisions that will help make the lives of the residents of Halfmoon Bay better,” he wrote in his statement.
Priorities that are in his election platform are working towards a sustainable water supply and water conservation, green sustainable development that works with Halfmoon Bays Official Community Plan and fits our rural character, affordable housing and improved road conditions.
Dickie’s background includes 20 years in the recreation field on the coast, with 14 of those years as an employee of the SCRD. He retired in 2020 from the position of aquatic supervisor at the Sechelt Aquatic Center. During his time with the SCRD, he served with its Health and Safety committee, where he said his focus was “to work collaboratively with management to create a safe workplace”.
Area B Candidate Gabias
Justine Gabias, a Halfmoon Bay market gardener, small business owner and visual artist told Coast Reporter via email that she was encouraged to run by many residents who expressed a need for fresh and diverse voices in municipal politics. Her commitment is to work collaboratively to find lasting solutions that constituents can support.
“We Coasters face a slew of challenges, including the climate, housing, and affordability crises. We cannot afford business-as-usual. I know I can bring the energy, commitment, and determination necessary to be an effective Director,” she wrote.
Priorities for Gabias include fostering a strong and engaged community, increasing affordable housing stock, supporting food producers and the volunteer sector, and advocating for the building of a Halfmoon Bay Community Hall.
On the issue of pace and nature of residential developments, she commented “we cannot stop growth, but we can fight to put systems in place so that growth aligns with our OCP and brings positive and valuable additions to our rural community without compromising our infrastructure and environment”.
She stated that water, waste, and dock management will also be big issues in the coming term
