Candidates
The Nomination Period closed at 4:00 pm Friday, September 9th. The Chief Election Officer has issued the Declaration of Candidates.
An elector may challenge a nomination, as prescribed under section 91 of the Local Government Act, between the time of delivery of nomination documents and 4 pm on the fourth (4th) day after the end of the nomination period, Tuesday, September 13th.
All Bowen Island electors will receive a ‘Candidate Guide’ in their mailbox that will include candidate and general voting information.
Questions? Contact the Chief Election Officer at Election2022@bimbc.ca.
The candidates are listed in alphabetic order below.
Running for Mayor
Andrew Leonard
Candidate statement
I don’t know anyone who says municipal politics are sexy. While reality TV series like Property Brothers, Pawn Stars, and Ice Road Truckers draw ratings in the millions; on no planet would anyone binge Small Island Planners on Netflix. We see fiery clips and bombastic soundbites hit the national news from our provincial and federal counterparts, with little coverage on what governs our own local communities.
Municipal politics is about what happens in our backyard, about how the ecology of our daily lives play out. It's about the parks we bring our families to, the activities we do with our neighbours, and the businesses we attract to spend money in. It's about influencing the character of neighbourhoods and deciding what should (or shouldn't) go where.
These backyard politics have deep consequences. Land use planning brings with it our relationship with colonization and reconciliation. Waste and water management carry our personal impacts on climate change. Local commerce influences our alignment with supply chains and where we vote with our dollars. While our island may be small, all oceans lead to it.
I’m standing for mayor in this election because I believe that now, more than ever, is the time to foster diverse, inclusive civic engagement. It is time to take stock of the historical lineage of community effort that has made Bowen the jewel that it is, ensuring that this ecological beacon of rural community off Vancouver’s coast keeps its identity intact.
The central issue of this election will be how to weave our diversity into common cause. The ancient island tension of development versus conservation will be in play, no doubt. So will our relationship with tourism and economic development. These will need to be informed by small-island solutions to the big city housing problems we’ve inherited from the mainland. Rebuilding community unity and resilience after the global pandemic should also be in mind, which cannot happen without innovative conversations about holistic recreation and community mental health. All of this needs a much higher degree of transparency than we’ve had.
The central question, then, is this: can we evolve our municipal governance in a way that can hold the diverse perspectives these conversations will require? How can we be better to each other? Better yet, can those conversations draw in enough engagement to drive thoughtful policy making?
I think so. I have enough youthful idealism to believe it’s possible and enough middle-aged realism to discern a path that makes it happen.
We’ll learn more about each other as this campaign unfolds. If you’d like a summary of my professional experience, check out my LinkedIn. Want to get in touch? Email me directly at me@andrewformayor.ca, or check out my campaign website at www.andrewformayor.ca – I’ll be updating it frequently as the campaign unfolds.
I look forward to connecting with the unique experience that brought you to Bowen.
Warmly,
Andrew Leonard
Maureen Nicholson
Running for Mayor and Islands Trustee.
Photo and bio coming soon.
John Turner
Running for Mayor.
Photo and bio coming soon.
Running for Councillor
Robin Burger
Running for Councillor.
Bio and photo coming soon.
Sue Ellen Fast
Candidate Statement
I love Bowen and have been deeply involved in community life here, contributing to and leading various projects and committees over thirty years. In 1992 I began as a daily commuter and renter. My husband and I raised our son on Bowen and we run our consulting company from our home, near Collins Farm. Maybe you have seen us on the trails where we walk daily with binoculars, cameras and dog.
Future: I hope Bowen will look much the same, from the air at least. Lots of trees, nature and wildlife, including herons and whales; all sorts of people active in community life and on the trails and beaches. This vision is similar to the one in our current official community plan. A small, friendly, caring community, sharing a unique island lifestyle and supported by well-protected natural ecosystems. That’s what I’m working toward. Nature and Community.
Bowen Council: Serving the last eight years as municipal councillor has been a positive and challenging experience, and an honour. Besides regular council meetings and items I bring to those agendas, I have served on all sorts of committees. Closest to my heart is the Parks, Trails and Greenways committee, which I have usually been part of since the mid-90s. Currently I also serve on other committees, from emergency program to advisory design panel, library board, to the Biosphere’s Ocean Watch Action Committee, and the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council.
Islands Trust: To be part of the federation of islands in the Salish Sea “entrusted” with the mission to protect this special part of the world is wonderful. I see it as a sort of greenbelt between Metro Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island. Over the past eight years I have relished the opportunity to protect the trust area’s beauty, wildlife and unique island communities through Trust Council. Currently I serve as a vice-chair on the executive committee, and also as vice-chair of the Islands Trust Conservancy. Happy to chat about the Trust and the benefits to Bowen - please ask.
OCP: I chaired the Official Community Plan steering committee for the most recent update, ten years ago. I’m proud of the work we did in leading an open collaborative process with high community input. Affordable housing was one dominant community theme, and protecting our “green oasis” was the other. Both are reflected in our current OCP. Today climate change and reconciliation join them, I believe, and all need to be addressed in an interconnected way. Is it time for another refresh? I would welcome the creative ideas and input we can generate together to take action.
Some career highlights:
- conservation learning programs in urban greenways: Edmonton, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa
- wrote and hosted Nature Walk television series, across North and Central America
- thousands of hours connecting children and families to nature outdoors - what fun
More:
sueellenfast.ca
twitter.com/sueellenonbowen
facebook.com/sue.e.fast
Email me at sefast3@icloud.com - let’s chat!
Judith Gedye
Candidate Statement
I'm seeking a position on Council and as a Trustee for the Islands Trust. I believe that what I love about Bowen, our green spaces and our community, both need attention. I went to Bowfest this year and talked with friends about this election. Overwhelmingly, you want your children and grandchildren to grow up here but worry that none of us may be able to afford it. There was talk of tipping points.
In my spare time, I read council agendas and minutes and watch committee videos! Often, I feel unrepresented and frustrated. I’ve witnessed Committees' work and citizens' letters or submissions given short shrift, and very little sharing of information before and after decisions. I believe we need to listen more, with respect and patience. I believe that more aspects of our Official Community Plan (OCP) should be considered and reasons given if the OCP is not followed. And I believe in the climate crisis and that the mandate of the Islands Trust to preserve and protect our island ecology should be paramount.
I've lived on Bowen 40+ years and commuted daily for ~30 years. My local experience, deep commitment and familiarity with Bowen interest groups will benefit Council. In 1989 I won an elected seat on the Advisory Planning Committee and have served on other committees, such as, the original Improvement Association (now the Eco-Alliance) and its ferry committee, Theatre on the Isle, the recycling depot, the Haunted House, Christmas Hamper Fund, Bowen Heritage, the Municipal Heritage Commission, The Hearth: Arts on Bowen and the Neighbourhood Emergency Response Programme.
The next Council inherits considerable challenges to address the economic impacts of delayed maintenance and upgrades, and multiple capital projects. And while much is already decided, more clarity and understanding are essential to greater understanding and fairness. Personally, I am financially risk averse and prefer to have close control over my spending.
I am well trained in listening, untangling competing interests, getting passionately held positions heard by opponents and reaching compromises or explaining tough decisions. I don't hold myself out as a miracle worker, but I want to devote considerable energy to helping us learn to resolve, if at all possible, our differences respectfully. More and accessible information is one priority. I intend to rent Collins Hall for the full term of this Council to create opportunities for informal dialogue.
We have the luxury of living in a gracious place with a strong community spirit. I know that brilliantly creative things can happen when we talk to each other. With better communications, more support for committees, and your increased interest and engagement we can dig ourselves out of these many holes and continue to meet the challenges ahead.
Please talk to each other about the issues that matter to you and share your thoughts. It is important. This is a chance to shift the way we are heard. I encourage and welcome your support and ideas: judithgedye@gmail.com. Please contact me and I sincerely look forward to hearing from you.
Alex Jurgensen
Running for Councillor.
Photo and bio coming soon.
Gale Lyttle
Photo coming soon.
Candidate Statement
I grew up visiting friends and family on Bowen since I was a child, and those wonderful memories made me look on Bowen when I was house hunting. I purchased one of the two properties for sale at the time, and moved here in 1989. Shortly after moving here, I started working with the BC Ambulance Service. It was essentially a volunteer job them, but it has become my career for the last 30+ years. As I approach retirement, I am looking for other ways to the contribute to the island I love.
What do I love about Bowen? The outdoors here, the slow pace of the island, the connections to the neighbourhood and the community. The quiet walks and quiet, dark nights. I loved having a safe place to raise my son. All these things are precious.
Why am I running for Council? I want to make sure that the next Council provides the maximum benefit for the people who live here – in terms of ensuring tax increases stay at a moderate level and that Council is accountable to the public who are paying the taxes. Taxpayer money spent should have a clear benefit to as many of those taxpayers as possible.
Why am I running for Islands Trust? Islands Trust is a unique governing body that helps to ensure that we are able to preserve and protect this island we live on. We need to be smart about the expenditures at the Islands Trust and make sure any decisions made are those that benefit our island in the future.
With respect to both Council and Islands Trust, it is important to have a long term financial vision. Too often decisions are made looking no further ahead than the next election.
I have worked in many volunteer organizations during my thirty plus years here. I was on the original Emergency Services Committee as a volunteer. I have volunteered at the school, the library, the Neighbourhood Emergency Response Program (NERP), the Eagle Cliff Water Board (prior to incorporation as a municipality).
My career in the Ambulance Services has given me a lot of experience with negotiation, conflict resolution, and listening to people and consensus building. dealing taught me the importance of working with teams.
I look forward to serving on Council and giving back to the community that has given me so much. Please vote for me on October 5th or 15th
Craig Macdonald
Running for Councillor.
Photo and bio coming soon.
Matthew McDonagh
Running for Councillor.
Bio and photo coming soon.
Alison Morse
Running for Councillor.
Photo and bio coming soon.
John Saunders
Candidate Statement
My name is John Saunders and I am running for council in Bowen Island.
I moved to Bowen permanently with my wife, Nicolette Eus, just over two years ago - specifically to live in a quiet location that offered this island’s superior level of community. I believe that living in a community like this means engaging, serving and participating in the life of the community. It is with this in mind that I have decided to run for council.
My background and skillset offer a unique mix of private sector and public sector experiences that would serve Bowen well. I am pretty much a classic illustration of a Canadian. I have played professional hockey, I was a member of the RCMP, I advised large public agencies on some of the most pressing security and cybersecurity issues, and I built and owned a brew pub. There is little I haven’t experienced within municipal governments and communities in those wide travels.
I obtained a BA in Political Science from Acadia University in 1980, and my Masters from Norwich University in 2011. Between those years, I had an 11 ½ year career in the RCMP before leaving to found and operate Vancouver-based Enterprise Protection Associates, which I have owned for the past 20 years. The work involves risk assessment and resilience planning for many organizations, but very pertinently, large and small water utilities across the US and Canada.
Consideration of development and the infrastructure to support it is among the most critical concerns we have on Bowen. I know that my experience and contacts in the water sector and my knowledge of security and resilience issues can be of benefit to the community in this regard.
My policing career was primarily in small towns in Saskatchewan. In those years I acquired a real understanding of the people and the mindsets that make up a small community – which are rarely the same issues that drive those who live in larger cities. As an entrepreneur I faced the many challenges that go with starting and running a small business. Those of us on Bowen must constantly balance competing pressures of population and economic growth that can keep our local businesses viable but which also challenge our housing and other resources, as well as the shared values of a small community that make Bowen so unique. Preserving simple values while addressing the complexities of running a modern, sustainable municipality is difficult. In my career to date, I’ve developed a pretty good sense of the knobs and dials for those pressures. I would enjoy the challenge of representing the different voices and points of view on these matters that are so crucial to all of us, and to effectively contribute to this balance.
Nicolette and I moved here intending to take part. This is one way we choose to do so. We fell in love with this community and want to help it prosper. I would welcome your support in the coming elections.
jsaunders21@gmail.com
604-353-1495
Nicole Thomas Zyczynski
Running for Councillor.
Photo and bio coming soon.
Tim Wake
Candidate Statement
What do you love most about living on Bowen Island? Is it the small-town rural feel, the friendly and caring community, the laid-back island lifestyle, the arts and culture scene, the abundance of activities, or the stunning natural surroundings? Perhaps it is all those things. Perhaps it is something else.
Living here certainly has its benefits, and I feel very fortunate to have enjoyed it for the past ten years. At the same time, I am concerned about where we are headed, specifically our lack of housing diversity, the severe shortage of suitable housing for staff and young families, our deteriorating infrastructure and the cost of replacing it, the lack of viable alternatives to driving cars, our inability to have a constructive community conversation…the list goes on.
I am running for council and as trustee on the Islands Trust to be part of a team that can find innovative solutions for these, and other, urgent concerns facing our island community. Running a municipality is not like running a business. When I was elected to Whistler Council in 2005, I quickly learned that municipalities work differently and there are very few quick fixes. I was fortunate to be part of a team where we respected one another, listened more than we spoke, and worked effectively with staff to tackle a variety of issues in the leadup to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
With a degree in mechanical engineering, I spent twenty years as an owner operator of Lake O’Hara Lodge in Yoho National Park, where I was responsible for all aspects of running an off-grid business at an altitude of 7,000 ft. I remain a partner to this day. After moving to Whistler in 1994, I took an interest in affordable housing and helped create the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA), which partnered with the private sector to create more than 1,000 affordable price-restricted townhomes and apartments between 1999 and 2011.
Following my term on Whistler Council, I moved to Bowen and consulted on affordable housing for municipalities in BC, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. Working with these civic governments gave me a solid understanding not only of the impacts that the lack of affordable housing has on communities, but also the vital role of a council in facilitating effective solutions.
With this council and private sector experience, I am excited at the opportunity to contribute to sustainable housing, transportation, and infrastructure solutions on Bowen Island and within the Islands Trust.
I have seen again and again what can be achieved by a small team working collaboratively and cohesively with partners, committees, financial institutions, contractors, consultants and governments. I believe that with good leadership we can achieve better outcomes on Bowen Island.
Together, we can do this. I welcome your ideas and your support.
(604) 992-8634
thwake@gmail.com
Richard Wiefelspuett
Running for Councillor.
Photo and bio coming soon.
Running for Islands Trustee
Sue Ellen Fast
Candidate Statement
I love Bowen and have been deeply involved in community life here, contributing to and leading various projects and committees over thirty years. In 1992 I began as a daily commuter and renter. My husband and I raised our son on Bowen and we run our consulting company from our home, near Collins Farm. Maybe you have seen us on the trails where we walk daily with binoculars, cameras and dog.
Future: I hope Bowen will look much the same, from the air at least. Lots of trees, nature and wildlife, including herons and whales; all sorts of people active in community life and on the trails and beaches. This vision is similar to the one in our current official community plan. A small, friendly, caring community, sharing a unique island lifestyle and supported by well-protected natural ecosystems. That’s what I’m working toward. Nature and Community.
Bowen Council: Serving the last eight years as municipal councillor has been a positive and challenging experience, and an honour. Besides regular council meetings and items I bring to those agendas, I have served on all sorts of committees. Closest to my heart is the Parks, Trails and Greenways committee, which I have usually been part of since the mid-90s. Currently I also serve on other committees, from emergency program to advisory design panel, library board, to the Biosphere’s Ocean Watch Action Committee, and the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council.
Islands Trust: To be part of the federation of islands in the Salish Sea “entrusted” with the mission to protect this special part of the world is wonderful. I see it as a sort of greenbelt between Metro Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island. Over the past eight years I have relished the opportunity to protect the trust area’s beauty, wildlife and unique island communities through Trust Council. Currently I serve as a vice-chair on the executive committee, and also as vice-chair of the Islands Trust Conservancy. Happy to chat about the Trust and the benefits to Bowen - please ask.
OCP: I chaired the Official Community Plan steering committee for the most recent update, ten years ago. I’m proud of the work we did in leading an open collaborative process with high community input. Affordable housing was one dominant community theme, and protecting our “green oasis” was the other. Both are reflected in our current OCP. Today climate change and reconciliation join them, I believe, and all need to be addressed in an interconnected way. Is it time for another refresh? I would welcome the creative ideas and input we can generate together to take action.
Some career highlights:
- conservation learning programs in urban greenways: Edmonton, Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa
- wrote and hosted Nature Walk television series, across North and Central America
- thousands of hours connecting children and families to nature outdoors - what fun
More:
sueellenfast.ca
twitter.com/sueellenonbowen
facebook.com/sue.e.fast
Email me at sefast3@icloud.com - let’s chat!
Judith Gedye
Candidate Statement
I'm seeking a position on Council and as a Trustee for the Islands Trust. I believe that what I love about Bowen, our green spaces and our community, both need attention. I went to Bowfest this year and talked with friends about this election. Overwhelmingly, you want your children and grandchildren to grow up here but worry that none of us may be able to afford it. There was talk of tipping points.
In my spare time, I read council agendas and minutes and watch committee videos! Often, I feel unrepresented and frustrated. I’ve witnessed Committees' work and citizens' letters or submissions given short shrift, and very little sharing of information before and after decisions. I believe we need to listen more, with respect and patience. I believe that more aspects of our Official Community Plan (OCP) should be considered and reasons given if the OCP is not followed. And I believe in the climate crisis and that the mandate of the Islands Trust to preserve and protect our island ecology should be paramount.
I've lived on Bowen 40+ years and commuted daily for ~30 years. My local experience, deep commitment and familiarity with Bowen interest groups will benefit Council. In 1989 I won an elected seat on the Advisory Planning Committee and have served on other committees, such as, the original Improvement Association (now the Eco-Alliance) and its ferry committee, Theatre on the Isle, the recycling depot, the Haunted House, Christmas Hamper Fund, Bowen Heritage, the Municipal Heritage Commission, The Hearth: Arts on Bowen and the Neighbourhood Emergency Response Programme.
The next Council inherits considerable challenges to address the economic impacts of delayed maintenance and upgrades, and multiple capital projects. And while much is already decided, more clarity and understanding are essential to greater understanding and fairness. Personally, I am financially risk averse and prefer to have close control over my spending.
I am well trained in listening, untangling competing interests, getting passionately held positions heard by opponents and reaching compromises or explaining tough decisions. I don't hold myself out as a miracle worker, but I want to devote considerable energy to helping us learn to resolve, if at all possible, our differences respectfully. More and accessible information is one priority. I intend to rent Collins Hall for the full term of this Council to create opportunities for informal dialogue.
We have the luxury of living in a gracious place with a strong community spirit. I know that brilliantly creative things can happen when we talk to each other. With better communications, more support for committees, and your increased interest and engagement we can dig ourselves out of these many holes and continue to meet the challenges ahead.
Please talk to each other about the issues that matter to you and share your thoughts. It is important. This is a chance to shift the way we are heard. I encourage and welcome your support and ideas: judithgedye@gmail.com. Please contact me and I sincerely look forward to hearing from you.
Gale Lyttle
Photo coming soon.
Candidate Statement
I grew up visiting friends and family on Bowen since I was a child, and those wonderful memories made me look on Bowen when I was house hunting. I purchased one of the two properties for sale at the time, and moved here in 1989. Shortly after moving here, I started working with the BC Ambulance Service. It was essentially a volunteer job them, but it has become my career for the last 30+ years. As I approach retirement, I am looking for other ways to the contribute to the island I love.
What do I love about Bowen? The outdoors here, the slow pace of the island, the connections to the neighbourhood and the community. The quiet walks and quiet, dark nights. I loved having a safe place to raise my son. All these things are precious.
Why am I running for Council? I want to make sure that the next Council provides the maximum benefit for the people who live here – in terms of ensuring tax increases stay at a moderate level and that Council is accountable to the public who are paying the taxes. Taxpayer money spent should have a clear benefit to as many of those taxpayers as possible.
Why am I running for Islands Trust? Islands Trust is a unique governing body that helps to ensure that we are able to preserve and protect this island we live on. We need to be smart about the expenditures at the Islands Trust and make sure any decisions made are those that benefit our island in the future.
With respect to both Council and Islands Trust, it is important to have a long term financial vision. Too often decisions are made looking no further ahead than the next election.
I have worked in many volunteer organizations during my thirty plus years here. I was on the original Emergency Services Committee as a volunteer. I have volunteered at the school, the library, the Neighbourhood Emergency Response Program (NERP), the Eagle Cliff Water Board (prior to incorporation as a municipality).
My career in the Ambulance Services has given me a lot of experience with negotiation, conflict resolution, and listening to people and consensus building. dealing taught me the importance of working with teams.
I look forward to serving on Council and giving back to the community that has given me so much. Please vote for me on October 5th or 15th
Maureen Nicholson
Running for Mayor and Islands Trustee.
Photo and bio coming soon.
Tim Wake
Candidate Statement
What do you love most about living on Bowen Island? Is it the small-town rural feel, the friendly and caring community, the laid-back island lifestyle, the arts and culture scene, the abundance of activities, or the stunning natural surroundings? Perhaps it is all those things. Perhaps it is something else.
Living here certainly has its benefits, and I feel very fortunate to have enjoyed it for the past ten years. At the same time, I am concerned about where we are headed, specifically our lack of housing diversity, the severe shortage of suitable housing for staff and young families, our deteriorating infrastructure and the cost of replacing it, the lack of viable alternatives to driving cars, our inability to have a constructive community conversation…the list goes on.
I am running for council and as trustee on the Islands Trust to be part of a team that can find innovative solutions for these, and other, urgent concerns facing our island community. Running a municipality is not like running a business. When I was elected to Whistler Council in 2005, I quickly learned that municipalities work differently and there are very few quick fixes. I was fortunate to be part of a team where we respected one another, listened more than we spoke, and worked effectively with staff to tackle a variety of issues in the leadup to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
With a degree in mechanical engineering, I spent twenty years as an owner operator of Lake O’Hara Lodge in Yoho National Park, where I was responsible for all aspects of running an off-grid business at an altitude of 7,000 ft. I remain a partner to this day. After moving to Whistler in 1994, I took an interest in affordable housing and helped create the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA), which partnered with the private sector to create more than 1,000 affordable price-restricted townhomes and apartments between 1999 and 2011.
Following my term on Whistler Council, I moved to Bowen and consulted on affordable housing for municipalities in BC, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. Working with these civic governments gave me a solid understanding not only of the impacts that the lack of affordable housing has on communities, but also the vital role of a council in facilitating effective solutions.
With this council and private sector experience, I am excited at the opportunity to contribute to sustainable housing, transportation, and infrastructure solutions on Bowen Island and within the Islands Trust.
I have seen again and again what can be achieved by a small team working collaboratively and cohesively with partners, committees, financial institutions, contractors, consultants and governments. I believe that with good leadership we can achieve better outcomes on Bowen Island.
Together, we can do this. I welcome your ideas and your support.
(604) 992-8634
thwake@gmail.com
Last Updated on 2022-09-09 at 4:05 PM