by Laura Walz [email protected] Mayor Stewart Alsgard is seeking a fifth term in office. “I will be putting my name forward as a candidate for mayor of the City of Powell River,” he told the Peak.
Alsgard, 76, was first elected mayor in 1999. He served as the coroner in Powell River for 16 years and was in the Canadian Navy for 28 years. He was also the owner of Books and Stationery on Marine Avenue and worked with his father, Al Alsgard, in the newspaper business.
Alsgard said age isn’t a factor for him. “I enjoy good health,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to have it. I’m quite prepared to carry on.”
If he’s elected to another term, Alsgard said, he wants to enhance citizen participation and will continue to delegate responsibility to individual councillors who show an interest in specific areas.
Alsgard also has his eye on the financial impact of major capital projects that are nearing completion. “We need to be mindful of the fact that we have to do two things: be responsible for the debts that we have incurred and not burden the population with excessive debt or unnecessary debt, but to look most carefully at all the things that we do and ensure that the public’s money is spent where the public wants to have its money spent,” he said.
Councillor Chris McNaughton said his intention is to run for council, but he is keeping all options open. He said he picked up nomination packages for both mayor and council.
Councillors Debbie Dee and Maggie Hathaway are both seeking another term, after winning a seat on council for the first time in 2008.
Hathaway said she has enjoyed the last three years. “A huge part of it has been a learning curve,” she said. “Now that I’m through that learning curve, I feel even better prepared to carry out the work of the people.”
Dee said she is going to run at least one more time. “Unfortunately, the business of politics isn’t quick business,” she said. “I’ve got a lot of irons in the fire that I’d like to have an opportunity to complete.”
Councillors Dave Formosa, Jim Palm and Aaron Pinch are undecided.
“I will be welcoming my second child in October and need to fully consider the needs of my young family,” Pinch said.
Palm said he is “very involved with current council initiatives and simply want to get as much accomplished during the time remaining as possible.”
Over at the Powell River Regional District (PRRD), directors Colin Palmer, Electoral Area C, Patrick Brabazon, Area A, and Dave Murphy, Texada Island, will all be candidates in their respective areas.
Stan Gisborne said that at this time he is undecided, but he is considering running again. “In 2008 I had planned to retire in 2011, after 24 years as Area B director,” he said. “In 2008, the PRRD began revision of the Areas B and C official community plan bylaw that had been last revised in 1989. I believe the revised draft bylaw does not ‘accurately reflect the aspirations of the local community.’ In particular, many of the land use designations are inappropriate for existing uses.”
The Peak was unable to reach Merrick Anderson, the Lasqueti Island director.
Powell River Board of Education trustees Mary James, Aaron Reid, Jeanette Scott and Doug Skinner are all seeking re-election. Debby Lewis, board chair, said she was undecided.
James said she has found her time as a trustee “a new experience that has been stimulating, challenging and extremely interesting. During this, my second term in office, I feel I have a better understanding of the role of school trustee and I have been involved in many initiatives which I hope bring positive benefits to students and their families in our school district.”
Reid said her first term was a “huge learning experience. It’s been stressful at times, but I have really enjoyed it and am hoping to continue on for another term.”
While it is a challenging time in the world of education in the province, Scott said, “I am anxious to follow through on my commitments to the local and provincial projects with which I am currently involved.”
Skinner also said his first term has been a “tremendous learning experience and I am hopeful that I will be re-elected.”
-with files from Kyle Wells, Peak reporter
