In addition to determining who will represent each of its five electoral districts as directors on Saturday, October 20, electors in qathet Regional District will also vote on two referendum questions.
One concerns health services for Lasqueti Island residents; the other will have important repercussions for three regional district areas, as well as City of Powell River.
The latter question, to be asked of voters in mainland electoral areas A, B and C, is: “Are you in favour of the qathet Regional District adopting Bylaw No. 530 to establish with Electoral Areas A, B and C a service for the purpose of providing financial assistance to the City of Powell River for providing regional recreational services and to authorize a maximum annual taxation of $178,500 or $0.153249/$1,000 of net taxable value of land and improvements, whichever is greater?”
The referendum speaks to sharing costs for the Powell River Recreation Complex annual budget of $4 million, all of which the city currently shoulders.
Residents who live outside of the city do not contribute taxes to operate and manage recreational services at the complex.
The regional district board is proposing that Electoral Area A, north of Powell River but excluding Savary Island; Electoral Area B, in the Padgett Road valley region; and Electoral Area C, south of the city, contribute annually to the recreation complex starting in 2019.
Meanwhile, a total of 12 candidates have declared for five seats on the regional district board. The city also appoints two directors from council to represent municipal interests.
Sitting district board chair Patrick Brabazon, who was elected by acclamation in 2014, will be opposed by Mark Johnston and Denise Smith in Electoral Area A.
Electoral Area B will feature one of the most competitive races with Mark Gisborne hoping to follow in his father Stan Gisborne’s footsteps. The elder Gisborne won the election in 2014 but had to step aside for health reasons. His seat was filled by alternate director Alan Rebane, who is now seeking the position on a full-time basis. Janet May, who sits on Powell River Community Forest’s board of directors, has thrown her hat into the Area B mix as well.
Following the retirement of longtime politician Colin Palmer, Electoral Area C is wide open with Clay Brander, Robert Higgin and Connie Keiver on the ballot.
Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick is unopposed on Texada Island and will win by acclamation.
On Lasqueti Island, Merrick Anderson, who won by acclamation in 2014, is running against Andrew Fall.
Two people are nominated for Lasqueti Island Local Trust Area trustee: Peter Johnston and Timothy Peterson.
The qathet Regional District general election takes place on Saturday, October 20, when regional district electors can vote for directors and, if eligible, on the referendum questions. Advance voting takes place Wednesday, October 10.
The regional district has not yet set the locations for polling stations.
