We asked each local candidate running in the October 20 election what they feel is the most important issue facing their community and what sets them apart from the other candidates.
Ucluelet council candidates
Jeff Anderson
What do you feel is the most pressing election issue?
Ucluelet has many pressing issues on the table. Every topic is important to the citizens of the community - infrastructure, environment, sustainability, affordable housing, recreation and future development. I am here to listen to the people in the community and hear what is important to all of you. I support sustainability for future generations, preservation of wild salmon, healthy forests and plastic free beaches and oceans. Canada’s first catch and release aquarium, the wild pacific trail protecting the delicate coast line, B.C.’s first food waste converter and the presence of the Surfrider Foundation are a few of the reasons my family loves Ucluelet.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
I am new to Ucluelet, I bring fresh eyes and a new perspective. I have a young family and much of the struggles for Ucluelet are real to us. Ucluelet is the third resort municipality I have lived in over the last twenty years. I have watched both the positive and negative impact that tourism growth effects communities. Having read the new OPC plan I am impressed with the progressive and forward thinking in this community. I would like to thank the current council, city staff and the community of Ucluelet for their great work on the OPC plan. I look forward to helping steer Ucluelet to a sustainable future.
Rachelle Cole
What do you feel is the most pressing election issue?
I believe that our community is very clear and united in wanting to preserve all that is good and right in our Wonderful West Coast World.
Everyone knows that we must continue to move forward- if we don’t, as the rest of the world does, we will essentially be not only sitting still, but moving backwards in comparison. Balance is the key - the balance of insuring we have our infrastructure and details for such in place - before embarking on large changes - while at the same time insuring we are moving in a timely, transparent manner. This Balance of thorough planning and timely execution will allow us to Thrive in the Ucluelet that we all know and love.
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
I have several decades of experience at all levels of Hospitality/Tourism from service to upper management in both resort remote and metro settings.
I have a long history in Emergency Services including both First Responder/Fire and Ambulance - rural and metro. It’s easy to offer up solid historical facts of what I’ve done and it’s easy to translate them into why I would be a well rounded partner at the table of council serving this community. What is more difficult to express is the quality of character, so I polled the people who know well me to share with those of you who don’t: I am fearlessly driven, energetically motivated, and I always dedicate 110% of my effort (with enthusiasm) to exceed all expectations and achieve all goals.
Jennifer Hoar
What is the most pressing election issue?
While there are many issues in our community, I feel the most pressing is a lack of affordable housing. I have spoken to business owners and many have had staffing issues this year due to a lack of living spaces. While larger companies may be able to buy properties to house their staff (& a number have), this does not help the small businesses and their workers, for whom affordable options need to be found. Increasing density in new developments, ensuring these developments include staff housing & working to find creative, viable solutions for Ucluelet are my focus.
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
My PhD and biology background give me a unique view of our West Coast environment. I realize that there is a lot to learn as a new councilor and I believe I have the skills to learn quickly and effectively. I have worked in higher education, our local commercial fishing industry, as well as retail and thus have a wide range of knowledge & experience that can be utilized on council. From the beginning, I have believed in supporting our community through volunteering my time, as well as donating to support our youth & other causes dear to my heart.
Andy Horne
What do you feel is the most pressing election issue?
I am not sure how I could label my most pressing issue within one concept other than the word future. I have grown here my whole life and intend to raise my children here. I hope to guide the community into an affordable, economic future that potential residents will want to live in and locals will want to stay in. I will concentrate my efforts mainly on affordable housing, opportunities for the youth of our community and an economic infrastructure to support our growing and changing community.
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
I think the thing that sets me apart from my fellow candidates is my youth. From my youth comes a certain perspective and a certain drive. Those that know me, know I am passionate and will fight tooth and nail for the things I believe in….and I believe in this town. Every team needs a strong voice and I believe I am that voice for our community.
Courtney Johnson
What do you feel is the most pressing election issue?
Ucluelet is growing. I feel the most pressing issue is finding a balance between the inevitable changes that come with such growth while preserving Ucluelet’s unique character. We must work today to create a positive future by supporting local businesses, caring for youth and recreation programs, maintaining safety and infrastructure, and developing affordable housing. I really love where I live. The people here are unlike any other. We are strong, passionate, supportive, and resilient. It is important to me that Ucluelet remain a safe and affordable place to call home while maintaining its uniqueness and beauty as we grow as a community.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
I am a strong supporter of our local youth programs. Over the last six years I have created several child and youth programs in Ucluelet, fundraised for community projects, and worked to reopen our local youth room at our Community Centre. I wholeheartedly believe that it takes a village to raise a child and children/youth who are directly involved with their community maintain a positive outlook for their community and feel a sense of care, belonging, and responsibility. You have trusted me to guide your children. I would like to be a voice for Ucluelet and serve this community.
Lara Kemps
What do you feel is the most pressing election issue?
Ucluelet has many pressing issues that council needs to address, and I have a difficult time highlighting only one. As a community, we have a vested interest to keep the momentum going with what is on the District’s table. My primary focus will be to collaborate and work closely as a team with council and district staff to move the following items forward; housing, water/infrastructure, critical care unit/hub, transfer of coast guard land and roads and sidewalks. Let’s move these things forward and get things done!
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
My family has been here since 1912; I have the unique perspective of seeing how Ucluelet has grown but holds its charm. I will come to this position with over 30 years of senior management and leadership experience which has transferred to my current position as manager of the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce. This job has provided me with invaluable insight to better understand the needs of our business owners. I have also sat on numerous boards and with that, I have a strong knowledge of governance and know the value of volunteers. I enjoy genuine constructive dialogue, and I always keep an open mind and would like to think that I am approachable. These experiences in my professional and personal life have prepared me for this moment.
Marilyn McEwen
What is the most pressing election issue?
The issue top of mind for a lot of Ucluelet citizens is housing: affordability, availability, and staff housing. Council has invested in the Host Compliance program, which brings illegal nightly rentals to the attention of bylaw, and several of those have been returned to monthly rental units. We have land specifically zoned for low income housing & offer incentives to developers for that purpose.
Our newly revised OCP addresses the need for a range of housing options. The BC government recently offered a number of tools to municipalities to assess & address housing needs; it is an on-going problem to solve.
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
As my 4th year on Ucluelet council is coming to a close, the learning curve has flattened out a lot; I feel much more prepared to face the next 4 years having that experience under my belt. I am very much a team player, and while each of us brings a variety of skills & knowledge to the table, in the end a municipal council is a team of people who need to work together to provide the best decisions for the people of the community. Being self-employed I am able to juggle my commitments to allow as much time as is needed to attend meetings.
Myles Morrison
What is the most pressing election issue?
Balance. We want Ucluelet to be: A nice place to visit. An excellent place to work. A great place to settle down. A wonderful place to raise a family. A real community.
We can maintain and enhance our lifestyle through the awareness of balance. Housing, health, work, recreation, education, arts and culture are all important and a good balance of all of them will get the best result. A study that I attended the presentation of showed that the most important of these issues for the growth and health of a community was the availability of arts and culture.
What sets you apart from the other candidates? I have had very wide life experiences and understandings. I have produced records and movie soundtracks, been a band manager and touring musician, written newspaper articles and columns, been a financial advisor, analyst and Stock Bond and Commodities broker, run a jackhammer installing Frost fences, been a kayak guide, martial arts instructor, sat on many boards including the Rec Commission, Co-op, Lions, PRAS and am currently the president of the Vancouver Island Region Restorative Justice Association. I have been a Patrol Commander in the Canadian Forces and with my wife of 35 years raised 6 amazing children right here.
Jesse Wilts
What do you feel is the most pressing election issue?
The most pressing issue is lack of housing and affordability thereof. People need a place to live in order to work, and local businesses have struggled to attract and retain talented individuals because of renovictions, high rents, and low supply. Rising interest rates will also affect the real estate market and compound the problem by stalling development and depressing resale values. It’s possible this issue could get worse before it gets better. Increasing housing supply and maintaining the value of existing homes requires sound planning at the local level and active management to benefit businesses and grow the local economy.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
I was born and raised on Vancouver Island, and after graduation I joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Pilot in 1997. From there I studied at the Royal Military College of Canada and finished top of my class in Military and Strategic Studies, and then completed a Master of Arts in Defence Management and Policy. I served in Winnipeg doing search and rescue, logistics, and airport operations until I retired at rank of Captain in 2010. My education combined with experience in leadership and management is what makes me a strong candidate.
- Also running for Ucluelet council is Ted Bailey.
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