North Van Elections

Voter Fatigue Setting In?

Words by Sharon Bader.
Date: 2008-11-07

Another election is upon us. While it can't compare to the history making Obama victory down south, this one is important nonetheless. Richard Walton's mayoral position has gone uncontested. An endorsement of a job well done over the last four years. Mayor Walton clearly understands the importance of mountain biking to so many of us, as well as the value it brings to our community.  Mountain biking has not been on the radar since the last election which we can attribute to the strong working relationship the mountain bike community has with the Land Managers and the ongoing Alpine Recreational Strategic Study. While this proposal has been adopted and accepted by the current council, many important decisions will still be required of local politicians to move mountain biking forward in the future. Still on the agenda is finding a balance between the mountain bike community, other recreational users and environmental considerations.

Three new councillors have tossed their hats into the ring. All three would be positive additions to this Council.

John Fair
johnfair.ca/
Member of JBAC ( Joint Bicycle Advisory Committee ) for years. Past President of VACC ( Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition). Involved with the Spirit trail. He would be a good advocate for mountain biking and biking in general. He also wants to focus on transportation issues in North Vancouver.

Roger Bassam
rogerbassam.com/
Had been on the Sport Council for past 10 years. Quite familiar with sport related issues as well as mountain biking. Has expanded vision for Inter River area involving more sports fields which could also benefit mountain biking in that area.

David McKee
A mountain biker. Supports the Spirit trail which is good. Past co chair of JBAC.

Of the new councilors John Fair would be the most pro-mountain biking but John Bassam and David McKee would be good as well.

At the Sport Council all candidates meeting I asked about candidates' position on mountain biking  and John Fair, John Bassam and David Mckee were all anxious to answer. All were in favour of supporting trails with the appropriate concern for the environment/other users. Following the meeting Doug MacKay-Dunn and Robin Hicks came up and talked to me about mountain biking which is a positive indication that they feel the mountain bike community is important.

(My question was:Would the new council continue to support outdoor recreation, including mountain biking and ensure any management decisions are fair and applicable to all DNV lands including trails on Mt. Seymour.)

Current Councillors:

Robin Hicks
Elected in 2005. Lives in Upper Lynn Valley. Is familiar with mtb conflicts. Is supportive of mountain biking

MacKay-Dunn, Doug
dougmackay-dunn.ca/
Elected in 2005. Supportive of mountain biking, really saw the power of the community at the last election.

Lisa Muri
Councillor since 1996. Supportive of mountain biking. Didn't say anything too surprising at the meeting

Mike Little
Elected in 2005. Been a rec commission rep for council. Has been supportive of mountain biking when the issue comes up.

Alan Nixon
alannixon.com/
Councillor since 2002.

Also running for Council:

Peter Birrell.  
Focus is on housing etc. Doesn't mountain bike.

What you need to Vote:
Be 18 years or older. Have two pieces of ID, one that shows your address and one with a signature. You also must have lived in the respective municipality for the last 30 days.

For more information on the candidates at NorthVancouverPolitics.com

Click here for a North Shore News Article on North Vancouver District Councilors


Polling Day - for all Municipal elections in B.C. -  is Nov 15th from 8:00am to 8:00pm

At these locations in North Vancouver:

1.Advance Voting ONLY - Municipal Hall ~ 355 West Queens Road
2.Balmoral Jr. Secondary School ~ 3365 Mahon Avenue
3.Blueridge Elementary School ~ 2650 Bronte Drive
4.Brooksbank Elementary School ~ 980 East 13th Street
5.Canyon Heights Elementary School ~ 4501 Highland Blvd.
6.Capilano Elementary School ~1230 West 20th Street
7.Carisbrooke Elementary School ~ 510 East Carisbrooke Road
8.Cleveland Elementary School ~ 1255 Eldon Road
9.Eastview Elementary School ~ 1801 Mountain Highway
10.Highlands Elementary School ~ 3150 Colwood Drive
11.Lynn Valley recCentre ~ 3590 Mountain Highway
12.Lynnmour Elementary School ~ 800 Forsman Avenue
13.Montroyal Elementary School ~ 5310 Sonora Drive
14.Norgate Elementary School ~ 1295 Sowden Street
15.Parkgate Community Centre ~ 3625 Banff Court
16.Plymouth Elementary School ~ 919 Tollcross Road (NOT wheelchair-accessible)
17.Seycove Secondary School ~ 1204 Caledonia Avenue
18.Sherwood Park Elementary School ~ 4085 Dollar Road
19.Upper Lynn Elementary School ~ 1540 Coleman Street
20.Ross Road Elementary ~ 2875 Bushnell Place
21.Woodcroft Capilano Building ~ 2024 Fullerton Avenue


Advance Voting - November 5, 7 and 10 at Municipal Hall, 355 West Queens Road, from 8:00am.- 8:00pm.

West Vancouver Voting Information

Pam Goldsmith Jones has been key in getting Land Owners to talk to the recreational stakeholders on development issues in West Vancouver. She deserves our support!

Mountain bikers - get out there and vote.  A strong showing by candidates we supported in the last election has been key to the current positive relationship we enjoy here in North Van.

Anything else to say about the candidates in North Van or elsewhere in B.C?  Does President Elect Obama ride a mountain bike like Dubya?  Speak up here...