2011 North Shore Candidates

MTB Friendly Voting

Words by Cam McRae.
Date: 2011-11-16

The dark days of mountain biking on the Shore feel like ancient history. Thanks to sympathetic mayors and councils in the District of North Van, and to a lesser degree in West Van, mountain bikers are no longer treated as a scourge. In fact The District of North Van (DNV) has put money towards trail construction and maintenance which has made a huge difference to the trails on Mt. Fromme. Bobsled was funded entirely by money funneled into the project by DNV. The City of North Van (North Vancouver is split into two municipalities - the DNV and the city) has less to do with mountain biking considering virtually all the trails are in the DNV.

north van council 2008

Every election we take a look at the slate of candidates and we give an opinion of those who we feel have supported riders and trails. First we talk to those who are politically active riders to get their informed opinions. Then we make our list. Mountain bikers have become a recognized political force on the Shore so it's important that you get out and vote.

DNV Candidates we recommend
Mayor Richard Walton has been a great supporter of recreation including mountain biking. He has spearheaded many mountain bike-oriented events and given his support to others. Vote for Richard Walton without a doubt.

Current DNV councillors seeking re-election who have demonstrated a willingness to work with mountain bikers:
Councillor Roger Bassam
Councillor Robin Hicks
Councillor Mike Little
Councillor Doug MacKay-Dunn
Councillor Lisa Muri

John Gilmour is a candidate for council who is running for the first time and appears to be pro-mtb:

Councillor Alan Nixon has shown less overt support for mountain biking but he has always been open-minded and fair about the issues. Everything we have seen leads us to believe he is an excellent councillor.

Candidate for council who may be guilty by association:
Wendy Qureshi (who was mentored by Ernie Crist - may he rest in peace - a foe to mtb when he was on council).

Anyone we haven't mentioned hasn't done anything that the people I have consulted have been made aware of. That doesn't imply that they are anti mtb - only that we don't have enough information to make the call.

north van council 2008
  Photo ~ Euan Forrester
 
West Vancouver is another important riding area that will need political support. Right now there is an informal ban on development above 1200 feet - but British Pacific Properties, which owns much of the land, would like to push that higher. The Rodgers Creek development, thus far, has not been a model of balanced municipal planning. The lots are huge, there are no services within walking distance and the vacant mcmansions in much of the area make it feel like a wasteland.

At the same time some effort has been made to preserve certain existing mountain bike trails. Unfortunately Mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones, who was generally pro MTB, will not be running again and Michael Smith has been elected by acclamation. Here is a little information based on what I have learned and what my contacts in West Van have shared with me.

Current DWV councillors seeking re-election who have demonstrated a willingness to work with mountain bikers:
Councillor Trish Panz

Candidate for council who is running for the first time and appear to be pro-mtb:
Craig Cameron

If you have more information about the candidates listed above or about others we have omitted please share it below. And make sure you get out and VOTE!

Comments

Add your comments here! Note that all posts as guests will be put into a moderation queue.

Posted by Sharon at 07:19 AM on 11-09-2011
Get out and vote!
Posted by RossputiN at 08:25 AM on 11-09-2011
Indeed go vote; voting at the municipal level will have more impact on your day-to-day experiences than either provincial or federal voting. When so many news/mags take a non-partisan stance, it's great to see NSMB weigh in with their recommendations.
Posted by connor at 08:30 AM on 11-09-2011
curious to see what people on here are saying about candidates in other areas, I really have no idea about the people running in my area, other than Trasolini is out, and a bit of a turd.
Posted by Sharon at 09:17 AM on 11-09-2011
Quote:
Originally Posted by connor (Post 2586880)
curious to see what people on here are saying about candidates in other areas, I really have no idea about the people running in my area, other than Trasolini is out, and a bit of a turd.
best to find out lest you lose bert flin and other areas Port Moody has control over!
Posted by shirk at 11:13 AM on 11-09-2011
Information ban on development above 1200m??? Cam can you expand on that?

Does this have anything to do with the Regional Growth Strategy committee that has some mirky political control over development in Metro Van?

http://www.metrovanwatch.ca/
Posted by cam@nsmb.com at 01:25 PM on 11-09-2011
I have updated the info on Lisa Muri. Others have contacted me with positive things to say about Ms. Muri.

Shirk - I don't know the fine details but at this point DWV isn't allowing development about 1200". There seems to be some discussion of changing that and maybe swapping some land lower down with some at elevation. Someone who is more knowledgable about the issue should address it.
Posted by Guest at 07:20 PM on 11-10-2011
I'm sure this will start a firestorm of commentary I presently don't have time to debate to, however, I wouldn't trust anything NSMBA had to recommend on who to vote for on the north shore in the upcoming muni election. Mountain biking continues to be highly controversial, some would asses destructive, still, on the north shore. Mountain biking belongs in bike parks, where it can't continue to wreak its havoc with flora and fauna in the wild.

And, frankly, contrary to your supposed pan of Wendy Quereshi. She is one of high integrity and involvement in the community, one I would for in a flash as being a strong, able and competent addition to NVD Council.

Good luck to all candidates.
Posted by AlanB at 06:56 PM on 11-13-2011
Trish Panz gets my vote in DWV. She understands that mtn bikes need a place to ride and is great to work with.

She has a strong emphasis on protecting the environment.
Posted by Sharon at 08:38 PM on 11-13-2011
Advance poll at dnv tomorrow from 8-8

As for development above 1200 Ft elevation on Cypress, the variance is up for discussion and it will have to be open to a public consultation process. Hopefully people who ride cypress and want the trails above 1200 ft (fern trail) below the 3 sb and between there and cypress creek to remain will come out to the meetings, and vote in this election.

That area is flatish and would make some great estate lots for bpp to develop.
Posted by AlanB at 10:31 PM on 11-13-2011
Quote:
Originally Posted by cam@nsmb.com (Post 2586976)
Shirk - I don't know the fine details but at this point DWV isn't allowing development about 1200". There seems to be some discussion of changing that and maybe swapping some land lower down with some at elevation. Someone who is more knowledgable about the issue should address it.
Expect this to be brought up at the NSMBA AGM on Thursday, Nov 17.

The short version is that the 2004 OCP allows for a 1200' variation on Cypress. DWV has set a 2012 goal of completing the plan for future development of Upper Lands. (See Balanced Scorecard page 15)
Posted by AlanB at 10:35 PM on 11-13-2011
Quote:
Originally Posted by shirk (Post 2586934)
Does this have anything to do with the Regional Growth Strategy committee that has some mirky political control over development in Metro Van?
The RGS has sped up the timing of a decision on the Upper Lands, but the decision still lies with the council we elect on Saturday.

Get out and vote!
Posted by cam@nsmb.com at 11:02 PM on 11-13-2011
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guest (Post 2587410)
I'm sure this will start a firestorm of commentary I presently don't have time to debate to, however, I wouldn't trust anything NSMBA had to recommend on who to vote for on the north shore in the upcoming muni election. Mountain biking continues to be highly controversial, some would asses destructive, still, on the north shore. Mountain biking belongs in bike parks, where it can't continue to wreak its havoc with flora and fauna in the wild.

And, frankly, contrary to your supposed pan of Wendy Quereshi. She is one of high integrity and involvement in the community, one I would for in a flash as being a strong, able and competent addition to NVD Council.

Good luck to all candidates.
I'm not sure who you are (although you sound remarkably similar to a frog fan we are familiar with) but you don't seem to be a mountain biker. If you were you'd realize that this has nothing to do with the nsmbA (a non-profit cannot make voting recommendations). This voters' guide is for mountain bikers so if you are anti-mtb it seems we got the candidates just right.

I also don't think that's the way Ms "Quereshi' spells her name. You might want to check it so you get it right on the ballot.
Posted by AlanB at 11:49 PM on 11-13-2011
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guest (Post 2587410)
I'm sure this will start a firestorm of commentary I presently don't have time to debate to, however, I wouldn't trust anything NSMBA had to recommend on who to vote for on the north shore in the upcoming muni election.
Just to clarify, this is the NSMB.com web site. It is not affiliated with the NSMBA.

Good luck to all candidates. Get out and vote!
Posted by shirk at 08:52 AM on 11-14-2011
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanB (Post 2588287)
The RGS has sped up the timing of a decision on the Upper Lands, but the decision still lies with the council we elect on Saturday.

Get out and vote!
Good to see that there will still be public consultation before the RGS gets to run rampant with it. The way it was explained to me is that the RGS has veto power and doesn't need to do public consultation.

Look forward to hearing more on Thursday.
Posted by thatguy at 10:43 AM on 11-14-2011
Does anyone have any thoughts on North Van City mayor or councilors? Are there any that I should be aware are pro MTB or against?

Thanks in advance for the insight.
Posted by Oldfart at 01:00 PM on 11-14-2011
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guest (Post 2587410)
I'm sure this will start a firestorm of commentary I presently don't have time to debate to, however, I wouldn't trust anything NSMBA had to recommend on who to vote for on the north shore in the upcoming muni election. Mountain biking continues to be highly controversial, some would asses destructive, still, on the north shore. Mountain biking belongs in bike parks, where it can't continue to wreak its havoc with flora and fauna in the wild.

And, frankly, contrary to your supposed pan of Wendy Quereshi. She is one of high integrity and involvement in the community, one I would for in a flash as being a strong, able and competent addition to NVD Council.

Good luck to all candidates.
Yes and housing belongs in Surrey too. Not on the pristine second and third growth mostly single species forest. So please tear down your house and plant a diverse selection of plants..nutbar.

I already cast my vote in the City. I voted for those that supported the OCP unlike certain incumbents.

I get to vote in Whistler too as I am a property owner there.

Go vote for whomever you feel represents you and your interests. If you don't vote, then don't complain.
Posted by AlanB at 08:39 PM on 11-14-2011
Quote:
Originally Posted by shirk (Post 2588341)
Good to see that there will still be public consultation before the RGS gets to run rampant with it. The way it was explained to me is that the RGS has veto power and doesn't need to do public consultation.
The purpose of the RGS is to contain urban sprawl. It does this by restricting where sewer mains and water mains go. Not many urbanites will buy a home with an outdoor privy. :nono:

Local councils can zone however they like, so if DWV zones everything above 1200' as park then it stays park, even if it's urban in the RGS. No one is forced to develop anything.

If a local council wants to run sewage & water outside the urban containment boundary, THEN the RGS "veto" comes into play. It's not a veto, but a majority of municipalities have to vote in favour of changing the land use designation from rural or recreation/conservation to urban. Good luck getting other municipalities to vote to build houses up Cypress. It would ruin their view!

The RGS bylaw uses plain language. It's worth a read. http://www.metrovancouver.org/planni...July292011.pdf
Posted by AlanB at 09:11 AM on 11-17-2011
West Van Citizens for Good Government have excellent recommendations every election. Their endorsements are here.

I suggest voting for all 6 candidates they're endorsed for Council to keep Council strong.
Posted by redrum at 09:30 AM on 11-18-2011
Just had this emailed to me from Cycling BC

http://cyclingbc.net/cycling-bc/advocacy-for-local-elections-2011/
Posted by Guinness at 05:47 PM on 11-20-2011
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guest (Post 2587410)
Mountain biking belongs in bike parks.
Thank you Guest for your suggestion of turning Fromme into a bike park. I will be sure to suggest this to council and ensure that you get the credit for this brilliant idea.