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Meet your City of Terrace council candidates

Thirteen out of 15 council hopefuls submitted their platforms
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With municipal elections on the horizon, Terrace residents will be asked to decide among 15 candidates to fill six city council seats. Veteran City of Terrace councillor Sean Bujtas will be the next mayor after being the only person to file nomination papers as of the deadline of 4 p.m. Sept. 9.

Elected first to council in 2014 and again in 2018, Bujtas will take over from Carol Leclerc who is retiring from local political life after two terms as mayor.

But things are much different when it comes to the six council seats as 15 people filed by the deadline, making for the most crowded council hopeful field in memory.

General voting day for municipal elections is Saturday, Oct. 15. Advance polls began on Wednesday, Oct. 5 and another advance poll will be held Wednesday Oct. 12.

There are two City of Terrace voting locations for the Oct. 15 election day, one at the arena banquet room and the other at Cassie Hall Elementary on the southside.

The latter, a first for the city, is an attempt to reverse a decline in voter turnout by making it easier for southside residents to cast their ballots.

Terrace voters will have a chance to meet the city council candidates Oct. 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Branch 13 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

The Terrace Standard reached out to City of Terrace council hopefuls who submitted their platforms in 100 words or less. Thirteen of 15 council candidates responded.

Here are the platforms we received in alphabetical order:

Chris Apps

Chris Apps

After moving to Terrace in 2014, I immediately fell in love with this city and its people.

Now I want to serve the community that has welcomed me and many others.

I have dedicated my career and education to public policy, Indigenous governance, environmental stewardship and responsible decision-making.

As your city councillor, I will advocate strongly for:

Increased appropriate and affordable seniors housing; Enhanced accessibility for pedestrians & cyclists; Greater community benefits from local and regional industrial projects; and, balanced decisions that consider environment, public health and safety, and long-term economic resiliency for Terrace.

Together, we can do this.

James Cordeiro

James Cordeiro

Public Safety: Stop enabling anti-social behaviour and empower people to overcome issues

1. Build business case for detox and treatment facilities

2. Lobby for inpatient mental health care and

3. In custody rehabilitation for prolific offenders

City development: Do better

1. Update city plans to reflect economic realities

2. Emphasize delivery of core services

3. Focus on livability and public safety

Advocacy: Be direct

1. Support mayor to directly meet with provincial officials for needs

2. Reduce redundant conference travel to support more direct lobbying

3. Build clear business cases for our needs rather than rely on “we deserve this.”

Brian Downie

Brian Downie (left)

As a councillor in Terrace the past 17 years, I have enjoyed my role and the work of council for the betterment of city.

I fully support jointly developing a path to reconciliation with our indigenous neighbours.

Developing our economy by encouraging new business investment is our future as the service and supply center of northwest B.C.

We have needs for roads and overpasses, housing, and active transportation, priorities that must be balanced by our limited financial capacity.

I recognize the strain of our current social pressures and I believe to improve, we must have the province involved.

I am a community volunteer and I see opportunities for all residents to make Terrace a better place to live.

MaryAnn Freeman

MaryAnn Freeman

My husband and I have lived in Terrace for 30 years and raised our family here.

For the past 20 years I have worked with various non-profit organizations within Terrace.

From my experience working in the city’s downtown core area, it has given me insight into the struggles of economics and social issues that local businesses, employees and customers have to contend with.

Some of my concerns will focus on fiscal responsibility for the City of Terrace and will diligently work on ensuring a safe environment for our citizens.

Dave Gordon

Dave Gordon

I am a long time resident of Terrace and former downtown business owner. I’m an active volunteer, with MMC Shames, raising over $1.5million for capital upgrades, and with the Skeena Salmon Arts Fest Society which has led the installation of many murals and sculptures in Terrace.

Key areas that I will work towards include: downtown revitalization, improving sidewalks and trails (especially on our bridges), advancing efforts to build the Foundry to support youth, and support the Northern First Nations Alliance in setting up a detox and wellness facility.

As a returning councillor, I am engaged with the challenges of how the city delivers core services within the limits of our ability to pay with tax dollars.

Martin Holzbauer

Martin Holzbauer

As a candidate for the City of Terrace, my goal is simple. If the people of Terrace choose to elect me as their representative, I will represent their wishes, concerns to city council, including of all those people that for some reason do not vote in local elections.

Some of the current challenges are beyond the ability of the city to deal with and the city council and staff will have to work together with provincial and federal officials and departments to meet those challenges.

Melissa Linn

Melissa Linn

Hello Terrace!

The main focuses for myself, running for a council position representing the citizens of Terrace are as follows:

1. Securing funding and land to build more seniors residences in town so they do not have to relocate away from family & friends and address the lengthy wait lists currently faced.

2. Address the need for an Indigenous focused treatment centre in collaboration with our local Indigenous communities.

3. Develop a restorative justice approach which not only supports low risk offenders but businesses within our community.

4. Diversity within council, is all important for equitable community representation.

Peter Moloney

Peter Moloney

Peter Moloney has been a resident of Terrace since 2014, and has run his own small business successfully for 30 years.

When he isn’t working, Peter can be found in his woodworking shop or perhaps casting a line by the water. Peter has become increasingly aware and frustrated to see how the city has slid to where it no longer feels safe, especially for pedestrians downtown.

It’s time for principled people with a backbone to take the steps necessary to restore our little cities greatness.

Yvonne Nielsen

Yvonne Nielsen

For 33 years I’ve been a volunteer community advocate for everyone speaking to council on disability issues arising for others and myself, and getting action.I don’t take No for an answer.

I pushed council to install city hall and public library elevators.

To make Terrace safe and friendly to all abilities we need a second taxi service responsive to community demands , with one additional wheelchair -accessible cab, a second handydart, and sloped intersection curbs. Commercial buildings must be accessible; disabled are not freight to enter from the alley.

A respite facility would free Terraceview and hospital beds.

Priorities: 1. Accessibility

2. Second handydart

3. Respite care facility

Danny Nunes

Danny Nunes

I’m the Terrace Batman.

I’ve spent the past few weeks patrolling the community to give people a sense of security and learn more about the issues.

Crime is affecting all sectors of the city, especially the downtown.

We need to attract more medical professionals, create a treatment center for addiction and rehabilitation.

There is a need for new investments.

Terrace needs a symbol, someone who can highlight these needs through social media.

On council, I can continue the work I’ve started, and bring a new era of positive engagement.

Lynn Parker

Lynn Parker

Lynn Parker (nee Wright) was born and raised here and is a member of Kitselas First Nation.

She was raised within the Gitxsan culture and maintains a strong connection to her culture and heritage.

Lynn has over 30 years of leadership experience.

Lynn’s campaign platform is centered on three issues:

Affordable housing for our population; community health and wellness – safety, opioid epidemic, mental health supports, and centralized area for care centres; and moving forward with reconciliation - strengthening relationships with surrounding First Nations, local organizations, and the school district to implement/strengthen the current plan to redress reconciliation.

Keenan Stella

Keenan Stella

I’m a lifelong Terrace resident who’s concerned about the direction the community is taking.

I’ve studied criminology and sociology at Coast Mountain College (formerly NWCC) and have been actively engaged in politics since high school (starting with youth parliament, and then later volunteering for various organizations).

As city councillor my main focus would be on housing, cost of living, and revitalizing the downtown core.

I see the current crisis as an opportunity to try new things and improve the lives of everyone in the community.

Sarah Zimmerman

Sarah Zimmerman

I will continue advocating for provincial and federal governments to support Terrace in addressing the opioid crisis; provide supports for folks with mental health and addictions issues; consider solutions to address prolific offenders and advocate for detox services.

I support investment in low-income, supportive and seniors’ housing.

I support downtown revitalization, public art and efforts to be a welcoming place for newcomers.

As a settler living on Ts’msyen territory, everyday acts of reconciliation are important to me, and while I don’t know the clear path forward, I believe it starts with building relationships and humbly learning every day.

Lynne Christiansen

Did not respond

Inder S. Dhillon

Did not respond

READ MORE: Terrace advance poll draws more than 200 voters

READ MORE: Sean Bujtas is Terrace’s next mayor while 15 people are running for six Terrace council seats


 


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michael.willcock@terracestandard.com