Withdrawal as Candidate for Mayor

This morning I reluctantly withdrew my name from consideration for the mayor's post. For those that had encouraged and supported my bid, I give a very big heartfelt thanks. I feel especially validated by those who are not close to me personally, but have given public support and buoyed my spirits immensely.

However, I had good reason to withdraw

First, I had made a large error in not announcing my intention to run earlier, and as a result did not have much momentum.

Second, I did not have a team in place; the support which I had earlier been offered was transferred to an other candidate when I did not confirm my candidacy.

Third, as a result of these first two, my prospects were not encouraging. More likely than winning, it would result in the election of a third candidate, not the person with whom I shared the biggest support base, Murray Skeels.

That said, some of my support may well go to other candidates.

So, I step aside. New challenges, undoubtedly more commentary from the sidelines as the new Council finds its feet.

Best of luck to all those in the race.

Submitted to the Undercurrent

. What triggered you to make this step and run for municipal office?

This is my seventh election, so perhaps the question is better framed as to why  I stepped forward this time. The simple answer is that  I still have a lot to contribute, and that  I believe I am well qualified and suited to becoming the next mayor.

2. What common ground do you share with the other candidates running in this election?

Lots of common ground. All, in our own ways, want the 'best' for Bowen. Many are friends and past colleagues. On specific issues, I agree with some of the perspectives and positions taken. Who wouldn't want to advance community facilities and infrastructure, create more lower cost/seniors' housing,  build a clinic, strengthen on-island economic opportunities? Most of us see the value of park acquisition and good environmental protections. Far more binds us than separates.

3. What are your top three priorities for Bowen?

In general terms, the three top issues to me are:

a) Restoration of good public democratic process, that has eroded during the last term. Consistent treatment of advisory groups, more open discussion at Council and communication with/ engagement of the public. Ensure that items before Council are well vetted by staff and 'ready' for consideration. Reduce closed meetings to a bare minimum, which appear to have gone up over 60% this term

b) To advance the community hall, fire hall, seniors' housing, medical clinic projects, as well as implementing our Snug Cove Plan. 

c)Dealing equitably with upcoming  large lot subdivision applications- both the Parkview Slopes/ Seymour Bay projects and the Rennison Estate lands around Grafton Lake and in Snug Cove

Of course there are numerous other items of ongoing importance, including BC Ferries and Translink  issues, acquisition of land from Parks Metro Vancouver for ferry marshalling improvements and parking. Plus, responding appropriately to threats around Howe Sound - Woodfibre LNG, Burnco giant gravel pit at McNab Creek, Gambier logging (which conceivably could be a template for Bowen's crown lands)

4. Tell me about the community work you have done that you are most proud of?

Actually, the one thing which makes me most proud has been the ability to confer Community Grants and Grants-in-Aid to many deserving groups on Bowen. Similarly,  garnering the funding for the establishment of a women's 'safe house' portal via the North Shore Crisis Centre. Also, the introduction of amenity zonings which has led to multiple municipal parks plus money for civic facility planning and design. There are other things as well- regionally, to have contributed to the major Metro Vancouver Management Plans, particularly the Regional Food System Strategy and the Regional Growth Strategy, wherein Bowen was placed outside the Urban Containment Boundary and large parts designated as  Conservation and Recreation areas. Also, to have voted for the Translink Evergreen Line extension, a $1.4 Billion project, being part of the Tsawassen First Nation treaty process, and at Islands Trust, helping to foster the growth in the Trust Fund activities and adopt NAPTEP (Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption program). Making our Sea-to-Sky  Air Quality Management Plan  'one of the best in North America' according to an outside reviewer.

5. How will you work to make council open to the concerns and ideas of all Bowen Islanders?

First, by chairing good, respectful meetings at times that work for people, with reasonable agendas that allow for adequate public commentary. Second, by maintaining a mayor's office with set hours to provide consistent access. Third, by introducing technologies to allow 'instant feedback' at large public meetings through the use of  participant voting devices- eg http://www.replysystems.com/  Plus, by instituting policies to establish better norms for public input and iterative feedback.

6. What do you love most about living on Bowen Island?

That as the community has grown in population and complexity, there is still a strong sense of 'genuinely belonging', and that the basic attractions- living in a beautiful, friendly, green quiet, clean, safe, interesting place have not diminished.

That within an hour of Vancouver I can live on acreage, grow a garden, keep a few animals, and have enough outdoor projects to last a lifetime.

Having friends and neighbours who appreciate the high quality of life we enjoy, and care enough to contribute in their own ways to the 'public good'.

Thoughts on some of Bowen's Pressing Issues

 The need for proper process- this term has been marked by numerous examples of inadequate public process.

• There was one Town Hall meeting in three years. 
• The  proposed rezoning of Community Lands was led by the Temporary Advisory Board that met almost exclusively behind closed doors. The bylaw contained language contrary to our OCP
• Changes to the OCP, including altering a 'fundamental goal', were forwarded by the Economic Development Committee, not by a  balanced committee representing wider interests.
• The Pub rezoning, itself a good project included densities over twice that allowed by the OCP- and was allowed to go to public hearing despite its non-compliance
• Road and marshalling designs were adopted at Council without public discussion, then not acted upon
• The feeble, muted response to the CRC docks application was done in camera, and ignored the strong public concern for these oversize structures. Plus the docks bylaw was split, and the second part which enshrined the beach and other protections, was never undertaken
• No public reason was ever given for relieving Richard Underhill and Wolfgang Duntz of their obligations to pay awarded court costs in their failed legal action against BIM.
• Committees including  Greenways and Civic Facilities both had the rugs pulled out from under them, and in the case of the former,  the Chair was allegedly threatened with a lawsuit by one of the Councillors.
• A 60% + increase in the number of closed meetings over previous terms.

How I would address this situation

I would foster a culture of  'procedural fairness', respectful discussion, multiple opportunities for public input on important topics, as well as create feedback loops to make sure that revisions reflect the collective views of the community.

I would establish a proper office at Municipal Hall and keep fixed business hours, so that anyone could have formal access to the mayor.

I would better support committees by reducing their number, and always ensure both staff support and a Councillor liaison at their meetings. Plus, when making recommendations to Council, hold joint interactive meetings so that proper information is received, questions answered  and ideas debated.

I would have regular meetings with the CAO and senior staff to discuss progress on files and ensure that everything coming forward to Council is properly vetted for legality and consistency with our policies.

I would chair Council meetings in a judicious, respectful manner.

I would communicate regularly with the public.

I would recommend the introduction of  'participant voting devices' at larger public meetings, to allow a workshop type atmosphere and successive voting processes with instant results posted.

The Election Picture

We are going into an election with 5 Mayoral candidates, and 14 Councillor hopefuls, plus 9 competing for 2 Trustee positions.

This is unprecedented interest, and the last minute flurry of submissions adds to the well-deserved election season moniker of 'silly season'.

The simple numbers tell us that, all being equal, each mayoral candidate has a 20% chance of winning, only a bit better for Islands Trust, but over a 40% chance of prevailing as a Councillor.

Add to that the voting strategies one can employ- eg voting for 1 or 2 of your favourite candidates, can increase power of the vote(s).

Choosing Councillors is complex, in that the voter is looking at what he/she views as the 'ideal' council, and casting votes to that end.

For Mayor, it's pretty simple- vote for the one person who in your opinion is best suited to the job. So how does one evaluate suitability?

To start, it is important to realize that the job of mayor has many facets, but none of them involve the imagery of 'taking charge' that people often associate with good, strong leaders. A place to start is to look at the Community Charter of BC with regard to responsibilities of Councillors and the Mayor:

Responsibilities of council members

115  Every council member has the following responsibilities:

(a) to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality and its community;

(b) to contribute to the development and evaluation of the policies and programs of the municipality respecting its services and other activities;

(c) to participate in council meetings, committee meetings and meetings of other bodies to which the member is appointed;

(d) to carry out other duties assigned by the council;

(e) to carry out other duties assigned under this or any other Act.

Responsibilities of mayor

116  (1) The mayor is the head and chief executive officer of the municipality.

(2) In addition to the mayor's responsibilities as a member of council, the mayor has the following responsibilities:

(a) to provide leadership to the council, including by recommending bylaws, resolutions and other measures that, in the mayor's opinion, may assist the peace, order and good government of the municipality;

(b) to communicate information to the council;

(c) to preside at council meetings when in attendance;

(d) to provide, on behalf of the council, general direction to municipal officers respecting implementation of municipal policies, programs and other directions of the council;

(e) to establish standing committees in accordance with section 141;

(f) to suspend municipal officers and employees in accordance with section 151;

(g) to reflect the will of council and to carry out other duties on behalf of the council;

(h) to carry out other duties assigned under this or any other Act.

Additional authorities of the mayor or presiding member are laid out in Sections #131-134

Along with the powers- eg to suspend municipal officers and employees, there is the requirement to reflect the will of Council. So the mayor is fettered, and must act on behalf of Council at all times.

PETER FRINTON FOR MAYOR

Personal Background

Bowen Island has been home with my partner Carol for over forty years, my entire adult life. There has never been any other place I would have preferred to live, nor  intend to.

We have farmed our old homestead (see this year’s phone book for a story on that), and I attended Grad. School in Resource Ecology at UBC, and worked in a number of fields from academic research to house construction, specialty education and property/event management.

Political and Community Experience

Since the early 1990’s I have been active within community organizations, as an alternate Regional District representative to chairing Bowen’s Advisory Planning Commission, working on the mid-90’s OCP review, and preparing referenda backgrounders for the acquisition of community docks plus incorporation which happened in 1999.

After that, I served on four successive councils- as a Councillor, Islands Trustee, Metro Vancouver Director, the Translink Mayors’ Council and Treaty Advisory Commission. I acted as liaison to over a dozen committees over the years. In addition, I served on Metro Parks, Environment and Agriculture Committees. While not on Council, I spent two years on the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Currently, I chair the Sea-to-Sky Clean Air Society, am on the board of Bowen Lift, active member of Bowen’s Medical Clinic Society, plus advise Get OnBoard, a transit advocacy group, in addition to working with CruisePlus as a specialty travel consultant.

Running for Mayor

Not sitting at Council for the last term has provided me a bit of time and distance to improve my perspectives about island affairs. I have remained a ‘thoughtful critic’, making depositions at hearings, writing articles and opinion pieces for the Bulletin, guest editiorials for the Undercurrent, and posting frequently on the Phorum on specific issues as they arise. Many people have thanked me for trying to be a good communicator, both while on Council and not.

I am a political centrist- a conciliator and mediator. When there is conflict and division, I look for solutions that people can support. I put community benefit at the top of diverse considerations.

The job of mayor is to provide leadership, acting as CEO (but with limited powers), and charged with maintaining ‘the peace, order and good government’ of the municipality. The mayor is also the ‘face’ of the community, leading delegations to meet with senior BC Ferries executives, Metro staff or provincial ministers alike.

I would undertake some very specific measures.

The first is to improve democratic process. From more meaningful public engagement to more effective committee structures and scheduled mayor’s office hours, I would introduce reforms to better ensure that the political process is genuinely responsive to community needs. One idea is to introduce ‘participant voting devices’ at town hall type meetings.

Second is to effectively advance the work program. Key items will be large lot development proposals, community facility projects, infrastructure upgrades and seniors’ housing. Maintaining and improving environmental protections will be essential. However, it will be up to Council as a whole to articulate a strategic plan for the first ever four year term.

Which leads to the third and most important element, and that is in supporting staff to get their work done well. There is always too much to do and not enough time or capacity or money. Working within means and doing so productively is the biggest challenge, and would be the focus of my efforts.

I am asking for your support in becoming Bowen’s next mayor. I believe I have the knowledge, experience, temperament, dedication and personal integrity to do the job well.

Thank you.

Website: http://peterfrinton.blogspot.ca

Email: pfrinton@shaw.ca