TOWN OF LADYSMITH- MAYOR
Two people are vying for the position of Mayor of Ladysmith
Regan Grill moved with her family to Vancouver Island in 2005 and has been a member of the Ladysmith community since 2009.She pursued education in business training and volunteer management. Her career experience includes small business ownership and business management. She is the mother of two children, a Brownie leader for Girl Guides of Canada, and a novice organic hobby farmer.
Rob Hutchins is currently serving his sixth term as Mayor of the Town of Ladysmith, having first been elected in 1993. Rob, a long time teacher, taught for 24 years in Ladysmith. He is currently serving as a school counsellor at John Barsby Community School. Rob operates a small business with his family “The Old Town Bakery” in downtown Ladysmith. Rob and his wife Susan have a large family including four grandchildren.
TOWN OF LADYSMITH – COUNCILLORS
Eight candidates are running for six seats on Ladysmith Town council
Steve Arnett is a current Town of Ladysmith councillor elected 2008. He is a MSW Registered Social Worker, CEO Nanaimo Youth Services Association, and resident of Ladysmith for 18 years Married to Cathy for 33 years with two sons Matthew and Christopher who have been raised in the community. Council accomplishments this last term: sponsored UBCM Watershed Resolution, Secondary Suites Bylaw to encourage sustainable density and Affordable Housing, redid overdue 10 year old DCC bylaw for future infrastructure needs, Lot 108 Forrest Field/Jim Cram Drive, Ivy Green residents new mobile home park
David Brown has lived in Ladysmith and area for 14 years. David and his wife Linda have three daughters, one son and two grandchildren. A graduate from the University of Victoria with a science degree, he was a senior manager when he retired from BC Environment. He was a scientist, spills response officer and an expert in municipal waste and recycling.
Jillian Dashwood, current councillor, has lived in the Central Island area since 1980, first in Nanaimo and then moving to Ladysmith in 1998. She has spent considerable time in community service: Past director of Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce; Past President Ladysmith Women’s Business Network; Member Ladysmith Downtown Business Assoc.; active member Ladysmith Theatre.
Bill Drysdale is a retired Air Force Warrant Officer (28 yrs service). He’s married 36 years to Deb and has two daughters Bev and Sarah. Community Service includes Ladysmith Search and Rescue, (President), Festival of Lights, Health Care Auxiliary, Maritime Festival, Ladysmith Days, Habitat for Humanity. He helped build Brown Drive Play Park, is assisting in the renovation of old Resource Centre for new Museum, participated in Visioning Workshops, and attended Council meetings.
Gord Horth is a local government professional for 25 years, married 28 years with two children. Youth soccer coach (20 years), Ladysmith resident since 1994 (4th generation Vancouver Islander). While working in Ladysmith was party to the following community successes: First Avenue Revitalization, Transfer Beach Remake, Amphitheatre, Historic Aggie Hall Restoration, Communities in Bloom Winner, Highways revitalization, Holland Creek Trail Corridor, Lot 108 (Forrest Field).
Duck ( Don ) Paterson is a Ladysmith resident since 1975. Married for 40 years and has three daughters and six grand children. Duck is production manager for the Nanaimo News Bulletin. He’s a life member of the Kin Clubs of Canada and still an active member of the Ladysmith Kinsmen Club as well as member of Festival of Lights, Ladysmith Days, Loggers Sports and volunteer for other community activities. He was the local chair of the Spirit of BC Committee, and Olympic Torch Relay through Ladysmith. He has fundraised for community amenities such as the spray park, playground at Kin Park as well as Transfer Beach and others. A Ladysmith Town Councillor for 20 years he has served on all Town committees.
Glenda Patterson was born in Scotland and came to Ladysmith in 1946. She is married with two children and two grandchildren. She has had 48 years experience in the medical profession and employed as a Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant. She has been recognized for community involvement and was honoured as Ladysmith Citizen of The Year in 1992. She sat on Ladysmith Council for 12 years.
Bruce Whittington is currently a Ladysmith councillor. Ladysmith has been his home for almost eight years, after a long stint in Victoria in the conservation and retail, and stay-at-home dad sectors. He is a freelance writer, photographer, naturalist and publisher with three books in print. His wife is the owner of Bayview Framing & Art and he also works with her there as a picture framer. He has three adult sons and is a grandparent.
REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NANAIMO -AREA A DIRECTOR
Four candidates are standing for Director Area A
Geoff Baltzer is a semi-retired millwright who has lived in Cedar for 33 years, his two daughters attended local schools, and went on to earn university degrees from VIU. His community service includes representing Area A with the Nanaimo Parks, Rec. and Culture Commission as a Commissioner for 16 years, and served on several sub committees in the city, such as Grants-in-Aid, Cultural Committee, and Recreation Facilities.
Andrea Bonkowski is currently a second term Board of Education Trustee for SD68 and full time employee for VIHA, NRGH as a Senior Medical Laboratory Assistant and Emergency Social Services (ESS) Director for RDN. She is a third generation family from South Wellington with two daughters. She enjoys the rural settings, family values and the sense of community.
Laurie Gourlay has worked with NDP MPs on Parliament Hill, and with local MLA Doug Routley. He shares farm chores, and glories, with Jackie Moad, his wife of 35 years. Jackie’s an RN, and helped begin Haven House. They both volunteer with the Mid Island Sustainability & Stewardship Initiative. Contributing recently to the area’s Official Community Plan, and Regional Growth Strategy.
Alec McPherson is a Certified General Accountant. He has an understanding of the provincial statutes that govern municipal government gained as Chairperson of the North Cedar Improvement District.
SCHOOL DISTRICT 68 TRUSTEES CANDIDATES
On Nov 19 these 13 candidates are running for nine school trustee positions.
Donna Allen. Throughout her professional life she has worked in education as a high school teacher and counselor. As a Department Head of Student Support Services she was responsible for the areas that service students with special needs. She also worked closely with students in French Immersion. Donna has been a member of PAC and DPAC. She has served as school trustee for the past two terms.
Nelson Allen is currently a school trustee. He has had a career in teaching and in business. He has a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Western Washington with a major in Public Policy Administration. He is an experienced trustee on the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Board of Education.
Jamie Brennan currently works as a Mental Health Advocate for the Community Legal Assistance Society. Before that, he worked as an Educational Counsellor for Malaspina University-College. He is running for his fifth term as a Trustee for the Nanaimo/Ladysmith Board of Education. While a Trustee he has served as the Board Chair, Chair of the Business Committee and now the Chair of the Education Committee.
Nancy Curley is a labour relations officer with the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers Union and a vice-president with the Nanaimo, Duncan and District Labour Council.
Kim Howland has a business background, understands budgets, basic accounting principles, served on a number of boards, has worked in non-profit and owned a local small business. She is a parent leader who has consulted, presented and facilitated education conversations with our education stakeholders at schools, in districts and provincially over the last 14 years.
Rosmy Jean Louis is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, has a PhD in Economics, Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with Specialization in Accounting, Chair, Department of Economics Vancouver Island University (VIU), Professor of Economics and MBA Instructor, University instructor for 15 years, Chair, Finance Committee for North Cedar Improvement District and Trustee since 2006. He is married with wife Parisa and currently raising 5-year old daughter Kimiah in Cedar.
David Murchie is a School Trustee who is also a married parent of 3 young boys, a self-employed analyst with a consulting business and a volunteer with several community organizations. He is a volunteer at his neighbourhood school.
Dot Neary is a 20 year resident of Nanaimo, married to Brian for 30 years. They have two sons who both graduated in SD68. Neary was a small business owner-operator for nine years and worked in the retail sector prior to being elected as a SD68 Trustee in 2008. Throughout her children’s education she was actively involved with the Parent Advisory Council and District PAC.
Bill Robinson: With support from Nanaiamo/Ladysmith teachers, Bill created the Our Hidden Heroes character education program, which grew across Canada. Recently Our Hidden Heroes became part of www.TC2.ca, a highly respected international education consortium.
Noah Routley works as a Program Coordinator at the Phoenix Centre and as a Group Course Facilitator for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s-Mid-Island Branch. He is an Advocate for C.M.H.A. His daughter is in Grade 7 and his son is in Grade 5. They have attended three schools in the district.
TerryLynn Saunders is a former Trustee on the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Board from 1993-2008. She is a homestay Mom to International students from Vancouver Island University. These past three years, TerryLynn has taken several business courses as well as a year of Mandarin Chinese. She volunteers for the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation and Literacy Central Vancouver Island where she currently serves as President, has kept her current with education issues.
Sharon Welch holds a Masters Degree in Leadership and has more than 20 years experience in teaching, management, and Human Resources. Sharon is a Rotarian and has served on the Board of Education for three years, past year as Chair.
For more on the Election visit www.take5.ca or visit us on Facebook
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Where is Geoff Baltzer? He’s also running for RDN in Area A.
Hi Anne:
Geoff’s information as not available before presstime as he had not posted his contact info on the RDN Election site. We will be posting his information later today.