Fifteen candidates are running for four positions on the new Local Community Commission (LCC). The general election is on May 27, with advance voting on May 17 and May 24. The challenge for voters is to select the best candidates from a long list of contenders.
Voting in this election could not be more important. The new elected LCC is perhaps the biggest change to Salt Spring’s local governance since the Islands Trust was established in 1974. After May 27th, the elected LCC (five Commissioners in total, including the CRD Director) will shape the future of this community, making decisions about most of Salt Spring’s local CRD services, facilities, and budgets — decisions that have previously been made by CRD staff and the Salt Spring CRD Director.
Many strategic decisions with long-term implications must be made by the Commissioners in the initial months. Those elected will need to jump into the role fully prepared with a good understanding of potential approaches. Critically, they must intend the LCC to succeed, which will involve gaining the approval of islanders over the course of the first term.
How to pick the best candidates from such a large field?
For guidance, Positively Forward asked some seasoned veterans of local governance for their advice on the attributes an elected LCC Commissioner will need. Past experience is high on the list, but is not the only factor. Local government expert, Linda Adams includes in her list of good qualities an open mind with a willingness to change it when new information becomes available and “a positive and collaborative approach that encourages others and recognizes the value of diverse viewpoints,” as well as being “supportive of good governance practices such as accountability, transparency and ethical principles.”
Kees Ruurs, a former PARC Chair, emphasizes “an ability to listen and learn from people in the street and from those making presentations to the Commission.” He wants to see a candidate show “a willingness to look at the overall picture and not display a one track mind.” In addition, Ruurs highlights the importance of being familiar with the political landscape of the island, the LCC’s place within the CRD, as well as its relationship to the Islands Trust and the BC Government.
Donald McLennan, a former Transportation Commission chair, encourages voters to look for a candidate with “a sense of the pragmatic and a focus on being results-oriented when faced with the tedious processes inherent in any bureaucracy.” He points out that a Commissioner cannot be all things to everyone and “a targeted approach to issues is preferable to a shotgun one.”
Sonja Collumbin, current PARC chair, recommends looking carefully at candidates with some prior experience working with local government; those “having a basic understanding of what the responsibility of an elected official would be and the role of staff is.” Voters should support candidates “likely to do the homework, to research past projects and find out why some have succeeded and others failed, so they can come to the table with fact-based opinions.”
Based on the wisdom of these, and others with direct experience of CRD administration, here is our list of seven key pointers to help voters navigate candidate selection in a mindful way:
- Find out which candidates strongly support the LCC and are committed to making it a success.
- Look for candidates who volunteer in the community, helping non-profits and/or by volunteering on local government advisory bodies.
- Look for candidates with some knowledge of the different key areas the LCC will be responsible for: Parks and Recreation, Transportation, Economic Sustainability, and Liquid Waste Disposal.
- Assess which candidates have experience dealing with complex financial statements and large budgets.
- Consider which candidates are team players and will put the broader interests of the community ahead of individual priorities.
- Evaluate candidates on their listening skills, and their ability to ask the hard questions.
- Finally, do you like what you are hearing?
(Originally published on the Salt Spring Exchange)