Saanich mayoral candidates differ over slate approach
A clash over political slates is just one example of the divide between Mayor Richard Atwell and Coun. Fred Haynes going into the Oct. 20 municipal election.
Atwell is announcing today that he is seeking re-election as part of a “citizen-centred” team called United for Saanich, while Haynes, who is also running for mayor, says he’s an independent who disagrees with municipal slates.
United for Saanich has five candidates: Atwell; Coun. Karen Harper, who won her seat in a 2017 byelection; Kathleen Burton, executive director of Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary; communications specialist Ian Jessop and businessman Cory Montgomery.
Also running for council are incumbents Susan Brice, Judy Brownoff and Colin Plant, and newcomers Nathalie Chambers, Zac de Vries, Rebecca Mersereau, Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Rishi Sharma and Ned Taylor.
Candidates have until Sept. 14 to submit their nomination papers.
“I’m quite excited about the possibilities for the next term if we’re elected,” Atwell said.
He describes his slate as nonpartisan individuals who can work together — unlike the current council, which, he said, has been “highly combative and unproductive” at times.
“The experience of the last four years has shown that it’s been difficult to get co-operation sometimes at the council table [since] the election,” he said.
“I think you all need to be pulling in the same direction and so finding commonality with candidates who are like-minded and have who have an equal passion for the issues can lead to positive outcomes.”
That “absolutely does not” mean agreeing on all issues, Atwell said, noting that he and Harper have not always voted the same way. “I think that speaks for itself.”
Haynes, who like Atwell was first elected in 2014, disagrees, saying that’s exactly what being on a slate means.
“Surely, the good citizens of Saanich are best served when every item is exposed to discussion and debate.”
Atwell said at stake in this contest is the larger strategic planning for the next 20 to 30 years.
Most critical for Saanich is density and how the housing stock will change. A collaborative process with residents is needed to plan for the next generation, he said.
“I think that’s where a team of individuals can get together and reach out to the community to help define and prioritize what that is and then lead the organization forward to do that.”
Council is still stuck in a statusquo pattern, he said.
“I was elected on a platform of change and I still believe in that direction and I think the public still believes in that direction,” he said. “I’m looking for consensus with individuals who are likeminded in that regard.”
Atwell said he pushed major issues over the past four years.
“I tried to rescind the Environmental Development Permit Area bylaw in 2015,” he said of the 2012 bylaw criticized as heavy-handed and lowering property values. “We wasted 2 1⁄2 years only to finally rescind it [in 2017].”
Haynes said his first term focused on getting action for Saanich from all levels of government on environmental, transit and housing issues.
By bringing forward about 20 “unique” resolutions and getting majority support, Haynes said he has gained the co-operation of council.
“I’ve actually been bringing Saanich forward,” he said. “The mayor has talked about bringing Saanich forward, but hasn’t.”
Haynes said he has often voted with Atwell on issues. “It’s a case of working style — the mayor has been unable to work effectively with this very different council.”
The mayor says the politics of personal ambition are to blame.
“I think it’s been difficult to achieve success at the council table when there’s an individual with long-term plans to take over your role,” Atwell said. “It doesn’t lead to a level of support. It doesn’t lead to working together.
“Ultimately, as the mayor, I have to take the high road and be positive and hope that things work out.”
Haynes concludes: “If this mayor was doing a good job, I would have been glad to stay on council.”