Area D - Cowichan Bay Area Director Candidate
Website: www.currieellis.ca
Q1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running.
A: I graduated from U.B.C. as a pharmacist in 1975. In 1978, I acquired a very busy drug store franchise in Duncan. I sold the franchise in 1989, and returned to university. My children were raised (very successfully) in Duncan. Ten years ago, I rented my Duncan residence and moved onto the water in Cowichan Bay.
I am running because Area D is a bit of a mess. Some happiness has left the bay. We have citizens worried about being forced to move from their homes. We have an extremely large housing development that looms over our community, hordes our sewer permits and threatens to wash silt onto our foreshore. We have 1000 little problems that need tidying up. It is time to “giddyup”.
Q2. The community survey results placed a high priority on sustainability, in particular on protecting our watersheds, water supply and water quality, as well as on creating a more sustainable local economy. If elected, please describe what your approach would be to those issues.
A: Our water board shepherds our water quality and supply professionally. In my door knocking, brochure stuffing, walks, I keep finding residents in need of sewer hookups. They aren’t being successful in their requests for help. Can’t we allow a review and accommodation for these tax payers, ahead of new developments?
Our little area is not sustainable economically – we depend on visitors and outside incomes to drive our businesses. However, we must strive for opportunities to employ within the area. I am running into too many recent arrivals asking me where they can get a job. Was it correct to drive 5 or 6 jobs from the bay to grass over a little used park for kayakers?
Q3. The survey results indicated citizens want to see more consultation and accountability between elected officials and their constituents. If elected, please describe what your approach would be to those issues.
A: Our previous director (6 years ago) Held twice yearly town hall meetings, which were very well attended. He stood at the front of that meeting and explained to the community what was happening. We were in “the know.” He also stood up at the front of those meetings and received criticisms. He dealt with it all, and took both the good and the bad on the chin. If we are having town hall meetings now, I haven’t seen advertisements for them. After November 15, I will be knocking on his door asking him when I should have those meetings, and asking for a tutorial.
Q4. What is your position on municipal tax rates and the corresponding level and allocation of services?
A: I don’t think this should be one question – they are not necessarily connected. I believe that a careful line by line budget review will discover savings. We have no choice but to lower or freeze taxes. Government’s bites of our incomes continue to grow faster than the incomes of taxpayers. I am sure that even with frozen expenditures, I will still be able to help tweak a bus route so that some of our disabled citizens, and even for some shoppers, can connect to the city. We have a disabled grandmother who needs to see her granddaughter. Area D has about a hundred tweakable problems that won’t break the bank.
Q5. What is your vision for this area, and how would getting elected help achieve it?
A: I have had no activity within the Cittaslow community. However, the more I read, the more I regret that lack of activity. Cowichan Bay/Area D needs slow careful growth. We are getting old and delicate here. Our services are limited. We do not have abundant resources, such as sewer capacity. Let us tread lightly here. Perhaps, we could slow down a little and let the community just exhale. I am hearing rumours of a multi-million investment in our Fisherman’s Wharf. If we are lucky, and this development proceeds well, it can be a great focal point for recreation and tourism in our bay. We must FINALLY allow our floating community to connect to services that they have been asking for. It is time for the CORRECT by-law.
Return to Area D - Cowichan Bay Candidates