Municipality of North Cowichan Mayor Candidate
Website: www.kouryformayor.ca
Q1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running.
A: I am a 2-term councillor. I have the skills, knowledge and experience to lead the District Municipality of North Cowichan through proper fiscal and managerial oversight and strategic planning. I have a Masters degree in business and I am a Chartered Director in corporate governance with senior management and governance experience. I am running to provide leadership for our time.
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: OneCowichan, other environmental groups and CVRD politicians want a regional water authority to control land use decisions. Water issues are not the highest priority to the average citizen. Our municipal water is high quality and volume output. North Cowichan spends millions on water delivery infrastructure and studies. North Cowichan’s water and deliver systems are in good shape. Local reporting on this issue lacks critical analysis. The province or North Cowichan does not support a Regional Water Authority. A political voice from North Cowichan was lacking on the CVRD task force to recommend spending $1million/yr on a new authority.
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: North Cowichan has the most contemporary sustainable Official Community Plan in BC. North Cowichan is a leader in Local Area Planning a process that I championed and continue to support. North Cowichan spent millions on independent professional advice to facilitate public input on community development. North Cowichan’s public input process is in good shape.
Citizen’s want council to execute on decisions with courage. To act even when single-interest groups are not satisfied with the outcomes. If I am elected I will have the courage to follow through on well laid, evidence based, plans that uphold the values of our communities.
Q4. What is your position on municipal tax rates and the corresponding level and allocation of services?
A: My position is that we should only tax for what we need and leave the rest in the pockets of taxpayers. That is why I called for a 1% cap on property taxes last year. North Cowichan is a $50 million cash organization with large amounts of tangible assets. It runs surpluses every year that is never applied to supplement tax revenue requirements. North Cowichan can keep taxes low and continue with gold standard public service delivery despite OneCowichan’s inference in its survey question that it can’t. North Cowichan’s fiscal affairs are in good shape.
Q5. What is your vision for this area, and how would getting elected help achieve it?
A: My vision is to link North Cowichan’s diverse communities so that each benefits from the success of the other. We have work to do, work that will take the better part of 20 years. We need to build our community for our families, our cultures and businesses. We have to grow our economy, prosperity, jobs, and our opportunities. Create the chance to save our environment, our unique way of life and our place as a leader in the region.
Return to North Cowichan Candidates