Area E - Cowichan Station/Glenora Area Director Candidate
Facebook: Loren Duncan
Q1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running.
A: It has been a pleasure and honour to serve the constituents these past 15 years as Director. I reside in Sahtlam on a riverside property owned since the mid 1980's with my spouse Maureen. I pay property tax's in both Electoral Area "E" & "F". Politically I am more Green than anything else...belonging to the party both Provincially and Federally, but I recognize that party politics is not the appropriate flag to fly at the local government Board table. When I wander in the political wilderness on an issue, I remember a past mentor saying..."find the public interest" and go there...wise and sage advice. For more detail see: https://www.facebook.com/loren.duncan.94?fref=ts"
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: History takes me back to helping found and create the original Cowichan Watershed Council in 1995, as a Board member, I represented the Conservation & Environmental sector in the valley for quite the time. I sat as a Board member on the B.C. Watershed Stewardship Alliance for a long while as well. Both Societies floundered...and others later arose to carry the torch. Carrying capacity is finite, but the ask is ever growing, let's just call it "growth"...and that's the conundrum. I am concerned about high level planning around sustainability without the nuts & bolts foundational planning to support the hierarchy...I am talking about a Regional Growth Management Plan as defined in the Local Government Act. The CVRD has been remise in regards. CVRD does not have a RGMP, or Bulk Water Plan, like our neighbours, a risk...very risky behaviour. For more detail see: "Loren Duncan" on facebook.
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: Each Electoral Area has a Official Community Plan and a complimentary and subservient Zoning Bylaw. These documents define the wishes of the community in a broad sense. However the conversations that make up the plans don't happen often enough, the LGAct suggests a five year review window. Area "E" had that OCP conversation, last starting in 1990, 24 years ago now Area "E" has opened up the OCP plan for review, the conversations with the communities are starting. It is a time for residents within the plan to speak...and as well to listen to neighbours, participate...and enjoy the accountable consultation by this process as it unfolds...and ultimately completes. For more story: Go to facebook https://www.facebook.com/loren.duncan.94?fref=ts"
Q4. What is your position on municipal tax rates and the corresponding level and allocation of services?
A: Talking tax's can be a mugs game unless you have the relevant facts in hand. ( Beware of wingnuttery dialogue, know your tax facts.) I have detailed graphs and tables available as a package: e-mail [email protected] A comparison of tax rates, by tables, for the nine electoral areas by $$$ per 100K assessment, and an comparison of tax's paid for an average home in each of the nine jurisdiction...by graph. Each method of comparison is valid, but different. Of the nine EA's, Area "E" is in the middle be $$$ per 100K assessment, by "average" house in each EA, we are third from the bottom by CVRD taxes paid. e-mail for facts, or visit facebook: Loren Duncan
Q5. What is your vision for this area, and how would getting elected help achieve it?
A: I was flattered when Christy Clark borrowed my "families first" message and agenda. Area "E" endured four rural school closures, taking the heart and center out of the neighbourhoods. As a consequence, Area "E" was becoming an unfriendly and difficult place for families, services were all a car ride away, neighbouring children and mothers and fathers were losing touch with each other, a sense of local community was faltering. Rebuilding started about a decade ago, parks like Glenora Trailshead, Community playgrounds and Tot-Lots like Currie park, support for community actions by Bylaw and funding for the HUB, and more! The whole story: https://www.facebook.com/loren.duncan.94?fref=ts