City of Duncan Mayor Candidate
Website: www.electpetergordon.ca
Q1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running.
A: The reasons for running fall into two categories: first, there are the altruistic reasons involving the fact that I believe I have knowledge and experience to contribute to the community VIA Duncan City Council. I have experience as a lawyer and employee of the City of Toronto. I was a senior counsel with Toronto for over 12 years. Thereafter I served as an outside counsel to the City. I enjoyed this period of my career. Second, since I moved to the Cowichan Valley in 2003 I have had occasion to interact with Duncan City Officials. I have been frustrated and felt thwarted by some of those interactions. Most recently, I wanted and sought a straight definite answer from the City of Duncan. But a draft resolution was returned by the City officials simply noting by a clerk that if I wanted the particular subject matter addressed I should organize a petition. I believe Officials of the City are elected to office to make decisions.
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: My position on this topic is in full accord with the results of your survey results. The difficulty is that the City of Duncan cannot easily achieve meaningful results in this area without working under a larger umbrella. That is why I am in favour of amalgamation, partly in order to achieve those laudable purposes. Amalgamation is not a “sexy” topic which may be one reason why it was not recognized as a priority in the results of your survey. To achieve the results of water quality and a sustainable local economy, I submit, amalgamation is the route and that is why I believe it to be paramount.
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: This is another important objective of your survey. Things a fragmented at the moment with respect to local politics. There are too many local politicians. As a result they do not work efficiently. A once a month forum the dates of which are to be published in a local paper should be initiated with detail of matters which will come before City Council during the following month and an outline of what may have been decided or achieved.
Q4. What is your position on municipal tax rates and the corresponding level and allocation of services?
A: The results in other municipalities where amalgamation has been instituted is that there is a low or expensive period for several months before the economies of scale click into effect as a result of amalgamation. I predict that this scenario would be the same were amalgamation to occur here in the Cowichan Valley. Depending on how the transition is financed I submit a handle on the immediate financial impact to citizens could be maintained.
Q5. What is your vision for this area, and how would getting elected help achieve it?
A: My vision for the area is to promote and encourage tourism. This has the possibility of bringing people and their dollars into our community. We have a lot to offer in this area. Let us be frank, however, the mayor is one person. The Mayor is basically a figure head. A dynamic leader, however, is able and has the ability to lead and encourage others to achieve goals. This is what I would like to do and why I seek your support on election day.
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