The start of this blog is directly related to the upcoming Municipal election in November 2011. The election will conclude the fourth three-year term since incorporation in 1999. A period of 12 years is long enough to take stock and ask whether the decision to incorporate as a municipality was a wise one. The questions are, “What has worked? What has not? If it has not worked, why not? And what will it take to make it work?” …Click here to read more
On November 4, 2011 on my election website I posted an article outlining reasons why Richard Underhill and I decided to file a petition to the Court asking for a “judicial review” about how the Municipality handled the process which led to the new Official Community Plan.
The major reason for us to take such a drastic action was a growing concern about how Bowen Island Municipality, in our opinion, was repeatedly violating proper process, its own policies and bylaws, and particular sections and provisions of the law. We had reached a point where we had to say “Enough is enough,” and the Municipality’s actions regarding the Official Community Plan were just the proverbial “last straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Today I want to address one of the most alarming “straws” – the sewage treatment plant expansion in Snug Cove. 
…Click here to read more
Why would private citizens feel compelled to ask the Courts for a judicial review? Because they want an answer to a simple question:
Does government have to abide by the law or not?
Any government – local or otherwise – which loses respect for proper process and laws sooner or later becomes a danger to its own people.
History is full of examples, ranging from mild cases where governments were just thrown out of office at election time, to extreme cases of countries which were taken over by dictators, leading to revolutions and wars. What it comes down to is the simple fact that civilized democratic societies depend on adherence to law and respect for proper process by their own governments.
Think back to 1999 when Bowen Island incorporated to become a Municipality. At that time, together with some freedoms gained, we lost some very important protections provided by senior governments and their agencies. In particular, we lost the protection provided by the Islands Trust which ensured that land use regulations as part of the Official Community Plan and zoning bylaws were upheld and guaranteed. We lost the protection provided by the Greater Vancouver Regional District regarding the legalities of vital services – especially for our local water and sewer systems. Further, we lost the protection and services of the Ministry of Highways for subdivision approvals, road maintenance, etc, and North Shore Health for septic and water systems. Those were all inevitable and natural consequences which followed our decision to incorporate and to govern ourselves. …Click here to read more
I’ve often been asked why I’ve decided to run for Council. You can see my answers on my website about my candidacy for Bowen Island Municipal Council — plus other information directly related to the Municipal election on November 19, 2011.
When Bowen Islanders decided to become a Municipality by way of a referendum, it was a bold and courageous move. But islanders already instinctively knew then that major decisions for the future had to be made in order to maintain and preserve Bowen’s uniqueness and quality of life.
Now, 12 years after having become a Municipality, serious doubts are emerging as to whether that decision was a wise one. It is still too early to form a final opinion one way or the other, but there are good reasons to be concerned – if not alarmed – about where the island is heading. After all, the challenges and problems that Bowen Island is facing now in 2011 are not new. However, compared to what they were 12 to 15 years ago, they have grown substantially in size. The reasons for that are obvious. Instead of having worked towards solutions and trying to shape Bowen Island’s future, 4 successive Councils have done little other than to maneuver us into a morass of financial and social problems. …Click here to read more
Previous elections on Bowen Island were primarily run, and won, by candidates who promised to save and protect the island from the dangers of development. This is remarkable, considering that Bowen Island has not been threatened by development for decades – definitely not since 1974 when Bowen became part of the Islands Trust mandate “to preserve and protect,” followed by the island’s first Official Community Plan in 1977. …Click here to read more
Bowen Island resident since 1980. Still happily married to Hedda Duntz. Patiently tolerated by daughter, Scarlett, and sons, Geeritt and Christian. And regularly exploited by Cheeco and Skipper, two "back alley passion" muts pretending to be Jack Russells. Too old to be a boomer, but still too young not to be tempted by all kinds of human foibles. Local community builder (thank you, James -- I like that title much better than "developer') and realtor on Bowen since 1989. Managing partner in the projects of
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