Candidates for City Councillor

Each of the candidates running for Council was asked two basic questions about James Bay:

1)      “What is the most important James Bay issue to you? Why is it so important to you?”

2)      “How much importance would you give to the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association in your decision making, if elected?”

Pamela Madoff - Incumbent - Independent. James Bay Resident. Contact: pmadoff@victoria.ca

1) When it comes to our council representatives, Madoff believes that the person comes before the issue. What matters is how they deal with the issues. Citizens should elect people who have integrity and good decision-making skills. If they have these qualities, they will deal with any issue well. A major concern for Madoff is the quality of life in James Bay and all it entails. Factors like housing, natural green spaces and urban design are important determinants of life in James Bay.

2) Madoff would put a lot of importance on the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association in her decision - making as Councillor. It all feeds into the "hopper of decision-making" at city hall. To her, its value lies in being "the voice of the community" and it needs to be heard and taken seriously. Madoff's political roots go back to 1985 when she was an activist in the first James Bay Community Association. At that time, she fought against the demolition of houses on her street by carrying a sign that read "No Assault on Battery."

Sonya Chandler - Incumbent - A "Green" candidate Contact: schandler@victoria.ca

1) The most crucial James Bay issue was a tie between land use and transportation. She thinks that increasing density in an already dense residential area is a real concern to residents, along with the impacts of revisions of the Downtown Plan. Public transportation throughout the area is important to Chandler, especially with the Cruise Ship and tourist industries. A major concern is the environmental repercussions of these industries such as air, noise and light pollution.

2) Feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association is crucial to Chandler: "This level of neighbourhood involvement is a fundamental piece of the puzzle when it comes to planning our city and our communities."  She wants the City of Victoria to adopt a neighbourhood engagement strategy to ensure that community associations and citizens are actually made a part of the planning process via participatory planning methods. Chandler believes that the JBNA and all community associations need to be supported and funded so that they are as strong, inclusive and as engaged as possible.

Charlayne Thornton-Joe - Incumbent. Independent Contact: cthornton-joe@victoria.ca

1) The most important concern for Thornton-Joe is the issue of homelessness, mental illness and addiction. It is important to her because it affects all of us - whether we are a resident, business, or those who are homeless themselves.

2) In making any decision, Thornton-Joe considers the feedback from the Neighbourhood Association, staff, and citizens as being absolutely vital to the process. This is especially true if those citizens are living in the community in question. This importance derives from the role that the JBNA and other associations play in bringing awareness to the desires and concerns of the residents. Thornton-Joe "appreciates any and all feedback to help me make the best decisions I can."

Chris Coleman - Incumbent - Independent (James Bay Liaison) Contact: ccoleman@victoria.ca

1) The most important and exciting issue to Coleman is the proposed new project for James Bay that will amalgamate the services of the James Bay Community Project, the James Bay New Horizons, and the James Bay Community Centre. It is a significant step for the community because of the enormous benefits to James Bay. The new project will include housing for families and seniors, a new library, and medical and recreational services. With unanimous support from City Council behind the new project, Coleman wants it to become a reality soon.

2) The James Bay Neighbourhood Association has a lot of value to Coleman. He says that he has attended more than ninety percent of their meetings. To him, the JBNA is a critical vehicle for expressing opinions about applications to council. He says that their feedback has been very important, especially in development matters. To Coleman, it is the areas that we don't hear about where the JBNA has been especially effective, like transportation.  He cites their successes in convincing cruise ship buses to lower their emissions. Coleman admires the JBNA for doing all the hard work on issues before they get to City Council, making everyone's job a lot easier. As James Bay liaison, Coleman says that he makes sure that council receives and listens to the voice of the JBNA.

Geoff Young - Incumbent - Independent. Contact: gyoung@victoria.ca

1) Young believes that James Bay will continue to attract developers because it is such a desirable place to live and work. Accordingly, he feels that "The most important challenge facing the neighbourhood will be to make sure new developments balance the quality of life in residential areas with the vitality that can be created when new housing and jobs replace the underutilized sites and surface parking lots that still dot the neighbourhood."

2) Though he sometimes has to consider other factors, Young feels that the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association is a vital part of the decision process. In his view, the JBNA has long provided the best forum for gauging residents' opinions about individual rezoning proposals. In both its current and past form, the JBNA has sometimes led the way in providing long term planning for the community. Young states that the JBNA " has typically been among the strongest and most representative of the City's neighbourhood planning groups and has led the way in providing planning advice and feedback to the City council and staff."

Pieta VanDyke - Independent James Bay Resident Contact: pietav@telus.net

1) It is imperative to VanDyke to maintain a diverse population in James Bay with a healthy mix of all ages and cultures. This requires housing that is available to all income groups including seniors, families and singles. Her major concern is that because of an extremely tight rental market, James Bay is losing that diversity. Due to lack of new affordable housing and high rents, working people can no longer afford to live in James Bay. This hits low income people very hard, especially single female seniors. It is especially difficult for families to live in James Bay. And as more condos are built, VanDyke fears that James Bay is becoming a place only for the rich and well-to-do. "This is not healthy" VanDyke says. She wants to see more affordable housing so that we have room for all kinds of people - kids and seniors and singles alike.

2) VanDyke puts a high value on the James Bay Neighbourhood Association. She would give their feedback "a lot of importance" because it is the voice and concerns of the immediate neighbours in the community. Her particular interest is in land-use planning - she has always been fascinated with "how the built environment impacts on human behaviors." VanDyke feels that the JBNA has an important role to play in that area, where land use development involves a full consultation process. She points to the successes of the JBNA, such as the conversion of the Shamrock Hotel, where their involvement facilitated the construction of a building with a reasonable height for the community. In her opinion, the JBNA has had a very positive effect on James Bay. Particularly interesting was VanDyke's description of the very thorough process where a rezoning application first goes to the JBNA and then it goes through all the consultation stages before it finally lands at city hall. This speaks volumes about the important role of the JBNA.

Diana Smardon - Independent. Contact: dianalhs@hotmail.com

1) The primary issue for Smardon is the lack of affordable housing in James Bay and Victoria, resulting in suffering and homelessness. This is important to her for many reasons. "We need to take care of our vulnerable people and we want to make Victoria a city for everyone" she says. Smardon feels that lack of housing affects everyone in society. It is also a crucial issue to her because homelessness is sometimes the direct cause of other problems like addiction and mental illness, instead of the other way around. Smardon brings a lot of experience to council with her work with the Committee to End Homelessness. Along with building more rental stock, another solution for her is to stop any more demolitions of existing housing.

2) The feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association has high value to Smardon. Their feedback is important to her because they truly represent the majority of people in James Bay. She says that a very important factor is that the JBNA executive are elected by the community, making it a very democratic organization. Because of this, the JBNA reflects what people want and they work for the people who elect them. To Smardon, the result is a very important and essential "grassroots" association for the James Bay community.

Wayne Hollohan - Independent . Contact: wayne@electwayne.ca

1) "The vulnerability of James Bay" tops Hollohan's list of important issues.

Because of its beautiful geographic location, it is a target for development. Hollohan sees a problem with affordable rental units being converted to condos. In his election brochure he states "People struggle to find a place to live." This is a critical issue for Hollohan because he sees a need to preserve and protect our rental housing stock and have affordable housing for all. He favours new community plans and less rezoning. In his view, there needs to be more solutions such as a by-law to preserve rental stock in James Bay and elsewhere.

2) The importance of JBNA feedback to Hollohan is its great potential to be an important resource in decision making at city council. As councillor, he would get the word out that the James Bay Neighbourhood Association has credibility, that council will be paying attention to them, and that people need to get involved in the association because it empowers them. Hollohan says that he would be in favour of citizens - through the JBNA - applying for special grants for important James Bay projects. This is how Hollohan would value the JBNA and other community associations: "When a community (and their association) take a position on an issue that directly affects them, my vote and voice will stand behind that position".

Lynn Hunter - Independent. Contact: hunterlynn@shaw.ca

1) The most important issue to Hunter is the lack of affordable housing and homelessness in James Bay and in the rest of Victoria. Hunter speaks to the reason why it is so important: "She has heard from people in every part of town that solutions to homelessness are key to making Victoria all it can be." She says that she is impressed with the amount of compassion people have on these issues.

2)  Hunter feels that the feedback from the James Bay Neighourhood Association is very significant to council: "Consultation with community groups is an ongoing and essential part of being an elected representative." She believes that groups like the JBNA are valuable allies in providing information on development proposals and other neighbourhood issues to members of council.

Joseph Boutilier - Independent. Contact: joseph@cvyc.net

1) The primary issue for Boutilier is the lack of affordable housing for youth in James Bay. To Boutilier, the struggle to find housing is increasing as development pressures continue to rise in the area. He adds that this challenge is exacerbated for youth because some landlords have inherent biases against young prospective tenants, due to false beliefs that they will be noisy tenants. This concern is especially important to him because it is one of the most serious problems all over Victoria. Boutilier believes that this problem will continue if we keep hanging on to the present regressive approaches to housing and development.

2) Boutilier feels that the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association is very important and he would consider it more consistently and "more overall" than other feedback. He would take it very seriously and give it a great deal of attention. Boutilier wants to change how City Council perceives the feedback from the JBNA - not as merely research but as an important 'resource' to City Hall that truly represents the community. The reason that this feedback is so important to Boutilier is because it is "more the voice of the people than anything else." The JBNA should be where everything starts, says Boutilier. He feels that the association should have an updated community plan with a set of guidelines for developers that they would have to follow from the start. The present process of developer rezoning applications seems backwards and time - consuming to Boutilier. He envisions a more proactive role for the JBNA in land-use issues. 

Chris Munkacsi -Independent. Contact: chris.munkacsi@gmail.com

1) To Munkacsi, it is imperative that the physical and architectural landscape of James Bay be maintained and preserved. In particular, the sewage treatment issue is "very important". He has concerns about putting a sewage treatment system in James Bay, whether a big facility at Clover Point or smaller ones spread around the community. Even though he supports secondary sewage treatment, Munkacsi is worried about the impact of either option on the seaside environment. He does not want to see a big facility taking over Clover Point and affecting its accessibility. And it is important that the green spaces and oceanfront be preserved. Munkacsi wants heritage areas maintained and the architectural character preserved in James Bay.

2) The feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association would be very important to him if elected Councillor. He refers to the JBNA as a "Brain Trust." The Association draws on residents' knowledge of the community. Their feedback is invaluable to decision - making at City Council because they know their community better than anyone else and they have a lot of good ideas to take to the table. To Munkacsi, "It takes a community to find solutions and it is the residents of the community who are most able to find solutions to their problems."

John Luton - Independent. Contact: johnluton@shaw.ca

1)  A primary concern for Luton is the condition of sidewalks in James Bay. He feels that many need to be replaced, fixed and widened to make them safer and more appealing for residents. A hazardous situation is areas that have no sidewalks at all.  This is a safety issue for Luton - that is why it is so important to him.  Luton worries about seniors in James Bay who walk on sidewalks that are unsafe. He wants to see more sidewalks and an upgrade to the present system. Because of the aging population, we need new standards in any 'pedestrian plan' that accomodate walkers and scooters. Luton wants the "Greenways" Plan to become a reality soon for James Bay residents.  He feels that we need more cycling lanes and enhanced bus service.

2) Luton sees the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association as the "true voice of the people." This input is vitally important to Luton because residents are next door to the community issues - they have to live with it, so they know the neighbourhood concerns intimately. He would give it a lot of value in his decision-making and would be eager to "speak to the people who own the city." The JBNA represents grass - roots democracy to Luton. It is an active force in dealing with land-use and development issues. He says that if it weren't for associations like the JBNA, we would all be 'cemented - over' like New York City.

Tim Van Alstine  Independen   James Bay Resident Contact: vanalstine@telus.net

1) 'Growth and development.'  He is gravely concerned about the nature of the land-use changes happening in this community. With conversions of apartment buildings to condos and high rents, many residents are being displaced and others simply cannot afford to live here. Van Alstine fears an exodus of families and single moms. The resulting loss of diversity makes this a very important issue for him. He is in favour of an "anti-demolition bylaw" to prohibit any buildings being torn down amidst this precipitous rental market. Van Alstine cites an example to follow - about twenty years ago, no demolitions were permitted in Victoria when the vacancy rate went below 4%. All rental stock should be preserved, says Van Alstine. Essentially, he wants to see more affordable housing in James Bay.

2) Van Alstine has a high regard for the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association. He is the present president of the community group and has been involved with the JBNA for seventeen years. According to Van Alstine, everybody has the right to express viewpoints as to how their neighbourhoods develop. As he puts it:  " I respect the inherent right of all neighbourhoods to have meaningful input in how they develop." The importance of this JBNA feedback to Van Alstine is in its role - "This is how Council gets to know the community. Nobody knows their community better than the people who live there."

Robert Allington - Independent.  Contact: robertallington@hotmail.com

1) Maintaining "community integrity." He is concerned about development pressures in James Bay. Allington is not opposed to development but he believes that it should be minimal and consistent with the nature of the community. To Allington, James Bay should retain its special character. With all development, "We have to look at what we really want in the end and make sure that we have that 'human space' " he says. Its importance derives from his philosophical views about communities, where there should be an immediate relationship between the people and decisions made about their neighbourhood.

2) Allington would put a high value on all community feedback - from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association and the individual citizens of James Bay. It is important to him to be conscious of all sides of an issue and to listen to all voices equally. He believes that a councillor should be open - minded to everything that all competing parties have to say about the neighbourhood. The JBNA is an important facilitator: "People at City Hall have to listen to the community."

Nick Baker – Independent  Contact: nickbaker@shaw.ca

1) The number one issue to Baker is the drug use, homelessness, and related issues that affect the downtown and James Bay. This problem is important to Baker "because it affects all of us with increasing crime, vandalism, and a decreased sense of personal safety." And though any approach will cost money, it is crucial to Baker that any initiatives are financed by a balanced budget without increasing local taxes.

2) To Baker, the value of public input is clear: He is running to give the people a voice and he values all feedback from the community. Whether from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association or individual citizens, the role of the public voice is vital to Baker: "We need an open line of communication and increased community involvement so that we have more trust between City Council and the people it represents."

John C. Turner - Independent. Contact: gapcontact@shaw.ca

1) The number one issue for Turner is addressing poverty in James Bay and all over the city. Turner has some very innovative strategies to help people turn their lives around. He wants to establish a series of community development and social/economic development strategies in our community and elsewhere. One initiative would be to develop a social rehabilitation and educational program to help disadvantaged people get back to work through an individualized curriculum of skill-building and job experience. They would be encouraged to work on community beautification projects and to build affordable housing.  To tackle the homelessness problem, Turner wants to see "Homeless people off the street and building their own housing!"

2) "The importance of the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association is beyond words." The JBNA has great potential, its input is an essential resource. He would like to see its important role in the community expanded to include a community council and a youth council. To him, the JBNA could have even more influence in the area of development through using the legislation within the "BC Charter of Community Services" to govern the height of buildings.

Gregory Hartnell - Independent  Contact: gregoryhartnell@yahoo.com

1) As a member of the Concerned Citizens' Coalition, Hartnell's major concern about James Bay is "The Inappropriate Use of the Inner Harbour and Ogden Point which adversely affects the community of James Bay." He thinks that the activities of helicopters, nuclear ships, and seaplanes degrade the quality of life in James Bay. It also bothers him to see businesses inappropriately located beside residences in James Bay. Part of his concern is also inappropriate land - use in James Bay, which he refers to as "zoning anarchy." He believes that developers should be informed of the rules beforehand and that James Bay should "grow slowly and carefully with careful allocation of land-use decisions."

2) Hartnell would give a high value to the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association. He thinks that they have a real role to play on council. Their input is important to Hartnell because the Association has a long - time interest in the community and their knowledge is valuable. He said that, if elected, he would pay attention to them first because they have invested their time in the community and care about their neighbourhood.

John Farquharson - "A new Independent"  Contact: johnfarquharson@telus.net

1) The most serious issue to Farquharson is the fact that James Bay is so heavily impacted by downtown problems due to its proximity to the city centre. Because of this spillover effect, James Bay feels the pressure of the downtown core problems of homelessness, drug addiction and mental illness. This is important to Farquharson because he sees James Bay suffering disproportionately from some other neighbourhoods. To Farquharson, the only way to solve these social problems is to think big and formulate a collective vision for Victoria as to where we want to be in fifty to sixty years. Then we have to work towards that goal.

2) The feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association would be vital to his decision-making. The reason is because he believes that the more people, knowledge and informed input are behind a decision - the better the decision. To Farquharson, the wisdom and thoughtful feedback from James Bay residents is an invaluable resource in achieving quality decision - making at City Hall. He would like to see more people coming to their meetings and being involved in the community.

Rose Henry - Independent.  Contact: roseathomelessnation.org

1) It is very important to Henry that James Bay keep its small community values. She sees it as a nice independent community that still has that small town 'feel' to it with detached homes for professionals and families. James Bay has real aesthetic value to Henry - she does not want to see any major changes to its landscape. The importance for Henry is that James Bay is family-oriented and seems very supportive of people growing up in that neighbourhood. Being a First Nations individual, Henry is proud that there are three First Nations subsidized housing projects in James Bay and a number of affordable buildings for families.

2) Henry would put a lot of value on the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association. To Henry, this input is important because it is the "voice of the people" and the JBNA is the advocate for the community. If elected, she promises to keep close contact with the Association with regular meetings between her and the members. Communicating with the JBNA is essential because that personalizes the link between government and the community.

Robert Randall - Independent  Contact: robertrandall@telus.net

1) The problem that poses the biggest challenge to James Bay is the escalating loss of affordable housing. As old housing becomes new condos, only the affluent can afford to live in James Bay. He believes that there should be affordable units in every new development and Randall supports a ban on demolitions. Developers have told Randall that it is very possible to build new rental stock. With help from government, they can build undersize pre-fabricated housing, short and long term housing and cheaper wood frame housing. Randall says that developers and the citizens have to work together and put the community first. Lack of housing is a great concern to Randall because he believes that we need "healthy communities with people of all income groups living in them."

2) As president of the Downtown Residents Association, Randall appreciates the value of a grassroots community group. The feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association is very valuable to Randall because community members have a good feel for the neighbourhood and are an effective avenue of input. He is impressed with the achievements of the JBNA - for example, they were involved in the creation of an "anti - idling bylaw" that puts restrictions on the noise from buses at Ogden Point. To Randall, it is crucial to have a good working relationship between City Hall and the Community Associations because they both need each other as a reliable resource.

Susan Woods - Independent.  Contact: suewoods@shaw.ca

1) Woods believes that "the impact of increased traffic noise, pollution and congestion as well as the protection of valuable urban green spaces are a large concern for the James Bay community." Her solution for our traffic problems is to introduce a modern streetcar system, much like the one in Portland. To her, this quieter and less - polluting means of public transportation would help restore the once-quiet seaside ambience of James Bay. She is opposed to any development on the lands of Cridge Park and the Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling Club. As host of "Remember When", a local history show on CFAX Radio, "she is passionate about protecting important historical sites and public access lands."

2) The feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association is very important to Woods because "issues of neighbourhood concern are often best articulated by residents who understand the history and inherent complexities." Woods puts a high value on the input from the JBNA: "The informed input and suggestions of residents and community groups is an important element of public consultation that I am committed to respecting and upholding."

Philippe Lucas -  A 'Green' candidate.  Contact: phil@philippelucas.com

1) To Lucas, the biggest challenges in James Bay are high traffic and the environmental and land-use impacts of local and tourist activities. As councillor, he would put the interests of the community ahead of business interests that have had such a negative effect on James Bay and Victoria.

2) The feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association would be very important to Lucas. He would ensure that community members have a real voice and stake in their future. Lucas would work with James Bay on long - term development and planning issues, giving priority to local concerns over increased density and traffic. To show his high regard for the JBNA and all community associations: "I would ensure that all of Victoria's community associations are well - funded and supported by City hall."

Allen Jones - Independent.  Contact: father_allen_street_priest@yahoo.ca

1) Increasing poverty in James Bay and the rest of Victoria is a primary concern for Allen. This includes homelessness and the lack of essential low-income housing in James Bay. As a street minister, Jones cares a lot about people who suffer from poverty in Victoria. He is especially concerned about police confiscating the belongings of homeless people. And when they are "moved along" by the police, many times there is nowhere to go. This is a critical issue to Jones because "we are supposed to be a first - world nation and there is no need for this kind of poverty."

2) Regarding the value of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association:

"Whatever they say is important" to Jones. He feels that when citizens take the time to attend meetings, then they must really be concerned about the community and really want things done. Because of this, their feedback needs to be taken very seriously by City Hall.

Jane Lunt – Contract: talkwithjane2008@yahoo.ca

1) I believe the most pressing issue is that of the noise and fumes emanating from the float plane traffic in the Inner Harbour.  The City and Transport Canada need to work together to take immediate steps to mitigate the undesirable effects from the increase in this traffic.

2) The JBNA acts as a barometer and conduit for representing the values and the concerns of the neighbourhood to City Hall.  This is important and necessary. But, I would also like to see frequent dialogue and exchange of ideas between City Council and the JBNA.

Simon Nattrass - Independent  Contact: simonnattrass@gmail.com

1) The most important James Bay issue to Nattrass is to mitigate the effects of a growing downtown on the James Bay community. The neighbourhood is impacted by close proximity to a busy downtown and heavy tourist activities around the Inner Harbour. Accordingly, Nattrass would make sure that the concerns of James Bay Residents are not overlooked.

2) Nattrass would pay close attention to the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association. He thinks that their input is especially important on issues of planning and development as well as cultural and community growth in James Bay.

Denis F. Oliver - Independent. Contact: denis_f_oliver@shaw.ca

1) Controlling development/developers in James Bay is the most important issue to Oliver. He says "It is important to me that we contain development/developers within the boundaries delineated by official community plans so that neighbourhoods exemplify the ideals of their residents."

2) To Oliver, input from all the neighbourhood associations is very important to council decision-making. Associations like the JBNA are the representatives of the residents, so they are a "voice-of-the-people." And "as such a voice, the wishes of the neighbourhood associations should be considered."

Richard Park Independent Contact: richard@richardpark.ca

1) The primary James Bay issue to Park is the development over park space, specifically that of Cridge Park. He says that many residents of James Bay feel that they were not consulted properly about Cridge Park. This concerns Park because the whole process creates animosity and has the potential to destroy valuable green space.

2) Any feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood would be "vehemently appreciated" by Park. He says that "City Hall is supposed to be working for the residents of Victoria and not for special interests and as key stakeholders, the residents must be consulted in all processes to help Victoria reach its potential." To park, the residents of James Bay should decide what should be done in their area.

Jonathan Valentine - Independent. Contact: jonvalentine@shaw.ca

1) The most significant James Bay issue to Valentine is creating affordable housing in the most non- dysfunctional way possible. As an aside, he says that with the recent power blackout, the city should be looking into alternative energy sources.

2) Valentine would value the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association: "Input from an official neighbourhood organization represents the efforts of dedicated people exercising their rights collectively and that shouldn't be taken lightly." If he is elected, he would be willing to inspect any James Bay situation personally before he made any kind of decision.

David Shebib

Mr. Shebib "declined to make a comment and does not like answering questions." Shebib advises voters to check his record at City Hall.

Patrick Jamieson - Independent  Contact: icn@telus.com

1) Mr. Jamieson was out of town. He is a close associate of Gregory Hartnell and they are both members of the Concerned Citizens' Coalition. Hartnell told me that he is very familiar with Jamieson's platform and feels qualified to speak on his behalf. Hartnell also assured me that Jamieson would be agreeable to that arrangement. According to Hartnell: Patrick Jamieson is a strong advocate for social justice and these issues would be of paramount importance to him regarding James Bay. Jamieson has a lot of concern for the poor and marginalized in our society. He has advocated for the absolute necessity of social housing for low - income people. But he believes in integrating disadvantaged people into market housing. If elected, Jamieson would insist that developers include affordable units in any development.  Jamieson would put a high value on the input from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association. He feels that all the community associations need more funding to better empower them to represent their residents.

Christopher Gillespie - Independent  Contact: christopher.m.gillespie@gmail.com

1) The protection of the natural environment in James Bay is the most important issue for Gillespie. Preserving the beauty of James Bay is vital to Gillespie. He believes that City Hall and developers should find some way of incorporating the natural beauty of James Bay into any zoning or development plans.

2) Gillespie says "Feedback and suggestions from all community associations such as the James Bay Neighbourhood Association would be taken very seriously, as they are the lobbyists of that neighbourhood's residents." If elected, he would try to forge a good working relationship with the JBNA.

Barry Hobbis - Independent. Contact: bhobbis@shaw.ca

1) The number one issue for Hobbis is large commercial vehicles in James Bay and the resulting noise and pollution. They also pose a serious safety hazard to pedestrians. He wants James Bay to keep its "old-town" feel. But this is negatively affected when huge buses and trucks do not fit in James Bay roads. Hobbis believes that there should be special signs on these large commercial vehicles and that they should go around James Bay and not through it.

2) Hobbis would value the feedback from the James Bay Neighbourhood Association because it truly represents the neighbourhood.

Suzanne Carroll - Independent  Contact: msuzannecarroll@gmail.com

Carroll did not directly answer the questions. The only response regarding her position as candidate is in the impending decision of the Canadian Supreme Court on "The right to sleep."

Tavis Dodds - "The Work Less Party".  Contact: tavisdodds@hotmail.com

1) The most critical issue for Dodds is "the incredible rise in the hard core drug industry that we have seen in recent years." He feels that Victoria's 'crack and meth' businesses must be stopped.

2) Dodds thinks that the interests and opinions of the James Bay Neighbourhood Association are extremely valuable to City Hall. However, he also feels that perhaps the JBNA should have to prove that their feedback is truly representative of the majority of James Bay residents. And he adds " That said, the James Bay Neighbourhood Association may very well be the best shot that we have at (determining) the welfare of the neighbourhood."

Jonathan Le Drew – Independent Contact: salvageplanetearth@gmail.com

1) Le Drew did not answer my James Bay queries. He believes that "A healthy democracy is a well - informed public." One of his goals in the local election is to assist people to make an informed choice and to actually vote. He will do this by filming the "All - Candidates" meetings and posting them on You Tube. Le Drew also values free speech and a healthy natural environment.