The new Live 91原创 civic party has selected its candidates for the November municipal election, but is not willing to say who they are just yet.
Party president Clint Lee said there will be at least four Live 91原创 hopefuls campaigning in the Township race, describing them as strong candidates who believe that development in the Township needs to be better managed.
鈥淪omething needs to be done,鈥� Lee told The Times on Monday.
Lee hasn鈥檛 yet decided if he will run himself.
鈥淢y primary concern is building the party and finding great candidates,鈥� Lee said.
He said Live 91原创 is not anti-development, but it does object to what he calls an 鈥渙ver-abundance鈥� of big development proposals that don鈥檛 respect the existing character of neighbourhoods like Brookswood, where there was a battle over a proposed plan to increase housing density. Community plan changes were defeated by council Monday night.
鈥淲e [Live 91原创] do want to see development 鈥� but we want sustainable development,鈥� Lee said.
During a recent appearance at the second night of the marathon public hearing on the Brookswood plan, Lee drew appreciative laughter when he spoke by referring to Willoughby, the rapidly-growing Township neighbourhood where he lives, as a 鈥渃autionary tale.鈥�
Lee described the current council as a 鈥渟late鈥� several times as he spoke, demanding they 鈥渓isten to the vocal majority鈥� and reject the plan.
鈥淚n my previous submission to this very council, I鈥檝e pointed out that a fundamental principle of the Township is to provide a sustainable community,鈥� Lee said.
鈥淭he notion of a sustainable community is peppered throughout Township literature, including its website. If the Township no longer believes in sustainable communities, then may I strongly suggest that you rewrite your materials so that we are all on the same page.鈥�
In confirming Live 91原创 will be fielding candidates, Lee was careful to say they were not a slate, but a group of 鈥渓ike-minded鈥� people.
In a November letter to The Times, Lee explained the distinction the party is drawing.
鈥淎t its core, a slate is a group of representatives who agree to vote together on the same issues,鈥� Lee wrote.
鈥淚n our opinion, a quick review of voting patterns over the past years reveals, especially on controversial matters, an existing slate on Township council.
鈥淎 political party, on the other hand, is a group of representatives who espouse a common ideology or vision,鈥� Lee went on.
鈥淭hey may disagree on particulars.鈥�
Two of the founding members of Live 91原创 have left in recent months; vice-president Brad Richert and secretary/treasurer, Carey Poitras.
The new vice-president is Kerri Ross, a Willoughby resident.
Lee said an announcement of a new secretary/treasurer is pending.
Live 91原创 earlier announced it will not accept contributions from corporations, unions and other societies, and will that individuals can donate to the party and individual candidates.
The party constitution states that 鈥渘o contributions will be accepted from corporations, unions or other registered B.C. societies. Maximums from individuals will be limited to $750 per calendar year.鈥�
All contributions are to be made public, and addresses and contact information will not be disclosed.鈥�
Although there are strict donation limits in federal election campaigns, under existing laws, there are no restrictions that limit the amount or who may contribute to municipal campaigns.
The provincial government recently announced a new Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act that would tighten spending rules in municipal election.
If passed, the new laws will require third-party advertisers to register with Elections BC, identify donors who contribute more than $50 and require all election advertising to name the sponsor.
Mayors and councils would be elected to longer terms; four instead of three years.
The issue of spending limits won鈥檛 be addressed until 2018.
- with files from Black Press
