Coastal Currents with Aaron Reid

Season 2: Municipal Election Series: Mayoral: Ron Woznow

Ron Woznow first visited Powell River in 1990 and has called Powell River home since 2012. He has 35 years of experience leading community organizations, companies, and government agencies and is known for his leadership, team building and negotiation skills.

Ron believes in community service. For the past decade he has volunteered as a board member with Powell River organizations including the First Credit Union, Powell River Assist and the Library. He is president of the Westview Ratepayers Society and the Senior Citizens Association and a member of the Legion and the Sport Fishing Advisory Committee.

 As Mayor Ron would work with city managers and Council to find solutions to the city's significant debt and carefully examine the justification for all new projects and programs, streamline the permit and development process with zero tolerance for favouritism and ensure transparency. You have a question, you will get an answer at monthly meetings with the mayor.   

A family man, Ron’s children and grandchildren visit regularly. He is an avid fisherman and believes Powell River's natural beauty is second to none. He is committed to using his leadership experience and skills to create the change our City needs to grow and prosper.

https://woznowformayor.com/

Season 2: Municipal Election Series: Mayoral: CaroleAnn Leishman

CaroleAnn Leishman is a two term City Councillor who has also served on the qathet Regional District Board for the last 8 years.

She has been the Chair of the Regional Hospital District Board and the City's Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Committee and has mentored the Youth Council. She has been known locally for her theatre background, musicals, dance, figure skating and roller derby.

In her day job she has been an Architectural Designer and Project Manager in the construction industry for the past 21 years and although she was born and raised in PR, she has lived in many different places and spent many years travelling giving her a broad understanding of the issues that communities are dealing with.

In this election, CaroleAnn is running for Mayor.

https://www.caroleannleishman.com/

Season 2: Municipal Election Series: Mayoral: Maggie Hathaway

Maggie Hathaway grew up in North Vancouver and moved to Powell River in 1979, 43 years ago.  She is almost a local.  

 

Maggie worked for the City of Powell River for 14 years, two years in Administration and twelve years at the Fire Department.  She then moved on to spend eight years at Legal Aid where she represented folks with poverty law type issues; residential tenancy, Work Safe, family law and even a little criminal stuff.

 

From there she was employed by our MLA Nicholas Simons for thirteen years.  Many of the same issues she handled at Legal Aid, she dealt with at Nicholas’ office.

 

She has been on City Council for fourteen years.  Her portfolios have included housing and other social issues, communications, and emergency services.

 

She golfs in the summer and curls in the winter.

Season 2: Municipal Election Series: Rob Southcott

I’m a lucky returnee to Powell River.  

I have sought to bring my interests: social, cultural, science, history, finance and economics and spiritual into application to serve my community.  

I’ve been a paramedic, an Ambulance Service chief, an outdoor rec instructor, hiker, kayaker, and life-long cyclist.  I was in small business and a hockey dad, along with various community organizations and boards all my life.

I’ve been a councillor for 8 years.

We’re in times of trouble, and that will only increase.  

We must work together. That is my commitment.

https://www.prpeak.com/local-news/city-of-powell-river-council-candidate-rob-southcott-5885367

Season 2: Municipal Election Series: Jim Palm

I care about the future of Powell River and the well-being of its citizens.

I have the experience necessary to make informed decisions on the most important issues facing Powell River residents: Drugs and crime; high taxation; retention of the industrial tax base and related future jobs; priority loading on BC Ferries for residents; and proposed name change.

I will continue to attend all meetings on your behalf, well-prepared and having done my due diligence on each issue. I will listen and participate in all discussions at council, including from the people most affected.

I will cast my vote on the recommendation which is in the best interest of the residents of Powell River. Vote Jim Palm for a practical, down-to-earth approach to civic duties.

https://www.prpeak.com/local-news/city-of-powell-river-council-candidate-jim-palm-5878098

Season 2: Municipal Election Series: Eli Leyland

I believe in social good, in improving the greatest number of lives possible, not serving a single individual’s self-interests.

This is exactly what I stand for; I am serving the people, not myself.  Even though I have only lived here for a few years, I immediately fell in love with this city. It’s easy to come to Powell River for the beautiful wilderness that we have, but the reason why I am making this my ‘forever home’ is because of the community values that I experienced as soon as I got here, values that were clearly passed down through many generations. The people of Powell River look out for one another – this is something that is fundamentally lost in larger cities. The things that I love to see in Powell River are ideas that draw us closer together instead of pulling us farther apart.

Community values were instilled in me throughout my upbringing and those values are what drive me to give back to my community now. If I am granted the opportunity to be city councillor, I know that I can make a difference and bring forth the ideas of my community.

I would love to see a solution that works to solve the mental health and addictions crisis in our city.

I am looking for solutions to Lower tax rates, and advocate for an MRI machine to cut down on travel expenses and time for those who need one.

I would love to see more affordable options for housing as home ownership has become more and more unattainable for current and future generations.

 I am not running for myself, but to represent the ideas and values of the people of Powell River. If I am elected, I can promise that I will work faithfully to help improve this wonderful place that we are all so lucky to call home. 

To connect with my directly, reach out at 604-999-9800

 

Season 2: Municipal Election Series: Jason Hygaard

I want to take an active role in keeping our community secure,  prosperous and beautiful.

I will accept the responsibility to listen and consider the perspectives and needs of the community, and represent those values in all decisions.

I have the aptitude and motivation to lead, listen and positively collaborate to ensure that the wishes, needs and rights of our citizens are effectively and efficiently achieved.

I am a Veteran. I am educated and experienced as a Civil-Military Cooperation liaison Sergeant, engaging with key leaders in communities foreign and domestic, facilitating dialog in very intense political and social environments. I believe my background has given me the skills and knowledge to cooperate positively and effectively in difficult city matters.

I’ve felt the calling to rise to action again in service to the community.

I’m ready to contribute with integrity and enthusiasm, for the leadership of this great City of Powell River.

http://jasonhygaard.ca/

Season 2: Municipal Election Series: George Doubt

George William Frederick Doubt

I am running for re-election to City Council and I ask for your support.

I moved to Powell River in 2014 to be close to my family after my retirement.

Before retirement I was employed for many years by BC Tel and Telus and was an elected officer of the Telecommunications Workers , representing members as a local officer, moving on to the role of Business Agent and a member of our Executive Council. I was re-elected many times and finally served 2 three year terms as national President.

My elected Union roles led to work as a Pension Trustee of our Defined Benefit Pension Plan, as a member of the Board of Directors of Concert Properties and Concert Real Estate Ltd, and of other associated financial investments. I was also an executive member of the BC Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress. All of that led to significant involvement in politics on Federal, Provincial, Regional, and Municipal levels

As part of my duties on Council,  I served as the chair of the Finance Committee, Tourism Powell River Liaison, and as one of the Municipal directors on the board of the qathet Regional District. I chaired that group's Finance Committee, served on the Regional Hospital District Board, the North Island 911 Board of Directors,and the Supportive Housing Community Liaison Committee.

I have been a member of the Wildwood Ratepayers since 2014.

I am running for re-election because I believe I have the leadership skills, experience and clear understanding needed to work collaboratively with the community and Council to set goals and respond to the challenges that exist now and will arise in the future. I am confident that those characteristics will provide the basis for making decisions based on the best common interests of the residents of the community equitably and inclusively in and atmosphere of Respect, Kindness and Optimism.

Season 2: Municipal Election Series: Bronwyn Gisborne

Bronwyn graduated from Brooks in 2001, attended Camosun college and then UVic, became a full time yoga instructor for several years, and then came home to marry and have 2 children.

 

She is now one of only 6 Gisbornes who live in the region, all under one roof. 

 

She is employed through CSIL (choice in supports for independent living). 

 

https://www.prpeak.com/local-news/city-of-powell-river-council-candidate-bronwyn-gisborne-5879670?fbclid=IwAR1vEBkQSw0by5qDHz9zE56kR4LEOFm4rp8r6CwZZMEHVXqCn74RKjIaLGw

Season 2: Municipal Election Series: Jen Zacher

Creating a healthy community means putting people first. It’s finding solutions to help people meet their needs but also to thrive.

I’ve worked as a provincial government analyst for 20 years, in poverty reduction as well as treaty negotiations with First Nations. I conduct research, consult with people, listen carefully and build productive partnerships – all of which will serve me well as a city councillor.

A job in the forestry industry brought me to Powell River in 2016, and I plan to stay. As a homeowner, landlord, and someone who works with people experiencing poverty, I understand many perspectives of the housing crisis. I’ve volunteered in disaster relief, food security and housing, and I am the former vice president of the Comox Valley Beekeepers. 

In my free time, I’m often walking my dog.

https://www.jenzacherforcitycouncil.ca/