Tag Archives: Community governance models

April 25-27: 2023 RIEP Forum

The first Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) Forum was held on Pender Island during 2019. They were forced to hold virtual events after COVID hit, but the 2023 RIEP Forum is an in-person event that will be held on Gabriola Island, April 25-27.

“This is a flagship event for the 18 plus rural islands of BC. The reach is from Bowen Island to Malcolm Island to Salt Spring to Gabriola, to Cortes, and Quadra. Our motto is, ‘No one island can be resilient alone, and together we’re stronger and better,’” explained Francine Carlin, Chair and Interim Executive Director of the Rural Islands Economic Partnership.

Continue reading April 25-27: 2023 RIEP Forum

Noba Anderson: The exit interview

Noba Anderson was first elected as Regional Director for Strathcona Regional District Area B (Cortes Island) in 2008.  She served 4 terms (two three-year and two four-year) for a total of 14 years in office, making her the longest-serving Regional Director in the island’s history.

Some other Strathcona Regional Directors (notably those from Oyster River and Quadra Island) have held office for far longer, running repeatedly for decades without successful challengers.  In 2022, however, Oyster River’s Brenda Leigh was defeated at the polls and Jim Abram of Quadra chose not to run again.  Noba Anderson also chose not to run again.

Cortes Currents asked Noba if she would be willing to participate in an “exit interview” — a look back over her long run as our representative at SRD.  She was interviewed in mid October.

Continue reading Noba Anderson: The exit interview

Area C has a new Director

More than 69% of the electorate in Area C chose Robyn Mawhinney as their new Regional Director on October 15. She learned this from an unexpected source. Mawhinney and her team were sitting in the Heriot Bay Inn, while they waited for the election results to be announced on Saturday night. The scrutineer from her team had not yet arrived and they were enjoying a nice glass of wine.

“I got a phone call from Mark Doll who congratulated me on my win,” she said. “I didn’t know the numbers yet.”

Continue reading Area C has a new Director

Why Mawhinney would set up an Advisory Council, rather than a Community Association, in Area C

Editors note: This debate over community Governance models is of interest to Cortes Island residents given our past discussions of a Community Association.

The two candidates running for Regional Director of Area C, in the October 15 election, appear to have very different visions of how to govern. Robyn Mawhinney explained:

“I’m very focused on creating a Community Advisory Council to support the Director’s decision making process, a community advisory council with a broad spectrum of community voices. The other candidate, Marc Doll, is really focused on using his directorship as an opportunity to build a Community Association from the ground up. I’d like to talk about the difference between a Community Association and an Advisory Council and why I think there is quite a big difference.” 

Continue reading Why Mawhinney would set up an Advisory Council, rather than a Community Association, in Area C

Doll: Why Quadra Island and/or Area C needs a Community Association

Editors note: This is what some Cortes Island residents were discussing in late 2019, and early 2020.

One of the key points that Marc Doll keeps mentioning, in his campaign to become Regional Director of Area C, is the need to form a Community Association.  In today’s interview he explains why. 

“There’s significant differences between a Community Association and an Advisory Council,” explained Doll.

Continue reading Doll: Why Quadra Island and/or Area C needs a Community Association