Tag Archives: David Leitch

Housing

Allegations that Rural Directors Bullied Area D; Who bullied who?

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At the May 27 SRD Board Meeting, Mayor Kermit Dahl of Campbell River accused Regional Directors Mark Vonesch, Robyn Mawhinney and Gerald Whalley of bullying Regional Director John Rice:    

“For example, when Director Rice was outvoted on a development in Area D by three electoral area Directors who wanted to show him, ‘Stay in line or else we’ll show you.’ They could stop him from succeeding in moving Area D forward.”

This is not the first time Campbell River Directors have made this allegation.

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Politics

Mark Vonesch Removed; Susan Sinnott New Vice-Chair of the SRD

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Mark Vonesch was removed from his position as Vice-Chair of the SRD through a non-confidence vote, and Campbell River Director Susan Sinnott was elected in his place.

The voting followed what is becoming a familiar pattern: the five Campbell River Directors and their allies voted to remove Vonesch, while the Directors from Gold River, Tahsis, and Electoral Areas A, B, and C supported him.

The Alleged Plot

The vote was preceded by a roughly two-hour in-camera session, after which Campbell River Mayor Kermit Dahl addressed the public meeting.

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Politics

Strathcona Gardens – How Many Dollars Count as a Meaningful Voice?

Originally published in the Bird’s Eye

Two communities, both alike in ocean views, in fair Strathcona where we lay our scene. From ancient boundary disputes to new taxation, where civic math… wait a second, this doesn’t add up. 

I’ve been debating whether to include this story since April 29. Is it relevant? Is it journalism? Is it just my own feelings getting tangled up in local politics? Or is it representation for the people that were there? Heart and ego occasionally arrive wearing the same outfit. You know I’m telling the story.

April 29, 2026 12:27 p.m. – Your Editor arrives at the SRD building. Air cast, cane, very little sleep, and even less snacks. Outside, an impressive number of Quadra folks and friends gathered with their handmade signs, chants at the ready.

Then the front doors swing open. “Is there any media here?” a staffer shouts out.

Startled, I raised my hand. “It’s me. I’m the media.”

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Politics

Quadra is one step closer to paying for Strathcona Gardens

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) voted 7-6* that Quadra Island taxpayers should also pay for the Strathcona Gardens Recreation facility. The proposed amount has been reduced to 80% of their property’s assessed value, and amounts to about $446 for the average property owner. This decision is to be ratified by a referendum of all Campbell River, Area D and Quadra residents at the next election.

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Politics

Cortes, Quadra and Read Island items at the March 25th SRD Board Meeting

At its March 25 SRD Board meeting, Campbell River and its allies passed a resolution to draft a bylaw making the average Quadra Island homeowner pay an additional $588 in property taxes to help fund Campbell River’s Recreate Strathcona Gardens project. (This fight is not over yet.) Whether the proposed bylaw will pass remains to be seen, but a large number of noncontroversial Cortes, Quadra and Read Island items were passed at the same board meeting. They pertained to: 

  • A Quadra Island Right of Way
  • Vacancies in Advisory Planning Commissions for Areas C & D
  • Squirrel Cove Aquaculture 
  • Who Pays Administrative Costs for the Electoral Areas Services Committee
  • Cortes Island’s Active Transportation Plan
  • Funding Opportunities for Active Transportation in Areas B & C
  • Legacy Gifts in Regional District Parks
  • Residency Requirement for Short Term Rentals
  • Proposed Electoral Areas Grant in Aid Service 
  • Waste Pick-up Contract on Cortes Island
  • Renewal of Post Office contract for Read Island
  • Grants-in-Aid for Quadra Island 

As these are all short items, Cortes Currents decided to use them as examples of how the SRD conducts board meetings.

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