| Candidate | The RDCK Board has already passed a motion on 100% renewable energy. If elected, will you continue to support the transition to 100% renewable energy no later than 2050? | If elected, will you support the protection of old growth forest in the West Kootenays? | If elected, will you support the continued operation of your local farmers’ market in or closest to your community? |
| Area A (East Shore) | |||
| Garry Jackman* | |||
| Area B (Rural Creston) | |||
| Keith Goforth | YES | YES | YES |
| Tanya Wall | YES | YES | YES |
| Area C (Rural Creston) | |||
| Adam Casemore | |||
| Tony Mulder | YES | YES | YES |
| Elvin Rempel | NOT SURE | YES | YES |
| Area D (Rural Kaslo) | |||
| Aimee Watson* | |||
| Area E (Rural Nelson) | |||
| Ramona Faust | YES | YES | YES |
| Reggie Goldsbury | YES | YES | YES |
| Area F (Rural Nelson) | |||
| Tom Newell* | |||
| Area G (Rural Salmo) | |||
| Hans Cunningham* | YES | YES | YES |
| Area H (Slocan Valley) | |||
| Walter Popoff* | |||
| Area I (Rural Castlegar) | |||
| Andy Davidoff* | |||
| Area J (Rural Castlegar) | |||
| Rick Smith | YES | YES | YES |
| Gordon Zaitsoff | |||
| Area K (Arrow Lakes) | |||
| Paul Peterson* |
*acclaimed
Track Record
Candidates’ highlight their track record on any other environmental or social justice issues they have already taken action on.
| Candidate | Track Record |
| Area A (East Shore) | |
| Garry Jackman* | |
| Area B (Rural Creston) | |
| Keith Goforth | I am working on relieving Tipping fees at land fill sites for those who volunteer in gathering waste along highways and in other forrested areas of crown lands. |
| Tanya Wall | A project that I am very proud of is Fields Forward and the Mobile Juicer. This project was supported by the RDCK but truly driven out the Creston Valley. The mobile juice has given great opportunity to the farmers and to the great region of the RDCK. With the juicer we have seen a reduction of fruit being taken to the landfill and secondary products been made from fruit that was considered not the best for resale. We have seen the engagement of community press fests were residents bring small amounts of fruit that they have harvested and turned into juice that they can use all year long. We need to do more of this out of the box thinking and create more projects like these. |
| Area C (Rural Creston) | |
| Adam Casemore | |
| Tony Mulder | On the topic of Conservation. I am a mastergoldsmith. In my 29years I have not purchased any gold directly from a mined supply.All rings have been made from recycled gold. Scrap gold is refined and redesigned to delight the pickyest of bride. I am of Dutch descent, so being eco- friendly is a lifestyle. My wife and I moved from Vancouver in the late 80”s to Creston to start a family We have raised our family on our 20 acre farm, just north of Creston B.C. The farm was a leftover of the ostrich pyramid thing from the 90”s. We grew strawberries and then commercial organic garlic. The brand name was 3 boys organic. The farm was certified under KOGS as organic and I gave lectures and tours. The boys planted, grew and marketed the garlic at the Hills Garlic Festival. They learned about hard work and supplying the highest quality product on the market. The friendships and salesmanship that formed at the festivals made them more outgoing. They are grown men now. We do not do garlic on the farm any longer, just hay horses and apples. A large garden. Our freezers are always full. The Creston farmers market has been growing over the last few years. I love seeing the sense of community on saturday’s. People sampling local wines , the lady’s and gentlemen, with their wicker baskets, looking for some Vegatables that they will soon turn into an amazing diner. The people chatting near the booths of local events. In small groups that get larger and larger. A mingling of locals. |
| Elvin Rempel | |
| Area D (Rural Kaslo) | |
| Aimee Watson* | |
| Area E (Rural Nelson) | |
| Ramona Faust | 1. RDCK Sustainable Living Committee including Central Kootenay Food Policy Committee, Kootenay Lake Partnership and Energy Retrofit Program. 2. Representing community interests in domestic watershed issues including a resolution to Union of BC Municipalities urging them to implement Water Susttainability Plans. 3. Energy retrofits on 5 community buildings in RDCK Area E and a solar pilot project on 2 buildings in collaboration with non profits, CBT and Pembina Institute. |
| Reggie Goldsbury | My strongest achievement so far is key involvement to Preserve Queens Bay – a rare, shallow, warm bay in Kootenay Lake with a special ecosystem important to fish and wildlife. The BC Government proposed to permanently alter a large water habitat, and destroy a pristine riparian area by installing an industrial ferry site.By garnering support from high profile environmental groups, and with engagement from over 7000 citizens we reversed the government’s position. Now they plan to build a more environmental Ferry, and upgrade the existing Balfour Terminal with eco-friendly initiatives – a big win!I support sustainable economic development that moves forward yet respects the environment and our rural way of life. This requires creative leadership, clean technology, green jobs and smart policy. Pollution has a price and polluting entities need to be held responsible. Climate change is real, strongly supported by science. I’m concerned watersheds are protected, logging is kept responsible, the public has confidence rules are being followed, and new rules serve public interest.In office my values on stewardship will guide my actions. Stewardship is legacy. It’s looking at long-term implications and the future we leave our children. It’s inclusion, bringing together ALL the people policy is affecting. It’s championing sustainable practices – environmentally, economically and socially. With these principles I will work diligently for you. |
| Area F (Rural Nelson) | |
| Tom Newell* | |
| Area G (Rural Salmo) | |
| Hans Cunningham* | As a Regional District Director I have supported sustainability resolutions. At the present time in Area G, I am working on ensuring that private land logging is done sustainably and in an ecologically sound manner. I am also involved in ensuring water sustainability in Ymir in the Quartz Creek watershed. I have also financially supported the operation of Farmers markets, the growing of local produce, and agriculture sustainability generally. |
| Area H (Slocan Valley) | |
| Walter Popoff* | |
| Area I (Rural Castlegar) | |
| Andy Davidoff* | |
| Area J (Rural Castlegar) | |
| Rick Smith | As a small farmer myself, I am very proud that I started Spring Farm Fair 4 years ago with my family – A Community Event Promoting an Educational Environment on Farming & Sustainability. This event hosted at Pass Creek Exhibitions Grounds which brings Farmers, Ranchers, local food producers, public and vendors together who raise all different types of livestock, fruit trees, nurseries, poultry, grape vines, nuts, herbs, bees etc., Inviting farming related business’s to attend and support farmers offering information on merchandise available and information on how it would impact their farm and improve their operation and bottom financial line. Inviting the public to attend and have the option of purchasing items from farmers direct and the ability to purchase locally in the future.I am a founding member that started Pass Creek Fall Fair 25 years ago promoting an Agricultural Fair in our area. The Fair informs the general public of the importance of Agricultural Industry to the economy of British Columbia. I cannot emphasize how important Agriculture is to all of us.If we can educate the public to purchase food & farm items locally it would be a huge financial impact to our local economy. This would support local farmers making them a viable industry in our area. People are interested in where their food comes from, they want to buy local, they don’t want to buy off shore food that they have no idea how it is grown or handled. |
| Gordon Zaitsoff | |
| Area K (Arrow Lakes) | |
| Paul Peterson* |
Candidates that did not complete the survey have blank boxes below questions and no track record responses.