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Meet the candidates running for Mayor of Ladysmith

We invited the six nominated candidates to weigh in on current town issues

Ladysmith residents will go to the polls on March 1 to elect a new mayor. We invited the five nominated candidates to weigh in on current town issues. The candidates are: Russ Barling, Deena Beeston, Raymon Travis Farmere, Joe Friesenhan, and Terje Hanssen. Murray McNab has withdrawn from the race.

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

What is your background?

Russ Barling

I'm retired. I spent about 20 years as a business journalist working at some of the world's most respected newspapers, including the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) and the Guardian (London). For the past 15 years, through Scripto Communication, my consultancy offered communications and crisis-management advice to multinationals in the energy and transportation sectors. 

Deena Beeston

My background includes operating and managing a successful business, providing me with the foundation to understand complex budgets. Additionally, I have worked in healthcare and social services. I have held positions on numerous boards and committees, understanding the processes required for good governance. With a strong sense of community service, I have volunteered throughout my life, currently holding the role of Secretary of The Ladysmith Home Society and with the FO Eagles Auxiliary. I am strongly rooted in Ladysmith and its history. My experiences have taught me to focus on solutions, be innovative, work together for positive outcomes, and understand the value of collaboration.

Raymon Travis Farmere

My background includes the following: I was born in Comox B.C., I’ve lived in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Victoria and Cowichan Bay, B.C. I hold a Master of Education degree, I have been a computer technician, network administrator, a teacher, and I have been part of the CUPE 1858 executive in the past. As a member of the CUPE 1858 executive I was responsible for performing functions very similar to that of a councillor including voting, passing motions, bylaws, and legislation. I have run in several elections on the Island.

Joe Friesenhan

I was privileged to represent the Town of Ladysmith as a councillor for four years. I have 31 years of municipal service in a senior management position. My last position was for the Town of Ladysmith as the director of public works. I held this position for over 13 years. I have lived in Ladysmith for over 26 years.

Terje Hanssen

Moved to Canada in 2009 and Ladysmith 2011. Variated business experience and higher university education. 

Why are you running for mayor?

Russ Barling

I hope to re-invigorate the political culture in Ladysmith, where just 23 per cent of the eligible electorate voted last election, the third worst participation rate on the island. People have lost hope that voting can change anything. I'm a huge believer in the benefits of best-practice public engagement, which requires elected officials to not only engage in meaningful consultation, but also to make efforts to collaborate, accommodate and, in some cases, seek consent.  

Deena Beeston

My parents, Audrey and Sterling Beeston, moved our family to Ladysmith in 1961. This is the community I grew up in, and our family devoted ourselves to. I have seen this community grow and change. There is still much to do, but in these economic times of uncertainty, we need to ensure that we are meeting the community's needs in a fiscally responsible way. I have seen a sense that local voices are not being heard. I want to see the best possible future for our residents and believe we can do better together. My only focus is the well-being of Ladysmith, and I commit to being a voice for the community.

Raymon Travis Farmere

I am running for mayor as I want to help the community achieve its objectives and to be able to expand its focus and make room for future expansion. I would like to help the community work towards getting a full hospital. I also want to help the community expand its tourism base. In addition, I would like to bring more jobs and businesses into the community. I would like to bring more affordable housing to the community. Finally, I would like to improve community engagement with local government.

Joe Friesenhan

I want to help to ensure the well-being and interests of the municipality and community by providing transparency of council's actions and decisions. I want to streamline operations to capture efficiencies and avoid redundancies. I want to strengthen the relationship between the town council, the staff and the taxpayers by making sure decisions made reflect the best interests of the community. 

Terje Hanssen

Moving to Ladysmith in 2011 it was a small and cozy town. The changes that have happened and the misuse of power has made me want to work for the community.

What steps would you take to address the need for a new city hall and build public support for the project?

Russ Barling

The town clearly needs a new city hall, but it does not need to be located in the centre of town, nor does it need to cost $13.5 million. Public support is built by complete transparency about the cost, design and site selection, as well as accurate projections about how the associated loans will impact Ladysmith's taxpayers. 

Deena Beeston

Ladysmith has a long list of infrastructure upgrades that are required and also some wants. I believe we need to prioritize the needs. While a new city hall may be necessary now or in the future, we need to balance that with potentially more urgent needs, like our fire hall. We must look for creative solutions for all our needs and remain fiscally responsible.

Raymon Travis Farmere

If elected I will do everything in my power to get the Buller Street Revitalization Project moving. I will look at ways to remove any barriers that are preventing the project from happening while at the same time making sure we have the safeguards in place to move ahead with the project. The new city hall will be an essential asset to this project, and it will also help build on the character of the community.

Joe Friesenhan

Through the Alternate Approval Process, the taxpayers have already indicated that they would not support spending $17 million on a new city hall. I would gather information on what the town actually requires in the near and distant future for a new city hall. Is it a want or a need? This conversation should take place in the context of all other municipal buildings and their future needs to determine if there are any efficiencies gained by planning a new city hall together. 

Terje Hanssen

What does a city of 9,000 need? We have to look to efficiency of a building, longevity and purpose. As far as I have found out the city needs a new firehall too. Here is a prospect we could look into? But first we have to listen to people living in town and what's needed!

How would you strengthen Ladysmith’s relationship with Stz’uminus First Nation and work together on shared goals?

Russ Barling

Any goals — and subsequent projects — have to be forged through consultation with all willing indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, including the officials that define them and their business partners. Finding that consensus provides a mandate which will strengthen our relationship long term. Both partners are failing to do that at present.   

Deena Beeston

I believe in the community and will engage with our neighbours to encourage collaboration and initiatives that jointly benefit our communities. I will represent Ladysmith’s interests and their alignment with Stz'uminus First Nations by encouraging relationship building through finding common ground, listening to each other's perspectives to reach solutions that benefit all parties. 

Raymon Travis Farmere

In order to strengthen Ladysmith's relationship with the Stz’uminus First Nation this will require that we will need to consistently have open and ongoing dialogue between Ladysmith town council and the Stz’uminus First Nation council. I would like to create and expand existing joint committees so that we can work together towards common goals. I also want to continue to work towards promoting awareness of the culture, history, and the traditions of the Stz’uminus First Nation.

Joe Friesenhan

The council can establish regular council to council meetings with Stz'uminus First Nation to discuss current issues and future planning and ways that the Town of Ladysmith can provide information and support.

Terje Hanssen

Easy, include First Nations and listen to their needs. Today it feels like the current governments are talking above First Nations and not listening to them. One wish would be to get them elected to council too.   

What is your vision for navigating development while preserving the town’s character?

Russ Barling

Short answer: better town planning. The province's Bill 44 may be unwelcome in some towns, but it is an opportunity to decide where greater population density can be best absorbed in Ladysmith. Given the strong public demand to preserve our cultural heritage and the space constraints in the old city, higher-density projects are probably unsuited for downtown.

Deena Beeston

Our town motto is Heritage by the Sea, yet numerous heritage buildings stand empty because the cost of restoring them is prohibitive. I would like to balance the costs of preserving our heritage against the chance of losing it and find ways to encourage restoration. Development that encourages residential, commercial, and industrial growth that contributes to needed infrastructure upgrades would benefit Ladysmith, but it must occur in a manner that improves and enhances Ladysmith without placing undue burden on taxpayers.

Raymon Travis Farmere

Ladysmith, B.C. has a very rich history. Many of the buildings in Ladysmith came from the former mining towns of Extension and Wellington. It is important that we maintain these buildings and upkeep them as they are a major part of the town's history. Additionally I would like to have similar character in the exterior design of newer buildings to preserve and expand on the mining town character of the community and to preserve the town's historical significance.

Joe Friesenhan

Streamline the development services to make it easier for the public to navigate the downtown specified area requirements. Designate the area around the Expo Legacy building as a heritage park by preserving the existing buildings and developing a tourist destination by creating an historical museum. Look for incentives to help downtown building owners maintain the character of their buildings.

Terje Hanssen

When we moved here in 2011 we fell in love with the small town feel and people actually communicating with us. Found a house and settled in. It was a feel of community. We are now talking about growth and prosperity. I think the city has taken on too big a task with visions that will finally destroy the town. Yes, Ladysmith is a town and I would love to preserve it as is. Look at the old part of town. Do we have to densify to accommodate and/or reduce homelessness? Where will the character of the town go if this happens? Second, there is not any work in town and Ladysmith has become more and more a bedroom community with what that brings. Let's hold the development a bit till we find out what people that live in town really want.



Morgan Brayton

About the Author: Morgan Brayton

I am a multimedia journalist with a background in arts and media including film & tv production, acting, hosting, screenwriting and comedy.
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