Paul Olthof, a local professional and green-infrastructure advocate, is running for the director’s seat in the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s Electoral Area A (Mill Bay/Malahat).
The current area director Blaise Salmon is not seeking re-election, and Olthof will face contenders Mark Dodd and Kate Segall for the seat.
Olthof, 71, said he is a proud resident of Malahat, a passionate voice for the environment, a successful professional, and an advocate for young families and senior members of the community.
He said he has the experience of a long career in environmental engineering to draw from, and has been an active community volunteer.
Olthof said the primary role of any area director is to be an advocate for the people, and to carefully steward the area’s infrastructure and environment into the next generation.
He said a director must also be an active communications link between the people and the CVRD.
“I speak regularly with my neighbours and community and they are concerned with the pace at which our community is changing,” Olthof said.
“They worry about the sustainability of our water and waste infrastructure and the rapid pace that that development is straining our local aquifer. They are alarmed with the lack of transparency from local government as they feel elected officials do not listen to their own constituents. Finally, they feel like our property tax is spiraling out of control.”
Olthof said he has decided to run as he thinks his decades of professional experience as an environmental engineer, as a volunteer, as an entrepreneur, as a father, as a husband and as a Cowichan Valley and area resident, will help him make informed decisions that will help the community flourish for decades to come.
“There are many crucial issues coming before us in the next three years,” he said.
“I look forward to meeting many more people in the community, and tackling our community’s challenges together.”
For more information on Olthof, call him directly at 778-229-3047 or email paul@paulolthof.ca.
Also, check out the website www.paulolthof.ca.