Transportation-related projects are on the to-do lists of two incumbent Regional District of Nanaimo directors who will run uncontested in the 2014 civic election.
Maureen Young, electoral area director for Extension, East Wellington and Pleasant Valley (Area C) and Howard Houle, her counterpart for Gabriola Island and its surrounding islands (Area B) both have goals that involve cycling.
Young, a director for three terms, is looking to improve walking and cycling on the rural roadsides in her area, which she said are narrow and winding.
“We’ve actually been working towards that on Jingle Pot Road,” Young said. “We have met with the minister of transportation with residents in June. It’s going to be a challenge along that road and also I’d like to see some improvement on the path trails along the Meadow Drive and areas.”
Second-term director Houle said cycling infrastructure on Gabriola Island, including the construction of a right-of-way, will be one of the prime things he’ll be pushing for in the first part of his term.
“We already have a cycling plan for Gabriola, what I have to do is introduce it to the RDN and then from there we can go and look for federal and provincial infrastructure money to be able to create that,” Houle said.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, such as withdrawal, Young, Houle and Joe Stanhope, Area G director and current board chairman, will be acclaimed as directors.
Municipalities, such as the District of Lantzville and the City of Nanaimo, appoint directors to sit on the Regional District of Nanaimo board from their own councils. The appointments are made on an annual basis.
Other electoral area directors will have to campaign.
On top of seeking a Nanaimo school trustee position, Rosmy Jean Louis will be running for the Area A director’s seat (South Wellington, Cassidy and Cedar), challenging incumbent Alec McPherson.
George Holme, Area E (Nanoose) director, won’t seek re-election. Vying for his seat on the board are Ed Mayne, Bob Rogers and Gordon Wiebe.
Profiles on Regional District of Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, and Nanaimo school district candidates will be going on the Nanaimo News Bulletin’s website in the coming weeks.
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com