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Race begins for local candidates

Four people vie for two seats on the Fraser Valley Regional District board
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Area B incumbent Dennis Adamson is being challenged by Andy Bishop this election for regional director

Four people have thrown their names in for a seat on the Fraser Valley Regional District board.

Lloyd Forman and James Fougere are vying for an opportunity to represent the Fraser Canyon communities of Boston Bar, North Bend and Canyon Alpine.

Forman is seeking his second term as director for the region and would like an opportunity to finish working on several projects, particularly the $1.6 million integrated water system in Boston Bar. Construction is nearing completion and Forman hopes to see service running by February when the filtration system arrives.

One of Forman’s biggest concerns is the geotechnical evaluations required as part of building inspections. He believes they’re too costly for residents wanting to repair their older homes.

“We have very low-income people here and to start supporting the geotechnical studies, it’s just not possible,” he said.

“The houses will slowly fall down if we can’t allow people to repair without going through those horrendous hoops.”

Fougere believes  there needs to be more equal opportunity for people in the area. If elected, he would focus on finding ways to foster economic development and employment opportunities in the area to attract younger families. He would also address building code issues to allow for future development in North Bend.

Area B incumbent Dennis Adamson is being challenged by Andy Bishop this election in Dogwood Valley, Choate, Laidlaw, Othello, Sunshine Valley, Yale and Spuzzum.

Adamson is seeking his second term as regional director of Area B and wants to continue to build on the work he’s done over the last three years.

“The area is economically depressed so we have to do something to create some jobs and create some reasons why people want to raise their families here,” he said.

“I’m a very tenacious politician. I enjoy what I do and I’m good at it. I’ll fight for my constituents. All I do is what they want.”

Adamson was responsible for negotiating a garbage contract in Yale saving taxpayers $150,000 over five years. He’s currently working with Sunshine Valley to hold a referendum next year on whether a new fire hall should be built.  If that project moves forward, he estimates residents will receive a 47 per cent reduction on their fire insurance.

Addressing the lack of suitable fire protection is also a key issue for Bishop. Other priorities include the possibility of zoning in Sunshine Valley, dealing with unsightly properties, and providing high-speed Internet to residents in many areas.

“The greatest guitar solos, or the greatest ideas have no meaning if no one can hear them,” said Bishop.

“I hope to use my skills as a professional sound technician for the last 25 years to help the people of Electoral Area B have their voice heard.”

Voters will also have 16 municipal council and school trustee candidates to choose from on Nov. 19.

Susan Johnson is challenging Mayor Laurie French for Hope’s top job, while 10 candidates vie for a seat at the council table. Current councillors Tim Hudie, Donna Kropp, Scott Medlock, Peter Robb and Ron Smith are facing off against newcomers Gerry Dyble, Robert Haley, Cindy Koszegi, Walter Rawlinson and Dan Williams.

Four people will be competing for three seats on the Fraser-Cascade board of education in the Hope electoral area.

Patricia Furness is challenging incumbents Linda McMullan, James Sinclair and Marv Cope.

Tom Hendrickson has been elected by acclamation in the canyon electoral area.

Check out upcoming editions of the Hope Standard for more information on your candidates.