The nomination period is over, and Whistler has a full slate of candidates for its October 28 byelection.
Seven people will vie for the role of councillor this fall.
The candidates, in alphabetical order by last name, are: Steve Andrews, Kalee Eder, Cathy Jewett, Janice Lloyd, Alon Rimon, Kate Roddick and Dawn Titus.
Former councillor Roger McCarthy, who previously discussed his intentions to run with Pique, ultimately decided not to put his name forward.
"Once I started to see some of the people who were running, I thought, you know, some of these people would do a one-year (term), and then they'd go and be able to roll into the next election with a year of essentially operating with the training wheels on," McCarthy said.
"So when I looked at it I started thinking more about a five-year commitment as opposed to a one-year commitment, and when I saw some of the people running I thought it was better for me to stand on the sidelines and let somebody get in there and cut their teeth in a pretty safe environment on a one-year basis."
To view the nomination papers of each candidate, head to www.whistler.ca/candidates.
Candidate profiles for Andrews, Jewett, Roddick and Titus can be found at www.piquenewsmagazine.com.
Reached by phone at work, Rimon was unable to do an interview in time for Pique's weekly deadline (check back next week for a full profile).
Read on for profiles of Eder and Lloyd, and follow along in the weeks to come for more local byelection coverage.
KALEE EDER
A Whistler resident since 2002, Kalee Eder said it was a love of politics that compelled her to put her name forward.
"I'd be bringing my pragmatism and eclectic curiosity to the table," she wrote in an email.
Eder has been managing a small office in Function Junction for the past five years.
She said that while housing has always been an issue in Whistler, traffic congestion and Whistler's overall busyness are also things she would aim to address if elected.
"For housing, I'd love to speak with homeowners (about) why they've stopped having long-term rentals and see what options there are for having those rentals open up again. I'd like to speak with businesses and hear their ideas for accommodating their staff and see how the municipality can assist," she wrote.
"Traffic-wise, I'd really love to see if we can achieve quality-over-quantity visitation. Physically, the mountains are not going to move to create more space, which leaves addressing who is coming up and appealing to the quality traffic over the quantity traffic."
If elected, Eder said her priority would be "reviving the backbone of the community."
"I see the community as three groups: the people and families that live here year round, the seasonal workers that fill in the gaps over the busy periods and those who have bought second homes here because they love the lifestyle that Whistler has to offer," she wrote.
"I'd like to try and achieve the happy medium where families can thrive, seasonal workers have jobs and accommodation waiting for them and our secondary homeowners aren't welcomed by traffic congestion and long waits at local establishments."
Eder can be reached through her campaign page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaleeEderWhistler.
JANICE LLOYD
Lloyd adds her name to the list of longtime locals running for Whistler's vacant seat, and she might even have the others beat in terms of longevity.
She first arrived in Whistler in 1965, and has lived in the community since 1970.
Lloyd retired as a captain with BC Ferries in 2016 after a 46-year career with the organization.
"This council has done an amazing job. They are fantastic... but now I think there are some huge issues," she said, pointing to things like housing and transportation.
"(Council is) certainly working on it, and they've stepped right up to the plate really quickly."
Lloyd was one of the original members of the arts council in the 1980s, is on the board of directors of the Mature Action Community and is heading into her 25th year as a mountain host.
"I've just relished that so much, being able to share the beauty, in so many ways, with guests and tour them around," she said.
"I haven't done the walking tours ever, I've always skied."
She also contributes a column —"Silver Linings" — to Pique's sister paper, the Whistler Question.
While there would no doubt be a learning curve, Lloyd said she would "hit the ground running" if elected.
"It's not strange to me," she said. "Certainly I've been an elected person with the union on the ferries, and had a lot of experience there."
Lloyd said the biggest issues facing Whistler are housing (and for seniors who want to age in place in particular) and transportation.
"I don't think it's impossible — I've faced a lot of 'impossible' things, and you work, work, work and get your head down and get it done," she said.
"I have that energy and that ability and I'd like to give it to the council."
Lloyd is also working on a program that will connect Whistler's seniors with local school children.
"I'm certainly involved with seniors, and want to be more involved with the students of our community, and want to include others in that," she said.
"I'm a good leader, and I like to get a good team together and achieve a result."
HOW TO VOTE
To cast a ballot in the byelection, you must be a Canadian citizen who has lived in B.C. for at least six months, and either have lived in Whistler for a minimum of 30 days or own property in Whistler (while living elsewhere in B.C.).
Residents and property owners are reminded to confirm their eligibility to vote by calling municipal hall.
Voting will be open on Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (polling station details will be confirmed in the coming weeks at www.whistler.ca/election).
Advance voting will be available in person on Wednesday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Mail-in ballots are available for those with physical disabilities, injuries or illnesses, as well as for those expecting to be absent on all other voting days.
