After coming up short in last year’s municipal byelection, Janice Lloyd has spent much of the past year attending council meetings and volunteering, and learning a lot in the process.
As such, the retired BC Ferries captain feels well prepared to take another run at a council seat this Oct. 20.
“I’ve been dedicating myself to becoming very familiar with all these things all along the way, but most particularly in the last year,” Lloyd said. “I’m planning on focusing (my campaign) on my stewardship and my experience, and with that, preserving the soul of Whistler.”
As a captain with BC Ferries, Lloyd was tasked with massive responsibilities, gaining experience she now hopes to lend to the Whistler council table.
“I think I have a lot to offer in terms of that, and I also feel we need to step forward, and I need to step forward, and help preserve the soul of our community in the face of this rapid development, and climate change,” Lloyd said. “I certainly have a background in stewardship, loyalty, leadership … I’m hoping to offer that. I’m hoping that I’m successful in giving that to the community and to our valley.”
Lloyd first arrived in Whistler in 1965, and has lived in the community since 1970.
She was one of the original members of the arts council in the ‘80s, is on the board of directors of the Mature Action Community and is heading into her 26th year as a mountain host.
While she was encouraged to see some of her written comments reflected in a recent draft of the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Official Community Plan, she’s less keen on the plan’s reference to borrowing money to pay for housing developments.
“I think it’s very dangerous for us to get involved with that … We’ve managed very well to this point, using our own funds and using grant money,” she said.
And while housing is important, Lloyd wants to see an added emphasis on environmental issues such as water conservation.
“I have great environmental concerns, and I had dealt with them in my life with BC Ferries … We had a water situation (in Whistler) last week where we went on to level 4 for conservation, and that was the result of one broken water line,” she said. “If we keep building and building, what is to happen to our water?”
If elected, Lloyd hopes to help carry out the rest of the work on projects already underway related to housing and transportation, while also advocating for Whistler’s senior community.
“We need to focus a lot on the basics,” Lloyd said. “And housing is one basic, but we need to be careful as we proceed on into the future, with the way we manage our waste, the way we manage our environment, the way we manage safety on the highways.”
Lloyd joins former councillor Ralph Forsyth, retired schoolteacher Dawn Titus and incumbent Jen Ford in the race for a council seat. Incumbent councillor Jack Crompton will run for mayor.
The nomination period runs from Sept. 4 to 14. Those interested in running can find more info at www.elections.bc.ca.
