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ELECTION 2022: Summerland’s council candidates discuss potential disagreements

Each week, the Summerland Review is questioning the candidates in the local government election
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The election for Summerland’s mayor and councillors will be held Saturday, Oct. 15. (Summerland Review file photo)

During this election campaign, the Summerland Review is asking questions of the candidates running for the position of mayor and councillors.

This week’s question: If you are elected and the majority of council takes a different position from you on an important issue, how will you deal with the disagreement?

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Doug Holmes

Mayor

Respectful discourse is healthy. Community members have different opinions so a representative council should have different opinions. When disagreements arise, however, the mayor shouldn’t be quick to pick sides. The mayor shouldn’t undermine councillors or run meetings in a heavy-handed way. The us-versus-them style of leadership doesn’t work. Instead, the mayor should try to build consensus. That won’t always be possible; there will be split votes. But if the mayor is doing everything humanly possible to find a solution that works for everyone, that builds respect. For council to respect the mayor, the mayor needs to respect council. More details: dougholmes.com

Chuck Pinnell

Mayor

Given that the mayor and council have been elected by the people of Summerland, we are a team. I appreciate that each member of council is representing different elements of our community. Thus, the community will have spoken, and I will get behind that decision as best I can. I work for the people, not the other way around.

Richard Barkwill

Councillor

Five or six matters go to a vote at each council meeting. This means there are five or six opportunities to disagree at every meeting. A councillor must remember that the person who has the opposite position on one issue, might be your ally on the next issue, and always speak respectfully.

After a decision has been made, I believe a councillor has the right, perhaps even the obligation, to let the public know where they stand on any issue. A councillor’s position forms their record for consideration at the next election. My philosophy is, “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.”

Brad Besler

Councillor

If the majority of council takes a different position than me on an important issue, I will respect their decision. We can agree to disagree. If elected, I would only be one vote out of seven (mayor and six councillors). Summerland council is not a dictatorship, it is a democracy. I will be professional and respect other councillors’ decisions, even if I disagree with them.

Adrienne Betts

Councillor

In our democracy there is no guarantee that we will all agree on every priority and project. But I will commit to acting with integrity, honesty and fairness when it is time to make decisions and also when it is time to move forward with the decisions that have been made.

Peter Bognar

Councillor

Support the position of our council and if feasible work towards future reversal.

Toni Boot

Councillor

Local governments use a ‘majority rules’ system of voting, not consensus: if six councillors vote in favour and one votes against, the decision still passes because decisions are made by council as a whole. If I am the only council member voting against a motion (and it happens!), once the result is declared by the mayor, I will focus on making a good decision on the next agenda item.

Doug Loepp

Councillor

I would present ideas in a concise, comprehensive way. Showing the pros of my views. I have decades of experience in conflict resolution and will always maintain composure. My goal would be to express views in an enticing way, with the hopes that I will change the decisions of some of my colleagues on council.

Blair Parker

Councillor

It is paramount to have a diversity of opinions on council to represent the diversity of opinions of Summerland residents - it’s what keeps council healthy. We are the ‘boots on the ground’, and it’s our job to bring opinions to the council table. After the debate is done, I will do what we all should do and vote for what is best for the citizens.

Once a decision is made, council must speak with one voice, and I will support the decision.

Doug Patan

Councillor

When mayor and council can not be convinced of my perspective on an issue and the vote is not unanimous in my favour under the democratic process the decision becomes a decision of council even though I may not agree with the outcome.

If new information of relevance comes to council, the Mayor may bring the issue back for re-consideration to discuss the impact it may have on the original council decision.

Janet Peake

Councillor

Just as I always have. Seeking and bringing forward as many facts and ideas around the discussion to assist the group to discover possibilities and then help shape the discussion to a satisfactory consensus. Always approaching discussions with respect for the public and council. Even so, a council does not always agree. It is important the public see their council work to represent all sides of the discussion to show transparency, fairness and regard for the different sectors and taxpayers in our area.

Nick Redding

Councillor

I would deal with disagreements like an adult. I would act with respect and try to find the positive in the situation. I am running for council to help be a voice for the community, not to push my certain ideas and I feel that all councillors should be as well. Disagreements will happen but ultimately it should always be about what’s best for our community as a whole.

Mark Smed

Councillor

I would be a fool if I not consider the opinions of others when voting.

Ultimately, I have a responsibility to the community to vote in the best interests of the whole community. I welcome discussion when I find myself in conflict with others. I want to understand their opinions and reasonable people can disagree. That’s why we have six councilors and a mayor to discuss ideas.

Erin Trainer

Councillor

It’s important to have many different perspectives on council. If, after listening to all councillors’ opinions, I still find myself in disagreement, I will accept it and move on. I will always respect council’s decision as a whole.

Marty Van Alphen

Councillor

I believe that the majority rules after debate at the council table and should not be continued on social media. As I stated four years ago, I will ask the tough questions with respect and will follow the democratic process.

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John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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