There are two people running to be mayor of Port Alberni, and 21 to be councillors.
Four incumbent councillors and the mayor are seeking re-election, while two incumbents are not meaning there will be at least two new faces at the council table.
In addition to voting for mayor and councillors, school trustees for the Pacific Rim School District are also up for election for Port Alberni voters.
There will be three voting days, two advance voting days on Oct. 5 and 12 which will take place at Echo Centre, and general voting day on Oct. 15 where voting will be offered at the Alberni Athletic Hall. On all three days, the voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voters can also request to vote by mail.
In 2018, 6,240 people voted in the municipal election for a voter turnout of 45.6 per cent.
Mayor
Sharie Minions
Minions was first elected as mayor in 2018, and has served as a councillor for one term before that.
If re-elected, her priorities are to create more waterfront access, select a developer partner and complete the sale and redevelopment of the Somass lands, build a new aquatic centre, support the continued growth of new economic sectors, affordable and middle-income housing, continue to increase infrastructure renewal work, pedestrian improvements for Lower Johnston, complete the pod housing site and build new permanent supportive housing, shut down and remove trailers on 4th Ave., build Quay to Quay waterfront loops, advocate for improved mental health supports, and fund a dedicated youth liaison RCMP officer.
In 2018, Minions was elected mayor with 2,003 votes.
Minions’ website can be found here.
Tom Verbrugge
Verbrugge was born and raised in Port Alberni and has lived in the city his whole life. He is a business man, logger, farmer, and racing enthusiast.
CHEK News was unable to find a platform for Verbrugge and sent an email requesting one. If a response is received this story will be updated to include it.
Verbrugge’s Facebook page can be found here.
Councillor
There are six councillor seats up for election.
Michelle Bisaro
Bisaro has lived in Port Alberni since 1985. She graduated from ADSS and attended UVic. She has pursued a career in resource management. She has held various positions at City Hall since 2011.
If elected, her priorities are to be a voice for residents, community inclusion, fiscal responsibility, and strategic future planning.
Bisaro’s website can be found here.
Joshua Dahling
Dahling is running for council because he believes some systems people rely on are fractured. He would like to use his lived experiences of poverty, trauma, addictions, homelessness and being a single father to bring innovative solutions and new ideas to the table. He has worked in the forestry industry and has been clean and sober for over 25 years, and spent more than 15 years working in mental health and addictions. He co-founded a charitable organization to provide services and education to people impacted by illness, grief and loss.
If elected, his priorities are bringing more doctors to the area, developing a world-class “treatment-on-demand” facility in Port Alberni for people with addictions issues, and affordability and housing for workers.
Dahling’s website can be found here.
Dustin Dame
CHEK News reached out to Dame asking for a bio, his priorities if elected, and any links to a website or social media but did not hear back. The story will be updated with information if it is provided.
Terry Deakin
Deakin is a long-time resident of the Alberni Valley and owns multiple businesses. She is a community volunteer, a Rotarian, and currently the president of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce. She has education and experience in social services, business management, and community development.
If elected, she plans to take a holistic approach to moving Port Alberni forward through the next term. She is committed to the inclusion of Indigenous communities and parnterships that serve the city’s social, economic, and environmental well-being for everyone.
Deakin’s Facebook page can be found here.
Jim Del Rio
CHEK News reached out to Del Rio asking for a bio, his priorities if elected, and any links to a website or social media but did not hear back. The story will be updated with information if it is provided.
Seva Dhaliwal
CHEK News reached out to Dhaliwal asking for a bio, her priorities if elected, and any links to a website or social media but did not hear back. The story will be updated with information if it is provided.
In 2018, Dhaliwal unsuccessfully ran for council, receiving 1,626 votes.
John Douglas
Douglas has worked as a paramedic, starting in Vancouver and then moving to Port Alberni in 2004. He retired in 2012. Since then he has been involved in the community both as a councillor between 2008-2011 and mayor from 2011 to 2014.
If elected, his priorities will be innovative waterfront development with appropriate rezoning and revenue creation; a new aquatic facility; attention to infrastructure maintenance and improvements; continuing to raise the issues of public engagement and open discussion of critical community topics.
In 2o18, Douglas unsuccessfully ran for mayor, receiving 872 votes.
Douglas’ website can be found here.
Debbie Haggard
Haggard has worked in the financial industry for over 20 years and then worked for Community Futures specializing in small business and economic development. She has volunteered for various boards and organizations.
If re-elected, she plans to continue to advocate for the needs of the most vulnerable citizens, increased services for youth including youth housing, continued housing developments for all sectors of the population, strategic waterfront development, creating an environment where small businesses can thrive, increasing recreational amenities for residents and visitors, and growing the local tourism industry.
In 2018, Haggard received the most votes with 3,369.
Graham Hughes
Hughes has spent most of his life living in the Valley working in the non-profit sector.
If elected, he hopes to fight for solutions to healthcare access, services for children, and diagnostic procedures including learning and cognitive testing.
Hughes’ Facebook page can be found here.
Richard Huneault
Huneault moved to Port Alberni three years ago and has always been passionate about politics and has volunteered in every election since high school. He says he has volunteered with many different parties and candidates.
If elected, he hopes to address food security, finding holistic solutions to connected issues like homelessness, addictions, and housing. He would prioritize utilities and infrastructure over beautification, the pool over the boardwalk, and helping people and the community.
Huneault’s website can be found here.
Wendy Kerr
Kerr has lived in Port Alberni her whole life and worked at the West Coast General Hospital for 42 years. She enrolled and graduated with honours in a health care assistant course at the age of 54. After she retired she went back to school and became a seniors activity assistant. She was a councillor between 2011-2014.
If elected, her priorities are transparency, housing homeless, wellness, and the environment.
Kerr’s Facebook page can be found here.
Sukhdev Krishan
CHEK News reached out to Krishan asking for a bio, his priorities if elected, and any links to a website or social media but did not hear back. The story will be updated with information if it is provided.
Sandy McRuer
McRuer grew up in southeastern Ontario and has a forestry degree from Fredericton. He moved to Vancouver Island in 1980. He spent most of his career with the B.C. government specializing in silviculture, the establishment and tending of trees. He later spent time in the small business program.
CHEK News was unable to find a campaign platform or priorities for McRuer, and he did not respond to a request for one. If a response is received this story will be updated to include it.
McRuer’s Facebook page can be found here.
Charles Mealey
Mealey is a third-generation Port Albernian and former three-term councillor between 1999 and 2008. He was the youngest person ever elected to city council in Port Alberni. He retired in 2008 to take care of his mother and grandmother.
If elected, he plans to be an honest, hard working Port Albernian and bring his youth and experience to the table with the ability to work with anyone.
Todd Patola
Patola has lived in Port Alberni since 1996 and has worked for 22 years as a Crown counsel in the law courts of Port Alberni. He has volunteered for a number of organizations including Canadian Mental Health Association, Community Futures of Alberni-Clayoquot, and Habitat for Humanity. He has university degrees in business and law. He is taking courses in management, board of director operations, conflict resolution, health and safety, and reconciliation and Indigenous relationships.
If elected, his priorities are to hire a new CAO, develop a fiscally responsible and realistic plan to maintain the aging infrastructure, securing infrastructure and public facilities to improve the quality of life, and make all decisions on the basis of responsibility, objectivity, accountability, and respect.
In 2018, Patola unsuccessfully ran for council, receiving 939 votes.
Patola’s Facebook page can be found here.
Char Patterson
Patterson moved to Port Alberni in 2010 and facilitates the arts, tourism and a wide variety of gatherings. She has spearheaded a number of community projects and is an advocate for all. She has over 30 years experience in computer system technologies and accounting.
If elected, her priorities are to increase public engagement, facilitate meaningful waterfront accessibility, establish a steam train locomotive static display, support a vibrant arts and culture community, and rework the streets maintenance budget.
In 2018, Patterson unsuccessfully ran for council, receiving 1,538 votes.
Patterson’s Facebook page can be found here.
Ron Paulson
Paulson has lived in Port Alberni since 1974 and is seeking his third term as councillor.
If re-elected, his priorities are the potential to develop the Somass waterfront property, develop a 50 year infrastructure maintenance and renewal plan, continue relationship building with First Nation neighbours, continue to support and lobby with social service providers, adding new child care spaces, and securing new senior housing options.
In 2018, Paulson received the fifth most votes with 2,158.
Peter Rueschmann
Rueschmann has held a number of jobs including as a dragger in the North Sea, in the military, and working with Grey Beverage, opened his own business in fish farming, worked in marketing, sales, and repairs for Pacific Western Brewery. He has since retired from the workforce.
If elected, he commits to being transparent and representing the people of Port Alberni.
Cindy Solda
CHEK News reached out to Solda asking for a bio, her priorities if elected, and any links to a website or social media but did not hear back. The story will be updated with information if it is provided.
In 2018, Solda received the second most votes with 3,153.
Dan Washington
CHEK News reached out to Washington asking for a bio, his priorities if elected, and any links to a website or social media but did not hear back. The story will be updated with information if it is provided.
In 2018, Washington received the third most votes with 2,637.
Carol-Anne Zanette
Zanette is a mom of grown children and elementary school children and two grandchildren. She owns and operates a cafe and works full time at the Salvation Army. She has owned and operated businesses in the Alberni Valley for 14 years. She sits on the board of the Chamber of Commerce and the Uptown Merchant’s Association.
If elected, her main priority is housing and doing more to ensure the next generation is “not in the same predicament that we are in now.” She would also like to do more to support new businesses get through the hurdles in getting started. She would also like the city to do daily checks of local playgrounds for garbage and needles.
Laura Brougham
