This week mayoral candidates Spencer Coyne and Doug Pateman answered questions for the Spotlight.
Q: State your primary profession, or primary former profession, if you are retired.
Coyne : Full time mayor since the flood, before a manager
Pateman: Employed by Copper Mountain as a maintenance planner/forecaster
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Q: Approximately how many hours, per month, are you able to dedicate to council business?
Coyne: 160+
Pateman: 100
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Q: Are you satisfied with the present remuneration for this position?
Coyne: Yes
Pateman: Yes
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Q: What qualities do you possess that suit you to the job of mayor? Pick three and list them in bullet points.
Coyne: • Leadership shown by example
• Experience from the past term to handle situations that no formal education could provide
• Compassion – The past four years have shown us the need for compassion
Pateman: • Compassionate leader
• Honest and reliable person
• Pays attention to detail
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Q: Using bullet points, state your top five priorities for Princeton in the next four years.
Coyne: • Finish infrastructure plan, including replacement of wells
• Continue housing plan, including working with BC Housing for new units
• Continue economic and tourism plan
• Complete and implement recreation and parks plan
Pateman: • Accelerating the return to potable water
• Holding the line on taxes
• Reviewing the operation of the Princeton landfill
• Restoring flood damaged residences and developing housing
• Exploring and creating recreational opportunities
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Q: Are you a member of any local Facebook issue groups? Quantify the amount of time you spend on these groups (Hours per day/Hours per week etc). Do you consider Facebook opinions valuable when assessing the community’s problems/needs?
Coyne: Yes. All opinions are valuable when considering the issues around the community’s needs and problems. Sometimes the only way to get another perspective is to visit social media.
Pateman: I am a member of all Princeton information pages. They are valuable to help monitor and identify issues and concerns. One to two hours per day depending on the situation.
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Q: While what is permitted, or not permitted, in dealing with the issue of urban deer is ultimately a provincial decision, would you support any form of cull, if the option is made available?
Coyne: I believe after the committee does its work, and if cull is the option, then it needs to go to referendum. The community needs to have a say.
Pateman: I support having all of the options out there, and following what the community feels are the necessary steps to control urban deer.
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Q: For decades Princeton has debated the need for an indoor pool. However, the last two grant applications to fund such a project were denied by higher levels of government. Given the need to borrow money for infrastructure improvements, and the costs of flood recovery, is this a non-issue at this time? If so how, long do you think it will be before it resurfaces?
Coyne: If our tax base continues to grow, we could see this back on the table within the next four years. We need the tax base and the community back first.
Doug Pateman: Not a non-issue. We should monitor grant opportunities that may become available. Should one arise that fits with our town, we should do all we can to secure it.
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Q: Are you satisfied with the Town of Princeton’s relationship with the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen? If so, why? If not, how would you change it?
Coyne: Yes. It’s a strong relationship. We are working on fixing the emergency services relationship and improving service sharing like transit. Being RDOS vice-chair for two years has helped that relationship.
Pateman: I believe that while there is a working relationship, I think the relationship could be made much stronger and built on a more positive and transparent platform.
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Q: The BC Community Charter requires that each new council must decide within six months whether or not to create a code of conduct, or review an existing one. How would you approach this legislative requirement?
Coyne: In 2020 we brought in a Code of Ethics. Within six months an updated code of conduct will be adopted meeting all the requirements of the legislation, and reviewed annually.
Pateman: I would review the code of conduct, and update it or replace it as necessary, with one developed on mutual understanding and respect. A code of conduct is essential.
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Q: State something you admire about your opponent.
Coyne: I have known Doug about 35 years. He has always been dedicated to those he loves. He is a wonderful family man.
Pateman: His ability with respect to using social media.
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Q: Ideologically, where are you on the political spectrum? Please give one number between one and ten, with one representing the mainstream left, and 10 representing the mainstream right?
Coyne: Five
Pateman: Five
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com
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