Chemainus and Crofton interests will be well represented on the newly-elected North Cowichan council.
Chris Istace of Chemainus and Bruce Findlay of Crofton were elected first-time councillors, ensuring both communities will have strong representation on any major issues.
“You know how much I care about Chemainus,” said Istace, who’s also the current president of the Chemainus Business Improvement Association.
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“I’m quite pleased the community responded to my message,” said Findlay.
“I’m happy to be a Crofton voice,” he added, noting it’s been a long time since anyone living in the community has served on council.
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Both men acknowledged they’ll obviously be involved in the affairs of the entire municipality, but will make sure Chemainus and Crofton receive the necessary attention from council.
“The whole region, I’ve been involved in so much,” said Istace, citing the Municipal Forest Reserve Review and his work as a director for the Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society as examples.
A potential council seat hung in the balance for Istace, but when the Chemainus vote came in, it shot him into the sixth and final councillor position.
“I think what most people liked for me was just being myself,” he said. “I didn’t promise anything. I wanted to serve and be as good for as many people as I can.”
For Chemainus, “my big focus is going to be looking back on updating a Chemainus Revitalization plan Volume 2.”
The first revitalization plan from a decade ago is virtually complete, other than the highly-anticipated walkway for the waterfront but now much more needs to be done.
“Finishing off Willow Street toward the mill entrance,” Istace said is a priority. “Old Town, it’s long past due and connecting it with this part (New Town).”
There are substantial sidewalk, building and infrastructure improvements that need to be made to that section of town, he indicated.
And it even goes beyond that to long-standing projects that haven’t been brought to fruition like the proposed housing development on the old Chemainus Elementary School site, further potential for the Benchlands and more.
“I’m at a point we have to look at all that stuff, not an against everything attitude,” said Istace. “We can be mindful of those things that are important and we move forward.”
Crofton has certain upgrades that need to be met as well, particularly with the waterfront from BC Ferries’ stalled terminal redevelopment plan that should get going again soon and the contentious Twin Gables site.
“It would be nice to see that property cleaned up and fixed up,” said Findlay, who’s lived in Crofton since 2005.
As the owner of the Lion Rampant Scottish Pub and Maple Bay Convenience Store since 2014, Findlay is going to be even busier than usual, but he’s comfortable handing over some of his business duties to make time for North Cowichan council.
“I’ve got some great people who work with me at the pub,” he said.
Findlay is also in real estate development and, since 1995, he’s been involved in the purchase, development, conversion and sale of more than $600 million worth of multi-family properties in nine provinces and two states. That aspect makes him comfortable with municipal finances as well.
“A $60 million budget doesn’t scare me at all,” Findlay conceded. “I’ve dealt with it before.”
The rest of the job may require some adjustment.
“There’s going to be a bit of a learning curve obviously on governance and how meetings are run,” Findlay indicated.
Istace has previous experience with two three-year terms on council in Estevan, Saskatchewan before coming to Chemainus nearly a decade ago. He’s also the owner of a business in Chemainus, Beyond The Usual, that brought familiarity for him with voters as it did for Findlay with The Lion Rampant.
“I’m fairly well-known in the small community here,” Findlay noted. “Definitely, the small business and the real estate background was the biggest thing for a lot of people.”
He also has done charitable work running the Anya’s Journey Foundation, named after his daughter and created to build an all-ages accessible playground at Fuller Lake Park.
As part of the fundraising, Findlay recently undertook a weight loss challenge. He said his expectations were surpassed by losing “way more” weight, 37 pounds over 12 weeks, including 20 in the first five. “My target was 20-25.”
Now all he has to do is collect the pledges.
Istace considers himself well-versed in the balance required today for the environment, development and business in North Cowichan as he heads into his next challenge as a councillor.
“It’s daunting with North Cowichan,” he conceded. “It’s so diverse. But I’m definitely excited.”
Kate Marsh has long served as a bit of a watchdog for Chemainus, but did not get re-elected to council. She narrowly missed a spot, finishing seventh in voting behind Istace.
Jon Lefebure, a previous Chemainus mayor, also gave the community a strong voice during his tenure that ended with a loss in 2018 to another Chemainus resident, Al Siebring, who is retiring to Alberta after his long period on council. Istace is now carrying the community’s torch.
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