All-Candidates Meeting

Candidate Answers to Audience Questions

Below are questions submitted by the audience after the September 26 All-Candidates Meeting. The questions were reviewed by the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce team and shared with the candidates following the event.

The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce does not endorse or take a position on any candidate, question, or response.

Watch the September 26 All-Candidates Meeting

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Meet the Candidates

Listed by office, in alphabetical order by last name.

Candidates for Mayor

  • Mary Beil

  • Mike Butler

  • Joel Grenz

Candidates for Councillor

  • Frank Bailey

  • Alana Barager

  • Adam Fras

  • Amit Gaur

  • Nigel Gray

  • Jody Latiff

  • Sylvia Martin

  • Shelly McCullough

  • Ralph Tietjen

  • Sean Wood

Showing answers from

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

A resident of Parksville since 2017, I have been fortunate to enjoy everything our area has to offer. I worked from home the last five years of my 48-year career in the airline industry, retiring in 2022.

That’s when I joined the Access Oceanside Association as Secretary-Treasurer, developing a solid working relationship with the city and local associations, culminating in the installation of the Beach Mat and Beach Wheelchair on Parksville Beach making it accessible to all.

I served for 14 years as a Commissioner (Trustee) on the Lester B. Pearson School Board and its predecessor, the Lakeshore School Board on the West Island of Montreal.

I understand the time commitment and importance of listening to the community and working with fellow Councillors and staff to deliver the best possible outcomes for our city. I am 69 years young, married 43 years and enjoy travel, kayaking our local waters, and the occasional round of golf.

Housing, Growth & Infrastructure

Question 1

What are your views on housing expansion and water sustainability, including future water infrastructure projects?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I believe we have to take our foot off the gas pedal on new apartment blocks, focusing instead on Multiplex housing like rowhouses, townhomes, duplexes etc. Subject to the findings of the Phase 2 Water Management Study, I support building a second dam at Healey Lake to provide a consistent year-round water supply.

Question 2

What are your views on applications for housing developments on Park lands?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I don't support losing parkland to housing development.

Question 3

The current OCP was released in 2013. Are you committed to updating the OCP within the next two years?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

Yes. I would like to see an OCP review launched latest by Spring 2027

Question 4

With increased density, what is being done to address traffic congestion and access?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

We can't allow the Transportation Master Plan done in 2024 to gather dust on a shelf. A lot of traffic data, expertise and community input was gathered and we must take advantage of that as we address transportation priorities going forward

Environment & Sustainability

Question 5

What can Parksville do to protect its remaining wild spaces, clean oceans and woods? How can we reduce emissions? What is our role in mitigating climate change?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I am in favor of protecting all of the above and reducing emissions wherever we can. A city can promote active transportation, protection of parkland and advocate for protection of eco-sensitive regions around our city. It's important to work with partners in neighboring communities.

Question 6

Is there any thought about implementing water conservation measures, encourage less water intense gardening, and other conservation measures that could be considered?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I am in favor of implementing Smart Water Meters to detect leaks earlier, but I have some learning to do on the cost and best ways to implement them in Parksville. I believe our water rate structure should be updated to a Base/Peak model to encourage property owners to transition from lawns to landscaped gardens. I am not a fan of rocks or plastic, but recognize there can be a substantial cost saving by going that route.

Economic Development & Employment

Question 7

What should be Parksville’s priorities for economic development over the next four years, and what specific actions would you take to support them?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I would like the City join forces with the Parksville Downtown Business Association and put a line item in the 5 year financial plan to support the "Reimagine Parksville Downtown" project. We shouldn't wait for the Provincial Government to open the grant doors to fund the initiative.

Question 8

What is being done to recruit/attract businesses here that enhance quality of life and entertainment/recreation options for locals between the ages of 35-60?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I believe the quality of life is already here. I would like to see included in the OCP discussion what the community's priorities are for a new community centre, recreation centre or aquatic centre in Parksville. We have a golden opportunity to build new amenities on the ten acre Craig Street Commons property now that the School District has indicated its desire to dispose of the property.

Question 9

What is your stance on creating community-based organizations to provide remote employment opportunities for seniors and people with disabilities, as well as employment/day-labour opportunities for unemployed or unhoused residents?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I would be very interested in hearing ideas on how that could be achieved, and what the level of interest is from the community.

Question 10

What are you going to do about the growing number of homeless?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I support the DayHomes Society and SOS in their work supporting the homeless; they are the experts. I believe there is more the City can do in positioning the necessary supports and housing in our city, however this needs to be done with consistent communication and consultation with potentially affected neighborhoods. We need to work on this important issue together as a community.

Question 11

How do you see the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce contributing to local economic development, and what role should the City play in supporting that work?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I believe the Chamber is a critical element in building on successes and driving local economic development. The City must continue to be "at the table" listening to the needs of local businesses and work together to build a plan for the future.

Healthcare & Community Wellbeing

Question 12

What would you do to attract more families to the community in order to help attract doctors, healthcare professionals and workers?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

We need more Multiplex housing to attract young families and multi-generational families. Single family homes are often too expensive and apartment living is not the preferred alternative.

Question 13

How actively are you going to work with Fair Health Matters and provincial MLA to get the CIVC and intensive care unit built at the Nanaimo hospital which supports all of our regions north of the Malahat?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I will support Fair Health Matters wherever I can. It's personal.

Question 14

What is your view on the Colwood model of hiring doctors as municipal employees to help attract physicians to the community?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I am frankly leery of dedicating municipal tax dollars to a non-municipal responsibility. I believe we have to make Parksville an attractive place to live (per question 8) and "they will come". That being said, if Island Health or a community-based Health Clinic were looking for support to establish a clinic in Parksville, I would be very open to exploring ideas as to how the City can help lay the groundwork.

Community Facilities & Recreation

Question 15

What is the current status and relationship between the City of Parksville and this Community Centre, and would Council consider making the facility more widely available for community use?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

As answered in question 8, I would like to see a new Community Centre established on the Craig Street Commons property. However, if elected, I would want to learn more about the contract with the Boys & Girls Club to determine how to open the Jensen Centre for more community use; but for me that is only as an interim measure.

Youth, Education & Community Engagement

Question 16

Do you think it is important to work with Qualicum School District on shared issues such as safe routes to school and the impact of City decisions on schools outside Parksville?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

Yes. As a former School Trustee (14 years with Lester B. Pearson School Board in Montreal) I am in favor of close relationships between School Boards and Municipalities. These are the two levels of governments "where the rubber meets the road" for residents. We have to work together.

Question 18

How will you engage youth in decisions that affect them? (Mayoral Candidates only)

No response to this question.

Transportation & Public Safety

Question 17

How will increased density be addressed in relation to traffic congestion and access?

Ralph TietjenCouncillor

I believe that has to be tackled neighborhood by neighborhood, always taking elements of the Transportation Master Plan into consideration. Of course budgets come into play, and in that case safety and security comes first for me.

Question 19

What would you do about safe and legal e-scooter and e-bike use? (Mayoral Candidates only)

No response to this question.