Tsawwassen resident Peter van der Velden has announced his candidacy for Delta council in November's municipal election.
A facility management consultant who has lived in the community for five years, van der Velden has municipal council experience, having served one term in Silverton in the Kootenays.
He notes that while in that position he represented council as a director for the museum, the Watershed Alliance and the chamber of commerce.
Van der Velden says he sees the next term of Delta council as a pivotal four-year period in growth for Delta.
He feels the present council has not represented its residents well over some major recent issues such as thermal coal, radio towers and port expansion. While recognizing these issues are beyond council's mandate, he says he feels council is not vocal enough in the protection of the interests of its communities.
As well, he wants to develop an action plan to protect local businesses from the effects of Tsawwassen First Nation mall development.
Van der Velden says he wants the Official Community Plan to be adhered to and ALR land to be protected from development.
He also says he's concerned that council has a lack of discussion and that DIVA (Delta Independent Voters' Association) has largely controlled the agenda. He wants more community dialogue on all major issues to make council more transparent and put it "back in community hands."
Van der Velden says he's in communication with other candidates, hoping to form a collaborative to oppose DIVA.
The election will be held Nov. 15.
