New Councillor-Elect Set to Serve

Ron McLaughlin sole candidate to step forward

Lions Bay's last by-election, the result of former Councillor Norm Barmeier's resignation, was a hard-fought affair between residents Tanya Cosgrove and Jaime Cunliffe. Cunliffe's experience won her the seat, which she continues to hold at the Council table.

This time around, after the resignation of yet another Councillor (Marcus Reuter), only one candidate stepped forward by the May 26 deadline.

Ron McLaughlin has lived in Lions Bay for 46 years, raising three children here with his wife Mary. He retired after a career in finance with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and was both a two-time former Councillor and a former Mayor to the Village. McLaughlin was defeated in his bid for Mayor at the last election, losing to the current Mayor Ken Berry by a margin of 18 votes.

Nearly two years have passed since the last by-election, and many of the issues faced by the Village in 2022 remain. We have asked McLaughlin to answer the questions we posed to the 2023 candidates, and offered him the opportunity to share his thoughts prior to being sworn in as Councillor.

Watershed: Why did you chose to step forward for the position of Councillor at this time?

McLaughlin: A question I think of every day. I served under two very different Mayors as a Councillor, and was Village Mayor throughout a significant global disruption. The most important lessons learned during this 11-year period were that collaboration, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and continuous community involvement are key to success in municipal government. I have the experience and knowledge to assist Council and our administration in moving our community forward cohesively for the brief time left in the current term.  In my view, with two resignations on Council this term, very limited municipal experience, and a virtually complete staff turnover which lost all of our corporate history, as a group, they have lost their way. My contribution is to add value, context, and if necessary, caution, before decisions are made.

Watershed: What are your top priorities as you step back into the role of Councillor?

McLaughlin: Priorities – well, getting back to basics, everything falls into place after that. Government isn’t sexy. Let’s do what is expected like: setting meeting dates and not adding to them, starting meetings on time, publishing agendas early for all to see, and with fulsome content. It’s also important to encourage our residents to come forward during public participation without fear of being blown off and not responded to. The public expect to see their representatives stick to their knitting and be transparent. The continuous and overwhelming amount of “Special Meetings” and the time “in camera” usually without post meeting disclosure is a tremendous concern to me as it is to many. As noted in The Watershed article (HERE), there could be over a dozen legal matters in play. How is that possible? Then, there are the projects we already have grants for. Let’s get the numbers and details released to the public so folks know what is going on.

Watershed: What do you see is your role in helping Council get on track?

McLaughlin: Like all residents, I have a personal point of view. Prior to being sworn in, I can share it with Watershed readers. It is very unfortunate that former Councillor Reuters resigned. The Watershed interviewed him HERE, as well as Norm Barmeier, the first Councillor to resign (HERE).

Both of them are very principled individuals whom I respect. It is apparent why they left. What I bring to the table is the belief that the Villagers always deserve the best. We, Council and Administration, need to get back on track and be so clear with everything that is going on that when our residents gather, as they are starting to do with warmer weather and summer pending, that they talk about watching the whales and their kids at the beach and not politics or washrooms. 

Watershed: Residents have expressed concerns that expenditures have skyrocketed. The Village is missing personnel in several significant posts including Emergency Program Coordinator and Fire Chief, and has an aging infrastructure, with potentially many millions of dollars in pending upgrades required. How will you address these issues, and which would you prioritize?

McLaughlin: Regarding the beach park project, out of control legal fees, infrastructure priorities and key vacancies in our staff? Stay tuned. I will be sworn in shortly after June 22. Once at the Council table, I will seek the support of members to follow through on my commitments to ensuring resident tax dollars are being responsibly spent, keeping residents informed of matters that affect them, and encouraging community engagement. 

Watershed: Is there anything else you'd like to share with residents as you take on the role of Councillor?

McLaughlin: It is a pleasure and a unique opportunity to serve our Village. Not everyone is up to it, or capable of doing it. Being elected demands an unwavering attention to do the right thing with the matter at hand and while having a very thick skin. The former is most important and undoubtedly causes many sleepless nights. The latter means that after decisions are made, social media comments don’t affect you.

For the balance of this Council's term, let’s get the job our residents entrusted us with done. There will be differences and strong discussion at the Council table. Expect that. We are a unique and outstanding community. This elected Council needs to be in sync with our Villagers. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to them.

The Watershed welcomes your thoughts. Leave your comments below, or email us at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca 

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