Hockey Card:
Occupations? Business owner, river and mountain guide, residential home design / build.
Furthest place you travelled and why. Australia. After spending time is South East Asia that was the next leg of the journey.
Describe yourself using five words or less. Dedicated. Passionate. Informed. Hard working.
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? That I have lived in Whistler for so long and managed to remain somewhat anonymous.
Profile Questions:
What do you see as the top election issues? Top issues would be the ending the incompatible land use dispute at Cheakamus Crossing, re-establishing affordable parking at day skier lots (only Lot 1 remains pay), re-thinking transit service with the goal of more efficient service for less cost to local taxpayers, return of RMOW priorities to core services, thus reducing annual budget expenditures.
How would you address the budget shortfall? Budget shortfall exists because the majority of existing councillors and mayor have become accustomed to an ever-increasing amount of spending to pay an ever-increasing amount of RMOW initiatives. Current ideological attitude is big, local, very expensive government, more involvement in business affairs and people's lives. This approach will inevitably become unaffordable. That's where we find ourselves now. Addressing the current shortfall would be to not spend so much! Reviewing the RMOW financials I believe our debt load is critical and should be an election issue or at least worthy of one question to candidates on queries such as this.
What do you think is the RMOW's role in boosting tourism? Current model for boosting tourism is that the municipality receives funding from RMI tax. The problem is when this funding comes under the control of politicians they tend to funnel it towards pet projects or "visions." I would like to explore the idea of having this funding come under greater control of an updated Tourism Whistler for marketing, with a portion toward the Whistler Arts Council to take care of Village look and feel for our visitors' and residents' benefit.
What would you do to enhance the environment for business? Village businesses have been very clear that pay parking is not beneficial to the environment there. Hitting them hard with excessive local tax increases is not helpful in these times of economic downturn either. Clear examples of this "Perfect Storm" are visible in many storefronts throughout Whistler.
Give an example of a difficult situation you have overcome. I have overcome many difficult situations in my life.
Where can people go to get your election platform? Facebook "Steve Anderson for Whistler Council" and www.anderson4council.com . I will not be printing flyers or handouts. One roadside sign may be one too many, diminishing our visual landscape. Plan on hosting neighborhood get-togethers from Emerald to Function/Cheakamus Crossing where voters can chat informally and ask the tough questions one-on-one. Places and dates will be posted on FB and website.
