From the Silver Creek Community Association's Candidate Q&A series, question 7 of 7 Residents will inevitably bring forward concerns that the Area Director cannot resolve directly, either because the issue falls under another level of government or because the final decision belongs to the full CSRD Board. How would you respond when residents expect you to solve a problem that is outside your authority or when you are unable to deliver the outcome they want? Please explain how you would advocate for them while remaining honest about what you can and cannot accomplish.
Responses
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Dennis LaPierre
All decisions that involve the expenditure of local taxpayer money on local projects are decisions that require the approval of the Regional District Board. As the local area Director, I can either make that request on behalf of the residents, or sometimes better yet, bring a delegation of residents to a Board meeting and together with them, make the request. Indeed, however, there are some things that are outside the jurisdiction of the Regional District that are wholly the purview of the Province and provincial Ministries. The example is the need to address highway issues: things like dangerous intersections, for example. My response is to explain to the interested group where the authority lies, but also to inquire with the authorities on behalf of the community, inform them of the concerns and, following that, report back to the community just what I had done and learned and whether the resolution the community seeks is likely to be achieved. It is not my job to make excuses where I have to deliver disappointing feedback. My job is to deliver what I know and have learned and beyond that, explore, with the community, what other options or strategies might be employed to resolve the issue.
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Jon KozuskaWhen something is outside the hands of the director, this directly ties into transparency. The most honest approach is always the best approach. As such, the explanation would be to the point. For example "that unfortunately falls onto the province, however, I will reach out to our MLA or MOP" or "I honestly dont have that answer, but I will call and get it and help guide you through the process" and "I will bring it to the CSRD board and get back to you ASAP". Understanding and willingness to help go a long way, and both are the honorable way to approach a situation like that. Again, as the area's voice, I'd stand beside them until a resolution was found.
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Melanie BeckettI don't think the job of Area Director is to pretend or to make promises one can’t keep. When an issue falls under provincial jurisdiction or requires a full CSRD Board vote, I would never just say 'that’s not my department.' I would be upfront about what is within regional district authority, show residents what local levers we can pull. Examples: funding, zoning, and multi-agency advocacy and then fight for our community's interests at the table.