Mark Anderson
Website: DuncanTaxpayers.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkAndersonDuncanCouncil
Are you associated with or running as part of a slate? If so, which one?
No. I am running as an independent candidate.
There are definitely slates of candidates in the Cowichan Valley elections although they typically do not advertise that they are part of a slate and remain quiet about their involvement in any slate. I am not part of any slate.
Do you live in the municipality where you are running, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to that community?
Yes. I have been a resident and taxpayer in Duncan since 2007, when I moved to Duncan from Victoria.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I own and operate a Driving School called West Coast Driver Training ( westcoastdrivertraining.com ) . I started this business in 2018 and have been running since then.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I have no previous elected government experience. I am a member of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce and the Duncan Rotary Cub.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
I believe that the current Mayor of Duncan and one other current member of Council, neither of whom are residents of Duncan, are active in non profit societies which have definite political agendas and I believe they place the interests of their non profit societies ahead of the interests of Duncan’s residents, taxpayers and businesses.
I believe that needs to change so I am running for Council with the intention of putting the interests of Duncan’s residents, taxpayers and businesses first.
What are your top three issues?
1. taxes and fundamental economics; we are coming into difficult economic times in which many people are having difficulty making ends meet. I think we have to keep municipal taxes at reasonable levels so people and businesses are not facing an onerous tax burden.
2. crime, public safety and public order. I do not want to see Duncan go the way of so many larger cities which have allowed crime and public disorder to render significant parts of those cities very unattractive to residents.
3. Housing is a major issue in this election. It is essential that housing be developed in Duncan but I would like to ensure that development is done in a way that retains Duncan livability and small town character.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
I want to ensure that Duncan is, and remains, a prosperous small town that is an attractive place to live and visit.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
I want to ensure that Duncan is, and remains, a prosperous small town that is an attractive place to live and visit. Population increases are inevitable but I think it essential that the resulting development is handled in a way that ensures Duncan retains its small town character and livability.
