CUMBERLAND

FOR MAYOR: Vickey Brown (Acclaimed)

Vickey Brown defeated long-time Mayor Leslie Baird in 2022 with a 15 percent margin. This year, she ran unopposed and will win her second term by acclamation. She previously served one term on the Village Council (2018-2022) and before that on the School District 71 Board of Trustees, representing the village from 2014-2018. She has been a good leader. We expect she will continue to prioritize the village’s watershed security, including the number two dam project. And we urge her to address the other infrastructure priorities in her second term, as well as managing the debt to pay for them.

FOR COUNCIL: Sean, Nick and Troy (incumbents)

The Cumberland Village Council has functioned extremely well for more than a decade. One reason, despite a few different councillors over the last three terms, the group has always managed to achieve a comfortable level of cohesiveness. Incumbents Troy Therrien and Nick Ward have shown up informed and ready to do the work. Incumbent Sean Sullivan’s difficulties outside of the council chambers last year does not diminish his contributions over the last two terms.

More to the point, two of the challengers have not made a convincing case to replace any of the incumbents. In particular, Kevin Snaden’s harsh interactions with residents during an open forum indicate he’s not ready for public office.

That said, Decafnation recommends these incumbents: Nick Ward, who was elected in a 2024 byelection after 10-year council veteran Jesse Ketler stepped down. Sean Sullivan, who is seeking his fourth term on Cumberland Council. He is a popular incumbent, having been one of the top vote getters in each of his previous terms. Troy Therrien, who was elected in 2022 and is seeking his second term.

There is value in continuity. Our one exception this time is Ellian Bell, a well-qualified newcomer to Cumberland politics. We think she deserves a seat at the table, and not only to add gender diversity.

FOR COUNCIL: Ellian Bell, newcomer

Ellian Bell has a Bachelors degree in political science and women studies from the University of Victoria, and an Artist Management diploma from the Harris Institute, She spent seven years sailing the world before landing in Cumberland 12 years ago. She manages productions for a Victoria-based music and events company. She also owned and operated a small business in the village. Born in Wales, she has been a Canadian for 26 years. We think Bell would add fresh ideas and new ways of thinking about culture as the heart of a community. She would bring the perspective of a single mother, a business woman, a world traveller, and a remote worker — a range of experience and diversity that doesn’t exist on the current council.

FOR AREA B: Arzeena Hamir

Areena Hamir was a tireless community activist regional director with a list of accomplishments from her first term in 2018-2022. She played key roles in finally settling the odour issues emanating from the Sewage Treatment Plant for Curtis Road residents, getting the Merville Fire Hall built to serve residents in both Areas B and C and bringing agricultural issues to the forefront of regional district planning. Her support for local farmers and other food producers bodes well for the region’s food supply and security. We think she deserves another chance to represent Area B.

Hamir’s main opponent is incumbent Richard Hardy, who won the 2022 election by 23 votes. Hardy has not communicated well with Area B residents, making his presence and his work feel invisible.

FOR AREA C: Ariel Becherer

Ariel Becherer is a teaching assistant with a Master’s Degree in political economy, and part way through a PhD program. She has worked at the Black Creek Community Centre and volunteers with Lush Valley. She has represented more than 2,000 teaching assistants in bargaining, and built the group’s emergency fund, negotiated wage increases and protections for AI technology and gained access to funds for childcare and health benefits. Her experience at the bargaining table is a good base for working with multi-jurisdictional representatives at the regional district. She’s focused on multiple issues including water security, food affordability, the safety of roads in Area C, keeping the area rural and helping small businesses survive outside of the Comox Valley’s urban cores.

Her opponent Gillian Anderson is a worthy candidate, but seems solely focused on the water bottling issue. The other candidate Norman McPhail, who lives in Saratoga Beach, is a retired 32-year RCMP Superintendent and a former manager of corporate and community services for the Whistler municipality. McPhail has excellent qualifications. But he’s less likely to work as well with Area C residents and others on the CVRD board.

TRUSTEES SCHOOL DISTRICT 71: Shannon & Kendall

There is only one race for the Comox Valley Board of School Trustees and it’s for the two Courtenay seats. Candidates in all other areas are unopposed and will be acclaimed. This is a little surprising, given that a Lower Mainland organization opposed to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity concepts integrated into public schools registered as an Elector Organization in the Comox Valley. Only one candidate, Maria Sanchez, is running on the ParentsVoice BC platform of anti-SOGI and anti-Vaccines.

We recommend voting for incumbent Shannon Aldinger and newcomer Kendall Packham.

This page was updated to correct that Sean Sullivan is seeking his fourth term on Cumberland Village Council.