Even though her first day in office sparked some division, Lisa Helps says her goal for the next four years is co-operation.
Helps, who sparked controversy when she declined to swear allegiance to the Queen, began her inaugural address with a story about attending an event with Esquimalt elder Mary Ann Thomas. Thomas addressed the crowd, saying: “I love you. I care about you. I respect you.”
What if politicians addressed the public in the same way at significant moments, Helps asked, before repeating the phrase to the crowd. She promised to maintain that tone, even through the inevitable conflict.
“Part of how we need to do business as a local government is to treat each other as if we are all worthy of love, care and respect,” Helps said after the meeting.
“So often, when we get to public engagement, it becomes ‘us versus them.’ That’s no longer enough.”
In her address, Helps committed to three themes: meaningful public participation, collaboration and affordability-prosperity.
She pledged earlier opportunities for input on large projects such as sewage treatment, to support citizen-driven initiatives and to try to reach beyond the usual participants in civic decision-making.
On the theme of collaboration, she highlighted relationships with other municipal governments, First Nations, the province, as well as city staff. She credited Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen with coining the phrase “mayors without borders,” and said co-operation will be especially important in addressing voters’ interest in exploring amalgamation.
Finally, she said voters’ calls for affordability and prosperity have been heard, calling economic development a priority and reading a letter written by an 83-year-old resident who feared property tax increases.
Helps won the vote by 89 votes, defeating two-term incumbent Dean Fortin.
Many saw Helps’s victory and that of challenger Richard Atwell in Saanich as a sign that core voters wanted change.
“It’s a new era in terms of collaboration and co-operation across the region,” she said.
“I think we can feel it — with my election and the election of Richard [Atwell], there have been some big reset buttons.”
After the speech, Helps said her biggest challenges would be the obvious ones: the Johnson Street Bridge and sewage treatment. But her first priority will be developing a strategic plan.
Other councillors named their own priorities.
Newcomer Jeremy Loveday named completion of the cycling network and building neighbourhood resiliency, while Chris Coleman said he’d like to honour those lost at war.
Pam Madoff, who joined council in 1993, said inaugurations typically share some common themes.
“They’re all different, but I think they’re always infused with optimism. And I think it’s so important to start with optimism, then it’s our job to see if we can maintain it.”
