Skip to content

MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2022: 9 candidates vie for Harrison village office

With nine candidates on the ballot, municipal offices in Harrison Hot Springs could see some significant change come Oct. 15.
30335322_web1_200220-AHO-HarrisonCommunityPlan-VillageHallHarrison_1
Harrison Hot Springs Village Hall. (File Photo)

With nine candidates on the ballot, municipal offices in Harrison Hot Springs could see some significant change come Oct. 15.

For mayor, there are candidates John Allen, incumbent Coun. Samantha Piper and Ed Wood. For council, there are candidates John Buckley, Cathy Christiansen, incumbent Mayor Leo Facio, Leslie Ghezesan, Allan Jackson and incumbent Coun. Michie Vidal.

Allen has run for local office several times in the past 44 years, most recently losing to incumbent mayor Leo Facio by 150 votes. Allen is involved in a plethora of clubs, organizations and events in Harrison Hot Springs and can regularly be found at council meetings, holding elected officials to account during question periods and in online commentary. He has served three two-year terms as village mayor from 1978 to 1983 and again via by-election from 2003 to 2005.

Piper serves on the Corrections Canada Citizen’s Advisory Committee, Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce, Kent Harrison Joint Emergency Program Committee, Tourism Harrison and is alternate municipal director on the Fraser Valley Regional Library Board.

RELATED: MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2022: Nomination period closes, candidates declared

Contenders for Harrison’s Village Council filed early in the nomination period. Incumbent Coun. Michie Vidal and mayoral candidate Ed Wood were the first to file. Vidal is coming to the end of her first term as councillor, and Wood last ran for a seat on council in 2014.

A 12-year resident of Harrison Hot Springs, Buckley served one two-year term as councillor following the 2012 by-election before being re-elected in 2014 term as councillor. Buckley earned considerably more votes than any other elected village official in the 2014 election.

Buckley is a long-time community volunteer. During his most recent campaign, Buckley said his goals included being fiscally responsible, increasing transparency in village operations and advocating for local businesses.

Christiansen has lived in Harrison Hot Springs since 2018, having moved from Langley to live a quieter life.

“I believe if you want a change, you have to make a change,” Christiansen told The Observer. She said Harrison residents have a lot of concerns about the future of the village, including how it’s being developed, creating an evacuation route and flooding prevention.

“Residents feel their concerns are not being heard,” Christiansen stated. “I have these concerns as well; I would like the opportunity to be their voice.”

Facio was voted in to council in 1993 and is coming to the end of his fourth term as mayor. His list of accomplishments includes obtaining Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) funding for the village and installing the controversial seasonal pay parking system. Facio told The Observer that while he hopes to still have a voice on council as a councillor, he felt it was time to step away and let someone else become mayor.

RELATED: Harrison Council adjusts parking rules ahead of peak tourism season

Ghezesan has run for council in 2014 and 2018. He has successfully run a heating and plumbing business based in Harrison for nearly 20 years. Among his past campaign goals is development that enhances the village while conserving the environment and more direct involvement of citizens in municipal government. Ghezesan was an outspoken advocate for the Stop the Quarry movement.

Jackson won the most votes of any municipal candidate during the 2011 election. He narrowly lost a potential third term on council to Piper by 25 votes. He, too, played a part in not only attaining RMI funding for the village but installing the hotel tax. His previous goals for municipal office include increased communications between residents and the village and careful planning for spending.

Last election cycle, eight candidates ran for village council.


@adamEditor18
adam.louis@ ahobserver.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.