A total of seven candidates will be vying for votes to join Pemberton’s next council in the upcoming Nov. 19 municipal election.

With four council spots available, local voters must choose from a roster of candidates who are all active in the local community.

Incumbent Al LeBlanc, 56, is confident Pemberton has grown in a positive way during his term on council, citing the new Official Community Profile (OCP), new seniors’ housing, the bike park pump track, the skateboard park, and the waterpark as examples.

“Last term when we started, a lot of people were saying ‘we’re moving out of Pemberton, there’s nothing to do for our children,’” said LeBlanc, who has lived in the valley since 1959 and is the father of three grown children. “I think Pemberton has risen above and beyond.”

He would like to see more employment opportunities in order to sustain the town’s population. He listed a run-of-river power project, community forests, a renewed interest in mining activities and the independent school as job-creation projects he would like to facilitate.

“I think I have a good knowledge of especially the history of our village, and I believe I bring to the table… enough knowledge to know the feasibility of some of the projects that are put forward to the village,” said LeBlanc.

Robert Szachury, 40, has been a resident of Pemberton for 11 years and previously lived in Whistler for nine. Married with two children, he owns Turbo Plumbing, which services the North Shore right through to Lillooet, as well as remote access sites.

“Obviously I’m a business minded person,” said Szachury, “so the economy is first and foremost — that, tied into smart-growth development.”

A vocal proponent of the Ravens Crest development, he said it’s the next step in Pemberton’s growth and wants to see it done right, with no hidden agendas.

“Short term, you’ve got construction jobs,” he said. “Long term, the people that live in those units and work in that school are going to require recreational facilities, whether it be an ice rink or pool.”

Although his focus is economic development and growth, Szachury said the development of recreation is also paramount.

“The town needs and wants more,” he said “Basically, we’re a bedroom community to Whistler and as much as people say they want to get out from under that, well that’s not possible unless you develop an industry here.”

An active community member, Mike Richman has lived in Pemberton for 20 years. Married with two children, Richman, 42, owned the Pony Espresso restaurant for almost 15 years before selling it two years ago. He currently runs the maintenance department for Whistler Resort Management.

“Having lived and worked in Pemberton for so many years, I believe I have a grasp of many of the key issues,” said Richman.

Richman said he hopes to use his small business sense to continue to grow Pemberton’s industry base.

“We’re at a bit if a critical position now,” he said. “I think it’s really important to find ways to diversify so our economy is not too reliant on any one industry.”

Recreation is a personal focus for Richman. A member of Pemberton’s recreation advisory committee, he is also a volunteer soccer and basketball coach.

“We have a lot of young families and kids and if we want them to stay and grow well in our community, recreation is very important,” he said.

Co-producer of the Slow Food Cycle and co-manager of the Pemberton Farmers Market, Niki Vankerk, 37, moved to Pemberton from Squamish 2.5 years ago and runs her own home-based consulting business.

“The challenge of my work is to try to consolidate requirements to fit a budget and that directly relates to the council business,” she said.

Vankerk supports economic development, transparency in local government decision-making, and wants to keep Pemberton’s growing community connected through trails, transit and community events.

“I think I bring a really balanced view to the table,” said Vankerk, who is also the president of the women’s Whistler hockey league and an executive member of the women’s Sea to Sky soccer league. “I’m connected to the farming community, I’m a business owner, I’m connected to the recreation and sports community and I bring all of those different aspects to the table.

“I can help look at decisions from all the different angles and ask all the questions so that we can make the best decision.”

James Linklater has worked for Whistler Blackcomb for 19 years and has lived in Pemberton for the last 16. Currently the co-ordinator for food and workplace safety at Whistler Blackcomb, Linklater, 47, is the father of two and an experienced community volunteer.

Past president of Pemberton’s Rotary Club and current chair of the Rotary’s youth committee, he is also a board member and coach of Pemberton youth soccer, a member of the Pemberton Spirit of B.C./Winterfest committee, and a former cub and beaver leader for Scouts Canada.

“Given that I am a resident homeowner and father of school age children, I can well represent arguably Pemberton’s largest demographic of young families who actually live in the village, with no conflicts of interest,” said Linklater.

A supporter of the OCP, he shares the concerns residents have around the unfinished developments in town and said he can offer open, accessible communication.

“I really want to find out from the residents what their issues, concerns, wishes and dreams are and work to make those become a reality while being fiscally responsible,” he said.

The two previously declared candidates are incumbent Ted Craddock and newcomer Jessica Turner.

Find out more about all seven candidates for Pemberton Council at www.whistlerquestion.com where you can read the candidates’ profiles in their own words, plus previous election news articles and reader comments.